Storage Tips for Your Outdoor Furniture During Winter

As the weather begins to cool down and the days grow shorter, many of us start to think about how we can best prepare our homes for winter. One task often overlooked is properly storing outdoor furniture in the winter months.

Seasonality in Ireland can be harsh, with damp conditions and high winds common during the winter months. However, with proper planning and some willpower, you can easily keep your outdoor furniture in good condition all winter – and have it looking great when the warm weather returns!

How to protect outdoor furniture in storage:

The preparation

Give your furniture a good clean

Clean your furniture thoroughly before putting it in storage. Remove any dirt, pollen and other debris, as it could cause damage or wear over time. This will also make cleaning your outdoor furniture a breeze when you’re ready to take it out of storage for Spring.

Pro Tips: there are different types of materials for outdoor furniture. Here are just a few with more in-depth cleaning tips to help you even further:

Wood: remove light debris with a soft-bristled brush and clean surfaces using a damp cloth with mild household soap and lukewarm water. Soak up any excess water with a microfiber cloth and then allow the furniture to dry naturally.

Can you leave wood furniture outside? Unfortunately, not – it’s porous and therefore absorbs water. 

Metal: wrought iron and stainless steel are durable and easy to maintain. All you need is a sponge with a quarter cup of mild dish soap and warm water.

Plastic: plastic and resin happen to be easy furniture types to maintain. Skip the abrasives, spray the furniture with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe down with a damp cloth.

Wicker: have you ever asked yourself what to do with wicker furniture in the winter? Well, brush it off or vacuum as much surface dirt as you can and wash the wicker with a soft brush and soapy water mixed with 1 or 2 teaspoons of ammonia. Then, rinse well and let the piece dry outside in the sun.

Make sure it’s thoroughly dry

Any moisture left on the surfaces of your furniture can cause mould or mildew to form, so avoid storing outdoor furniture that may still be wet. Also, be sure that cushions and pillows are dry before putting them in airtight containers or fabric storage bags to help keep them clean and dry. Outdoor cushions are especially prone to mildew if they are not stored properly.

Check your furniture doesn’t need repairs – so damages don’t worsen!

If you notice any problem areas on your furniture, take steps to repair them before they become worse.

The storing

Before you start disassembling your outdoor furniture, it’s important to know the best way to store it all. Depending on the type of furniture you have, there may be a few questions you need to ask yourself so you can follow potential instructions – which may help you avoid damage to your belongings.

Let’s start with:

How to store outdoor furniture for the winter – in a storage unit?

Find a suitable storage facility

Once you know how to prepare your outdoor furniture for storage, the next step is finding a suitable facility. Most facilities have 24-hour security, so you can rest assured that your belongings are always safe and sound.

Nesta Storage takes security seriously and has invested in unparalleled security with individually alarmed units, unique PIN code access and 24-hour CCTV.

Ask the professionals

If you have too many questions and doubt your ability to handle this process alone, you can always bring in professionals. Our team of experts would be more than happy to help you find the perfect solution for your needs and assist you however we can.

Nesta Storage offers short-term and long-term storage options, so we’ll be able to accommodate you no matter how long you need us!

We also offer:

• A panel of recommended moving companies
• A storage unit size guide
• And top-quality packaging supplies

Making life just that much easier for you!

Store your furniture properly

If possible, try to disassemble your furniture pieces before putting them into storage. This will help save space and prevent damage. Be sure to wrap each piece carefully in blankets or bubble wrap before placing it into your storage unit. This will protect your furniture from scratches or other damage while in transit.

Pro Tip: how to cover patio furniture? – using a tarp to cover patio furniture is the best idea. Choose high-quality durable covers that are resistant to tearing. It must also feature waterproof and specialised UV-stability coating.

Check on your furniture regularly.

Even if you’ve taken all of the necessary precautions, it’s always a good idea to check on your stored belongings from time to time. This will help ensure that everything is still in good condition and allows you to address any problems as they arise.

Here are a few extra questions we’re often asked that may help you out

Does patio furniture need to be covered while in storage?

Patio furniture covers are essential to protecting your outdoor investment. Without them, your furniture and cushions could deteriorate much faster.

What is the best outdoor furniture for snow?

Stainless steel, powder-coated reinforced steel and hot-dip galvanised steel are great options. 

What are some storage ideas for outdoors?

• Turn a bookcase into an outdoor storage bench
• Revamp your shed
• Use a hanging organiser to store tools
• Make a DIY garden hose holder
• Hide your garden hose in an outdoor planter

With these simple tips, you can easily store your outdoor furniture during the winter months without any worries. Give Nesta Storage a call or pop by one of our store locations in Ireland – so we can show you around!

Store your outdoor furniture with us today! And once Spring arrives, you’ll be able to retrieve your furniture and enjoy another season of lazy afternoons spent lounging in the sun!