Wet and frost have a negative effect on the appearance and durability of garden furniture. Here are tips for caring for and storing your furniture.
The colorful leaves are slowly falling from the tree, the air is getting cooler and the children are doing handicrafts with chestnuts and acorns - there's no question that autumn is here. Winter will soon be knocking on the door. Gradually there are all sorts of things to do in the garden to make the garden winter-proof.
» Winterize your garden - small checklist
In addition to raking leaves and trimming hedges, don't forget your garden furniture. These need a safe place to survive hibernation unscathed. Wooden garden furniture in particular can become unsightly over time if left outside during the winter months.
» Wooden garden furniture - 5 care tips
Since garden furniture is not cheap, it is advisable to wind and weatherproof your garden furniture every year so that it does not suffer any damage.
Putting garden furniture into hibernation
Anyone who is smart should pay attention to weatherproof garden furniture, such as those offered by porta.de, when buying, because this labeling promises more durability. Nevertheless, you should give your garden furniture some attention and care before winter so that it can be used to its full potential again next spring.
Generally applies to all garden furniture:
- store dry
- protect from UV radiation
- ensure adequate ventilation
- store frost-free
There are a few additional things to note about the individual types of material!
Garden furniture made of plastic
Garden furniture made of plastic is much easier to care for and store than furniture made of wood. It is sufficient if you remove dirt, spiders and flies from the surface with a hand broom or a damp cloth before winter storage. Stubborn dirt can be easily removed with a cleaning stone. In contrast to scouring milk, this is not so rough that the surface of your furniture is not attacked.
» Tips and instructions for using the cleaning stone
Tip: A cleaning stone not only removes stubborn dirt, but also gives the furniture its radiant shine again.
After a short care and sufficient drying time, you can put the tables and chairs in the basement or in a storage room. Additional covering is not absolutely necessary.
✘ Caution: Do not store plastic furniture outside in winter, as the cold will cause cracks in which dirt collects.
Wooden Garden Furniture
Wooden garden furniture looks impressive and exudes a lot of charm. In order for the charm to be retained, however, the furniture needs an extra portion of care. There are also a few things to consider when it comes to storage.
Wood reacts very sensitively to different weather conditions. Too much moisture and cold make the wood unsightly. Even mold quickly spreads in wooden garden furniture.
Cleaning and care of wooden garden furniture
Before you store your garden furniture, you should coat it with a protective glaze or a special oil. This impregnates the furniture and makes it more elastic. In order for the coating to work optimally, the wooden furniture should be thoroughly cleaned beforehand. Simple warm water is suitable for this, or special cleaning agents that you can find in drugstores or well-stocked DIY stores.
Meanwhile, wooden garden furniture is often made of high-quality teak or eucalyptus. These are high in oil and allow little to no moisture into the wood. To do this, however, you have to coat this garden furniture with a special teak oil or hardwood oil up to three times a year so that these advantages are retained over the long term.
» Tips for cleaning teak furniture
Storage of wooden garden furniture
Even if moisture cannot penetrate garden furniture made of high-quality wood, you should never leave this piece of furniture unprotected in winter. It is important that you cover them with special protective films. When buying, however, be sure to pay attention to quality. With cheap discount products, condensation often forms under the hood, which attacks the wood.
It is better to store furniture made of soft coniferous wood in one room. This furniture is delicate and easily damaged when exposed to moisture and extreme temperature changes. It is also important that the storage room is not too warm and dry in order to avoid cracks in the wood.
Metal Garden Furniture
Metal garden furniture is invery easy to care for and store. When cleaning, however, you should make sure that the paint does not crack. In the long term, such often small cracks are the culprit for rust spots.
As long as the furniture isn't cracked or chipped, you can safely leave it outside. You do not necessarily have to cover them additionally. The same also applies to furniture made of aluminum and stainless steel. If small cracks are already visible, you should definitely repair them before winter and store the furniture indoors if necessary.
Garden furniture made of poly rattan
The garden furniture made of polyrattan is very popular because of its easy care and, of course, the look. You don't have to worry too much about storing the furniture in winter either. The plastic mesh does not absorb moisture and can therefore survive a winter outside without any consequences. But if you have enough space or storage options, you can of course also store the furniture. More » Care instructions for poly rattan
Tip: Storing your polyrattan furniture in the shade in winter will extend the life of the furniture. Too much UV radiation damages the material over time. A tarpaulin can also help here.
Conclusion
You should take care of your garden furniture regularly, especially before winter. This also applies to supposedly weatherproof materials. Therefore, check your garden furniture for damage that could cause consequential damage and repair it before winter. If you also stick to the right storage, then you can get the furniture out of hibernation undamaged in spring.