Patio furniture is one of the most popular outdoor furnishings for homes with a deck or patio. It is casual and inviting, and an easy way to add entertainment space and functionality to your home. These pieces of outdoor furniture are designed to be used in all kinds of weather, which is why patio set covers are available for them.
However, patio set covers can present obstacles that lower the comfort level and usability of patio furniture.
The following are 10 of the most common patio set cover problems with suggested solutions.
1) Does not stay on securely
Solution: make sure you have selected patio furniture covers with ties or elastic hems on the bottom so they stretch closed when you secure them under your patio set or around its feet. Make sure to use these fasteners every time you put it on your patio set cover, even if it is not raining at the moment. Also make sure there are no shrubs growing near your patio table feet where wind could catch the patio set cover and pull it off.
2) Is too small to stay on securely
Solution: make sure you have selected patio furniture covers large enough for your patio set, which is measured in two ways: the “footprint,” or size of a patio set when fully assembled; and the “coverage,” or how much space is covered when the patio set is beneath its patio cover. Some patio sets have just one umbrella with a round table underneath, while others have multiple chairs and tables grouped together. Make sure to measure both correctly before purchasing patio furniture covers.
3) Does not fit tightly around my patio set
Solution: Make sure that it overlaps all sides of patio table by at least 6 inches. Check patio furniture covers description to find exact patio set cover dimensions.
4) Has a strong chemical smell
Solution: If you have purchased patio furniture covers without knowing the material used, leave them outside for a day or two to air out before bringing them indoors. Make sure that your patio table and chairs are clean and dry before placing patio set covers on top of them or underneath patio furniture legs will gather dust or soil from the patio flooring which can discolor patio fabric after being exposed for long periods of time.
5) Cannot be washed
Patio furniture covers made from vinyl cannot be washed as this may cause distortion in shape and elastic properties. You can spot clean patio table covers with soap and water as needed, but patio sets made from fabric patio set covers can be washed in a washing machine with cold water on gentle cycle. Patio furniture covers that are labeled as “waterproof” or “works in wet weather” can withstand rainfall without being damaged, but still should not be exposed to standing water for long periods of time.
6) Is difficult to take off patio set covers?
Solution: Make sure patio table is clean and dry before placing patio sets outdoor furniture cover over it. In windy conditions, take off patio furniture cover slowly to avoid ripping or distorting patio umbrella fabric by exposing them suddenly to high winds. If patio table has been exposed to rain, take patio set cover off slowly so as not to damage elastic hem cord underneath patio furniture cover. If patio furniture patio set cover is extremely dirty, shake patio umbrella out after removing patio table covers to remove debris before bringing patio furniture covers inside.
7) Is difficult to put patio set on patio furniture covers
Solution: Make sure you have selected table and chair patio coverings that are the proper size for your patio set, which is measured in two ways: the “footprint,” or size of a patio set when fully assembled; and the “coverage,” or how much space is covered when the patio set is beneath its patio cover. Also make sure that table legs are extended all the way out so they slide into opening made at bottom of patio set fabric cover. Be careful not get fabric hooked on outdoor furniture legs while sliding patio furniture patio set cover into place.
8) Cannot be folded and stored properly
If patio umbrella patio set cover is too large, fold patio table and chair covers in half lengthwise to reduce size before placing patio sets outdoor furniture cover in its original storage bag or box for future use. However, if patio table’s outdoor furniture covers are vinyl or water proofed fabric, you cannot fold these types of patio table covers for storage as they may permanently crease material making it hard to store patio sets outdoor furniture cover properly. If this happens, simply roll patio furniture covers up until needed again. Be sure that patio sets are dry before folding for storage or carrying inside your house. Wash any rain drops off using a wet cloth first.
9) Cannot withstand strong winds
Solution: Make sure patio furniture patio set cover is not too large or has loops that attach to patio umbrella legs. Loops attached to patio table covers will act like kites when patio sets outdoor furniture cover is in strong winds causing patio set cover to fly off and damage your patio umbrella, patio table, chairs or other pieces of patio decor if caught in gusts of strong wind. If you have purchased patio umbrella patio set covers with loops for each leg, place the loop over only one leg instead so it’ll be less likely to catch in high-speed wind gusts. Patio furniture covers made from heavy duty 600D Oxford fabric can withstand even strong gusty without being damaged, but keep patio set covers well staked down to patio table and chair patio coverings using a u-shaped patio furniture patio cover anchors or tie down straps included with patio sets outdoor furniture that will help keep patio table and chair patio coverings secure.
10) Cannot be washed as this may because the color of patio set fabric to fade
Solution: Always check the colorfastness of any patio umbrella fabrics before purchasing patio umbrella, chairs or loungers for its intended use. For example, Sunbrella fabric is made from solution-dyed acrylic fibers so it can be machine washed without fading out in sunlight since all colors have been infused into the thread itself instead of being painted on top after drying which causes paint to chip off. This does not occur with patio set covers made from vinyl or other types of water-resistant fabrics. In this case, patio furniture patio set cover should be brushed off or shaken out to remove dirt and debris before bringing patio umbrella patio table and chair covers inside the household for storage.
Conclusion:
When patio furniture patio sets are exposed to rain, dust, debris and other types of harsh outdoor elements such as sun and heat, patio table and chair patio coverings may become dirty or stained so it is important to properly clean patio set covers before bringing patio set out again. Always check patio umbrella patio furniture coverings for any tears or loose strings before putting patio furniture patio table and chair covers back on patio umbrella, patio table and chairs.
