How do you store patio furniture for winter?
Short answer: Clean every piece with mild soap and water, then let it dry completely before covering or storing. Bring natural wicker, cushions, and glass or stone tops indoors. Touch up rust on iron and steel, and wax aluminum. HDPE lumber and teak can stay outside. Use snug, breathable covers and keep pieces upright and off the ground.
What should you do before storing patio furniture?
Clean it first. POLYWOOD notes this reduces the risk of mold and rust. Mild dish soap, warm water, and a sponge handle most materials.
Cover furniture only once it is completely dry, or trapped moisture can feed mold and mildew.
Rinse and towel-dry metal that sat near sidewalk salt, since salt can corrode hardware.
How to winterize furniture by material
| Material | Prep | Where it spends winter |
|---|---|---|
| Powder-coated aluminum | Mild soap, rinse, dry; clear car wax | Indoors in cold climates, if you have space |
| Wrought iron and steel | Wire-brush rust, touch-up paint | Sheltered or covered |
| Teak | Clean; oil or seal only to keep the color | Can stay outside |
| HDPE lumber (POLYWOOD, Trex) | Mild soap, water, soft brush | Can stay outside uncovered |
| Natural wicker | Gentle cleaning | Indoors |
| Synthetic resin wicker | Mild soap and water, no harsh chemicals | Follow the maker’s guidance |
| Glass, stone tops | Clean and dry | Indoors in freezing climates |
| Cushions | Mild soap, rinse, air dry | Dry, indoors |
Aluminum and steel
Brown Jordan recommends mild soap and water, a rinse, and a dry. It suggests a coat of clear automotive wax two to three times a year. Its general seasonal advice is to bring pieces indoors in cold climates.
POLYWOOD adds one aluminum tip: remove the foot caps to let trapped water drain out. Touch up scratches with paint.
Wrought iron: how do you touch up rust?
Remove rust with a wire brush, then apply touch-up paint. Trex suggests appliance paint in a matching color. Car wax adds protection; Trex advises against waxing on cold days or in direct sun.
Teak and other wood: oil it or let it go silver?
Teak naturally weathers to a silver-gray patina, which Brown Jordan calls expected. To keep the warm tone, use a teak cleaner and sealer.
POLYWOOD says teak does not need a protective coating to stay outside. Trex notes seasoned wood can sit outside uncovered, because covers can trap moisture that leads to mildew. Softwood is more sensitive and benefits from a coating or cover.
Resin and HDPE furniture
POLYWOOD says its HDPE frames can stay outdoors uncovered all winter. Covers are optional but make spring cleanup easier.
Injection-molded plastic chairs are more sensitive, per POLYWOOD, and benefit from covers or storage.
Natural vs. synthetic wicker
Trex says to store wicker indoors, away from the cold. For synthetic PE-fiber weave, Brown Jordan says to clean with mild soap and water and avoid harsh chemicals. Check your maker’s guidance before leaving any wicker out.
How should you store outdoor cushions?
Clean cushions before storing them. Trex’s method:
- Brush off loose dirt.
- Scrub with mild soap and water and a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse out all soap residue.
- Air dry completely.
Brown Jordan says to dry performance-fabric cushions standing upright. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, or dry clean them. For tough stains or mildew on durable fabrics, Trex suggests one part bleach to two parts water. Check the fabric label before using bleach, work in a ventilated area, and never mix bleach with other cleaners.
Store cushions in a cool, dry place. A heavy-duty bag or tote on a garage or shed shelf works. Sew up tears first.
Do patio furniture covers trap moisture?
They can. Trex and POLYWOOD recommend breathable, snug-fitting covers. Loose covers collect snow and can tear. Brown Jordan recommends ventilated covers for frames left outdoors. Secure covers with drawcords, bungees, or straps so they don’t billow in the wind.
Where and how to stack patio furniture
- Garage or shed: Lean or hang folding chairs. Stand tables upright or take them apart. Keep seats clear of other objects.
- Stacking: Stack only pieces the manufacturer labels as stackable. Never stack anything on a glass table.
- Outdoors: Keep pieces upright and raise them on blocks or pallets so water doesn’t freeze around the legs. Brush off heavy snow regularly.
- Fire pit tables: Disconnect propane tanks and gas lines before storage, and store propane tanks outdoors upright, never in a garage or house.
- Lifting: Glass and stone tops and solid wood or HDPE pieces are heavy. Remove glass tops before moving a table, and get a helper rather than lifting alone.
How to store a patio umbrella
Per Brown Jordan, clean the canopy with mild soap, water, and a soft brush. Let it dry fully before closing it. Cover or store it at season’s end.
Next, winterize your outdoor faucet or work through the winterize house checklist.
Quick answers
Can patio furniture stay outside in winter? HDPE lumber and teak can. Natural wicker, cushions, and glass or stone tops should come indoors.
Should I cover patio furniture for winter? Covers are optional for weatherproof pieces but cut spring cleanup. Use breathable, snug covers, and only on dry furniture.
How do I stop wrought iron from rusting over winter? Wire-brush any rust, apply touch-up paint, and add a coat of car wax.
Where should I store cushions in winter? In a cool, dry place such as a garage or shed shelf, fully dry and in a heavy-duty bag or tote.
Do I need to oil teak before winter? No. Oil or seal only if you want to keep the golden color; otherwise it weathers to silver gray.