Here's How To Store Patio Furniture Properly

Patio furniture is an essential part of building your outdoor dream space. However, when the weather gets a bit too severe to allow you to lounge by the pool, it's important to adequately protect your pieces when they're not being used, even if they're built out of durable material. To do so, you have one of two options — either store your furniture indoors or protect it by shielding it with weather-resistant and insulating coverings. This, of course, depends on your specific situation and what space you have available. Both methods are much better than simply letting your outdoor furniture face extreme weather year-round.

Before you begin, it's also a good idea to give your furniture a good clean. To start, spray everything down with a hose, then go in with a cloth soaked in soapy water to remove any stuck-on dirt and dust. Give it one more spray with the hose to rinse away the soap, and you're good to go. Once everything is fully dry, you can work on storing your furniture for the off-season.

If you have extra space in your garage, shed, or storage unit that you're willing to fill, it's a good idea to store your outdoor furniture indoors during winter. This way, it will be protected from rain, snow, and ice, and it won't be subject to massive changes in temperature throughout the months. If your space is heated or weather-controlled, you don't need to do much by way of protection. Just add a dust cover to avoid cleaning when you bring everything back out, but this is optional.

If your space isn't weather-controlled, or you live in an incredibly humid climate, it can also be beneficial to vacuum seal any cushions and pillows included in your outdoor set after ensuring they're completely dry. Mold and mildew tend to build up on plush materials that can hold onto moisture, so even if your furniture includes sturdy outdoor fabric, adding this extra layer of protection is best to keep everything safe.

If you don't have the space or can't be bothered to completely move your heavy patio set, it's also possible to weatherproof your outdoor furniture to minimize the risk of damage. If possible, you're going to want to remove any soft materials, like cushions and pillows, and store them inside. This should take up much less space than stowing the full frame, but it still allows you to protect the parts that are most susceptible to damage from the elements.

Next, it's a good idea to invest in fabric furniture covers that fit properly over your pieces. Tarps can work in a pinch, but something specifically designed to fit the shape of your patio furniture will offer much better protection. Look for covers made of heavyweight fabric with vents to prevent trapped moisture, and secure them down with ties if you expect any stronger winds. Once they're covered, you're pretty much set until you want to use your patio set again, though it can be helpful to periodically knock off any pooling water or snow to prevent moisture from seeping in.