Warm weather is just moving in, and you may be purchasing outdoor furniture and appliances in order to enjoy the Great Outdoors. Although you’ll be using these implements quite often in the next few months, you will need to store them properly between uses. You’ll also need to know how to properly store them once the summer is over. Let’s look at the ways you should protect and store your outdoor furniture.
1. Keep your furniture, grills, and more clean, dry, and away from excessive sun.
Keeping your furniture clean and dry should go without saying. However, much outdoor furniture is designed to withstand some rain and other outdoor elements. At the same time, you will want to make sure that you keep the furnishings out of the sun as much as possible.
Cover your furniture with waterproof material between uses. Not only will this keep your furniture clean, but it will keep the furniture dry when an unexpected summer afternoon shower moves through. In addition, you’ll protect your furniture from excessive sunlight by covering the furniture.
Got a new grill? Go ahead and spend another ten to twenty bucks to purchase a cover that properly fits over the grill. Keep the grill covered as much as possible. Once you cook, part of cleaning the grill should involve covering the grill once it has cooled.
2. Store cushions in a cool, dry place.
When you aren’t using your furnishings’ cushions, you should store them in a cool, dry place. Perhaps you can put them in a shed or you can splurge and purchase a water-tight storage box. Store cushions in this storage box between uses.
Speaking of cushions, be sure to clean them often.
You might not throw the cushions in the washing machine for cleaning, but you should have a suitable brush that can rid the cushions of any pollen or dirt that can build up on them. Should you notice a stain on your furniture cushion, you should utilize enzymatic stain cleaner in order to remove blemishes. Be sure to always allow cushions to fully dry out before storing them.
3. Cleaning furnishings as you use them.
At least once a week, brush any fallen leaves or twigs from the chairs and tables of your furnishings. Use a garden hose with a sprayer to hose off plastic surfaces, and wipe down any dirty areas that you notice. For wicker furniture, you may need to utilize dusters to remove this type of grime. Remember, doing some regular maintenance of the furniture will keep you from having to do major cleaning at summer’s end. It will also lengthen the life of your furniture.
4. Cover your furniture between uses.
Even if you use your outdoor furniture on a daily basis, keep a tarp or other covering over the furniture in order to minimize sun damage. Check out economical furniture stores near me.
5. Store the furniture in a shed or other covered area during the winter.
No matter where you live, winter can be harsh on outdoor furniture. You may live in an area with lots of rain; this can significantly damage your furniture. You may live in a place with lots of snow and ice, this can break down the materials with which your furniture is made. Even in more temperate climates, your furniture should be stored indoors during the winter.
6. Be sure to make any necessary repairs to the furniture before long-term storage.
It’s always a good idea to look the furniture over and make any necessary repairs to your outdoor furniture before storing it for long periods of time. That way, when you do get the furniture out of storage, it is ready for use.
7. Be sure to remove any outer coverings for cushions and clean them properly.
When possible, take the outer cover of your couch and chair cushions and put them in the washer for the best cleaning. Be careful about drying this material in the dryer. Get the material about fifty percent dry, then take out of the dryer and allow it to finish drying overnight. This prevents any shrinkage of the material.
8. Don’t store your cushions on the furniture.
Unfortunately, the material with which most cushions are made is a favorite of mice and other pests. Take the cushions off the furniture, and store them in a plastic container. Be sure when you store them in these plastic containers that you aren’t packing them in as tightly as possible. Give the cushions a little room inside the container.
9. Be sure to store the grill in a place where it is protected from the elements.
While you are likely using a fitted cover to protect your grill, be sure to place it in an area where it will not be affected by wind gusts. If you have a gas grill, be sure to store that gas can separately from the actual grill.
10. Metal furniture should be protected from rust.
You can use a rust-neutralizing primer to protect any metal furnishings from rust.
Protecting your outdoor furnishings is quite easy if you take the time to care for them as you use them, and in return, you’ll get many summers of use and enjoyment!
Summer is a great time for enjoying outdoor furniture.