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Preparing Your Patio for Fall: Your Guide to Outdoor Furniture Maintenance

Preparing Your Patio for Fall: Your Guide to Outdoor Furniture Maintenance

Posted by Fortunoff Backyard Store

Take care this season.

As temperatures drop, it's time to start thinking about preparing your patio for cooler weather. Fall brings beautiful foliage and cozy evenings but it can also lead to more patio maintenance concerns. From moisture to falling leaves, the changing weather can take a toll on your outdoor furniture. In this blog, we'll guide you through common maintenance issues and provide detailed care instructions for our outdoor furniture materials.

Fall Maintenance Issues and How to Prevent Them

Autumn is characterized by fluctuating temperatures, increased moisture, and the accumulation of debris like leaves and twigs. These elements can lead to mold and mildew growth, staining, rusting, and general wear and tear if not addressed properly. Here's what we recommend:

Moisture and Mold:

Fall often brings increased rainfall and morning dew, which can cause moisture to build up on your furniture. If left unchecked, this moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, especially on materials like wood and fabric.

  • Prevention: Regularly wipe down your furniture to remove excess moisture. For added protection, use furniture covers when your pieces aren't in use.

  • Solution: If mold or mildew does appear, clean it immediately using a solution of mild soap and water or a specialized cleaner designed for your furniture material.


For more information about how to clean outdoor fabrics, visit our Furniture and Fabric Care page.

Falling Debris

Leaves, twigs, and other debris can accumulate on your furniture during the fall. These can stain surfaces, especially when they get wet and decompose.

  • Prevention: Keep your patio area clean by regularly sweeping or blowing away debris. Consider covering your furniture to protect it from falling leaves.

  • Solution: If stains occur, address them quickly with the appropriate cleaner for your furniture material.

Temperature Fluctuations

Fall temperatures can vary widely, leading to the expansion and contraction of certain materials. This can cause checking, cracking, warping, or weakening of your furniture over time.

  • Prevention: Use furniture covers to help regulate temperature exposure and protect your pieces from direct sunlight and frost.

  • Solution: For materials prone to checking or cracking, consider applying protective treatments, such as sealants, at the start of the season.

Teak Outdoor Furniture: Care and Maintenance

Teak is a durable and beautiful wood, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture. However, it does require some maintenance to keep it looking its best through the fall.

  1. Cleaning: Teak naturally resists moisture and insects but can still accumulate dirt and debris over time. Use a soft brush, mild soap, and water mixture to clean your teak furniture. For deeper cleaning, our specialized teak cleaner is designed to remove stains and restore the wood's natural color.

  2. Oiling: Teak doesn't necessarily need to be oiled, but if you prefer the golden-brown color over the natural silver patina it develops, you can apply teak oil after cleaning. Be sure to use a product specifically designed for outdoor teak furniture.

  3. Protection: While teak is weather resistant, furniture covers offer extra protection against moisture and debris during the fall months. This reduces the need for frequent cleaning and helps preserve the wood's appearance.

Teak Cleaners: How to Preserve Your Teak Furniture
Our specialized teak cleaners are formulated to remove dirt, stains, and discoloration from your teak furniture. Regular cleaning with our products helps maintain the wood's natural beauty. It ensures it stays in top condition throughout the fall. Whether you're dealing with mildew, leaf stains, or general wear, our teak cleaner is essential to your fall maintenance routine.

Resin Wicker Outdoor Furniture: Care and Maintenance

Resin wicker is known for its hardiness and outdoor durability, making it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture. Here's how to keep it looking great all season long:

  1. Cleaning: Clean resin wicker outdoor furniture with mild soap and water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the surfaces and a soft brush to clean between the woven strands. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that could damage the material.

  2. Protection: While resin wicker is resistant to moisture, covering your furniture when not in use can prevent dirt, debris, and moisture from accumulating in the crevices. This will also protect the color and prevent fading over time.

  3. Storage: If you live in an area with harsh fall weather, consider storing your resin wicker furniture in a shed or garage during prolonged periods of disuse to extend its lifespan, as severe weather can make the resin wicker strands brittle.

Aluminum Outdoor Furniture: Care and Maintenance

Aluminum furniture is lightweight, rust-resistant, and easy to maintain, making it a popular choice for outdoor settings. It doesn't require much work during fall, but follow these tips to extend the life of your aluminum patio furniture.

  1. Cleaning: Use a solution of mild soap and water to clean aluminum furniture. Avoid harsh chemicals that could strip the finish. A soft cloth or sponge should suffice for wiping down surfaces.

  2. Protection: Although aluminum doesn’t rust, the finish can fade or chip over time. Using furniture covers when your furniture is not in use can help preserve its appearance and prevent debris from scratching the surface.

  3. Inspection: Regularly inspect your aluminum furniture for any signs of wear, such as loose joints or chipped paint. Touch up any areas with paint designed for aluminum to prevent further damage.

Cast Aluminum Outdoor Furniture: Care and Maintenance

Cast aluminum offers the same rust resistance as regular aluminum but with added durability and a more substantial feel. Its maintenance needs are similar but with a few additional considerations.

  1. Cleaning: Like regular aluminum, cast aluminum can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Use a soft brush to clean intricate details and patterns that are often found in our cast aluminum designs.

  2. Protection: To prevent scratches and fading, use furniture covers when your cast aluminum pieces aren’t in use. This also helps protect against moisture, which can cause the finish to degrade over time.

  3. Sealing: Consider applying a clear sealant to your cast aluminum furniture at the beginning of fall. This extra layer of protection can help maintain the finish and prevent damage from the elements.

Polymer Outdoor Furniture: Care and Maintenance

Polymer furniture is a great choice for outdoor use due to its durability and resistance to weather. It requires the least maintenance, but a little TLC goes a long way.

  1. Cleaning: Polymer furniture is easy to clean with mild soap and water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers that could damage the surface. A soft cloth or sponge should be enough to remove dirt and debris.

  2. Protection: Although polymer is highly resistant to the elements, covering your furniture can help keep it clean and protect it from the buildup of leaves, moisture, and other debris during the fall.

  3. Avoid Heat Sources: Polymers can become brittle in extreme cold or warp near heat sources. Be mindful of where you place your furniture in relation to fire pits or patio heaters.


Furniture Covers: Essential for Fall Maintenance

Investing in high-quality furniture covers is one of the best ways to protect your outdoor furniture during the fall. Our covers are designed to fit snugly over your furniture, providing a barrier against moisture, debris, and UV rays. By using covers, you can significantly reduce the need for regular maintenance and extend the life of your outdoor pieces. Covers also make it easier to keep your patio clean and ready for use, even as the weather changes.

Fall is a beautiful season to enjoy your outdoor space, but it also requires preparation and maintenance to keep your patio looking its best. By addressing common fall maintenance issues and following the care instructions for teak, resin wicker, aluminum, cast aluminum, and polymer furniture, you can ensure your outdoor furniture remains in excellent condition throughout the season. With the proper care, your patio will be ready for whatever fall brings!

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