With the colder months fast approaching, no doubt you’ll be starting to think about how to prepare your garden for winter. From covering your plants and trees to making sure the lawn is ‘winter ready’, there are many things to think about in the garden as we come into winter. One of the most important things that you’re likely to be considering is how to protect garden furniture in winter. With this in mind, we’ve put together the following short guide, containing all the details you need to know on how to protect garden furniture in winter. Let’s take a look at our top tips and recommendations.
Clean your garden furniture
Before you get your outdoor furniture tucked away for the winter, it’s always a sensible idea to give it a good clean. This is important for preventing rot and mould from materialising. Depending on the type of furniture you have, there are different methods that you should use for cleaning your furniture. When it comes to cleaning cast aluminium furniture, you should use a stiff wire brush to remove any loose debris, before using a non-abrasive scouring pad dipped in an aluminium cleaner such as 3m or Starbrite, then rinse with warm water.
Please note: You should always avoid using alkaline-based cleaning products when caring for aluminium garden furniture as this can cause oxidation. This creates a layer on the surface of the metal that can act as a protective layer against corrosion. However, when the layer fails, the aluminium starts to corrode at an accelerated pace.
For wooden or rattan garden furniture, you should wipe the surface using a lint-free cloth before washing it with warm, soapy water. It’s important that you let the furniture dry completely before storing it away in order to prevent rotting. You should also avoid using cleaning products that contain bleach or scouring agents on artificial or natural rattan, as this can cause cracks to develop. Cleaning plays a big part in how to protect garden furniture in winter, by helping to ensure it maintains its quality when not in use as regularly as during the summer.
Apply winter-proof treatments
After cleaning your outdoor furniture, you may also want to apply additional treatments for extra protection. For cast aluminium patio furniture, applying a light coat of car wax can prevent corrosion whilst creating additional shine. Rattan garden furniture already has a protective finish, however after a few years this can begin to fade, meaning it might be an idea to give the furniture a new coat varnish as it begins to age. When it comes to treating wooden furniture, most hardwoods won’t need additional treatment, however if you own softwood furniture, it can be a smart idea to apply a couple of coats of teak oil.
Use protective covers
Whilst cleaning and treating your outdoor furniture will certainly help keep it healthy, when it comes to how to protect garden furniture in winter, coverage is key. Using protective covers will prevent the elements from causing the furniture to wear down and decay. At Inside Out Living, we have specialist garden furniture covers that are specifically suited to the shape and size of our outdoor furniture items. Lightweight, with a tailored fit and pull cords to keep the cover in place during the winter weather, our garden furniture covers protect from the likes of UV, frost, tree sap and bird droppings. The covers are easy to take on and off, so should you fancy spending a cosy afternoon or evening by the fire pit, there won’t be any hassle. Not to mention, having been covered securely, your furniture will be shiny and clean to use straight away.
Store cushions away
When it comes to discussing how to protect garden furniture in winter, we’re not just talking about the tables and chairs themselves. You also want to store your favourite cushions correctly to ensure that they are good as new to use when spring comes around again. If you don’t have space to store your outdoor cushions inside, store them away safely in the garden with our garden cushion storage box. Our rattan and aluminium cushion storage boxes are fitted with hard wearing waterproof liners, allowing you to store cushions and other outdoor essentials in an organised manner without taking up any of your inside space.
Bring the outside in
It might seem counterintuitive, but when thinking about how to protect garden furniture in winter, don’t be afraid to bring outdoor furniture indoors, where you’re able to. Keeping outdoor furniture indoors is the best way to keep it protected from the winter elements, which will improve its longevity, and ensure it maintains its quality. Our stylish rattan garden furniture will blend into many modern or vintage indoor decor scheme, and works particularly well in conservatories. Adding soft furnishings, such as cushions and throws, will make them feel more homely, and allow you to tie the pieces in nicely with your indoor furniture.
For further guidance on how to protect garden furniture in winter, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
