Make your garden furniture winter-proof in three steps: bring the cushions indoors, clean the frames, and only cover them once they are completely dry. Teak and wrought iron can easily stay outside. A protective cover keeps out dirt and moisture but needs air underneath.
Behind the garden chair is a landscape architecture firm from Rostock. For us, a terrace is therefore a designed space even in January, not a storage area that is forgotten until April. The most important decision is made now in autumn: those who store their furniture clean and dry for the winter will save themselves the extensive basic cleaning in spring. There is no single rule for all materials, and manufacturers do not all advise the same. Therefore, the overview comes first, followed by the reasoning.
Which garden furniture can stay outside in winter?
| Material | Where in winter? | Protective cover |
|---|---|---|
| Teak | Can stay outside | Optional, mainly against dirt and leaves |
| Wrought iron | Can stay outside | Useful, only on dry furniture |
| Powder-coated aluminium | Outside or covered | Useful, only on dry furniture |
| Poly rattan and polyethylene weave | Best indoors, otherwise covered or under the cover | Useful, allow air to circulate |
| Weave and rope | Outside or covered | Useful, saves maintenance trips |
| Mahogany | Only covered, for example under a pergola | Additional option |
| Cushions and pillows | Dry and ventilated indoors | Do not store on the frame under the cover |
The overview is our classification based on the manufacturer instructions of Cane-line, Tribù and Unopiù. The care instructions of your furniture always remain decisive.
Indoors, covered or under the cover?
Cane-line specifies a clear order for its frames: best indoors, alternatively on a covered terrace or in a carport, otherwise outside under a protective cover. In practice, space is the deciding factor. A large lounge, a long dining table or a group of sun loungers rarely fit in the basement.
A covered terrace already takes away much of winter's impact, because rain and snow do not directly hit the furniture. If the group is outdoors, the cover takes over this part. Cane-line describes the benefit matter-of-factly: A cover makes cleaning easier in spring and extends the lifespan of the furniture.
Not every material needs this protection to the same extent. Tribù describes natural teak as practically maintenance-free and suitable for outdoors all year round. Unopiù writes about wrought iron that it does not need to be brought into the house in winter. Here, the cover is therefore mainly about cleanliness and the effort in spring.
Covering garden furniture correctly: four rules
A protective cover for garden furniture is a cover tailored to the furniture for the time when it is not used. It only works as well as it is placed.
- Only cover dry furniture. Cane-line advises letting wet furniture dry first. Unopiù also recommends letting aluminium and wrought iron dry in the sun after rain. In November, this means: wait for a dry day.
- Ensure air circulation. Under a cover, condensation can form over a long period, which promotes mould and mildew. Cane-line recommends lifting the cover off the frame so that air can circulate, and lifting it from time to time.
- Check after rain and snow. Cane-line advises checking the covers and removing accumulated water.
- Choose a fitting cover and secure it. A cover that follows the furniture lies more quietly than a tarpaulin and keeps its shape recognizable. A tug on the hem helps to keep it on the furniture.
Protective cover for garden furniture: waterproof and winter-proof?
Being waterproof alone does not make a cover winter-proof. Even a waterproof protective cover does not make ventilation unnecessary: It keeps rain out from the outside, but can retain moisture from the inside. Therefore, a quick look under the cover on a dry winter day is worthwhile. Also pay attention to the manufacturer's specifications: Cane-line points out that its covers protect in winter, but not against frost.
Cushions and pillows belong indoors
Cushions are the most sensitive part of a lounge in winter. Unopiù advises storing cushions in winter, during extended periods of non-use and during continuous rain, under cover. Cane-line recommends a ventilated room, alternatively a cushion box on a covered area, and warns against leaving cushions on the frames in a damp climate, because mould can form there.
It is crucial that the cushions are really dry before storage. For Cane-line Tex, this includes standing the cushions upright so that they can drip off well. Unopiù specifies washing at a maximum of 30 °C without spinning for its acrylic fabrics, the Cane-line Tex covers are also machine washable at 30 °C. The label in the cushion remains authoritative.
The materials in detail
Teak
Teak is the most relaxed material in the garden. Untreated, it turns silver-grey under sun and rain. Tribù and Unopiù describe this patina as a natural process that does not impair the quality and structure of the wood. Those who like the grey tone only need to remove dirt and leaves before winter.
When it comes to treatment, it is worth looking at the documentation of your own brand. Tribù expressly advises against treating teak with varnish, oil, or linseed oil, and lists its own protective products. Unopiù refers to its care products to maintain or restore the honey-colored tone. More on this is shown in our guide How to properly care for teak wood.
Powder-coated aluminium
Aluminium should not go into winter with a layer of dirt. Tribù recommends clear water with a pH-neutral cleaner, Unopiù recommends mild soap. For the Aria collection, Gandia Blasco recommends water and neutral soap with a soft cloth and excludes solvents, bleach, steel wool, and metal brushes. Pressure washers are also not permitted there. The remaining materials are explained in our Material overview.
Poly rattan and polyethylene weave
Poly rattan is a collective term for synthetic weave, the quality differs depending on the manufacturer. Cane-line describes its weave Cane-line Weave as dyed-through polyethylene that withstands moisture and strong temperature fluctuations. For autumn and winter, the manufacturer nevertheless lists the same order: indoors, covered, or outside under a protective cover that is lifted off the furniture. It is cleaned with a soft brush and soapy water. The data sheet does not contain an explicit frost rating.
Weave and rope
Here, cleaning before the winter break helps above all. For WaProLace®, Unopiù recommends water and a mild soap with thorough rinsing. According to Unopiù, polypropylene rope needs no regular care, but can be washed if necessary with lukewarm water up to 30 °C, mild detergent, and a soft plastic brush, and should dry in the shade. For its Trizo weave, Tribù writes that a cover provides additional protection and reduces the number of maintenance trips. Details on the individual weaves are in the information on the Tribù Materials and the Cane-line Materials.
Finding the right cover
Our Protective covers for garden furniture range from individual armchairs to large dining tables and sun umbrellas. It is important to choose according to the specific furniture instead of an approximate size.
For the Kama and Hive series by Ego Paris, we continue to offer covers made by Context' in France: the Protective covers suitable for Ego Paris Kama and the Protective covers suitable for Ego Paris Hive. They differ depending on the furniture, for Hive for example by low and high backrest.
Making garden furniture winter-proof: the process
- Clear away. Remove cushions, blankets, rugs, and accessories from the furniture.
- Clean. Remove leaves, pollen, and bird droppings with the agent suitable for the material.
- Let dry. Wait for a dry day, even joints and undersides should dry out.
- Store cushions. Completely dry and as ventilated as possible.
- Cover. Place the fitting cover and ensure air circulation.
- Check. After heavy rain or snow, remove water and occasionally lift the cover.
The garden remains visible
A covered lounge stands in view all winter, from the living room as well as on the hotel terrace or at the pool area. Well-fitting covers keep the shape of the furniture recognizable, loose tarpaulins make the picture restless. Those who do not want to cover everything can separate: teak and wrought iron remain visible, upholstered furniture overwinters under the cover or indoors. This way, the garden remains a designed place even in January.
Frequently asked questions
Should garden furniture be covered in winter or not?
Covering garden furniture outdoors is usually sensible if it is clean and dry beforehand. Cane-line describes that a cover makes cleaning easier in spring. For natural teak, it is not mandatory according to Tribù, because it can stand outside all year round.
Can garden furniture stay outside in winter?
Garden furniture can stay outside depending on the material. Tribù calls natural teak suitable for outdoors all year round, and wrought iron does not need to be brought into the house in winter according to Unopiù. Cushions should, however, be stored under cover or in a ventilated room.
Can poly rattan furniture stay outside in winter?
Poly rattan furniture can stay outside under a protective cover depending on the manufacturer. Cane-line calls the interior the best solution for its Weave polyethylene weave, followed by a covered place and finally the protective cover outdoors. The data sheet does not contain an explicit frost rating.
Can wet garden furniture be covered?
Wet garden furniture should not be covered. Cane-line and Unopiù advise letting it dry first.
Why does mould form under a protective cover?
Under a protective cover, condensation can collect if no air circulates. Cane-line therefore recommends lifting the cover off the frame and lifting it from time to time.
Where do you store garden cushions in winter?
Garden cushions are best stored dry in a ventilated room. Cane-line calls a cushion box on a covered area as an alternative and advises against storing cushions on the frames in a damp climate.
Does teak need to be oiled before winter?
Teak does not need to be oiled before winter to remain durable. The silver-grey patina is purely visual according to Tribù, and Tribù advises against oil. Those who want to preserve the original color tone follow the care instructions of their manufacturer.
Are there still protective covers for Ego Paris Kama and Hive?
Garden-Stuhl continues to offer protective covers for Ego Paris Kama and Hive. They come from Context' in France, the company that has already made these covers for Ego Paris.
