Short answer: wait until the night frosts are over and a few dry days are forecast. Open Bag'in, let the furniture air for a day, check it for mould and rust, and wash it. Clean and dry Bag'in before you fold it and put it in the Storage Bag (sold separately) until next autumn.

If your furniture has been packed all winter, most of the work is already done. The spring clean is about airing, checking and looking after both the furniture and the bag.

Also read the complete guide to storing garden furniture over winter.

When can you unpack?

  • Night temperatures stay above zero.
  • Two or three dry days are forecast, so both furniture and bag have time to dry.
  • The snow has gone from the patio and the surface has dried out.

In most of the UK that is usually March or April. In southern Scandinavia it is often April, further north and in the mountains often May.

How to unpack

  1. Brush leaves and dirt off the top before you open it, so nothing falls onto the furniture.
  2. Open it and let the furniture air for a few hours, ideally the whole day.
  3. Check the furniture for mould, rust, loose screws and cracks.
  4. Wash the furniture with mild soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse well.
  5. Treat what needs it. Oil the wood and touch up rust spots on steel.
  6. Bring the cushions out once the furniture is dry. See how to store garden cushions over winter.
Carrying outdoor cushions back out to the terrace in spring

Material by material

Material Spring care
Synthetic rattan Brush out the weave, wash off green algae with soapy water. See the rattan guide
Teak and hardwood Wash, let dry, oil if you want the colour back. See wooden garden furniture in winter
Pine and softwood Oil or stain once the wood is dry
Aluminium Wash and rinse, check the joints for marks
Steel and wrought iron Sand off rust and touch up the paint
Plastic Wash, check for cracks after the cold

Look after Bag'in until next autumn

The bag should be stored clean and dry through the summer, or it can get mould and smell.

  1. Brush and rinse both the top cover and the base, inside and out.
  2. Wash off stains with water and mild soap, or with the Maintenance Kit, which is made for Bag'in.
  3. Dry everything completely before folding.
  4. Put the bag in the Storage Bag, which holds both top and base for Small to X-Large.
  5. Store it dry until next autumn.

You will find every step in how to clean and store Bag'in between seasons.

Storm Anchor can stay in the deck and be used to hold other things in place through the summer.

Protect your furniture through the summer

Rain, pollen and sun wear on furniture in summer too. Bag'in Classic is a lightweight everyday cover that goes on and off in seconds. Bag'in SunGuard protects against the sun, with UPF 50+ that blocks 98 percent of UV rays. Read how to use Bag'in Classic.

Frequently asked questions

When can I bring my garden furniture out?

When the night frosts are over and a few dry days are forecast.

Do I need to clean Bag'in before putting it away?

Yes. Brush, rinse and dry it completely before folding, so it does not get mould over the summer.

Where should I store Bag'in in summer?

Somewhere dry, in the Storage Bag.

What do I do about mould on the furniture after winter?

Wash it with mild soapy water and let the furniture dry in sun and wind.