How to Winterize Your Outdoor Furniture and Patio

A little end-of-season prep saves you from replacing rusted, cracked or mildewed patio furniture every few years. The work isn’t complicated, but the right steps depend heavily on what your furniture is made of. Teak, powder-coated aluminum, wrought iron and natural wicker all fail in different ways over winter. This guide walks through each material, plus the cushions, grill, umbrella and planters that usually get forgotten.

Quick answer: Clean everything and let it dry completely before storing or covering it. Bring cushions, natural wicker and anything with fabric indoors if you have room. Touch up rust on metal, seal or oil bare wood, and use breathable, fitted covers, not plastic tarps, for furniture that stays outside. Disconnect propane tanks and store them outdoors, and empty terracotta and ceramic planters so they don’t crack.

Why Winter Is Hard on Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture handles rain and sun, but freeze-thaw cycles are a different kind of stress. Water that gets into a crack, seam or joint expands when it freezes and contracts when it thaws. Over a winter that repeats many times, gradually widening cracks, loosening joints and lifting paint off metal so rust can spread underneath. Dirt, pollen and leaf debris make it worse by holding moisture against surfaces for weeks. Most winter damage is really moisture damage, which is why cleaning and drying come first in every step below.

Step 1: Clean and Dry Everything

Dirt and organic debris left on furniture over winter trap moisture, feeding rust on metal and mildew on fabric and wood.

1. Brush off loose debris, including leaves wedged in joints and under feet.
2. Wash frames with mild soap and water and a soft brush. Rinse well, since soap residue attracts dirt.
3. Treat mildew spots with a diluted vinegar solution or a cleaner made for outdoor furniture. Test it on a hidden spot first, especially on colored fabric.
4. Dry completely, ideally for a full sunny day. Tip chairs so water drains out of hollow legs and frames.

Step 2: Protect Each Material the Right Way

Material	Main winter risk	What to do	Store inside?
Hardwood (teak, eucalyptus)	Graying, surface checking, cracks at joints	Clean, dry fully, apply oil or sealer if you want to keep the color; tighten hardware	Preferred, or cover
Softwood (pine, cedar)	Rot where water pools, splitting	Seal exposed end grain; keep off wet ground	Preferred
Wrought iron and steel	Rust spreading under chipped paint	Wire-brush rust spots, prime and touch up paint; wax helps	Optional with a good cover
Aluminum	Pitting, loose joints, chipped powder coat	Clean, touch up chips, check welds and bolts	Optional
Natural wicker or rattan	Cracking, splitting, mildew	Clean gently, dry thoroughly, store indoors	Yes, if at all possible
Resin or synthetic wicker	UV fading, brittleness in hard cold	Clean and cover; avoid stacking heavy items on it	Optional
Plastic	Brittleness and cracking in cold	Stack carefully; keep out of wind	Optional

Two notes on the table. First, not all “wicker” is natural. Synthetic resin wicker handles weather far better, so check which kind you own before deciding where it goes. Second, if you have a wooden deck under the furniture, fall is a good time to check it too. See our guide to cleaning a deck before staining if the boards need attention in spring.

Step 3: Store or Protect Cushions

Fabric cushions should come inside if you have the space. Even weather-resistant fabric and foam break down faster with repeated moisture and cold.

• Clean them first. Vacuum debris, spot-clean stains and remove washable covers if the care label allows.
• Dry them completely. Foam can hold water inside long after the fabric feels dry. Stand cushions on edge in the sun or a warm room for a day or two.
• Store them in breathable bags or a dry closet, basement or garage shelf. Sealing even slightly damp cushions in plastic bins is the most common cause of mildew found in spring.
• If they must stay outside, use a ventilated deck box or storage bench and add a moisture absorber.

Step 4: Cover What Stays Outside

For furniture that stays on the patio, a fitted, waterproof but breathable cover beats a generic plastic tarp. A tarp traps condensation underneath and creates a humid pocket that encourages mildew and rust. A good cover has vents or breathable fabric and straps or drawcords to secure it.

• Leave a little airflow. Don’t wrap covers tightly to the ground.
• Raise furniture off wet surfaces. Small furniture risers or scraps of composite decking under the feet keep legs out of standing water.
• Prevent pooling. A cover that sags collects water and snow. Place an upturned bucket or ball under the center of a table cover so it sheds water.
• Secure it well. A cover that blows loose in a storm protects nothing and can become wind debris.
• Group and stack chairs where possible, so one large cover protects several pieces.

Step 5: Winterize the Grill

1. Burn off and scrape the grates, then clean grease out of the cookbox and drip tray. Grease left over winter holds moisture and attracts rodents.
2. Disconnect propane tanks and store them outdoors, upright, in a well-ventilated spot away from the house. Never store propane in a garage, basement or shed.
3. Empty all ash from a charcoal grill. Old ash absorbs moisture and corrodes the bowl.
4. Lightly oil cast-iron grates to prevent rust, or store them indoors.
5. Use a grill-specific cover once the grill is cool and dry.

Step 6: Handle Planters, Umbrellas and Everything Else

Planters: Soil left in terracotta or glazed ceramic pots absorbs water, freezes, expands and can crack the pot. Empty pots that won’t overwinter with plants, let them dry and store them upside down or indoors. For pots that stay planted with cold-hardy perennials, make sure the drainage holes are clear and raise the pots on feet so water can escape.

Umbrellas: Clean the canopy, let it dry completely, close it and store it indoors in its sleeve. Empty water-filled bases before a hard freeze, since freezing water can crack them.

Outdoor rugs: Clean, dry fully and roll up for dry storage. A rug rolled up damp will almost certainly mildew.

String lights and outdoor electrical decor: Check cords for cracks or brittle insulation before storing them loosely coiled in a dry bin.

Irrigation: If you have drip lines or sprinklers around the patio, drain them before the first hard freeze. Our guide to winterizing a sprinkler system covers the steps.

Common Winterizing Mistakes

Mistake	What happens	Better approach
Covering furniture while it’s still wet	Trapped moisture causes mildew and rust	Clean and dry completely first
Using a plastic tarp tied to the ground	Condensation builds up underneath	Use a breathable, vented cover with airflow
Storing damp cushions in sealed bins	Musty, mildewed cushions in spring	Dry for a day or two, store breathable
Storing propane tanks indoors	Serious fire and gas hazard	Keep tanks outside, upright, ventilated
Leaving soil in terracotta pots	Cracked pots after freezes	Empty, dry and store pots
Ignoring small rust spots	Rust spreads under paint all winter	Brush, prime and touch up in fall

Spring Takeout Checklist

When warm weather returns, a few minutes of checking sets the season up well:

• Remove covers on a dry day and let furniture air out.
• Check for loose bolts, rust spots and cracked welds or joints before anyone sits down.
• Wash frames and let wood dry before re-oiling if needed.
• Bring cushions out only after the patio has dried, and spot-check for mildew.

If you’re replacing worn pieces, our guide to choosing patio furniture for small spaces covers materials that hold up best.

FAQ

Can I leave outdoor furniture uncovered all winter?

Some materials, like powder-coated aluminum and good resin, can survive uncovered, but they’ll last longer and need less spring cleanup with a breathable cover. Natural wicker, fabric and softwood should not be left exposed.

Should I oil teak before winter?

Only if you want to keep its golden color. Teak naturally weathers to silver-gray without harming the wood’s durability. If you do oil it, make sure it’s clean and completely dry first.

Is a garage or shed good for storage?

Yes, as long as it’s dry. Keep furniture off the concrete floor on pallets or scraps of wood, and never store propane tanks in the same space.

What if I don’t have room to store anything indoors?

Prioritize cushions and natural wicker for indoor space, then cover everything else with fitted, vented covers, and raise pieces off the ground so water can drain away.