Clarissa N. - Merchandising Coordinator, Coverstore
Clarissa N. is a Merchandising Coordinator at Coverstore, where she tests products firsthand and helps refine the company's merchandise based on real world performance and customer feedback.
Summer has a way of putting every piece of your outdoor setup to work, so when the season starts winding down, how do you know what actually needs your attention before fall?
An end of summer patio furniture checklist helps you get your outdoor space ready for fall, from cleaning covers and cushions the right way to making sure everything, from furniture to grills to hot tubs, has the cover it needs going into the next season.
My Experience Testing Coverstore Products at the End of Summer
In my work testing and evaluating Coverstore products, I've seen how a short end of season walkthrough makes a real difference. Small issues, like a cushion that needs a wash or a cover that isn't performing like it should, are much easier to handle in September than after months of cold, damp weather.
The End-of-Summer Audit
Before you start cleaning or shopping for anything new, walk your outdoor space and take stock. An end of summer patio furniture checklist starts with a simple audit: what needs to be cleaned, what needs to be replaced, and what still isn't covered at all. This step sets the direction for everything else on your list.
Cleaning and Reproofing
Once your space is decluttered, cleaning is the next step. A cover-safe cleaner made for outdoor fabric will do more for your cover than an all-purpose household cleaner, and using the wrong product can affect how well a cover repels water and dirt over time.
Coverstore's outdoor furniture cover cleaners are formulated specifically for cover fabric, along with grill exteriors and teak furniture, so you're using the right product for each surface. For cushions, our guide on how to clean outdoor cushions walks through the process step by step, and our guide to how to clean outdoor furniture covers covers care tips for the covers themselves. If your covers use a reproofing treatment, end of summer is a good time to reapply it so fabrics keep performing well into fall.
Inspect and Decide: What's Changed Since Last Season
Take a walk through your outdoor space and think about what's different from when you last set everything up. Maybe you added a new grill, swapped out a cushion set, or rearranged furniture into a new layout. This is the moment to check whether your current covers still match what they're protecting, since a cover sized for last year's setup may not be the right fit for this year's. If anything in your space has changed size or shape, it's worth measuring again before fall weather sets in.
Replacing a Cover That's Not Holding Up
If a cover has torn, cracked, or is no longer keeping water and dirt out the way it should, it's time for a new one rather than trying to stretch it through another season. Coverstore's patio furniture covers, grill covers, and hot tub covers are built with quality materials designed to perform season after season, so upgrading gets you a cover that actually holds up to what you need it to do.
Filling the Gaps
As you go through your space, take note of anything that isn't currently covered at all. A grill that's been sitting uncovered all summer, a hot tub cover to pair with your existing hard top or spa lid, or extra seating you picked up mid-season are all easy things to overlook. Getting a properly fitted cover on each of these before fall and winter is one of the simplest ways to keep your outdoor space protected going into the next season.
Fit, Install, and Store
Whatever you're covering, fit matters. A cover that's too loose can shift in the wind, while one that's too snug can be difficult to secure properly. Before fall and winter set in, it's worth covering as much of your outdoor space as you can, patio furniture, grills, and hot tubs alike, since a properly fitted cover is one of the simplest ways to protect against the season ahead. Once cushions are clean and dry, you have two good options: store them away, or leave them on the furniture and cover everything together with a properly fitted furniture cover. Either works, it just depends on how much space you have and whether you plan to use the furniture again before the season fully turns. When you're ready to measure for a cover, take the widest points of what you're covering plus the height, and check the sizing guide for the closest match.
If you go the storage route, a cushion storage bag keeps cushions clean, dry, and ready to go again when the weather warms up.
If cooler weather is coming, our guide on how to winterize patio furniture covers additional steps for the season ahead.
Featured Product Categories
Patio Furniture Covers
A properly fitted cover is one of the simplest ways to protect furniture between uses and through the off season. Coverstore's patio furniture covers come in a range of sizes and materials to match different climates and furniture styles.
Grill Covers
Whether you're working with a flat top gas grill or a classic kettle style, a grill cover suited to your model helps keep it ready for the next cookout. For grills that see frequent use, a heavy duty grill cover is worth considering for the extra protection it offers.
Hot Tub Covers
From everyday use covers to jacuzzi winter covers for the colder months, having the right hot tub cover on hand makes seasonal transitions easier. Coverstore hot tub covers are designed to fit over an existing hard top or insulated spa lid. They are not a standalone safety cover and are not rated to support weight or use over open water. Measuring correctly is the first step to a good fit.
Cushions and Storage Accessories
Cushion covers, couch pillow covers with zippers, and dedicated storage bags round out a well protected outdoor space. These smaller accessories make it easy to keep cushions covered and stored properly between seasons.
Browse the full range of patio furniture covers and accessories to find what fits your setup.
Industry Expertise
Coverstore has spent years focused specifically on outdoor covers and accessories, working across patio furniture, grills, hot tubs, and more. That focus means the team spends a lot of time looking at fit, fabric performance, and how covers hold up across different climates, which shapes the guidance shared in posts like this one.
Season Change Quick Reference
| If This Changed Since Last Season | What to Check | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| New grill or hot tub added | Whether it currently has a dedicated cover | Measure and order a properly fitted cover |
| Furniture rearranged or added | Whether current covers still match the new layout | Re-measure and size covers to the new setup |
| Cushions used all summer | Whether they've been cleaned and fully dried | Clean and dry fully, then store or cover in place |
| Anything left uncovered all season | What's currently exposed to sun and moisture | Add a cover before fall and winter weather arrives |
By the Numbers
- UV exposure is considered one of the most significant environmental factors affecting outdoor fabric and finishes over time.
Source: Today's Patio, "How Patio Furniture Covers Extend the Life of Your Outdoor Space," todayspatio.com
Let's Hear From the Expert
Alisha D. - Senior Category Manager, Coverstore
Alisha brings deep product knowledge and development expertise to her work across outdoor covers, indoor storage, and outdoor accents.
Key Takeaway
"An end-of-summer walkthrough is a great habit. It's a chance to take stock of what's holding up well and plan ahead for next season."
Two Perspectives, Both Valid
Clarissa's hands on product testing perspective and Alisha's category level view both point to the same idea: a little attention at the end of summer goes a long way, whether you're evaluating a single cushion or planning out your whole outdoor setup for next year.
Clarissa's approach is useful when you're working through the hands on steps, like cleaning and checking fit. Alisha's perspective is helpful when you're stepping back to think about what to add or prioritize for the season ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean patio furniture cushions at the end of summer?
A quick weekly wipe down with a rag or soft brush, plus a monthly pass with your vacuum's upholstery attachment along the seams, keeps everyday dirt from building up. For a deeper end of season clean, remove any covers that unzip and wash them separately, then treat the cushion itself with a mild soap and water solution, rinse, and stand it on edge to air dry completely so mildew doesn't take hold. Our full guide to cleaning outdoor cushions walks through the process step by step, including how to handle different stain types.
How do I remove mildew from outdoor cushions?
Scrub away as much of the mildew as you can with a rag or soft bristle brush, then apply a cleaning solution and let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Standing the cushion on its edge to air dry completely afterward is what actually prevents mildew from coming back, since it typically takes hold in fabric that stays damp too long. Our guide to cleaning outdoor cushions covers the full mildew removal process along with other stain types.
Does covering patio furniture cause mold?
Covering furniture itself isn't the cause of mold. The risk comes from covers that are labeled "waterproof," since a plastic-coated material traps condensation and dew underneath with nowhere to go, which is what actually promotes mold and mildew. Coverstore covers are built to be breathable and water-resistant rather than waterproof, with mesh vents and water-resistant seam binding designed to let trapped moisture evaporate quickly instead of getting sealed in. As explained in Dispelling the Myth of Waterproof Covers, that airflow is what helps prevent mold in the first place.
How do I keep water from pooling on my furniture cover?
Pooling almost always comes down to a cover that's a bit too large for the furniture underneath, which creates low points where rain and snow collect. A Coverstore air bag sized and shaped to match your furniture (round, square, or rectangular) fills in those low points and promotes runoff, which is more effective and longer lasting than a DIY fix like an upside-down bucket. Getting a properly sized cover in the first place also goes a long way toward preventing pooling. Our guide on preventing pooling water on patio furniture covers covers installation tips and other prevention methods.
How do I measure for a replacement cover?
Measure the widest points of the item you're covering, including any extensions like grill side shelves or hot tub control panels, and note the height as well. Round measurements up to the nearest inch, and check the sizing guide for the closest match, since covers are typically designed with a little extra room for an easy fit. Coverstore's How to Measure for Your Cover guides walk through the steps for each product type.
Addressing Common Objections
Some people wonder if this kind of end of season checklist is really necessary if their furniture already looks fine. The point isn't to assume something is wrong. It's to catch small things, like a cushion that needs a wash or a cover that isn't performing like it should, while they're still easy to address.
Give Your Outdoor Gear the Fall-Ready Treatment
From grills to cushions to hot tubs, we've got covers sized and built to keep everything protected through fall and beyond.
Closing
A little time spent on an end of summer patio furniture checklist now means less scrambling once the weather turns. Clean what needs cleaning, make sure everything in your outdoor space has the cover it needs, and get cushions fitted and stored so your outdoor space is ready to go again when the next season rolls around.