Clean and fully dry patio furniture, then cover it with breathable, vented covers that reach close to the ground without sitting in puddles, and store cushions indoors or in zippered storage bags inside a deck box. Covering dirty or damp furniture traps moisture and grows mildew, so the cleaning step matters as much as the cover.
Which pieces need what
| Material | Best winter plan |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | Cover in place, or stack and cover |
| Powder-coated steel or wrought iron | Touch up chips to stop rust, then cover |
| Teak and other hardwoods | Cover with a breathable cover; never wrap in plastic |
| Resin wicker | Cover, or store in a shed in very cold zones |
| Plastic or resin chairs | Stack and store, or cover; cold can make old plastic brittle |
| Glass tabletops | Remove and store indoors upright if possible |
| Cushions and pillows | Indoors, or bagged inside a deck box |
| Umbrellas | Close, remove from the base, bag, and store indoors |
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- Wash frames with mild dish soap and water, rinse, and let them dry completely in the sun.
- Treat rust spots on metal with a wire brush and matching touch-up paint.
- Clean cushions according to their tags, then dry them fully. Even slightly damp foam grows mildew in storage.
- Group pieces under as few covers as possible: stack chairs, push chairs under the table, and cover as a set.
- Prop the center of large covers with an upside-down bucket or a cover pole so water and snow slide off instead of pooling.
- Secure covers with their drawstrings or straps so wind cannot turn them into sails.
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Choosing covers
- Look for vents near the top. They let moisture escape and keep wind from ballooning the cover.
- Pick water-resistant, breathable fabric with UV-resistant coating. Fully waterproof plastic tarps trap condensation.
- Size up slightly. A cover that just fits strains at the seams; one that is too large flaps and tears.
- Leave a few inches of airflow at the bottom. Covers that sit in standing water wick moisture upward.
Cushion storage
Indoors is best: a basement, closet, or garage shelf. If space is short, a resin deck box works, but most are water-resistant rather than waterproof. Put cushions in zippered storage bags first and add a moisture absorber packet. Check once midwinter for dampness or mice, which love to nest in stored cushions.
Cover in place or move to a shed?
If you have room in a shed or garage, storing furniture indoors is the gentlest option, especially for wicker, wood, and anything with fabric slings. Covered outdoor storage works well for aluminum, steel, and resin, and it saves space. In heavy snow regions, shed storage protects tabletops and chair seats from the weight of drifts and ice. Wherever it goes, keep it off bare soil and away from downspouts so meltwater does not pool around the legs. Raise pieces on scrap boards or furniture feet if the patio drains slowly.
Spring reopening
When you uncover in spring, let everything air out on a dry day before sitting on it. Wipe frames, shake out covers and let them dry before folding, and check cushions for mildew spots. Mild mildew usually comes off with a soft brush and a diluted cleaner made for outdoor fabric; test a hidden spot first. Fold dry covers loosely for next season.
Safety
- Lift with a partner for heavy tables and glass tops; glass can shatter if it slips.
- Keep deck boxes latched but choose models without locking lids around young children, who may climb inside.
- Watch for wasps and spiders when you first open covers or boxes in spring.
Clear the rest of the patio
While you are out there, put away container plants and fragile pots before the freeze. See storing terracotta and ceramic pots before freeze and rolling plant caddies for moving heavy pots. Drain hoses too, using our guide to draining and storing hoses on a reel.
Bottom line
Clean, dry, cover with vented breathable covers, and store cushions inside or bagged. Ten minutes of prep in fall means furniture that is ready to use, not scrub, when the weather warms.
Related reading
- Outdoor faucet covers and hose care before the first freeze
- Wall-mounted garden tool organizers
- Storing cordless yard tool batteries over winter
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