Preparing Garden Furniture for Winter

Where can I store cushions in the winter months?

We always recommend that cushions are cleaned, dried thoroughly and stored wrapped, somewhere water-tight and where mice can’t nibble at them. Although storing them in a shed or garage is tempting, we don’t recommend them as these areas can often harbour hungry mice who might find it too tempting to taste a chunk of your delicious garden cushions.

Cushion storage boxes are specifically designed to keep seat and scatter cushions dry and aired during warmer months when they are not on your furniture and they allow the cushions to breathe. Available in a range of colours and finishes to match your furniture set, be it rattan or aluminum, look out for storage boxes which feature a removable liner. Our recommended best approach to over-winter cushions is to carry them up to your attic and store the cleaned cushions in one of these zipped-up removable cushion-liners, where they can safely remain undisturbed until you retrieve them in the spring. Even cushions that claim to be shower-proof should not be left out in the elements over winter. For more information on this subject, see our blog post Can you leave outdoor garden scatter cushions outside?

Can metal furniture be stored outdoors?

Here we are referring to the painted, treated or coated cast iron, aluminium or steel metal furniture which is traditionally used for bistro sets and garden benches, such as you would find in Hartman’s range. Again, their treatments make them rust and UV resistant, but we recommend covering aluminium or stainless steel furniture to weather the winter, as this will keep it clean and protected. There is the risk that iron or steel may attract corrosion, so furniture made from these materials should be stored somewhere dry. If corrosion strikes, first treat any flaking paint or exposed areas of bare metal, and allow the furniture to dry before bringing it in.

Is it good to leave wood outside in the winter?

Most good quality wooden outdoor furniture will be treated with wood preserver to help it weather the rain and bad weather. In most cases it can happily be left outside in all the vagaries of the British winter climate, come rain, snow, wind or (ahem) shine. Please be aware though that many woods will age naturally over time if left out in the British weather. For instance, teak furniture will age to that familiar silvery grey appearance. Teak’s honey appearance can be brought back at the start of the spring season by lightly sanding off stains and then using a teak cleaner, followed by a teak restorer.

It is not advisable to cover wooden furniture as the natural oils in the wood can attract mould or mildew and moisture trapped under the cover may cause the wood to rot. Additionally, wooden furniture shouldn’t be allowed to winter sitting on grass, which will remain wet for most of the season, as its legs could absorb moisture and begin to decompose. There is also the risk that water which has entered the wood can freeze and expand, causing the wood to crack. Instead, move wooden furniture onto a well-drained patio area, or somewhere where there is no risk of water pooling.

Can plastic weather a winter?

Plastic furniture is not susceptible to rust or rot brought on by the rain, so can be left outside. However extremes of temperature are not kind to plastic. Lots of hot sun can make it fade, not that this will be a problem in British Wintertime. Extreme cold can make plastic brittle, so it should be brought inside during very cold weather. After all, no-one wants to see Granny go for a burton after a brittle chair-leg fails. To spruce it up in the spring, plastic just needs a light sponge down with soapy water.

So is it safe to leave stone out in all weathers?

Stone furniture is built to be left in the great outdoors and doesn’t need covering or bringing in. Over time it will age to a lovely weathered appearance.