Can You Leave Wicker Furniture Outside In The Winter?

Wicker furniture has long been an affordable and durable furniture option for anyone looking to decorate their patios, sunrooms, and even various areas around the home. Wicker has been used for hundreds of years, and over this time very little has changed in its construction and the overall draw it possesses. Wicker furniture is far more attractive than the cheaper, plastic patio furniture found in backyards around the globe, and it provides more of a finished, natural look to the outdoor living space. 

However, because the wicker is a natural wood fiber, can you leave wicker furniture outside in the winter? If you’ve recently purchased wicker, or if you’re shopping around and want to ensure you have all the answers to your questions, this is likely one of the first you’ve thought of. Not to worry, as we are here to help with all your questions, including the ins and outs regarding wicker and the outdoor elements.

Can You Leave Wicker Furniture Outside in the Winter?

The shortest answer to this is yes…with a “but”. So yes, you can leave your wicker furniture outside in the winter. We totally understand lugging furniture into a spare room, pushing it into a corner of the garage, or trying to fit it into a backyard storage shed isn’t the easiest thing to do. The furniture is lightweight, but that doesn’t necessarily make moving it that much easier. So yes, you can leave your wicker furniture outside.

However, there are some steps you need to follow to make sure the furniture isn’t damaged, or even completely ruined, from being left outside.

Synthetic vs Natural Fibers

Now, if you have a synthetic fibered wicker sofa, rattan sectional or wicker loveseat, you have greater leeway in leaving the furniture outside. The synthetic nature of the furniture provides you with greater protection from not only moisture but continued sunlight as well. It is also, in general, more durable. Of course, it doesn’t perfectly replicate the look and feel of natural fibers, which is why natural wicker furniture will always be around, but in terms of durability, you don’t have to do all that much in order to protect synthetic wicker furniture during the winter. So, while you’re free to follow the additional steps listed below, it isn’t as important.

Waterproofing Your Furniture

If you are going to leave your wicker furniture outside during the winter and it is a natural fiber, you will need to do what you can to protect it from moisture. Few things destroy wicker faster than moisture. And, in the case of winter, you may have snow sitting directly on the wicker for prolonged periods of time, which gives it even more time to seep into the fibers, causing them to deteriorate and even develop mold.

So, to start, you’ll want to apply a waterproofing agent on top of the wicker. We do recommend using a new coat of paint in the spring, as this is the best time to clean off dirt, dust, and debris that has been collected during the late fall through mid-spring. To learn more about “How to Paint Wicker Furniture” check out our blog. Because of this, you don’t need to apply paint at this time. Instead, purchase a wicker waterproofing spray. This will look similar to a can of spray paint. It won’t add any color to your wicker, but the application does add a protective barrier.

Give the waterproofing application time to dry (it doesn’t take long, and there will be some instructions to follow listed right on the canister). Once you are ready, you will want to place a waterproof furniture cover over the wicker furniture. Make sure you have a specific cover for each piece of wicker furniture. It also needs to fully cover the legs. Even if a small amount of wicker leg is exposed, it will soak up moisture, and due to the weave pattern, it may end up pulling moisture into the protected area. Moisture trapped between the furniture and the cover is a recipe for mold, not to mention it will be the perfect place for animals of various sizes to call home during the winter. This might result in animals chewing away at the weaving. So do what you can to fully cover your wicker furniture if you are not able to bring it in during the winter.

The Spring Clean

As long as you follow the above steps, you shouldn’t have much to do when spring comes around. Whether you have a synthetic or natural weave, you’ll want to clean off the furniture with a damp cloth. A bristle brush is also good for working in between the fibers as there is probably dirt and other grime that has been collected.

With synthetic, you can clean the furniture, and you’ll be good to go. With natural fibers, you’ll want to clean it, let it dry, and then consider adding a layer of new paint or stain to the fiber. This will provide additional moisture protection, which will help protect the furniture until the following winter.

For more detailed steps on how to clean rattan furniture check out our guide.

Find Your Next Piece of Wicker Furniture Right Here

Wicker is truly a beautiful piece of furniture that simply can’t be replicated by any other material. There are some synthetic options that do an excellent job of mimicking the general look, and natural fibers are always great additions to any sunroom. Together, they look different from any other kind of furniture option out there. If you love the look of wicker as much as we do, then you are in the right place. We have a wide selection of all things wicker. So, if you’re in the market for new patio furniture, want a new outdoor wicker set, or are interested in outfitting a bedroom in a coastal theme, we’re here for you and all your wicker furniture needs. Feel free to shop around, and of course, if you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team by simply filling out a Request For Quote or giving us a call: at 800-603-7133.