How to pack your outdoor furniture for the rainy season

Many of us can agree high quality patio furniture is made to withstand extreme weather conditions from the scorching sun to heavy rain. However, dull weather makes for an even duller outdoor experience, especially if it’s raining. Since the use of outdoor spaces and furniture is uncommon during the cold winter season, it’s best to pack up your pieces and safely store them for warmer days ahead. Here are a few steps to follow when doing so:

Cleaning the cushions and structures

Before packing your outdoor furniture for the season, it’s important to make sure that dirt and moisture have been completely eliminated. Otherwise, expect to find some mold or mildew on your garden furniture when it comes time to reuse them during spring and summer. Start with cleaning the cushions by mixing 1 gallon of hot water with ½ a cup of Lysol and using a soft brush to scrub off the dirt.

When it comes to cleaning the structures, each type of material has a distinct method. For more on how to care for aluminum, plastic, wicker, teak and steel, read our article “Winterizing Your Outdoor Furniture”?

Drying the items

After implementing each cleaning method and making sure all cushions and structures of your outdoor furniture are neat, give them some time to dry. If you are in a hurry, you can accelerate the drying process by:

• Using a towel to drain wet spots
• Applying hot air with an electric dryer
• Placing them outside on a sunny day
• Any remaining dampness left during storage, may lead to potential mold
• Covering the furniture and cushions

Once the furniture has dried, apply a protective coating that will conserve it until the next spring. For aluminum and plastic, use a thin coat of car wax, and for wicker furniture, use paste wax. Afterward, make sure that no external element will spoil them. Place the cushions in plastic bags and seal them properly. As for the structures, they can be coated with polyester covers with piped edges that keep water, humidity, and dust out.

Putting the bagged items in a storage room

During winter, some people put the bagged cushions inside and leave the structures covered outside. Although that could work, we advise you to safely place everything that won’t be needed during winter, in a storage room. However, it’s important to note that not all rooms can be used for storing furniture. Make sure that the dining table sets and sofa sets are placed somewhere with a dehumidifier to repel moisture damage to the maximum. Otherwise, apply double layers of plastic on your products. Finally, to make sure your furniture will remain intact, use odorless insect repellant outside the room and near your furniture.

Another practical way to keep your garden furniture safe is to place them inside your restaurant or hotel for internal use. Who says outdoor furniture can’t be used inside?

These simple steps will encourage you to contact your hospitality outdoor furniture manufacturer or supplier more often than expected. Taking each and every step of the packing process seriously will prolong your garden furniture’s life. So consider this minimal effort as an effective investment for your hotel, restaurant, or resort.