Asked on Sep 01, 2014

Wondering how others with all weather wicker keep theirs outdoors

Jill Wright
by Jill Wright
Just purchased all weather wicker sofa and loveseat from lowes and we have them on our uncovered deck. Wondering if I can just cover them with outdoor covers or large tarps pulled down and secured at sides. We live in Connecticut so we will get snow. Just wondering if anyone else has had success with that method thru the years? Thanks to any help.
Jill
  6 answers
  • Covering the furniture will be fine. ideally I would put the seats in the house for better control of the dampness and mice trying to bed down for the winter in them. But the wicker being covered over with good quality tarps should be fine. Remember that you need to keep the bottom open for air to breath. Not doing so can result in condensation forming that could drip on the wicker staining it.
  • Marsha Williams Marsha Williams on Sep 02, 2014
    I have never had luck keeping wicker furniture outside. Even the wicker intended for outside use eventually breaks down due to the sun and elements. I would bring them in for the winter. If unable to, using a tarp and securing the sides would certainly help but I would at least bring in the cushions. Good Luck. The furniture is beautiful!
  • Michael J. Nelson Michael J. Nelson on Sep 02, 2014
    I leave mine out all year covered in Chicago. I just put the cushions in my garage.
  • Chrystine Dimitry Chrystine Dimitry on Sep 02, 2014
    For our Oregon wet winters, we find that even under a tarp, things get wet from condensation. We painted ours with an enamel paint. We'll bring the cushions in for the winter, of course.
  • Pam R Pam R on Sep 02, 2014
    I've seen where painting with Spray Automobile Paint works wonders on wicker. A clear Rustoleum top coat seals and helps longevity after the paint has thoroughly dried. A plastic cover on top of all that also helps. Taking the cushions inside is a must for Long Lasting cushions. Hancocks and Jo Ann sell a fabric spray called UV Sunblock which I put on all my outdoor cushions each spring before placing outside. It is also helpful on all of your Garden and Outdoor Flags!
  • Kelly S Kelly S on Sep 02, 2014
    We have our "all weather" wicker furniture on our covered porch and the only problem we have is the neighbor hood cats marking the cushions. We leave it out year round and in the Pacific Northwest that's a lot of dampness. If I have to, I bring the cushions in but the furniture stays. The furniture is made from recycled plastic but has the look and feel of wicker. I scrub it with a brush and water every spring and it's good to go for another year.