When You Should Use Patio Furniture Covers

Because quality outdoor furniture is made to withstand the elements, you may wonder whether protective covers are really necessary. Patio furniture covers provide an extra layer of protection to help keep your outdoor furniture in good shape, to prolonging its life. You should consider using them anytime your furniture won’t be in use for long periods of time or if you expect severely inclement weather.

Outdoor Furniture covers protect your outdoor pieces from a number of elements, including mildew and mold build-up, rain, high temperatures, cold weather, UV rays, and unwanted wildlife. They are made of weather and moisture resistant materials with UV protection, making it simple to maintain your patio chairs, lounges, patio tables, or any other piece you have in your backyard.. There are many types and qualities, so make sure to pick the ones that best fit your climate and geographic conditions. Once the right cover is found for your conditions and furniture, they will be ready to use.

Clean Your Furniture First

Protecting your outdoor furniture is always a good idea. But before you protect your patio furniture, take a few easy steps to make sure you’ve cleaned each piece. Here are some guidelines for how to clean your furniture before you put patio furniture covers on:

Acrylic cushions: Clean acrylic cushions with a mixture of soap and water. The best method is spot cleaning with a sponge. Don’t use anything abrasive. It’s best to follow the directions from the manufacturer.
Metal furniture: You can clean metal furniture such as steel or wrought iron with water and a gentle soap. For pieces that aren’t rust resistant, use a paste wax or a cleaner found at your local patio store.
Wicker: For wicker furniture, hose down with water. Be careful to use a lower pressure so as not to damage the individual pieces. You can use mild soap and water with a sponge for more stubborn spots.
Wood: You can clean any varnished wood furniture with soap and water. Just remember to rinse. non-varnished wood (such as Patina Teak) should be cleaned with water and gentle soap, so not to discolor the wood.

Putting On Your Patio Furniture Covers

Now that your patio furniture has been cleaned, it is time to put on your covers. Most will have stitching and ribbing that will make the front and backs of the cover obvious. Start with one side of the furniture and lift the cover over the furniture. Once atop of your patio furniture, pull it downwards, until the entire piece of furniture is dressed by the cover. If your patio furniture cover is equipped with drawstrings, Velcro or ties, then secure to the furniture, as directed by the manufacturer.

Cleaning Your Patio Furniture Covers

The easiest way to clean your Covers is while they are covering your furniture.

Your patio furniture cover will get dirty, if it is dirty then the cover is doing it’s job in protecting your patio furniture from the elements.

Your Patio Furniture Covers may be spot washed by using a soapy solution of a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the soap and allow to air dry. For heavier stains, prepare a solution of one (1) cup of bleach plus half (1/2) cup of mild detergent per gallon of water. Spray on the entire area and allow soaking. Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry.

Be sure your Patio Furniture Covers are completely dry before folding away for storage.

Unless directed by the manufacturer, we never recommend putting your cover in a machine washer. The agitation and and inner components of the washer may be too much for the cover to withstand.

There are covers for just about every type of outdoor furniture or accessory, such as for:

Patio Seating