Proudly Canadian Since 1998
If you have ever uncovered your patio set in April to find faded cushions, rusty chair legs, or a wicker seat that has cracked clean through, you already know what a Guelph winter can do. Between the heavy snow loads, the constant freeze-thaw cycles, and the road salt that seems to find its way into everything, leaving outdoor furniture exposed from November to March is a gamble. A self storage unit takes the weather out of the equation entirely, and it frees up your garage for the car that actually needs to be in there.
What Guelph Winters Do to Patio Furniture
It is not just one thing; it is the combination. Snow sits on seats and tabletops for weeks, soaking into cushions and finding every seam. When it melts and refreezes, water expands inside tiny cracks in wood, wicker, and plastic, and those cracks grow. Metal frames that looked fine in September develop rust spots by spring, especially where the powder coating has chipped. Fabric cushions absorb moisture, and once mildew sets in, the smell rarely comes out.
Covering furniture with a tarp helps, but tarps trap condensation underneath, and a damp, airless space under a tarp is almost worse than no cover at all. A dry indoor unit, on the other hand, keeps everything at a stable, protected state for the whole season.
Clean and Fully Dry Before Storing
Whatever you store will sit untouched for months, so put it away clean. Dirt, food residue, and moisture left on furniture in autumn become stains, rust, and mould by spring.
Start by brushing off loose debris, then wash frames with mild soap and water. Fabric cushions and umbrellas can usually be scrubbed with a soft brush and left to air dry. This is the step people skip, and it matters most: everything must be completely dry before it goes into storage. If a cushion still feels damp on a Friday evening, give it another day in the sun. Storing damp items in an enclosed space is the fastest way to ruin them.
Once dry, consider applying a coat of furniture wax or protective spray to wood and metal pieces for an extra layer of defence.
Disassemble and Stack to Save Space
Patio sets are designed to come apart, and taking a few minutes with a wrench pays off in saved space. Remove table legs, detach umbrella poles, and take chair backs off if they separate. Stack chairs seat-to-seat, nest smaller tables inside larger ones, and bundle hardware in a labelled bag taped to the frame it belongs to. You will thank yourself in April when reassembly takes twenty minutes instead of an hour of guessing.
Store cushions upright in large bags or bins rather than crushed under heavy frames. Umbrellas do best standing in a corner or laid flat along a wall, out of the way of anything that could bend the ribs.
Choosing the Right Unit Size
A 5×10 storage unit is the right fit for a typical bistro set or a four-chair patio set with a small table. The extra length over a square unit makes it easy to slide tables in lengthwise and stack chairs along the wall, with room left for an umbrella and a bin of cushions.
If you have a full sectional, a dining set for six or eight, plus a BBQ and a deck box, step up to a 10×10 unit. The 100 square feet handles the big pieces with space to spare, so nothing has to be balanced precariously or shoved into corners.
Not sure which you need? The storage size guide walks through every size with examples of what fits, so you can pick once and pick right.
The Propane Tank Rule
This one is non-negotiable: propane tanks must never go inside a storage unit. Pressurised fuel cylinders are a serious fire and explosion hazard in an enclosed space, and every storage facility prohibits them. If your BBQ runs on propane, disconnect the tank and store it outdoors in a ventilated spot, upright and away from the house, exactly as the manufacturer recommends. The BBQ itself, cleaned and covered, is perfectly fine to store in your unit.
The same rule applies to gasoline, solvents, and any other flammable liquids. When in doubt, leave it out and ask the facility team.
Getting Furniture Out Again in Spring
One of the quiet benefits of storing off site is that spring setup becomes an event instead of a chore. With month-to-month rentals and 24/7 coded access, you can swing by on the first genuinely warm Saturday, load up the clean, dry set, and have the patio ready the same afternoon. No dragging a mouldy sectional out from under a collapsed tarp. No emergency shopping trip because the cushions did not survive.
Wipe everything down once more before it goes back outside, tighten the hardware you loosened in autumn, and you are set for another season of backyard evenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size storage unit do I need for patio furniture?
A 5×10 unit fits a typical bistro or four-chair set. A 10×10 unit suits a sectional, a large dining set, a BBQ, and extras. Check the storage size guide if you are between sizes.
Should I clean patio furniture before storing it for winter?
Yes. Wash everything with mild soap and water and let it dry completely. Dirt and moisture left on furniture over winter cause stains, rust, and mildew.
Can I store a propane tank in my storage unit?
No. Propane tanks must never go inside a storage unit. Store the tank outdoors in a ventilated spot, upright, and keep the cleaned BBQ in the unit.
Can I disassemble my patio set to save space?
Absolutely. Remove table legs and umbrella poles, stack chairs, and bag the hardware with a label. It makes both storing and spring reassembly much easier.
