Short answer: in a Nordic climate, some condensation always forms inside any cover. The goal is to keep it down: pack the furniture completely dry, place the bag on a ventilated surface, keep the vents clear, and wipe off water and snow regularly.

The droplets you see are moisture from the air, the ground and the furniture settling on cold surfaces. The cover itself is still waterproof. What matters is that the moisture can escape again.

Why does condensation form?

When the temperature drops at night, the fabric and the furniture cool down. The air inside the bag holds moisture, and that moisture settles as droplets on the cold surfaces. During the day it gets warmer and the moisture evaporates again. The bigger the temperature swings and the more moisture inside, the more condensation.

The moisture comes from three places:

  • The air. Nordic winter air is often damp.
  • The ground. Grass, soil and uneven paving let moisture rise from below.
  • The furniture. Furniture packed damp brings the water in with it.

Why tight covers lead to mould

Under a tight tarpaulin or a cover without ventilation, the moisture has nowhere to go. It stays put, and over time that means mould and discolouration. Read more in tarpaulin or Bag'in: what protects garden furniture best.

Bag'in Nordic has vents in every corner and a ventilated base, so moisture can escape. That reduces condensation. A little will always remain.

Close-up of the corner vent on Bag'in Nordic

Six steps that keep condensation down

  1. Only pack completely dry furniture. Choose a dry day after a few days without rain.
  2. Choose a ventilated surface. A wooden deck lets air in under the base. On asphalt, paving and gravel, ventilation is poorer. See where your Bag'in should stand.
  3. Keep 20 cm of space to walls and fences.
  4. Keep the vents clear. Fill the bag with enough furniture to hold the corners up, and let the vents hang freely and point down.
  5. Leave air between the furniture inside the bag, and keep table tops off the base fabric.
  6. Wipe off water and snow regularly in damp periods.

DryTop Protect goes over the furniture, under the cover, and improves air circulation around the furniture. It helps reduce condensation and moisture that stays on the surfaces.

Why cushions should stay out of the bag

Garden furniture copes with a little condensation. Cushions and textiles soak it up and go mouldy. That is why we advise against storing cushions in Bag'in. See how to store garden cushions over winter.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to have condensation inside Bag'in?

Yes. In a Nordic climate, some condensation always forms inside any cover. The ventilation lets it escape again.

Do droplets on the inside mean the cover is leaking?

The droplets are moisture from the air settling on the cold fabric. The cover is still waterproof.

How do I prevent mould on garden furniture?

Pack it completely dry, use a ventilated surface, keep the vents clear and wipe off water and snow regularly.

Does it help to open the bag now and then?

On a dry, mild day you can air it, but close the zipper and lock it again before evening.