You've invested a lot of time and money this summer to make your patio look perfect. Unfortunately, the leaves are turning and beginning to fal—it's time to get all of the patio furniture and decor put away for the season. Here, you'll find a few tips that will help you get the outdoor home decor packed and stored in a way that will protect it until next year.
Furniture
No matter what your furniture is made of, it must be completely cleaned and dried before being put away for the season. Any dirt and moisture that remains on the furniture can cause discolorations and mold growth.
Plastic and Vinyl Furniture – If you find some areas on the plastic and vinyl furniture that just won't come clean, get a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and give it a try. Many times, this little sponge will remove any spots that other methods fail to remove.
Metal Furniture – As you clean the metal furniture look for corrosion. These areas will need to be sanded and coated with rust-resistant primer and paint. If you do not treat the corrosion, it will continue to worsen and soon, the furniture will fail.
Wood Furniture – While cleaning the wood furniture, pay attention to how well the water beads up. If the water does not bead up on the surface, it needs to be sealed before being stored. Failure to seal it prior to storage will allow moisture to absorb into the wood and promote rot and mold growth.
Cushions, Pillows, and Carpets
All of the decor around your patio will also need some attention before you store it. Fortunately, this is pretty easy—simply hang the cushions, pillows, and carpets out in the sun to dry for an afternoon, then pull it all down before the evening dew sets in. This will allow them to dry fully before you store them.
Pillows and cushions can be stored inside vacuum storage bags. These bags require the use of your vacuum to pull all of the air out of the storage bag. This decreases the package size tremendously and creates a waterproof and air-tight seal to protect the contents.
Carpets must be rolled up carefully. If you fold a carpet, you will have a hard time getting all of the creases out of the carpet when you lay it out next season.
Once you have everything ready for storage, it's time to find a place to put it. Find a storage unit close to your home to take your patio furnishings to and store them securely for the winter. For more information, contact companies like Eastside Self Storage and RV Park.