Store wicker patio furniture in winter by cleaning and fully drying every piece, then keeping it in a dry, ventilated indoor space such as a garage, shed or summer house, raised off the floor and loosely covered with a breathable cover. Bring all cushions indoors without exception. If indoor storage is not available, group the furniture in the most sheltered corner of the garden, lift it onto blocks or feet so water cannot pool underneath, and use a waterproof but breathable cover that is secured at the base.
The enemy is not cold. It is trapped moisture and repeated freezing and thawing, which is what splits natural wicker and makes synthetic weave brittle at the joints.
Natural wicker is woven from plant fibres such as rattan, willow or cane. It absorbs water readily, so it must be stored indoors over winter. Left outside, it swells, dries, cracks and eventually unravels at the ends of the weave.
Synthetic rattan is woven from a resin fibre, usually over an aluminium frame, and is built for outdoor life. It copes with rain and frost far better, but it is not indifferent to winter. Prolonged damp encourages mould in the crevices, and hard frost combined with any flexing at the weave can cause cracking.
Check the frame as well as the weave. Aluminium frames resist corrosion and can stay out under cover. Steel frames rust at any chip in the coating, and timber frames need the same protection as any outdoor hardwood. If you are not sure which you have, treat the piece as the more delicate option.
Dirt left on the weave over winter holds moisture against the surface and feeds mould. Cleaning takes an hour and saves a much longer job in March.
Brush loose debris out of the weave with a soft brush, working into the gaps where leaves and seeds collect. Then wash with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth or sponge, wiping along the strands rather than scrubbing across them. A soft toothbrush is useful for tight corners and the underside of arms.
Rinse with clean water from a hose on a gentle setting. Never use a pressure washer on wicker of either type, since the force lifts the weave and drives water deep into the frame. Avoid bleach and harsh solvents, which strip colour and make synthetic fibre brittle.
Wicker holds water in places you cannot see. Turn each piece upside down for a few hours so water drains out of the frame, then leave it upright in a breezy, sheltered spot to finish.
Allow a full dry day, longer in cold or humid weather. Pay attention to the joints where the weave meets the frame and to the underside of seats, which stay damp long after the top looks dry. Storing furniture even slightly damp is the single most common cause of mould appearing over winter.
No cushion should spend a British winter outside, however water resistant the fabric claims to be. Foam holds moisture, and moisture in an unheated space becomes mildew.
Wash or spot clean covers according to their care label and dry them completely before storing. Store cushions flat rather than crushed, in a breathable bag or a plastic box with the lid slightly ajar, somewhere dry and away from radiators. Adding a silica gel sachet to a sealed box helps control humidity.
The same rule applies to parasol canopies, seat pads and any fabric on outdoor garden sun loungers UK sale pieces. Fold, do not roll tightly, and never store a canopy that is still cool to the touch.
A garage, shed or summer house is the ideal home for winter storage, provided it is dry and ventilated rather than simply enclosed. Damp, sealed spaces cause as many problems as the garden does.
Raise everything off a concrete floor using pallets, battens or feet, because concrete draws moisture upwards. Leave a gap of a few centimetres between pieces so air can move between them, and keep furniture away from the walls.
Stack only pieces designed to stack, and place a soft cloth between stacked chairs so the weave does not rub. Never place heavy tools or boxes on top of wicker seating, since sustained weight distorts the weave permanently. If your storage space is short, our range of garden sheds and storage UK sale options is worth a look before winter arrives rather than during it.
Choose the most sheltered position you have: against a house wall, under a canopy, out of the prevailing wind. Avoid spots beneath trees where sap, leaves and bird mess will sit on the cover all winter.
Lift the furniture clear of the ground on blocks or bricks so standing water cannot sit around the feet. Group pieces together to reduce the surface area exposed to weather, and turn tables so any glass top is protected or, better, remove and store glass separately indoors.
Use a cover that is waterproof on the outside and breathable, with vents. A sealed plastic sheet traps condensation and does more harm than no cover at all. Secure the cover with straps or ties at the base so wind cannot lift it, but leave the very bottom slightly open for airflow.
Check the furniture every few weeks through the winter. Lift the cover on a dry day, look for pooled water and mould, and let the air circulate for an hour before covering it again.
Uncover on a dry day and inspect before you use anything. Look for loose strands in the weave, cracks in synthetic fibre, rust spots on steel and any wobble in the joints, since bolts often loosen as materials expand and contract.
Wash off any dust with mild soap and water, dry thoroughly, then tighten fixings and touch up rust points if needed. Bring cushions back out only once the furniture itself is dry.
A small loose strand can be tucked back and secured with a dab of clear adhesive. Larger damage in natural wicker usually means a repair rather than a fix, which is worth knowing before the first warm weekend. If a set has reached the end of its life, our modern garden seating sets UK sale range at Furniture in Fashion includes synthetic weave designed to handle winter far better, and our outdoor garden furniture UK collection is chosen with British weather in mind.
It can survive outside, particularly on an aluminium frame, but it lasts noticeably longer if raised off the ground, sheltered and covered with a breathable cover. Cushions must always come indoors.
No. Sealed plastic traps condensation underneath and encourages mould. Use a purpose made cover that is waterproof on the outside, breathable and fitted with vents.
Cold alone is rarely the problem. Damage comes from moisture in the weave freezing and expanding, so a wet piece in a mild frost is at more risk than a dry piece in a hard one.
Brush the area dry first, then clean with a mild soap solution and a soft brush, rinse lightly and dry the piece completely in moving air. Avoid bleach, which weakens fibres and lifts colour.
Synthetic weave needs nothing. Natural wicker benefits from being clean and dry rather than treated, though a timber frame can be given a light coat of suitable oil once the surface is fully dry.
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