Cleaning timber garden furniture
Before storing any timber garden furniture, whether indoors or out, it should be thoroughly cleaned and treated. This will minimise the risk from mould and rotting and can be done quickly and easily - our blog ‘How to protect your outdoor garden furniture this winter’ will show you how.
Garden furniture accessories
Any removable cushions, throws or upholstery should be removed and stored indoors wherever possible, to prevent them from getting damp and mouldy. Wash items in a washing machine or wipe down thoroughly with soapy water and allow to dry completely before packing them away. Sun umbrellas and parasols should also be wiped clean and dried before being stored away indoors.
Fold or stack timber garden chairs
Where your garden chairs will fold down, this will help them to take up less space when being stored. If they can’t be collapsed, consider stacking them to minimise the storage space they will need. If you are unable to store your timber garden furniture indoors, for example in a garage, shed or storage unit, leave it in the most sheltered area of the garden and cover with a purpose-made, waterproof furniture cover or a tarpaulin. Any cover you use must be clean and dry.
Wooden outdoor tables
As with outdoor chairs, if your table is collapsible then it is better to collapse it to the smallest size it can be. If it cannot be collapsed, leave it in situ but cover it well, not forgetting to secure the cover to each of the legs. If your table is to be left uncovered and outdoors, move it from any position where it could sit in puddles or wet grass or consider standing it on slabs. If it will be on grass, stand each leg in a clean tin can with preservative in for a while. This will allow the preservative to soak into the legs thoroughly which will safeguard against rotting.
Check on stored garden furniture
Furniture that is being stored outside should be checked regularly if being stored under a cover, to make sure that water or snow does not collect beneath the cover and damage the furniture if left. Timber garden furniture that is being stored in a garage or unit should also be checked regularly to make sure there are no damp issues.
Wooden garden furniture is versatile; it can be stored indoors but is equally happy remaining outdoors all year round. Of course, many people choose to keep their timber garden furniture outdoors and uncovered all year round, preferring the wood to weather naturally. In this case, your furniture will need only a clean and a layer of sealant. You can be confident that our comprehensive range of hardwood furniture and pressure treated furniture will cope well when treated and left outdoors throughout the winter months. If you need any help with garden timber treatments, or if you would like to know the best way to store garden furniture in winter, our expert staff is happy to help and can be contacted by email or phone on 01205 359188 during business hours.