How to Clean Patio Furniture Covers

Patio furniture covers are vital for keeping your patio chairs, chaise lounges, and other furniture clean and protected. But for them to do their job well, you will need to keep these covers properly cared for. In this article, we will teach you easy ways to clean patio furniture covers, as well as how to properly store them when they are not in use. We will also give you tips on how to keep the covers in place despite strong winds and stormy weather.

Easy Steps on How to Clean Patio Furniture Covers

During the spring and summer, your patio furniture is likely to be getting a lot of use, and the covers are tucked away safely in storage. But when fall and winter arrive, your covers will be put to work and this is when they will start to become dirty. But don't worry because cleaning patio furniture covers is a lot easier than most people think. 

The first step in how to clean patio furniture covers is to shake off the loose dust and dirt that have collected on the surface. 

Step 2 – Hose It Down 

Next, give the cover a good rinse using a garden hose. You will notice that the covers will already be noticeably cleaner at this point than when you started. 

Step 3 – Wipe with Soap 

Then, make a cleaning solution by combining warm water and mild soap. Dip a sponge into the solution and wipe it gently over the entire surface of the patio furniture covers. You can also use a bristle brush but make sure to be gentle in your strokes. 

Step 4 – Rinse and Dry 

Rinse the cover and wipe it dry with a towel or piece of cloth. Let it sit in the sun for a while until it is completely dry. Only then can you put it back over your patio furniture or fold it for storage. 

Now, there are also some kinds of patio furniture covers that are machine washable. However, you have to be very careful about this because if it turns out that your cover is not safe for machine wash and you drop it in the washer, it will likely become damaged and no longer fit for use. 

How to Store Patio Furniture Covers When Not in Use

When you put your covers away for the summer, you want them to be properly folded and stored so that when you take them out next time, they will still be in the same excellent condition as when you stored them. 

First of all, make sure that they are completely dry before taking them into storage. Even the slightest moisture can result in nasty mildew growth over the few weeks that they will be in storage. 

Next, you need to fold your covers as well as you can. This can be challenging, considering the irregular shape of these materials. The easiest way to do it is to lay the covers out on a large flat surface, like a big table or the floor. Turn the cover into a square or rectangle by folding in the irregular edges. Then, keep folding it in half until it is the right size for your storage container. 

It is advisable to keep patio furniture covers in watertight containers to prevent moisture from seeping in and leading to molds and mildew. If you are certain that there is no humidity in the surroundings, you can also keep it in an ordinary storage bag. 

Tips on How to Care for Your Patio Furniture Covers

Their main purpose might be to protect your furniture but this doesn’t mean that your furniture covers do not need protection themselves. On the contrary, there are things that you should do in order to keep your covers functional and maximize their life span. 

We have already discussed how to clean and store your patio furniture cover properly. However, you can also take care of them while they are in use. For instance, during the rainy season, rainwater can pool on some parts of the cover that sag as they are draped over your furniture. This can lead to leaks that can ruin the furniture the covers should protect. Also, the accumulated weight can bear down on your cover, possibly leading to tears. 

A great tip to prevent sagging in patio furniture covers is to place an airbag under the area that sags. This will encourage the water to run off instead of staying on the cover and causing problems. 

Final Thoughts

Patio furniture covers can really help extend the life of your outdoor chairs and tables. To ensure that they perform as intended, make sure that you also give them the regular cleaning and proper care that they require.