Outdoor Furniture: Winter Care Guide

To keep your furniture in good condition for as long as possible, it is important to protect it from the cold and damp. Here are some simple steps to follow.

1. Preparation and cleaning

Start with the textiles
Before cleaning the furniture, take care of the cushions and fabrics. Remove the covers and fabrics from the deckchairs. Dry cleaning is recommended for cushions. Once clean, store them in a waterproof cover or bag and keep them indoors in a dry place.

Cleaning according to material

Exotic wood (teak, acacia)
Simply wash with water and a little mild detergent. If the wood turns grey due to sun exposure, you can apply teak or linseed oil. This wood is durable and can remain outdoors, although it will change colour.

Classic wood (pine)
Scrub with a stiff brush and water. Pay attention to the legs of the furniture if they have been left in the grass. This wood is more fragile and must be protected from moisture.

Woven Resin
Use a soft sponge and soapy water. If stains persist, there are special cleaners for resin. It is a resistant material.

Plastic
Warm water and soap are sufficient. If white plastic has yellowed, a renovating product can help. Plastic is sensitive to frost, which makes it brittle, so it is best to store it indoors.

Aluminium
Wash with soapy water. For stubborn stains, a mixture of water and household alcohol or lemon juice works well. This material does not rust.

2. How can you protect your furniture in winter ?

The best solution : store it indoors
If you have space, store your furniture in a garage, basement or dry garden shed. Cover it with a sheet to keep dust off. An important tip is to raise the furniture with wedges so that the legs do not touch the damp ground.

The alternative : protective covers
If the furniture remains outside, use a water-repellent cover. It is crucial to allow air to circulate under the cover to prevent mould. Do not let the cover lie flat on flat surfaces such as tables: place an object in the centre to create a slope and drain rainwater. Secure the cover so that it does not blow away.

3. Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

The holes are not aligned during assembly
This is often because the first screws were tightened too much. The solution is to put all the screws in place without tightening them completely, just so that they hold. Once everything is assembled, you can tighten all the screws firmly.

The covers are losing their colour
The sun and moon naturally fade outdoor fabrics. This is not a defect covered by the warranty. To slow down this process, you can use a UV-resistant waterproofing spray.

The resin breaks or cracks
Resin is a plastic that expands with heat and shrinks with cold. These movements can weaken it, especially under the glass of a table that heats up in the sun. This type of weather-related wear and tear is not covered by the warranty.

The wood cracks
Wood is a living material that swells and dries depending on the humidity in the air. The appearance of small cracks is normal and does not make the furniture any less sturdy. These cracks should not be filled in, as the wood needs to move.