How to Store Patio Furniture for the Winter
Sep 4, 2026 / Public Storage
To store patio furniture for winter, clean and dry every piece, remove cushions and detachable parts, and disassemble large items when the manufacturer permits it. Wrap or cover each component, organize the hardware and keep furniture raised from the storage-unit floor when practical.
A little preparation can limit dirt, moisture, deep cushion compression and misplaced hardware while your outdoor setup is packed away.
How Should You Prepare Patio Furniture for Storage?
Before packing or disassembling furniture:
- Remove cushions, umbrellas and detachable accessories.
- Brush away leaves, pollen and loose dirt.
- Clean each material according to its care instructions.
- Allow every piece to dry completely.
- Inspect frames, fasteners and fabric.
- Photograph the assembled furniture.
- Measure large pieces and doorways.
- Gather covers, cushioning and labeled hardware bags.
Complete all cleaning, surface treatment and repairs before bringing the furniture to the storage facility.
How Should You Clean Different Patio Furniture Materials?
| Material | General preparation |
|---|---|
| Metal | Clean, dry and inspect for rust or finish damage |
| Wood | Use an approved cleaner and inspect the finish |
| Plastic or resin | Wash as directed and avoid abrasive products |
| Wicker or rattan | Remove debris from crevices with a soft brush |
| Glass | Clean, dry and cushion edges before packing |
| Stone or ceramic | Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and lifting instructions |
| Outdoor fabric | Wash or spot-clean according to the care label |
Do not use one cleaner on every type of furniture. Test products in an inconspicuous area and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
How Should You Store Metal Patio Furniture?
Clean metal frames with a product approved for their finish, then dry them completely. Inspect joints, fasteners and areas where water may collect.
If you notice rust, follow the manufacturer’s repair instructions. Sanding, rust treatment or refinishing should be completed in an appropriate work area before storage. Allow every applied product to cure fully.
Do not bring paint, solvents, rust treatments or other prohibited chemicals into the storage unit.
How Should You Store Wooden Patio Furniture?
Brush away dirt and clean the wood according to its care instructions. Allow it to dry thoroughly, including joints, undersides and hidden surfaces.
Apply sealant or another finish only when the furniture manufacturer recommends it. Complete the work before arriving at the storage facility and allow the finish to cure completely.
Avoid sealing damp wood under plastic. Use a suitable furniture cover that does not place pressure on decorative details.
How Should You Store Wicker or Rattan Furniture?
Use a soft brush or low-suction vacuum attachment to remove debris from woven areas. Clean the material using the method recommended for natural or synthetic wicker.
Make sure water is not trapped inside the weave or frame. Avoid stacking furniture unless it is designed for stacking, and do not place heavy boxes on woven seats or arms.
Cover each piece loosely with clean, suitable material after it has dried.
How Should You Store Plastic or Resin Furniture?
Wash plastic or resin furniture with an approved cleaner and dry it completely. Inspect the legs, joints and undersides for cracks or retained water.
Use a surface treatment only when recommended for that material. Do not apply treatments inside the storage unit.
Stack chairs only when the manufacturer identifies them as stackable. Avoid creating a tall or unstable stack.
How Should You Store Patio Cushions?
Remove cushion covers when they are designed for removal. Wash or spot-clean the fabric according to its care label, then allow the cover and insert to dry completely.
Before packing:
- Check seams, zippers and ties.
- Remove crumbs and debris.
- Confirm that the foam or filling is dry.
- Fold only when the manufacturer permits it.
- Avoid vacuum-compressing foam for extended storage.
Place dry cushions in clean, lidded bins or suitable fabric storage bags. Do not force them into undersized containers or stack heavy items on top.
Avoid placing cedar, fragrance oils or scented products directly against cushions. Oils, dyes and fragrances may transfer to the fabric.
A contained silica-gel packet may be used when permitted by the cushion manufacturer and according to the packet’s instructions. It does not replace thorough drying.
How Should You Store a Patio Umbrella?
Close and clean the umbrella according to its instructions. Dry the canopy, seams, pole and crank mechanism completely.
Remove the canopy or separate the pole only when the umbrella is designed for disassembly. Keep screws, finials and other hardware in a labeled container.
Use the original sleeve or another suitable cover. Store the umbrella horizontally with adequate support when directed, and avoid placing weight on the pole, ribs or canopy.
The umbrella base may need to be drained or emptied before storage. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly for fillable bases that use water or sand.
How Should You Disassemble Patio Furniture?
Take furniture apart only when the manufacturer permits it. Photograph each item first and retain its assembly instructions.
As you work:
- Label each furniture piece.
- Place screws and bolts in separate bags.
- Identify which hardware belongs to each item.
- Keep hardware inside a small parts box.
- Wrap detached legs and frame sections individually.
- Avoid taping bags directly to finished surfaces.
Do not force rusted, stuck or structural components apart. Arrange repair or disassembly in an appropriate work area before storage.
How Should You Pack a Glass Tabletop?
Follow the table manufacturer’s handling instructions. Remove the glass only when the table is designed for it and you can handle its weight and dimensions appropriately.
Wrap the tabletop in clean packing paper, followed by suitable cushioning or moving blankets. Add edge and corner cushioning without taping directly to the glass.
When permitted, store the tabletop vertically on its long edge in a stable rack designed for large glass panels. Do not lean it loosely against a wall or place it flat beneath boxes.
Mark the container or wrapping as glass and indicate the correct orientation.
How Should You Arrange Patio Furniture in a Storage Unit?
Place heavy, stable furniture toward the back or lower portion of the unit while maintaining an accessible walkway.
When arranging the space:
- Keep furniture raised from the floor when practical.
- Use clean freestanding shelving or platforms.
- Do not attach racks or hooks to the unit.
- Avoid stacking chairs unless they are designed for it.
- Keep cushions above heavy furniture.
- Support tabletops and umbrella poles.
- Leave space between items when practical.
- Keep frequently needed pieces near the front.
- Maintain a digital inventory.
Furniture should not block the unit door or press against belongings that could shift.
Which Patio Items Cannot Go Into Storage?
Do not store:
- Propane tanks or cylinders
- Gasoline or other fuel
- Charcoal or lighter fluid
- Paint, stains or sealants
- Solvents and chemical cleaners
- Pesticides or fertilizers
- Food or beverages
- Damp or unsanitary cushions
- Living plants
Grills, fire pits, patio heaters and similar equipment must be free of fuel, propane, charcoal, ash and other prohibited residue before they can be considered for storage. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and preparation instructions.
Do not store furniture that cannot be replaced or that causes the total property value in the unit to exceed the permitted limit. Review Public Storage policies before moving in.
Is Drive-Up Access Helpful for Patio Furniture?
A unit with Drive-Up Access allows a vehicle to pull directly up to a ground-level storage space. This may reduce the distance required to move tables, chairs and other bulky furniture.
Measure the furniture, vehicle and unit door before moving day. Drive-Up Access and unit dimensions vary by location.
Learn more about Drive-Up Access.
Should You Choose Climate-Controlled Storage?
Climate-controlled storage may be worth considering for wood, wicker, fabric cushions or mixed-material furniture when more consistent conditions are preferred.
These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than standard storage spaces. They do not guarantee the condition of stored furniture.
Cleaning, drying and packing each piece correctly remain important. Learn more about climate-controlled storage.
What Should You Check During the Winter?
Inspect stored furniture periodically for:
- Moisture in covers or containers
- Pressure on cushions
- Unstable furniture stacks
- Changes in wooden or woven surfaces
- Rust or finish changes
- Shifted glass or stone panels
- Pest activity
- Missing or damaged labels
Remove furniture from the unit before cleaning, repairing or refinishing it. Public Storage spaces are intended for storage only.
What Should You Do Before Using the Furniture Again?
When warmer weather returns:
- Remove each item carefully.
- Inspect frames, fasteners and legs.
- Check glass, stone and ceramic surfaces.
- Examine cushions, seams and zippers.
- Reassemble furniture according to its instructions.
- Clean pieces again when needed.
- Confirm that furniture is stable before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should patio furniture be cleaned before winter storage?
Yes. Clean each piece according to its material and allow it to dry completely before covering or packing it.
Can patio furniture cushions go into plastic bins?
Yes, if the cushions and bin are clean and completely dry. Do not force cushions into a container or place heavy items on top.
Should patio furniture be disassembled?
Disassemble furniture only when the manufacturer permits it. Photograph the setup and label all hardware before taking it apart.
Can patio chairs be stacked?
Only stack chairs designed for stacking. Keep the stack stable and avoid placing pressure on arms, woven seats or decorative details.
Can a propane patio heater go into storage?
Only the clean equipment may be considered after all propane and other prohibited materials have been removed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Propane tanks cannot enter a Public Storage unit.
Can a grill go into a storage unit?
A grill must be clean and free of propane, fuel, charcoal, ash, grease and food residue. Confirm the facility’s policies before storing it.
How should you store patio umbrellas?
Clean and dry the canopy and frame, close the umbrella and use an appropriate cover. Disassemble and position it only as directed by the manufacturer.
What size storage unit do you need for patio furniture?
The appropriate size depends on the number of pieces and whether they can be disassembled or stacked. Measure the complete set and compare options with the Public Storage Size Guide.
Clean, dry and carefully arranged patio furniture will be easier to organize when outdoor season returns. Find Public Storage near you and compare available unit sizes and access features.
Features and amenities vary by location, facility and unit. “Climate-controlled” and related terms describe storage spaces designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels compared with non-climate-controlled units. Public Storage does not guarantee temperature or humidity ranges. Confirm which features are available before renting.
