With winter not too far away, your garden parties will soon be coming to an end, which means it is time to think about preparing your garden furniture for a few months out of the spotlight. If you don’t take any steps to protect it, you will likely end up having to buy new items next spring. With some pieces of garden furniture a significant investment, it is worth protecting them. Read on to learn more.
Cleaning
As with anything that needs to be stored for a few months or longer, take the time to clean your garden furniture with soapy water so it is free of dirt, dust, and foreign material. This applies irrespective of the material your furniture is made from, although material-specific care is vital.
- Metal garden furniture like this garden table range will benefit from a rust-resistant coating to protect the metal from moisture. This is especially important if you have cast-iron garden chairs and tables.
- Wooden furniture should be sanded down and a protective sealant applied so the wood isn’t damaged by dampness.
- Inspect wicker and rattan garden furniture for damage and treat it accordingly.
- Plastic garden furniture is low maintenance and only needs a wash.
- If you have cushions and parasols, store them away once they are clean and dry. Don’t put them in plastic bags if they are damp, or they will be ruined by mildew over winter.
Store Somewhere Dry
The best place to store garden furniture is in a clean, dry garage or shed. Here it will be safe from the elements, rodents, and insects. Make sure the place is well-ventilated and there are no holes in the roof, walls, or doors. Otherwise, you could unpack everything next spring to find a family of mice has made a nice, comfortable home in your garden chairs.
Invest in Protective Covers
Not everyone has a garage or shed, so if this is you, don’t panic. The next best solution is to invest in heavy-duty protective covers designed to keep the elements away from your precious garden furniture. Buy the right size covers. They should fit each item snugly and be made from UV and water-resistant materials. Secure your garden furniture covers so they don’t blow off in the next strong wind.
Raise Off the Ground
Don’t leave tables and chairs sitting on damp ground. If you make this mistake, your furniture could end up absorbing moisture from the ground up, which isn’t great, especially if it’s made from timber. Lift chairs and tables and place the feet on bricks or risers. This should minimise potential damage.
Conduct Regular Checkups
Don’t cover and store your garden furniture then forget about it for five months. Every month or so, lift the covers and make sure everything looks OK. If you do spot any signs moisture has found a way under, either move the furniture to somewhere dry, or repair/replace the covers before the damage gets any worse.
Protecting garden furniture is well worth the effort. Why waste money buying furniture every spring when you can invest in some covers and continue using the furniture you love for many happy years? You know it makes sense!
