Here’s our top tips for preparing and storing your garden furniture for the winter months, the like anything the better you look after it the long it should last right?

Well all the garden furniture brands from Bramblecrest, Kettler, Hartman, Leisuregrow and many more have their tips for their producta but in this post, we will cover the general advice for storing and cleaning

Cushion storage

Our top tip is furniture cushion storage these need to be stored somewhere completely dry, preferably in the house, you don’t want damp cushions all winter where there are chances of moisture and mould growing, so never leave them under furniture covers in the winter months for long periods, the covers are waterproof but they can create condensation underneath which will affect the cushions over a period of time

Shed or garage storage for cushions can be a tricky one but depends on your set-up and location, it’s usually a good option but every year we hear about those little mice making a warm home inside the cushions during the winter and when you pull your cushions out of storage for summer they cushion cover might have holes and droppings on them

Cushion boxes are a good option as long as they have a waterproof lining to protect the cushions from moisture and sometimes you can buy storage box covers as extra protection such as Bramblecrest

Frame and Covers

Can’t store the frames of the garden furniture inside for the winter what options are there?

Most garden furniture sets we sell are usually made from aluminium frame which means they won’t rust and are lightweight, so you don’t need to cover your furniture if you don’t want to but why wouldn’t you, there are lots of factors which will reduce the life of your furniture, UV light this will break down any material overtime more weave than aluminium and maybe discolour the aluminium sets, we also get all types of weather with the occasional storm

Although rain won’t hurt the furniture the wind and snow may, being lightweight the wind can easily move the furniture around your patio and flip the glass tables upside down, speaking from experience here, and snow can make the material sag in parts

Most brands, and especially Bramblecrest and Kettler which we stock here in Norfolk have their own covers made to measure which helps protect the furniture during summer and winter, these covers aren’t cheap but they are protecting something special you want to look after for many years, the covers will look after your furniture when it’s needed most, keeping it clean and tidy for summer to come round again.

It’s worth mentioning that the covers may need a little support now and then to make sure the water is running off the covers, any pools will create condensation underneath, and to stop any tears happening

Make sure the cover is tight and not flapping too much that it can rip and make sure it’s not rubbing against something

My last bit of advice is to tie it all together so the wind can move it around the patio and this helps keep the cover on through the winter through a harsh winter

Teak parts and tables are recommended not to be covered and the teak wood needs to breathe if not, it will go mouldy

If you are looking for a cover click here and you can use the filter to search by brand

We have lots of universal ones in store or we have the bramblecrest covers and Kettler covers

Check out of other blogs about cleaning and maintaining your garden furniture set