Outdoor patio furniture covers is a must have if you live in an area that gets very cold and wet winters. The time to start thinking about furniture covers is when the air gets that nippy feel to it. There are a number of things to think about before you purchase outdoor patio furniture covers.

You want to get the best furniture covers for the particular type of outdoor furniture you own. There are covers made specifically for umbrella tables with the center hole. Umbrellas have their own separate covers or they can be removed and stored in your garage or tool shed. Some of your furniture may include gliders, loungers, ottomans, tables and cushions. It would be a nice idea if you could get patio furniture covers that fit your furniture perfectly. This may not always be possible but you should be able to find something that comes pretty close to the size you need.

Be sure the covers you prefer are constructed properly. For easy installation and removal of the covers a hook and loop closure are recommended. They are better than those with zippers made of metal as they can rust, and plastic will break apart. You also want to make sure the manufacturer has included how the covers were sewn together.

All outdoor patio furniture covers should be waterproof. If you are going to protect your furniture you want to protect it from all the elements particularly precipitation. It is possible to find covers that are not waterproof; these are not going to protect your patio furniture.

In some areas you probably don't see much of the sun in the winter but it does still appear. Because of this fact you need to purchase outdoor furniture covers that have been UV treated. If they are treated they will not deteriorate from the effects of the sun and will last many more years and of course better protect your furniture.

If your brand of outdoor patio furniture does not make furniture covers then the next best thing is to measure your furniture and purchase covers that come close to the size you need. It is probably better to get the covers that are a slight bit bigger that your own furniture otherwise it won't fit.

Outdoor patio furniture covers help protect your furniture and extend its life, but by keeping the covers clean and maintained you extend their life in return. Probably the easiest way to clean the covers is while they are still on the furniture. Use a mild detergent and lukewarm water for general cleaning of the covers. You can use a soft brush or towel to apply the solution, scrub and rinse thoroughly, using a garden hose would work fine.

If you need to treat stains on your covers use a solution of about 1 cup bleach and 1/2 cup mild detergent and mix with 1 gallon of water. Using a spray bottle thoroughly wet the area and then wait a few minutes. Rinse with clean water and dry completely. This solution is also good for mildew. Allow your patio furniture covers to dry completely before you start folding. If they are not dry completely they will probably mold while in storage and cause a more serious cleaning problem. Outdoor patio furniture covers are the only way to protect your furniture when you don't have the room to store them in a protected area.