Winterising Your Outdoor Furniture in Malta

Winters in Malta may not bring snow, but the high humidity, strong winds and occasional storms can still take a toll on your outdoor furniture. From rust forming on metal frames to mould creeping across wood or fabric, skipping seasonal preparation often leads to early damage and the need for costly replacements. With December well underway and the worst of the weather still approaching, now’s a smart time to assess your garden setup.

Whether you're using garden furniture in Malta year-round or packing it away during the chillier months, giving it a bit of care now means fewer repairs and less effort come spring. A little prep this season stretches the lifespan of your pieces, while keeping them neat and inviting. Here’s how to help your garden furniture make it comfortably through winter.

Clean and Inspect Your Furniture

Before you do anything else, start with a good clean. Storing furniture with layers of dirt, bird droppings or salt residue from sea air can trap moisture and breed mildew or rust. A fresh clean helps restore the surface and gives you a clear look at any damage that needs attention.

Here’s how to care for different materials:

- Wood: Use a soft brush and a bucket of mild soapy water. Steer clear of power washers, which can damage finishes or open up wood grain. After cleaning, let the wood dry thoroughly, then apply wood oil or a sealant for outdoor use.

- Metal: Go with soapy water and a soft cloth. Rinse fully, then dry straightaway to stop rust from forming. If you spot flaking paint or rust, sand those spots down and touch up with rust-resistant metal paint.

- Plastic and resin: These are the easiest to clean. A damp cloth and standard dish soap usually get the job done. Avoid using pads or scrubbers that could scratch the surface.

While you're cleaning each piece, give it a quick once-over. Look out for loose screws, cracked joints or thinning fibres on woven materials. Sorting out these small issues straightaway can prevent bigger ones later. A wobbly chair or table with a minor split might not seem like much now, but water exposure and winter winds will only make it worse.

Think of this check-up as a progress report. Some pieces might still be in great shape, while others look like they’ve had a rough season. Noticing which sets held up better can help with future decisions on replacements.

Protective Covers and Storage Solutions

Once your furniture is clean and fully dry, it’s time to shield it from the elements. A covered terrace or a shady carport is helpful, but open air still carries winter moisture, salt, and strong gusts that sneak into corners. This is where proper protection makes all the difference.

- Use waterproof covers: Choose breathable covers tailored to your furniture’s size and shape. Covers that are too big can let puddles form, and those that are too small might not give full coverage.

- Store indoors if possible: If you have a garage, garden shed or enclosed balcony space, take advantage of it. Even affordable covers work better with some added shelter.

- Stack and lift where you can: Stackable chairs and nestable tables are ideal in winter. Raise furniture off cold floors using bricks or wooden slats to prevent direct contact with moist ground.

Wind is another challenge during Maltese winters. Lightweight items like plastic chairs and foldable tables should be tied or tucked securely to keep them from being knocked over or blown away.

Taking time to store things properly only has to happen once each season, and it can save hours of cleaning and money lost through damage.

Weatherproofing Your Furniture

With furniture cleaned and shielded, take one more step to help your items last through the season: weatherproofing. On the islands, dampness and salt-rich air settle onto surfaces throughout December, January and even February. A protective barrier now helps head off damage before it sets in.

Here’s what to use depending on the material:

- Wood: Softwoods benefit most from wood oils and breathable sealers. Teak and other hardwoods are naturally more resistant, but they still benefit from occasional sealing to maintain their texture and colour.

- Metal: Keep rust at bay with an anti-rust primer on bare patches, followed by a recoat of outdoor paint. Make sure everything is dry and no surface rust is left before painting.

- Plastic and resin: These rarely need sealing, though a UV-protective spray can reduce discolouration as the sun peeks out after winter. If left unprotected, plastic can become brittle over time.

Don’t forget the smaller parts too. Inspect bolts, caps and any rubber or fabric trim. Replacing a worn washer or tightening exposed fittings ahead of storms can be the difference between stable and wobbly when winds hit.

Shoppers often underestimate the value of maintenance products, but the right sealer or cover makes a massive difference. A quick weatherproofing routine just once or twice a year keeps the worst decay at bay without requiring heavy effort.

Preparing for Winter Storms

Winds and sudden rain come fast in Maltese winters. It’s common for furniture to shift, tip or scatter without warning. A bit of preparation can stop surprises and keep your space safe and tidy.

If your outdoor furniture is light or collapsible, gather it and secure it with ropes or heavy-duty straps. You can use walls, fences or other large structures as anchor points. Avoid leaving umbrellas, canopies or pergolas open unsupervised, even on milder days. Their large surface area makes them prone to tipping or flying.

For weightier items like stone-top tables or cast iron chairs, push them together and closer to walls, and check that all fittings are secure. Slightly loose bolts or joints can worsen during heavy winds, so tighten them in advance.

Here’s a quick preparation checklist:

1. Group and anchor lightweight furniture

2. Close and tie down parasols, pergolas and umbrellas

3. Tighten bolts and fasten any loose parts

4. Rest heavy items near fences or sheltered corners

5. Choose covers that fasten near the base to reduce slipping off in wind

Doing these things in advance avoids issues that only get worse come spring. Damage from poor preparation doesn’t always show right away, so it’s better to stay ahead rather than deal with losses later.

Keeping Your Outdoor Space Ready for Spring

While it might feel early to think about spring, planning now saves effort later. If you maintain garden furniture during winter, you won’t have to start from scratch once the days get longer.

Check on your outdoor items every couple of weeks. A peek under each cover and a quick look underneath tables for trapped moisture or debris keeps mould at bay. Clear away fallen leaves or puddles around storage zones to keep the ground drier.

It also helps to give your general space a clean once in a while. Raking gardens, dusting off tiled balconies and wiping off corners stop damp muck building up. The less clutter around your stored furniture, the easier it is to spot small fixes early.

By the time spring rolls in, you won’t be faced with a weekend of deep cleaning just to enjoy your yard or balcony. Lift the covers, maybe tighten a few joints, and you’re back to using your space with very little delay. It’s the smaller routines that make garden maintenance easy and stress-free.

Keep Your Garden Furniture Looking Fresh All Year

Giving your garden furniture in Malta some care before winter settles in too harshly doesn’t take much effort and saves you time, money and stress. Cleaning surfaces well, treating with protective products and checking during the season stops early wear and tear.

Doing all this means you’re not scrambling to replace broken or rusted items once spring arrives. Your outdoor space keeps its charm and usefulness without months of repairs or replacements. Plus, it’s that much easier to enjoy on the first warm weekend when everything already looks good and is ready to use.

If you’re looking to keep your outdoor setup looking great through the seasons, caring for your garden furniture in Malta is a smart place to start. Explore stylish, weather-ready solutions with Maltashopper that are built to handle local conditions while keeping your space inviting all year round.