Winterize and Extend the Life of Your Outdoor Pool Furniture in 4 Easy Steps

Shorter days, cooler temperatures and falling leaves mark the start of fall and before we know it winter will be at our doorsteps. For those with an outdoor pool, it’s the time of year to begin closing down outdoor amenities before the big chill arrives.

Whether your outdoor pool area is part of a resort, homeowners’ association, water park or your own backyard, it’s important to properly winterize and store your pool furniture to protect it from the harsh elements Mother Nature will bring in the coming months.

A little TLC goes a long way in maintaining the durability and beauty of your commercial outdoor pool furniture. Unlike consumer-grade pool chairs, lounges and tables, commercial pool furniture is built with more durable materials that withstand harsh weather and daily use. But even with commercial-grade construction and higher standard ratings, outdoor pool furniture should still be winterized to help extend the life of the furniture and assure it is guest-ready when you re-open your outdoor amenities this spring.

At Pool Furniture Supply, we are the experts when it comes to proper commercial outdoor pool furniture care. With over 20 years in the business, we have hand-picked the highest-quality furniture made of the most resilient materials on the market for our customers. As such, we know what goes into making our commercial pool furniture products, as well as what is needed to effectively maintain them for years of enjoyment. From tables and chairs to chaise lounges, follow our simple, yet effective, four-step process to winterize and protect your pool furnishings this winter.

Step 1: Clean your furniture

Before storing your outdoor pool furniture, it’s essential to clean each piece first. Any sediment or stains left on your furniture for a long period of time can cause damage or discoloration. A thorough cleaning also helps you spot any potential issues that may need to be addressed, such as scratches in the frame’s finish or loose straps. Depending on the construction of your commercial pool furniture, we offer cleaning tips for specific types of frames and materials.

• Plastic – Plastic is a popular frame material for outdoor pool furniture because of its durability, versatility and low maintenance. Plastic materials such as marine-grade polymer, recycled plastic and plastic resin typically do a great job of detracting dirt, which is why our products made of plastic are a top seller. But despite their resilience, plastic pool furniture should still be cleaned at the end of the season. Use a mixture of mild detergent and water to scrub the material clean, making sure to get into the nooks and crannies. After rinsing, either let the furniture air dry or hand dry before storing.

• Metal – Cast aluminum and aluminum frame furniture with vinyl strapping should also be cleaned thoroughly with mild detergent and water. Use a hose to rinse off the soap and residue and, to ensure your furniture is completely dried, we suggest first hand drying the pieces then letting them sit out to air dry. You want to make sure no water is left in the frame joints or around hardware that could freeze or cause deterioration.

• Fabrics – For pool furniture pieces that include fabric, such as chaise lounges with sling fabric or poolside sectionals with deep seating made of EZ-Dri foam and Sunbrella marine-grade fabric, we suggest year-round cleaning to maintain their beauty and color. For routine cleaning, use a vacuum to remove surface dirt. Then, hose down the fabric with mild soap and water. A mix of bleach and detergent can be used on Sunbrella fabric to help remove any stains you may have. Allow the cushions to completely dry outside before storing to avoid any mold or mildew forming.

Step 2: Make any necessary repairs

With your furniture thoroughly cleaned and dried, now is your opportunity to perform a close inspection of the pieces. Be on the lookout for scratches in a metal frame’s finish, as well as chips or dings. If you see exposed metal, use weather-resistant outdoor touch-up paint to seal the area to prevent any rust from forming.

For aluminum tube frames, check for any cracks or openings. If water gets into the aluminum tubing and freezes, more cracking can occur, which will compromise the frame, so be sure to seal any damaged tubing immediately.

Next, make sure any material around the frame is still in good working order. Loose or broken vinyl straps are a potential hazard, as are missing feet protectors and ripped fabric. To remedy these issues, follow our step-by-step guide to replace sling fabric and our tutorial on how to replace vinyl straps. However, if you aren’t able to make these fixes yourself, you can always contact our Pool Furniture Supply staff for help.  

Step 3: Stack and store your furnishings

Now it’s time to prep your furnishings for storage. Many types of commercial pool furniture are designed to stack onto one another to save on storage space. If you have stackable chaise lounges, chairs or tables, stack them on top of one another onto wood pallets to prevent any ground moisture exposure. The best place to store your pool furniture is inside a building where it will be dry and safe. If that is not possible, invest in waterproof furniture covers and secure them tightly with straps or cords to prevent them from blowing away.

Step 4: Periodically check your stored furniture

While the bulk of your winterizing work is complete, we suggest you check on your pool furniture at least once a month throughout winter. If your furniture is covered and stored outside, brush off any snow or water buildup after storms to avoid fabric stress or corrosion. Also, make sure all straps holding down your furniture covers are secured and doing their job. If you come across a day of dry, sunny weather, remove the cover over the furniture to do a quick inspection of the furniture itself. Look for mouse nests and other debris that can get lodged within the furniture and brush them clean before replacing and securing the cover.

Don’t Wait – Protect Your Furniture Now

Time is ticking, and the first snowfall will be here before you know it. Make your outdoor pool furniture winterization project a team effort to make the process go quickly and smoothly. The time you invest now in cleaning, protecting and storing your outdoor pool furniture will pay off when pool season starts up again. You’ll be able to use the time saved to make your outdoor pool space a fun and relaxing retreat for guests this spring. That’s a win-win for everyone!