The Do's and Don'ts of Closing Your Patio for the Season
As winter approaches, now is the perfect time to start preparing your patio for the colder months ahead. We have put together a simple list of do's and don’ts to help you protect your outdoor furniture and keep it in top shape for years to come.
DO give you furniture frames a good clean before putting them away, so they are all ready for next year! Use water, a mild dish soap and a non-abrasive cloth or brush to remove any dirt or debris.
DON’T use harsh chemicals (except on teak). Harsh chemicals can cause stains or discoloration of your furniture frames, slings and ropes.
Hose down your outdoor furniture with mild dish soap before storing for the winter, ensuring they have fully dried prior.
DO give everything a thorough rinse! Excess soap residue can actually attract dirt and discolor your furniture frames.
DON’T power wash any of our furniture. Power washing is very abrasive and powerful. This can damage your finish or furniture frames. This type of issue is not covered under warranty, so it is best to avoid!
Cleaning Stainless Steel
Dune Chaises with Black Sling
DO apply a thin coat of mineral oil to stainless steel frames and wipe off the excess with a clean microfiber cloth. This will help protect your frames from surface level corrosion.
If rust or pitting does occurs, don’t worry as it only topical and easy to address. Using a Scotch-Brite™ pad and CLR cream cleaner, scrubin the same direction of the steel. Don’t be afraid to use some elbow grease! Then rinse extremely well with water and apply a layer of mineral oil. For scratches, use a Scotch-Brite™ pad and mineral oil, rubbing in the direction of the grain.
Cleaning Teak
Teak X Base with Taupe Peaks Dining Arm Chairs
DO clean your teak with a mixture of 1:5 parts bleach and water if there is a buildup of mold and mildew. Saturate your teak with this solution using a cloth or a spray bottle. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub the teak using a Scotch-Brite™ pad or firm brush to remove debris and mold from the surface. Rinse thoroughly to remove any bleach residue.
Mod Sectional with Canvas Canvas Cushions
DON’T remove your cushion fabric covers to clean. They are very difficult to put back on.
Our new Sunbrella Total Care Kit is a game changer for cleaning your Sunbrella Fabric
DO spot clean your cushions with water and mild dish soap. Spot cleaning protects your cushions' Scot Guard water resistant coating, ensures their performance for years to come. For stubborn stains, our Sunbrella Total Care Kit cleans, extracts stains and restores your cushions.
Storing and Covering Dos and Don’ts
Pebble Chaise in black
DO ensure all your furniture frames and cushions are completely dry before storing or covering. This is very important to prevent moisture from being trapped, which can lead to mold and mildew or finish issues.
Double Butterfly Extension Dining Tables need to be extended and drained before covering
DO extend your extension tables on a sunny dry day, prior to covering for the winter. When your table is closed, the extension's folded inside have drainage holes that face upward allowing moisture into the frame. Extending the table will point the drainage holes-down. Once the extensions have drained and your table top is fully dried close your extensions and cover immediately to not allow any moisture into the frame.
Casualife offers a range of protective covers to keep your outdoor furniture safe all winter
DO cover your furniture frames with a high quality cover. All our furniture is made to withstand the Canadian winter outside. However, by properly covering your aluminum, stainless steel or woven resin furniture you can increase the lifespan of your outdoor pieces!
Custom covers available in Birch or Charcoal vinyl.
We carry a wide variety of stock covers to fit our furniture. Made from 100% waterproof vinyl and featuring elastic and buckle fasteners, you can be confident that your furniture is fully protected. If our stock options do not fit, we also can make custom covers to fit your exact specifications!
Leaving your outdoor teak furniture exposed during winter is best for its long-term care
DON’T cover your teak during the winter time. This may sound counter-intuitive, but covering your teak traps in moisture and limits ventilation. This is the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. So, leave your teak as-is for best results.
Chalet Dining Chair with black rope should be stored for the winter
DO store your rope furniture inside if possible. If they need to be left outside, make sure to cover them for the winter time.
Peaks Sofa with Spectrum Carbon Cushions
DO store your cushions indoors, in a temperature controlled environment. Pro tip – use the original cushion bags to save on space!
To ensure structural integrity, leave all outdoor furniture in an upright position when storing.
DON’T store furniture on their side or upside down. This can trap moisture in your aluminum frames that when frozen expands and can burst your aluminum frames. Warranty will only cover items propter stored.
DO ensure all patio furniture should be stored upright in its proper position.
Store or professionally shrink wrap your Lanai furniture to protect it from the elements
DO store your Lanai furniture in a temperature controlled environment. Lanai is a fully upholstered collection, and needs to be protected for the winter climate. Alternatively, you can get your Lanai pieces professional shrink wrapped, if they need to be left outdoors.
Fire pits extend the use of your outdoor areas in the colder months
DO use your fire pits during the winter season. Featuring up to 65,000 BTUs, our concrete fire pits will keep you warm well into the colder months! Just make sure the burner is dry before use.
Our complimentary vinyl covers will protect your fire pit when not in use
DO allow your fire pit to fully cool and remove any debris before using the complimentary cover. Make sure to turn off the gas supply to prevent moisture in the gas line.
Casualife’s AKZ Cantilever Umbrellas come with a complimentary cover
DO store your umbrella canopies inside if possible. For our market style umbrellas, you can either store the frame as well, or use a protective vinyl cover. Our AKZ Cantilever Umbrellas come with a complementary cover. Ensure your umbrellas are fully closed, before covering and leaving outside for the winter.