Outdoor furniture doesn't die of old age — it dies of neglect, usually over winter. The good news: winter-proofing a whole alfresco area takes about an hour, and it's the single highest-return hour you'll spend on your outdoor space all year.
Step 1: The autumn wash-down
Before anything gets covered or stored, clean it. Mild soapy water, soft brush, rinse, dry — that's it for aluminium frames, resin chairs and table tops. Salt, sunscreen and bird droppings left on over winter etch and stain; ten minutes with a hose prevents it. Skip the pressure washer — it forces water into joints and can chip powder-coating.
Step 2: Cushions come inside (or under cover)
Fabric is where winter does its worst work. Even "outdoor" cushions last years longer stored dry — a deck box, garage shelf or wardrobe corner is perfect. Wash removable covers first so stains don't set over three damp months. Can't store them? A breathable fitted cover over the whole setting is the next best thing.
Step 3: Cover the furniture properly
A good cover is cheap insurance — but only fitted, breathable covers help. Tarpaulins trap moisture and create a greenhouse for mildew. Fit covers snugly, secure the toggles (winter wind finds loose covers irresistible), and lift them every few weeks on a dry day to let everything breathe. Not every setting needs one, though — if yours lives under a solid roof, see whether you need an outdoor furniture cover under a roofed alfresco before you buy. Sun lounges and bean bags need a slightly different routine again — stacking, bead top-ups and keeping damp out — which we walk through in storing sun lounges and bean bags over winter.
Step 4: Umbrellas down, honestly
More umbrellas are lost to one winter storm than to five summers of sun. Close it, sleeve it, and ideally store it horizontally in the garage. If it stays out, keep it closed with the protective sleeve on and check the base ballast hasn't cracked or drained.
Step 5: Show the BBQ some respect
Give the grill a proper degrease before its quiet season, cover it, and if it's gas, check the hose and regulator for cracks while you're there. A covered, clean BBQ lights first go in spring; a neglected one becomes a restoration project.
Step 6: The five-minute hardware check
Once a year, tighten visible bolts on chairs and tables, check glides and feet (replace any that have worn through — they stop frames grinding on concrete), and touch up any coating chips so moisture can't get underneath.
What NOT to do
- Don't wrap furniture in plastic sheeting — mildew city.
- Don't store resin or plastic chairs stacked wet — they can bond and stain.
- Don't leave sun lounges flat under trees — sap and leaf tannins stain badly.
- Don't drag aluminium across tiles — lift it; the frames are light for a reason.
The one-hour winter checklist
- Wash and dry all frames ✔
- Cushions washed, dried, stored ✔
- Fitted covers on, toggles secured ✔
- Umbrella closed, sleeved, stored ✔
- BBQ degreased and covered ✔
- Bolts tightened, feet checked ✔
Do this each autumn and your setting will still look like new when the first warm weekend arrives — while the neighbours are shopping for replacements. Need covers before the cold hits? Start with our cushions & covers range.
