Outdoor furniture spends years in the dust, sun and rain, and it loads into the truck with all of it. A short list of steps makes the difference between furniture that arrives ready to use and furniture that needs a wash in the driveway. Reno's dry weather helps, since things dry fast.
Clean and dry everything
Hose off chairs, tables and cushions a day before the move, and let them dry fully in the sun. Wet cushions and damp wicker can grow mildew inside a closed truck.
Wipe grills inside and out and run the burners to burn off grease, then let the grill cool for a full day.
Take it apart
Remove table legs and umbrella poles where they unscrew, and bag the hardware in a labeled zip bag taped to the table. Fold chairs and tie them together, two or three at a time.
Glass tabletops need padding on both sides and an edge guard. Wrap them in moving pads, or in a picture box, and carry them upright.
- Clean and dry each piece.
- Remove legs, poles and loose parts, and bag the hardware.
- Wrap glass tops in pads and stand them on edge.
- Bundle folding chairs with tape or rope.
- Label every piece with the word patio and the part name.
Cushions, umbrellas and pillows
Cushions go in large bags or cartons, clean and dry. Umbrellas are wrapped around the pole, tied and slipped into a tube or a long bag.
Throw pillows can fill space in other cartons. Seasonal cushions can move in a bag marked patio so they go straight to the deck.
Grills, planters and heavy items
Propane cylinders cannot travel on a moving truck; the EPA household hazardous waste page explains local options, and what movers will not move lists the others. Disconnect the tank and take it with you or exchange it.
Large planters should be emptied of soil. Pot the plants in lighter containers if they are going with you. Check moving with plants for rules about plants moving across state lines. Hot tubs and big outdoor structures are a separate topic; see how hot tubs are moved.
Wicker, metal and teak
Wicker needs padding and no heavy items on top. Wrought iron is heavy and scratches other pieces, so wrap it in a pad. Teak and hardwood travel well and need only a pad to keep the finish clean.