{"id":22413,"date":"2023-10-26T00:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T04:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=22413"},"modified":"2024-04-19T16:10:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T20:10:11","slug":"its-time-how-to-store-your-patio-furniture-for-fall-and-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/your-space\/organization\/its-time-how-to-store-your-patio-furniture-for-fall-and-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Time: How to Store Your Patio Furniture for Fall and Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Outdoor<\/a>
Living in a cold-weather climate? It’s time to store your outdoor furniture.
Free Image via Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For some, winter is the most wonderful time of\nyear. The world just seems quieter and calmer when there\u2019s a layer of snow on\neverything \u2013 and you\u2019re bundled up in blankets on the couch drinking hot cocoa.\nBut if you have taken time to spruce up your spot<\/a> with outdoor\npatio furniture and\/or a fire pit,\nthere\u2019s a little bit of preparation you need to take in order to make sure\neverything is picture perfect \u2013 and totally functional \u2013 when it\u2019s time to haul\nit out again in the spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to worry \u2013 CubeSmart is here to help you organize, store and clean outdoor furniture and accessories with plenty of easy tips and tricks. We\u2019ll cover what outdoor furniture can be left outside in winter as well as why and how to store your patio furniture, along with useful links to learn more. So, crank up that thermostat, light that pumpkin spice candle, and let\u2019s get going! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Store Your Patio Furniture?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Outdoor<\/a>
Even furniture in mostly protected spaces could benefit from furniture covers.
Free Image via Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s answer the age-old question: why store your patio furniture? Well, to put it\nbluntly, the cold, wet, and dry conditions that characterize winter in much of\nthe United States will wreak havoc on your belongings, even if you have tried\nto protect outdoor furniture with a covered\npatio or porch. Wood will peel, split, and rot. Plastic will fade and become\nbrittle. Metal will rust. All not great looks come summertime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storing it inside, however, will help extend\nyour patio furniture\u2019s lifespan and protect both how it looksand feels. Proper storage also protects\nyour items from \u201cporch pirates\u201dand other criminals looking to vandalize or\nsteal anything that isn\u2019t nailed down. Last but definitely not least, indoor\nstorage also can protect belongings from mice or other vermin. If you\u2019ve ever\npicked up an outdoor cushion and had the\nstuffing fall out from a giant hole in the fabric, you know what we\u2019re talking\nabout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which\nOutdoor Furniture Should Not Be Left Out in Winter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Blue<\/a>
Wicker is especially sensitive to moisture and cold.
Free Image via Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you take the time and make the effort up\nfront to winterize patio furniture, there\nare some pieces that can be left out. On the flipside, there are some that\nshould definitely not be left out \u2013 even if you buy tarps and bungee cords \u2013 or even fitted covers \u2013 to secure patio furniture from wind and wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s dive a bit deeper a few common questions\nwe hear about how you should treat patio furniture once the mercury begins to\ndrop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Leave Wicker Furniture Out in Winter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wicker furniture is made from natural materials like bamboo and rattan and can be damaged extremely easily by the elements. To store your wicker furniture, clean it well, remove outdoor cushions, and wrap it up before placing it in a secure, climate-controlled storage<\/a> spot. Synthetic wicker furniture can handle weather much better than natural wicker, according to this piece<\/a> from HomeServe<\/em>, but still should be covered and moved to a protected area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Leave Outdoor Cushions Out in Winter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s\nanswer the question by asking one ourselves: Can\noutdoor cushions get wet? Generally, yes, as long as it has time to dry\nout. But even if an outdoor cushion is\ntreated to be water-resistant, if it gets wet repeatedly, you run the risk of\nmildew, mold, and discoloration. You\u2019ll thank yourself next spring if you clean\nthem and pack them away indoors.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can\nYou Leave Wrought Iron Furniture Out in Winter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wrought iron\nfurniture is extremely durable, so many make\nthe mistake of leaving it outdoors, uncovered, in the rain and snow. Repeated\nexposure to the worst that Mother Nature has to offer can make your wrought\niron pieces begin to rust, which weakens the metal \u2013 and looks terrible to\nboot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Leave a Fire Pit Out in Winter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your fire pit is professionally made, it is likely weather-resistant and built to withstand temperature fluctuations. You can always cover it with a custom vinyl cover for extra protection from the elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have more questions specific to your type of furniture or environment? You can always reach out to the manufacturer for advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How\nto Store Your Patio Furniture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Outdoor<\/a>
Keep your outdoor dining set dinner-ready for years to come with correct coverage.
Free Image via Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There is a right way and a wrong way to store\npatio furniture. Let\u2019s cover the wrong way first: take it as is \u2013 <\/em>the dirtier and wetter the better \u2013 and shove it in your\nattic, basement, shed, or unheated garage. Revisit on May 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s cover the right way, in five easy\nsteps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.\nDeep Clean Outdoor Furniture Before Storing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Different\ntypes of furniture require different types of cleaning, according to HGTV<\/a>. Teak furniture,\nfor instance, which is one of the few types of patio furniture that can be left\noutside over the winter, can be simply dusted and soaped a few times a year if\nyou don\u2019t mind the gray, weathered look. If you want to maintain the original\ncolor of your teak furniture, however, you\nmust also use both a UV inhibitor and tung or linseed oil a few times a\nyear.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.\nLet Dry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\nis absolutely critical that you let your furniture dry completely (including\nany cushion or cushion cases you\u2019ve washed in your laundry machine) before\nstoring. The last thing you want to do is uncover your patio furniture next\nyear and see (or smell) mildew. If you leave metal furniture wet, it will rust\nand may even become ruined. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.\nUse Sealants and Coatings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As\nalways, refer to the care instructions that (hopefully) came with your patio\nfurniture with regards to sealants and coatings. That said, the CliffsNotes are\nthat if you do seal your wood furniture, you can use just about any wood\nsealant from the hardware store or specialty natural oils. When it comes to\nsealing wrought iron furniture, there are\nalso a bunch of options to choose from, including zinc primers, epoxy enamel\nand silicone sealants with different gloss levels.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Invest in Covers to Protect Outdoor Furniture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although\nbungee cords and tarps do have their time\nand place, try not to rely on them when covering your outdoor furniture. You\nspent a lot of money on your furniture; treat it well with properly fitted\ncovers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.\nMove to Storage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll\nwant to keep your cleaned, polished, and covered patio furniture in\nclimate-controlled storage for the best possible outcome. The changes in\ntemperature and humidity in sheds and attics can cause a surprising amount of\ndamage to natural and manmade materials. Make sure your furniture is somewhere\nthat isn\u2019t prone to leaks or vermin, either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know what you\u2019ve got to do to get\nthe most life out of your patio furniture, get to it! Your furniture \u2013 and your\nfamily \u2013 will thank you come spring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For some, winter is the most wonderful time of year. The world just seems quieter and calmer when there\u2019s a layer of snow on everything \u2013 and you\u2019re bundled up in blankets on the couch drinking hot cocoa. But if you have taken time to spruce up your spot with outdoor patio furniture and\/or a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":22421,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,639],"tags":[1548,1549,1550],"class_list":["post-22413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-organization","category-your-space","tag-fire-pit","tag-outdoor-patio-furniture","tag-wicker-furniture"],"yoast_head":"\r\nIt\u2019s Time: How to Store Your Patio Furniture for Fall and Winter | The Storage Space<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you live in a colder climate, it's time to store your outdoor furniture. 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