Storing garden furniture for winter: what to clean, measure and check
When your terrace gets less use in autumn, inspect the garden furniture before carrying it into storage. A little preparation leaves you with a checked set for spring and avoids buying a cover or second-hand table that will not fit. Start with one table or chair rather than tackling everything at once.
1. Identify the materials and model
Look for a product label, receipt or manufacturer’s instructions. Record the materials of the frame, tabletop, woven sections and cushions separately. A wood-effect surface may not be timber, and natural and synthetic rattan need different treatment. If you cannot identify the material or finish, do not start with oil or a strong cleaner.
For example, Schou’s non-wood furniture guidance does not call for sanding, oiling or painting. Follow the instructions for your item. Save the manual link alongside the model name so you can find it again in spring.
2. Inspect the underside and joints
Photograph each item before taking it apart. Check legs, joints, hinges, feet and the underside of the tabletop. List missing fittings, looseness, cracks and damaged finishes. For folding furniture, check the locking mechanism against the instructions. Do not force a jammed mechanism.
Keep items needing repair separate from those ready for storage. If you doubt the strength of the structure, stop using it and ask a repairer to assess it. Do not hide a broken joint beneath a cushion or cover. Your photos will also help describe repairs or the condition of an item you decide to sell.
3. Follow the cleaning instructions and handle cushions separately
Choose a cleaning method for the material and the manufacturer’s guidance. Gather suitable supplies before you begin. Let cleaned furniture dry completely before storage. Check the care label on removable cushion covers: a zip does not automatically mean machine washing is allowed. If an approved method does not remove a stain, record it in the condition description rather than experimenting with increasingly strong products.
Keter’s winter preparation guide recommends drying cushions completely before storage and keeping them indoors over winter. Check each cushion individually. Keep those still drying separate from the finished set.
4. Measure the storage space and the route
Write down the width, depth and height of the furniture in its stored position. Measure a folding chair when folded too. Then check the shed doorway, tight corners and available floor space. Keep access to items you use in winter and leave the walkway clear.
If dismantling furniture, label the parts and put each item’s fittings in a separate labelled bag. Include the assembly instructions or note where to find them. Do not assume chairs can be stacked; check before planning the layout.
5. Choose a storage method, not just the largest cover
IKEA’s winter storage guide favours a cool, dry indoor space and stresses airflow under outdoor covers. Check your furniture’s specific instructions, however. For example, Kettler advises against covering its metal mesh furniture. One method will not suit every set.
If a cover is permitted, compare its dimensions with your planned arrangement and check how it fastens. Photograph the finished storage setup and set a reminder to inspect it. After strong wind or rain, check that the arrangement and protection remain in place.
6. Include extra work in the price of a used set
Before buying, ask for the model, dimensions, close-up photographs of joints and storage history. Confirm whether all chairs, cushions, fittings and the cover are included. Add transport, known replacement parts and repairs to the asking price. Check that a required part is available before buying, not next spring.
As a seller, photograph the whole set and each defect separately. Say exactly what you have checked and what remains untested. Dimensions and clear close-ups help a buyer more than a general claim of “good condition”.
Before closing the shed
- Materials and instructions identified.
- Defects photographed and repairs listed separately.
- Cushions checked and dry.
- Furniture fits and the walkway stays clear.
- Parts labelled and fittings kept together.
- Storage method matches the item’s instructions.