Getting ready for winter usually means raking leaves and getting a house prepared, but it also means getting outdoor furniture ready to be stored away. For folks who aren’t lucky enough to be able to leave it outdoors, there are certain chores necessary to clean and prepare items for storage.

Many homeowners are spending more money on outdoor furniture, and it’s important to protect good investments. It is often easier to break the chores down into several easy steps of work rather than have to hastily spend a whole day making the right preparations. Just a few moments will make all the difference when spring arrives again, and one wants to enjoy warmer days.

It’s best to check all fabric items such as umbrellas and cushions for dampness. They need to be totally dry before going into storage whether they are wrapped or not. Many basements and garage areas hold dampness through the winter months and mildew can easily form especially if any exists to begin with. No one wants to spend hours scrubbing on a beautiful spring day so it is best done prior to storage.

Armed with a mild cleansing detergent and spray car wax, it’s a good idea to clean and wax any plastic furniture items. The scrub down will get rid of grime easily enough and by waxing the items, they are more protected for storage and there’ll be no sticking when stacking them to save space. It will also make life simpler in the spring because they will need no maintenance.

Check any and all furniture for mold. It can be very common on undersides and especially on cushions. A mild solution of water and bleach will do the job and won’t harm fabrics or other materials. If the mold is stubborn increase the solution’s strength. This also works on umbrellas and you might want to try spraying the solution on them. Make certain all items are thoroughly dry before storing.

Even wood furniture collects its share of grime and stains so wash them down in a soapy solution before covering in plastic for storage. Months of sitting will only make the clean up more difficult in the spring. It’s also wise to assess any paint chipping or cracking as this is where moisture can creep in and do damage. Make restoration plans during the winter months if space is available or put it on the calendar for spring.

The elements aren’t as tough on cast iron or wrought iron outdoor furniture so they are often left out to enjoy the snow and rain. But that luxury stills needs some maintenance from time to time. Check for any rust that’s appeared and get it sanded and repainted before it has time to spread. It will just be a bigger task later.

In doing all the cleaning, it is also wise to use the proper products. For instance, using vinyl cleaner rather than usual under the counter kitchen products ensures no residue is left that may damage or leave a film. For wood furniture, use the same products used to clean decks. And for aluminum, always use non-alkaline products such as window cleaner or other common kitchen products which contain ammonia. It will likely take away the protective coating given during manufacturing.

Getting ready for winter isn’t fun, but with proper storage, it’s more fun when spring days do reappear. It’s better to enjoy the leaves appearing than scrubbing last year’s mess.

Author Bio: If you want to know more about wicker patio furniture, then visit Gabriel Meriwether’s site and see some of the best patio dining sets available.

Category: Home Management
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