Garden Gazebos - Cleaning, Caring and Storing

As the summer draws to its inevitable close, people usually start to plan the packing up of garden furniture. Particularly in Britain, there is often no need for such items to be left cluttering up the garden through the winter months.

A gazebo is widely used in gardens because it provides shelter from sun, wind and rain during outdoor events. However, in order to ensure that it remains in peak condition for the following summer season, a number of tasks should be carried out before packing it away.

Riviera Hardwood Gazebo 4M x 3M

Cleaning

A garden gazebo will often have to endure the elements for several weeks and will most likely be stained and dirty at the end of the summer. Many people pack the fabric covering away with the intention of cleaning it the following year. However, this allows stains to set in and become much harder to remove.

For the best results, the canopy should be cleaned with a specialist fabric cleaner and a brush or sponge. It is very important that the canopy is left to dry before being packed away; failure to do this may result in mould forming over the winter and permanently staining or damaging the fabric.

Caring

A gazebo canopy can spend lots of time in the sun and can become worn very quickly. In preparation for the following summer, it is a good idea to apply a fabric guard to the canopy. This should only be done when the fabric has been allowed to dry completely.

Fabric guards can help to protect the colour and appearance of the gazebo against direct sunlight and incessant rain.

Replacement Gazebo Canopy 4M x 3M

Folding a canopy away for the winter should be done with care. The slightest moisture can result in serious mould problems developing over time. However, this can be avoided by applying a mould-resistant chemical to the fabric before storing it.

Storing

To ensure the frame is protected, it should be dismantled and stored in a dry place if possible. Where the structure is to be left in place, a chemical rust-inhibitor can be sprayed onto metal surfaces which creates a barrier against the rain.

Once the canopy has been treated, it should be left to dry completely. It should then be folded carefully and placed into an airtight container. This should then be stored in a dry place for the winter.