How to Clean up and Store Your Outdoor Furniture for Winter

As autumn leaves fall and temperatures drop, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your outdoor furniture. Proper end-of-season care not only extends the lifespan of your patio sets, chairs, and tables but also ensures they remain in pristine condition for years to come. More importantly, taking the right steps now can save you time and effort when spring arrives—allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space without the hassle of extensive repairs or replacements.  As a custom furniture maker, I have a few expert tips to share.

The Biggest Mistake: Neglecting during the Summer Months

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is assuming that outdoor furniture can withstand outdoor conditions unprotected. While many people buy outdoor covers, they are often forgotten about on not put on the furniture when not in use.  These are primarily designed to shield furniture from summer UV rays.

“UV exposure is the biggest enemy of outdoor furniture; plastic can become brittle and crack, while wood finishes may peel or rot if water seeps beneath damaged coatings.”

Leaving furniture exposed to the sun and rain can damage wood finishes or cause irreversible damage to plastics and fabrics. The best practice is to use those covers during the summer when not in use.  But what if you forgot?

Here is how to bring your wood furniture back to life and store it away for Winter

1. Clean Wood Furniture Thoroughly
   • Use a little dish soap diluted in water to clean any grime off your furniture
     • A blue scrub pad can help scrub off tough mildew or other stuck-on grime.
     • Avoid harsh chemical cleaners such as bleach or ammonia, as those can harm the finish and wood.
   • If you have a mildew or mold problem on your furniture, a cup of white vinegar diluted in a gallon of water will kill the mold spores and help remove the mold stains.
     • Use vinegar sparingly, as vinegar is acidic and can deteriorate the wood and finish.  Be sure to rinse thoroughly after using vinegar
   • Be sure to dry thoroughly; compressed air can help blow out any residual moisture.
2. Determine what type of finish you have
   • If it is a film finish, such as a polyurethane, inspect the finish for checks, cracks, or any areas where it is peeling off.  Gently sand those areas with 220-grit sandpaper or #0000 steel wool and recoat.  I recommend using an exterior grade such as a spar urethane.
   • If it is a penetrating oil finish, I recommend giving the whole piece a light sanding with 220-grit or #0000 steel wool and recoating your furniture with a penetrating oil such as walrus tung oil.
   • If either finish is past its life, where light sanding does not clean it up, you may need to get a heavier grit sandpaper and sand it back to bare wood or use a chemical stripper to get it back to bare wood before recoating with the finish of your choice.
3. Preventative maintenance 
   1. Anywhere your wood furniture comes in contact with the ground or patio, it is at risk of wicking moisture up into the wood, causing it to rot.  To prevent this,  coat the bottom of table legs and chair legs with an epoxy.  The epoxy will give the wood a protective layer, helping block out moisture.

How to Bring Your Metal Furniture Back to Life and Store it Away for Winter

1. Clean your metal furniture thoroughly
   • Use a little dish soap diluted in water to clean any grime off your furniture
     • A blue scrub pad can help scrub off tough mildew or other stuck-on grime.
     • Avoid harsh chemical cleaners such as bleach or ammonia, as those can harm the paint.
   • DO NOT use vinegar on your metal furniture.  Vinegar is acidic and will rust your furniture; it can soak into any cracks in the paint and start rusting your furniture from under the paint.
     • I see people recommending vinegar to clean metal furniture. I can’t stress this enough: vinegar will rust your furniture.
2. Look for rust or chipped paint. Remove rust with a wire brush, 220-grit sandpaper, or #0000 steel wool, then repaint with rust-resistant paint. For bare metal furniture, apply paste wax to prevent corrosion.

General Winter Storage Tips For Outdoor Furniture

• Indoor Storage (Best Option): A garage, basement, or shed provides the best protection. If space is limited, stack chairs and fold tables to maximize room.
• Covered Outdoor Storage: If indoor storage isn’t possible, use heavy-duty, weatherproof covers.  Ensure furniture is elevated on pallets or bricks to avoid ground moisture.
• Protect Cushions and Fabrics. Remove cushions, umbrellas, and fabric covers, as these are prone to mold and mildew. Store them in airtight bins or vacuum-sealed bags. If possible, wash removable covers according to the manufacturer’s instructions before storing.

Enjoy a Stress-Free Spring

By investing a little time now, you’ll ensure that your outdoor furniture is ready for immediate use when warmer days return.  Doing the work in the fall means you can relax on that first sunny day with an iced tea as you roll out your furniture from storage and enjoy the rest of your summer. Follow these steps, and your patio set will stay beautiful and functional for seasons to come.

Brian Benham

I’m the owner of Benham Design Concepts, a mixed media art studio where I design and build custom furniture and other works of art using wood, glass, stone, and various metals.
In this blog, I talk about the art I create, my journey, and the things I learn along the way.