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Being exposed to the elements outdoor and patio furniture can take a bit of a beating during the summer months. In order to ensure the outdoor furniture gives many years of trouble free use it is important to look after it and maintain it. Maintaining patio furniture is an ongoing process and to help it look its best there are tasks that need to be done after the summer months before the furniture is stored for the winter, after the winter months and just before the furniture is used for the summer, and ongoing maintenance during the summer months whilst the furniture is in use.

i) Getting the furniture ready after the summer months ready for winter storage

At the end of the summer, just before it is stored over the winter months it is important to thoroughly check the furniture over. Remove each and every screw, nut and bolt and spray with oil before putting it back. The whole process should be performed one item at a time. Whilst this may seem like an arduous task treating each and every screw, nut and bolt will ensure that they will not rust whilst in storage and ensure they are all tight.

If the furniture is metal, look to see if the paint has been chipped of during use over the summer. If there are any bare spots touch them up with paint to prevent any rust setting in. If necessary paint the entire item of furniture with a suitable metal paint. Once dry, pour some oil (engine oil is fine) over the furniture and rub it in with a rag before covering the item of furniture with a piece of canvass or something to stop the furniture getting dirty whilst in storage.

If the furniture is wooden, check each slat and panel and ensure they are solid. If there are any rotten or damaged panels then replace them before storing the furniture. It is much easier to repair the furniture now than waiting for the summer to arrive. Once all panels are solid and secure then treat each panel with an insecticide. This will prevent any boring insects, such as wood worm and the like, from devouring and damaging your furniture over the winter months. The furniture should then be covered in a material, such as canvass, to protect it from any rodents that may decide to gnaw at the furniture whilst it is in storage.

Ideally, the furniture should be stored in a garage or some other shelter, regardless of whether it is wooden or metal. However if this is not possible then it should be stored out of the way where it will remain safe. Between the house and the fence or between the house and the garage are suitable places if there is no chance to put the furniture inside.

ii) After the winter months and getting the furniture ready for those summer cookouts

Before the furniture is used it needs checking over once more. Whilst it is unlikely the nuts, bolts or screws would have come loose whilst the furniture was being stored these should still be checked over and tightened if necessary. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

If the furniture is wooden check the slats once more. How have they faired over the winter? Have any of the slats or panels been damaged by frost, insects or the damp? Do any of the panels or slats need replacing? If any problems are identified then put them right. Have an overall look at the item of furniture. Does it need staining or painting? Are you happy to use the furniture the way it is throughout the summer? If you are not happy with any aspect then now is the time to change it.

If the furniture is metal then give it a good wash with hot and soapy water to get rid of the oil coating you gave it before storing it last winter. Check the furniture and see if any rust spots have appeared over the winter months, hopefully the oil should have prevented this but there could be some small rust spots. If any rust is found remove it with a wire brush and then paint/touch up the area to prevent any further rust attacks and to make the furniture look nice.

iii) Ongoing maintenance throughout the summer months

When the furniture is being used during the summer it still needs to be looked after and simply leaving the furniture exposed to the elements is likely to reduce its life. If possible cover the furniture at night, whilst it is hot during the days the evenings are often much cooler and the furniture may get damp. If the weather takes a turn for the worse and it rains try and get the furniture under cover to reduce its exposure to water. 

Maintaining outdoor furniture can be time consuming, however it is well worth putting in the extra effort to ensure the outdoor furniture not only lasts for many summers but is always in top condition. Sitting out on the patio on a warm summer’s evening is one of life’s pleasures which can be enhanced by sitting on nice furniture, and it is these thoughts that should help to provide the motivation required to maintain your outside furniture.