Seasonal care is the quiet craft behind furniture that lasts. Most outdoor furniture does not wear out from use. It wears out from weather: moisture that lingers, ice that expands, and sun that fades and dries. The right care depends on which of those your climate brings, so our care calendars are organized by climate rather than by product.
Start with the climates hub if you are matching materials to Florida humidity, Arizona sun, coastal salt, or snowy winters. For specific stains (pollen, bird droppings, mildew, sunscreen, grill grease), use outdoor stain removal.
Care, by climate
A few well-timed rituals protect finish, fabric, and the character of each piece.
Humid south
Mildew prevention, airflow, quick-drying cushions, pollen season, and preparing for storm season. A calendar for warm, wet climates.
Freeze winters
What to store, cover, or leave out, how to choose a breathable cover, and a fall to spring calendar for cold climates.
Sunbelt fade
Fade-resistant fabrics, cooler finishes, shade planning, and cushion habits for strong sun and heat.
Coastal salt air
Materials that suit the ocean, marine-grade hardware, and a freshwater rinse routine for salt, sand, and wind.
Seasonal care calendar (printable)
A one page PDF checklist of spring, summer, fall, and winter care for each climate.
Covers and storage
When covers help, what makes a good one, how to stop pooling, and how to store cushions, umbrellas, and glass tops.
Cleaning and restoring
Step by step guides for the jobs that come around every spring and fall.
How to clean outdoor furniture
What to use and what to avoid on teak, aluminum, iron, HDPE, plastic, wicker, glass, stone, and slings, plus a spring and fall routine.
How to clean outdoor cushions
Removable and sewn covers, mold and mildew, common stains, and how to dry the foam so mildew does not come back.
Teak cleaning and restoring
Routine cleaning, black mildew spots, restoring gray teak to gold, and choosing between sealer, oil, or letting it silver.
How to paint metal patio furniture
Lead paint checks, removing rust, primers for iron, steel, and aluminum, painting mesh seats, and letting the finish cure.
Wicker repair
What is fixable at home, how to secure loose strands and replace broken sections, and gentle care for natural rattan.
Cleaning umbrellas and covers
Routine washing, mildew, bird droppings, drying, and re-treating canopies and covers so water beads again.
Restoring faded plastic furniture
Bringing chalky, faded resin and plastic back: cleaning, restorers, paint for plastic, and when to retire it.
Storage, wind, and visitors
The everyday problems that shorten furniture life, and the habits that prevent them.
Deck boxes and cushion storage
Sizing a deck box, waterproof vs water resistant, ventilation, placement, and storage bags.
Keeping furniture from blowing away
Heavier materials, weights and anchors, cushion ties, umbrella habits, and storm prep.
Keeping cats, birds, spiders, and pollen away
Humane deterrents, safe cleanup, and the storage habits that keep visitors off the cushions.
Care basics for every climate
- Wash frames and fabrics with mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush at least once a season.
- Avoid pressure washers on wood, wicker, and fabric.
- Keep furniture feet off standing water with glides or caps.
- Touch up chips in metal finishes promptly.
- Store cushions dry, and cover furniture only with breathable covers.
- Check joints and hardware each spring and fall.
The year at a glance
| Season | Main focus |
|---|---|
| Spring | Wash everything, inspect finishes and joints, replace worn glides, wake up stored cushions |
| Summer | Quick rinses for pollen, dust, and sunscreen, cushion storage after rain and in strong sun |
| Fall | Clear leaves, touch up chips, tighten hardware, deep clean before cooler months |
| Winter | Store cushions and umbrellas, protect glass and planters, breathable covers only |
Covers and storage
Covers help, but only when used well. Choose breathable, vented covers that fit snugly and tie down in wind, and put them only on dry furniture. A plastic tarp over damp furniture can do more harm than leaving it uncovered. For cushions, the best storage is dry, off the floor, and close enough to the patio that putting them away becomes a habit rather than a chore.
Pro tip
Clean and dry first, then cover. Trapped dirt and moisture under a cover do more harm than a season of weather. Our covers and storage guide has the details.
Signs a piece needs attention
- A wobble or creak that was not there last season.
- Chips, bubbles, or rust spots in a metal finish.
- Gray or black spots on wood or fabric that do not rinse away.
- Cushions that smell musty or stay damp for days after rain.
- Brittle, cracked, or loose strands in wicker.
Care by material
Each material guide includes its own care rhythm: teak, aluminum, wrought iron, and resin.
When something is beyond a simple clean, our repair vs replace guide helps you decide what to do next.