While some patio furniture can be left out year-round, storing it or using protective covers during the winter will ensure a long life. To protect your outdoor furniture from Virginia’s freezing winter temperatures, moisture and occasional snow, Williamsburg Wicker Patio & Home recommends cleaning, covering, and storing your outdoor furniture before the first hard freeze.
Cleaning Outdoor Furniture for Winter
- Wash & Rinse – Mix a mild dish soap with warm water and use a soft-bristle brush to scrub away dirt, pollen and grime. Rinse completely with a garden hose.
- Dry Fully – Allow every piece of furniture to dry thoroughly for 24 to 48 hours to prevent trapped moisture from causing mold or freeze damage.
- Check Hardware – Inspect and tighten loose screws, bolts and hinges before storing furniture for winter.
Winter Storage & Covers for Outdoor Furniture
- Store indoors – Move delicate wicker, wood or fabric cushions into a garage, shed or dry indoor location if freezing temperatures or heavy snow are expected.
- Use Breathable Covers – Shield remaining patio sets with breathable outdoor furniture covers that prevent moisture buildup without trapping condensation.
Material-Specific Care Tips
- Teak Wood Furniture – High-quality teak furniture will weather naturally outdoors if left uncovered, but you’ll still want to clean away grime, and apply a manufacturer-recommended sealant or wood oil, if desired.
- Aluminum Furniture – Check for chipped paint or rust, lightly sand rough edges, and apply touch-up paint to the exposed metal and an optional protective coat of car wax to aluminum furniture.
- Resin Wicker Furniture – Avoid exposing resin wicker furniture to extreme cold, which can make it brittle and prone to cracking. Clean and dry it fully, and store in a garage or shed.
- Poly Furniture – Durable high-density poly furniture is fade- and frost-resistant, and can safely remain outside uncovered, but it still needs seasonal cleaning to maintain its appearance, prevent buildup, and remove environmental debris.
- Sling Furniture – While sling furniture can be left out year-round, freezing temperatures can make the fabric brittle over time. To extend the life of your sling furniture, clean and dry it fully, and store in a garage or shed.
- Fabric Cushions & Pillows – To protect fabric accessories from developing mold or being used by nesting pests, always store clean and dry cushions and pillows indoors, inside large bins or heavy-duty bags.
Additional Winter Care Tips for Outdoor Furniture in Hampton Roads, VA
For additional questions about caring for and maintaining your outdoor patio furniture, contact the experts at Williamsburg Wicker Patio & Home. We carry the largest selection of premium patio furniture in Hampton Roads, VA and we are happy to answer any questions that you may have about maintenance and care. Send us a message, call (757) 565-3620, or stop by our patio and home furnishings store in Williamsburg, VA.
