6 Tips for Winter-proofing Your Outdoor Furniture
It’s that time of year again, and patio season is coming to a close until next year. Here are a few key tips for taking care of your outdoor furniture during the colder months.
1. Store your outdoor cushions and umbrella canopies inside for the winter.
Make sure that they are clean and dry before storing them. If you need to clean your Sunbrella cushions we do not recommend taking your covers off, rather spot clean using a soft cloth and a mild detergent (dish soap). Do this on a sunny day when the cushions can be placed in full sun rotate while drying to avoid watermarks. If you have difficult stains please refer the Sunbrella stain chart for further recipes.
2. Clean off your outdoor furniture frames
Hose them down (do not power wash) and if necessary use a mild detergent (dish soap). Be sure to never use any harsh chemicals on your outdoor furniture.
3. Stainless steel needs special care
Give it a quick once over with mineral oil after you clean it with soap and water. Mineral oil will help protect against corrosion over the winter, repeat again in the spring.
4. Untreated teak is weather-proof
Untreated teak furniture can be left outdoors uncovered all 12 months of the year, no matter where you live. If you choose to cover your teak furniture during the winter use a material that allows the wood to breathe.
Clean your teak at the beginning and end of the season with a mix of dish soap and water. Any mold or mildew can be removed with a bleach and water combination.
5. Cover your furniture with proper, fitted covers
Outdoor furniture is meant to survive harsh Canadian winters however covering it with proper protective covers will increase its life span and preserve its luxurious appearance, warding off moisture and UV damage.
6. If storing it, store it (up)right
If you have the space and opt to store your furniture in a garage, gazebo, pool house or anywhere that the temperature dips below zero, be sure that all of your furniture remains in the position it was meant to be in, upright. Do not store any tables on their sides or other position.
Aluminum frames have weeping holes, allowing any water/moisture to drain. If the frames do not drain properly flash freezing can occur, ultimately causing your aluminum frames to burst, so be sure to empty any water.
If you have any questions about how to care for your patio furniture over fall and winter, do not hesitate to get in touch with us here at Casualife, the Toronto outdoor furniture specialists. You can reach us directly via phone or email at both our Markham and Mississauga showroom stores.