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With patio season coming to a close, it’s time to prep your outdoor furniture for a long winter’s nap. For those living in climates that experience heavy snow and plummeting temps, properly winterizing your patio furniture will protect it against harsh weather conditions and ensure a longer lifespan.

POLYWOOD is designed to handle harsh elements, so you can leave the frames outside and uncovered year-round. But if you want to skip the spring scrub and keep your outdoors tidy and organized, feel free to cover or store your furniture.

Follow our guide to learn how to winterize your patio furniture and get a better return on your investment.

1. Cleaning

First thing first: Give your furniture a thorough cleaning before putting it away for the winter. Removing dirt, debris, moisture, and stains now will decrease the chances that mold, rust, and other damaging effects will develop. Plus, spring cleaning will go much faster.

A scrub brush cleans soapy water from the arm of an orange POLYWOOD Adirondack chair.

Mild dish soap, a bucket of warm water, a sponge, and a bit of elbow grease are all you need to get the job done for most materials, but there are exceptions. If you have delicate furniture or your cushions need an extra deep clean, you’ll want to seek alternative methods.

Fortunately, we have a bevy of cleaning guides for various patio furniture materials, cushions, grills, and other outdoor essentials at the ready so you can keep all your backyard spaces sparkling.

Click or tap here to browse all POLYWOOD cleaning guides.

2. Repairs and Replacements

Before storing your furnishings at the end of the season, check them to see if any repairs are needed. If left alone, minor issues can turn into major problems down the road. Addressing problems early can avoid irreparable damage, time-consuming repairs, and costly replacements. A great time to check for repairs is during cleaning since you’re already up close and personal with the furniture.

  • Wood: Replace pieces with soft spots, holes, severe cracks, or splinters. Use wood filler to cover minor dents and smooth out scratches.
  • Wrought iron: Remove rust with a wire brush, then cover the area with touch-up paint.
  • Aluminum: Remove foot caps from aluminum furniture to let out any accumulated water, and brush a layer of touch-up paint over scratches.
  • Wicker: Repair or replace broken fibers on wicker furniture to prevent snagging and further damage.
  • Glass: Discard cracked tabletops. Otherwise, fluctuating temperatures can cause the fissures to expand and eventually break.
  • Fabric: Sew up tears in cushions, pillows, and seats.

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Check the manufacturer’s warranty before making modifications. You may discover that the repairs you were planning could void the warranty or that they’re actually covered under it (which means less work for you).

3. Protection

Once your furniture is clean and repairs are made, the next step is all-over protection in the form of a coating or weatherproof cover. This step isn’t necessary for furniture materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or teak. Still, others that are more sensitive to seasonal changes (e.g., softwoods and wrought iron) will greatly benefit from it.

Protective Coatings

  • Fine car wax or a silicone spray like WD-40 offers excellent protection for injection-molded plastic, wrought iron, and aluminum.
  • Sand and reapply exterior paint, stain, and sealant to wood furniture.
  • Use a spray-on fabric protector on outdoor pillows and cushions to repel moisture.
A black POLYWOOD Seashell Adirondack chair and a Seashell 18 Inch Table covered in icicles and snow.

Outdoor Covers

Durable, weatherproof covers can shield your furnishings from snow, rain, ice, wind, and even wildlife. If your furniture didn’t come with a cover, take measurements and purchase one that fits snugly. A secure fit is crucial—loose covers can trap snow and ice in folds, adding unnecessary weight that could lead to fabric tears.

A heavy-duty vinyl tarp is a solid alternative if you can’t find a fitting cover. Just make sure it’s breathable, UV-resistant, and waterproof. Secure it tightly around your furniture with bungee cords, zip ties, or ratchet straps to prevent billowing and ensure it stays in place, even during heavy winds or snowstorms. This will help protect against moisture and keep wildlife from sneaking in.

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Cover furniture once it’s fully dry. Otherwise, uncured coatings will stick to the covers, and trapped residual moisture will become an ideal mold and mildew environment.

A black POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Chair sits in the rain on a brick patio.

4. Storage

The final step is stowing your furniture away someplace safe and out of the elements.

Garage, Shed, or Attic Storage

Here are some tips for the best ways to store outdoor furniture in a storage space during the winter:

  • Lean folding chairs against walls, slide them beneath tables, or hang them on hooks.
  • Prevent fabric tears by leaving seats free of objects.
  • Disconnect propane tanks and gas lines from fire pit tables.
  • Dismantle tables or store them in their upright positions.
  • Put glass tables and decor inside; don’t stack anything on them.
  • Only stack pieces that the manufacturer labels as stackable.
A man and a woman place a white Nautical Chaise with Arms and Wheels on top of a stack of identical chaise lounges.

Outside Storage

If you don’t have a garage or room is limited, read these tips on how to store furniture and accessories outside successfully:

  • Shield furnishings with the aforementioned weatherproof covers or heavy-duty tarps.
  • Put furniture on pallets or blocks to keep it off the ground. This prevents water from pooling and freezing around the legs.
  • Anchor lightweight furniture and decor to heftier pieces so they won’t get blown away by strong winds.
  • Keep furniture upright. If it's put in an awkward position, accumulating snow and ice can put extra pressure on joints, causing cracks, warping, or even breakage.
  • Regularly brush away snow and remove icicles to reduce excess weight.
  • If you use rock salt around your patio or walkways, periodically rinse off nearby metal furniture with warm water and towel-dry to prevent rust or corrosion.
  • Opt for benches or console tables with built-in storage compartments.
A man places seat cushions inside a white POLYWOOD 68 Inch Console Table with Storage.

FAQs

Can patio furniture be left outside in winter?

Certain patio furniture materials handle winter weather better than others. HDPE and hardwood, for example, are highly durable and can withstand wet and cold conditions. Other materials like injection-molded plastic, metal, and softwood are delicate and more likely to sustain damage from the harsh elements. Covers and spray-on sealants will increase your furniture’s defense against snow, ice, and plummeting temperatures.

What to do with outdoor furniture cushions in winter?

If you don’t plan to use your outdoor cushions in winter, store them in a dry place safe from weather and wildlife. Place seat cushions and pillows in a heavy-duty plastic bag or storage tote, and keep it on a shelf in your garage or shed. You can also invest in outdoor cabinets or console tables with built-in storage that will protect your pillows from the brunt of winter weather.

How do I remove sidewalk salt from outdoor furniture?

Use water, mild soap, and a soft-bristle brush to remove sidewalk salt from furniture made from HDPE, wood, and metal, then rinse with clean water. While sidewalk salt won’t harm furniture built from HDPE, it could damage the metal hardware over time if left uncleaned. Wipe all surfaces dry with a clean towel to prevent ice buildup and the likelihood of corrosion. We suggest moving furniture away from areas where you spread sidewalk salt to avoid further exposure.