Outdoor furniture should be cleaned, and some types of outdoor furniture should be covered and possibly stored away, before the winter months.

Chaise lounges and lawn chairs can be hung from garage or basement walls on bicycle hooks, and small benches placed on shelves.

Before storing, furniture should be rinsed with clean water, then gently scrubbed with a non-abrasive cleaner and thoroughly hosed down. Allow the pieces to completely dry.

Wood furniture should then be coated with a teak oil to help preserve it during the winter months. If the furniture is going to be left outdoors, you can cover it with a plastic sheet to help keep it clean.

Store benches under tables and place a few wood blocks on the table to keep the plastic from sitting directly on the tabletop. This will prevent moisture problems. Use tape or string to keep the plastic sheets attached to the tables and prevent them from blowing away.

Aluminum and vinyl furniture, meanwhile, can be protected by a quick coat of vinyl wax.

Wrought iron furniture should be cleaned but left uncovered to avoid moisture, which will promote rusting.

Rust spots should be removed by scraping down to the bare metal with a fine-grade steel wool or emery cloth. Then use a can of spray rustproof enamel to repaint the spot.