Bring the cushions in. Leave the frames out. Clean everything, let it dry completely, then cover it. That is the whole job for most patio furniture, and the single most common way people damage a set over winter is covering it while it is still damp.
What actually needs protecting
Rank the parts by how likely they are to fail, because the effort should follow that order:
- Cushions. Fabric fades and foam holds water. Storing cushions indoors roughly doubles their usable life.
- Fasteners. Plain steel screws corrode and streak rust down a frame. Stainless hardware does not.
- Coating. On steel, a chip or scratch is where rust starts. On aluminum the coating is cosmetic rather than structural.
- The frame itself. Usually the healthiest part of the set, and the last thing to worry about.
The four steps
1. Clean it first. Wipe frames with a damp cloth and mild soap. Dirt left under a cover holds moisture against the finish all winter. Rinse and let the frame dry rather than covering a wet surface.
2. Dry it completely. This is the step people skip. A sealed cover over a damp frame traps moisture and causes exactly the corrosion the cover was bought to prevent. Give it a few hours of dry weather, or towel it down.
3. Bring cushions indoors. A garage, basement or closet is fine. Store them flat or upright rather than crushed, and make sure they are dry first, since damp foam in a sealed bag grows mildew. Most outdoor cushion covers unzip, and many are machine washable.
4. Cover or stack. A breathable waterproof cover is better than a sealed plastic sheet, which traps condensation. If you can, raise furniture slightly off the ground so water does not pool around the feet.
It depends on the frame material
Aluminum can stay outside all winter without much thought. It contains no iron, so it cannot rust. Cover it to keep it clean, but the frame is not at risk. The one caution is wind: aluminum is light, so on an exposed deck either group pieces together or move them against a wall.
Steel can also stay out, but its coating is doing the work. Check for chips and scratches before you cover it, and touch them up, because bare steel spreads corrosion under the surrounding finish. Our comparison of steel versus aluminum outdoor furniture goes into why.
Wicker means PE rattan on most modern sets, which handles cold fine. Natural rattan does not and should come indoors. If the weave sits over a steel frame, the frame is the part to inspect, not the weave.
Fire pit tables and propane
Two things matter here, and one is a safety issue.
- Never store a propane tank indoors, including in a garage, shed or basement. Disconnect it and leave it outside, upright, in a shaded spot away from the house. This is not a preference, it is standard propane safety guidance.
- Protect the burner. Let it cool completely, check the table surface is dry, then fit the lid and the waterproof cover. Water sitting in a burner pan over winter is what ruins ignition in spring.
Grills and smokers
Clean the grates while they are still warm from a final cook, then oil cast iron lightly so it does not rust. Empty grease trays and ash. On electric and pellet units, keep the controller dry and store pellets somewhere dry, because pellets absorb moisture and crumble into unusable sawdust. Then cover it.
Spring, in one line
Uncover on a dry day, wipe everything down, check that fasteners are still tight, and put the cushions back. If something did corrode over winter, it will be at a fastener or a coating chip, which tells you what to buy differently next time.
Frequently asked questions
Can outdoor furniture stay outside all winter?
Aluminum frames can, comfortably, because they cannot rust. Coated steel can too, provided the coating is intact and you cover it. Cushions should always come indoors, since fabric fading and damp foam are what actually shorten a set's life.
Should I cover patio furniture in winter?
Yes, but only once it is completely dry, and use a breathable waterproof cover rather than sealed plastic. Covering damp furniture traps moisture against the frame and does more harm than leaving it uncovered.
Where do I store a propane tank over winter?
Outdoors, upright, in a shaded spot away from the house. Never in a garage, shed or basement. Disconnect it from the fire pit or grill first and cap it.
How should I store outdoor cushions?
Indoors, completely dry, stored flat or upright rather than compressed. A garage or basement works. Wash removable covers first if they are machine washable, and avoid sealing damp cushions in plastic bags, which causes mildew.
More on upkeep in how to care for outdoor aluminum furniture and how to choose weather-resistant patio furniture.
