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Winterize Your Patio

Prepare your outdoor living space for winter with yearly maintenance and protective outdoor furniture covers.

When the leaves on the ground outnumber the leaves on the trees and the nights turn cool and crisp, it’s about time to perform yearly maintenance on your home. Covering any produce that you are still hoping to glean from last summer’s garden and turning off the water outdoors should be at the top of your list. Additionally, it’s time to get your outdoor living space ready for the off season.

Porch, patio and poolside furniture are all subject to wear from prolonged exposure to snow/ice, wind and cold. It’s important to maintain and protect these items from the elements, so you can fully enjoy them again when the thaw sets in.

Break out the soap, water and elbow grease

Before you cover your favorite patio table and chairs, it’s important to give them a quick wash. Typically, all you need is a mild soap, some water, and a soft rag or brush. You can simply clean all fabric, wicker and metal parts of your favorite outdoor furniture pieces with these tools. Then use a clean towel to wipe excess water and let them completely air dry before covering and/or storing these items.

Many of today’s performance fabrics resist spills and stains, doing much of the maintenance work for you. However, it’s still a good idea to use a vacuum cleaner with the upholstery attachment to remove any dirt and dust accumulation before you store these pieces. If additional cleaning is required, see the manufacturer’s instructions or tags on fabrics before using harsh cleaners or chemicals such as bleach.

Don’t forget to wipe down outdoor accessories, including umbrellas. Your favorite grill or outdoor cooker can also benefit from an end-of-year cleaning.

Take inventory and consider clearance

You’ve cleaned the pieces that are still in good condition. What about the items that are beyond the help of soap and water? Some outdoor pieces, such as wood furniture, can be salvaged with paint or stain. For other items that are showing wear, you may want to check warranties. However, if you have outdoor furniture and accessories that are beyond repair, it’s a good time to dispose of these pieces so they don’t take up premium storage space.

You may also take advantage of patio furniture clearances to replace discarded items. Buy completely new outdoor furniture or update your outdated seating with new cushions or outdoor pillows. Your budget will thank you, and you’ll be set for next season, so you won’t miss any of the early spring entertaining that weather permits.

Protective furniture covers are available in stock or through custom orders to fit almost any outdoor furniture pieces.

Cover it up and store it away

Even the best quality outdoor furniture will eventually show the effects of harsh winter conditions if left alone. For this reason, it’s important to protect your patio investment during the cold weather months. Ideally, outdoor furniture should be moved inside for storage—typically in a basement, garage or shed. You may even be able to use furniture, such as outdoor chairs, as extra indoor seating as your entertaining and events transition back inside your home.

If it isn’t feasible to move furniture indoors, try to move these items out of the elements. A patio table and chairs can be positioned together underneath a deck during the winter months to help protect them from snow build-up and getting blown over by wind. Remember not to stack chairs or store heavy items on top of one another.

If you can’t move furniture out of the elements, it’s crucial to cover them up. In fact, you may even want to cover up outdoor furniture that is moved inside your home or garage, since dust will accumulate in either of these places. There are protective outdoor furniture covers available for about any size and shape of patio furniture, either by standard or custom order. Choose covers for your round or rectangular table, as well as fire tables. Patio chairs and even deep seating pieces such as outdoor sofas should be covered.

Much like patio furniture, protective covers are not all built alike. Avoid cheap vinyl protectors and invest in covers that are rugged, breathable and water resistant. Covers with an elastic band and spring cinch lock will create a snug fit.

As much as possible, cushions and outdoor accessories, such as outdoor rugs, chimes and décor, should be brought indoors for off season storage. Even all-weather fabrics will benefit from less exposure to rain and snow. You can use a cushion storage box or a sealed tote to prevent dust build up. Just give the cushions enough space to prevent squishing, and your favorite accessories should be in prime condition for next year.

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