An all weather loungeset sounds like a set you never need to look at again. It can handle rain, sun and cold, so why would you maintain it? Yet the product information for exactly these pieces says you should store them dry or cover them during long spells of bad weather and in winter. In this guide you'll read what the All Weather label really means, what it does and doesn't cover, how to care for the different parts and what to do each season. With examples of lounge furniture that carries the label in its product information.
In short: All Weather means the material can handle rain, sun and cold, not that the set is maintenance-free. Wipe down the frame with a mild soapy solution, brush the wicker clean and let everything dry thoroughly. Stand all weather cushions upright after a shower. In winter, cover the set with a breathable cover or store it away, as the product information itself advises.
What does All Weather mean for a loungeset?
The product information for a number of Garden Impressions pieces states "All Weather: Yes". You'll see it on lounge furniture including the Tennessee 3-seater sofa, the Tennessee open left-hand sofa and the Cube lounge dining table. The label means the furniture is made to stand outside, in rain, sun and cold. For the Tennessee sofas, that means an aluminium frame with half-round plastic wicker and cushions with a texfiber cover.
All Weather is a designation from the manufacturer, not a quality mark with a fixed test. The best way to read it is: this material won't be damaged by Dutch weather. What it doesn't tell you is that the set stays clean. Leaves, pollen, bird droppings and green algae settle on an all weather set just as readily as on any other loungeset.
What's notable is what the same product information says further on. For the Tennessee sofas, the maintenance advice reads: clean the frame regularly with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth, rinse with clean water and let it dry thoroughly. And: store the product dry during long spells of bad weather or in the winter period, preferably with a protective cover. For the Cube table, it says to cover it with a protective cover when it's not used for long periods, to prevent discolouration and dirt. So All Weather and covering go hand in hand.
Want to know first which materials are generally weather- and wind-resistant? Then read which garden furniture is weather-resistant.
What the label does and doesn't cover
With an all weather loungeset, look at each part separately. The frame, the weave, the cushions and the tabletop each need something different.
| Part | Can handle the weather | What you still do |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium frame | Yes, doesn't rust | Mild soapy solution, touch up scratches |
| Plastic wicker | Yes | Brush dirt out of the weave |
| Texfiber cushions | Water runs through | Let dry upright, store indoors in winter |
| Aluminium tabletop | Yes | Damp cloth, cover when not in use |
| Whole set in winter | Not automatically protected | Cover or store dry |
The pattern is clear: the label is about materials, while maintenance is about dirt and moisture. Once you understand that distinction, an all weather set stays looking good for years with little effort.
Maintenance by part
The aluminium frame
Aluminium doesn't rust, and the powder coating gives the frame its colour. A mild cleaning agent in lukewarm water with a soft cloth is all you need. Then rinse with clean water, as soap residue actually attracts dirt. Scouring pads and harsh cleaners can make the coating dull. If you see a scratch down to the metal, touch it up with a matching paint pen. More on this in maintaining aluminium garden furniture.
Plastic wicker
The weave on an all weather set is made of plastic thread, not natural rattan. That's why it can stay outside. The downside of any weave is that all sorts of things get caught in it: sand, leaf debris and cobwebs. So brush it dry first with a soft brush and only then make it wet. Work in the direction of the weave. While cleaning, watch for loose or broken strands; the sooner you spot them, the smaller the problem. Also read how to maintain wicker garden furniture and the difference between wicker and rattan.
All weather texfiber cushions
The cushions are the part where an all weather set differs most from an ordinary loungeset. The description of the Tennessee range states that all parts have all weather cushions made of a soft texfiber fabric, and that (rain) water runs right through the cushions. If you stand them upright for a while after a rain shower, they dry quickly.
That's handy in summer: a shower doesn't have to mean a soggy afternoon. But a cushion that dries quickly isn't one that can sit outside all winter. During days of rain, frost and little wind, nothing dries properly, and mould and nasty smells get their chance anyway. So store the cushions dry in autumn. You'll find how to wash covers and filling in how to wash loungeset cushions; tackle stains and mould with the tips from cleaning garden cushions.
The tabletop
On the Cube lounge dining table, both the frame and the top are aluminium. The advice in the product information is simple: clean the top regularly with a damp cloth and remove stubborn stains with a mild cleaning agent. If your set has a Vironwood top, that also just needs a cloth with a mild soapy solution; oil isn't necessary. More in what is Vironwood.
All Weather tells you what the material can take, not what gets put on it. The best care for a set like this is therefore very simple: don't leave anything wet and dirty on it, and in winter give it a dry spot or a good cover.
The quick fix after a rainy spell in 5 steps
An all weather set can cope with a wet week, but you can help it by spending a quarter of an hour on it afterwards. This prevents green algae and damp marks. For the major clean in spring and autumn, follow the step-by-step plan in how can I best maintain my loungeset.
Take the cushions off the seats and stand them at an angle or upright so the water can run out. In the wind and a bit of sun, texfiber cushions dry fastest.
Check the seats, the corners of the weave and the tabletop. Water that is left standing is the main cause of green algae. A dry cloth or a quick tap against the frame is enough.
Rain washes leaf debris and sand right between the strands. Brush them out with a soft brush before they start to rot and leave stains.
Bird droppings, pollen and mud splashes come off with lukewarm water, a mild cleaner and a soft cloth. Rinse with clean water.
Only put the cushions back or pull the cover over the set once everything is dry. Anything covered while wet stays damp for days.
Maintenance by season
An all weather set needs little per season, but the tasks differ. This is an overview of a maintenance year:
| Season | What you do | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Cover off, major clean | Cushions back only on a dry set |
| Summer | Remove stains straight away | Stand cushions upright after a shower |
| Autumn | Remove leaves from the weave | Wash cushions and store them dry |
| Winter | Covered or indoors | Don't let water sit on the cover |
Tick off these points over the course of the year:
- Frame wiped down in spring with a mild soapy solution and rinsed
- Weave brushed out, including under the seat cushions
- Scratches in the coating touched up with a paint pen
- Cushions stood upright to dry after every heavy shower
- Bird droppings and stains removed within a few days
- Cushions washed in autumn and stored dry
- Set covered dry with a breathable cover or brought indoors
Want to prepare for winter all in one go? The complete step-by-step plan is in getting garden furniture ready for winter.
How to recognise a genuine all weather set
Are you about to buy a loungeset and want one that needs as little attention as possible? Then look beyond the word in the product name. The specifications show what you're really buying.
Checklist for an all weather loungeset
- The label in the specifications: does it say "All Weather: Yes", or is it only in the marketing text?
- Frame material: aluminium doesn't rust and is lightweight
- Frame weave material: plastic wicker or rope, not natural rattan
- Cushion cover material: check whether the cover dries quickly, such as texfiber
- Care tips: read what the product information says about winter
- Warranty: for the Tennessee sofas and the Cube table it's 2 years
Still unsure which type of set suits your terrace? The selection guide will help you on your way in a few questions. You can also look directly at aluminium loungesets or lounge sofas.
Covering and storing
Whether your set can spend the winter outside and how to go about it is covered in detail in can a loungeset stay outside. For an all weather set it comes down to three things: a breathable cover, no standing water and dry cushions.
Choose a cover shaped to your arrangement and measure the outside dimensions of your set. A breathable cover lets moisture escape, so no condensation gets trapped underneath. Plastic sheeting doesn't do that. You'll find more on choosing a cover in covering garden furniture.
AeroCover corner set 270 x 270
View cover →
Coverit cover 255 x 255
View cover →
Coverit cover support
View support →A peak in the cover
On a flat cover, rainwater stays in puddles and pushes through. A cover support on the table creates a peak, so the water runs off.
Store the cushions separately and dry, for example in a cushion bag or a cushion box. More tips in storing garden cushions.
Coverit cushion bag 200 x 75
View bag →
Primo cushion box 680 litres
View box →All storage boxes
View range →Common mistakes
Reading All Weather as maintenance-free
The label is about the material. Dirt, leaves and algae simply stay put, and the longer they sit, the harder they are to remove.
Leaving cushions flat after a shower
A cushion that water runs through still dries poorly if it lies flat on a wet seat. Stand it at an angle or upright.
Cleaning the weave wet without brushing first
Water washes sand and leaf debris deeper between the strands. Brush dry first, then clean.
Covering a wet set
Anything wet under the cover won't dry out all winter. Choose a dry day to cover up.
Scrubbing or hosing hard
A scouring pad dulls the powder coating, and a harsh jet can damage the weave. A soft brush and a gentle spray are enough.
Lounge furniture with the All Weather label
These lounge pieces have "All Weather: Yes" in their product information. The specifications below come from that same product information; you'll find the current prices on the cards.
Tennessee 3-seater sofa
A lounge sofa for 3 people, 225 cm long, with an aluminium frame and half-round wicker in vintage willow (mid brown). The 4 cushions have a texfiber cover in anthracite and a seat cushion 13 cm thick. With a seat depth of 65 cm and a seat height of 47 cm, you have plenty of room.
Tennessee 3-seater sofa vintage willow / anthracite
Tennessee open left-hand sofa
An open sofa from the same range: 211 cm long, for 3 people, with 5 texfiber cushions and a 13 cm seat cushion. Again an aluminium frame with half-round wicker and the All Weather label.
Tennessee open left-hand sofa vintage willow / anthracite
Cube lounge dining table
A square lounge dining table measuring 115.5 x 115.5 cm for 4 people, with frame and top in aluminium in matt white. The table is 68 cm high, with 60 cm of space under the top.
Cube lounge dining table 115.5 x 115.5 cm
The Tennessee lounge dining table, 180 x 100 cm, pairs well with the Tennessee sofas. It has an aluminium frame, wicker and a Vironwood top. Or browse all lounge sofas and aluminium loungesets:
Frequently asked questions
What does All Weather mean for a lounge set?
The product information for a number of Garden Impressions lounge pieces states "All Weather: Yes". This means the piece is made to stand outside in rain, sun and cold, for example with an aluminium frame and synthetic wicker. It is a manufacturer's indication, not a promise that you never have to do anything: dirt, leaves and algae still settle on it.
Should an All Weather lounge set be covered in winter?
It is recommended. For the Tennessee benches, which carry the All Weather label, the same product information says to store the piece dry during prolonged bad weather or over winter, preferably with a protective cover. If you can't bring the set indoors, cover it with a breathable cover.
Can All Weather cushions stay outside?
After a shower, yes; in winter, better not. The Tennessee range description says water runs straight through the texfiber cushions and that they dry quickly if you stand them up at an angle. That makes them handy in summer, but during days of rain and in winter, store them dry along with the rest of the set.
How do you clean an All Weather lounge set?
Wipe the frame down with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth, rinse with clean water and let everything dry thoroughly. This advice is also in the product information for the Tennessee benches. Brush the wicker dry first so leaves and sand come out of the weave, and avoid scouring pads and harsh cleaners.
Is an All Weather lounge set maintenance-free?
No. All Weather says something about the material: the frame won't rust and the weave can withstand rain and sun. Cleaning, drying and covering or storing in winter are still needed. The difference from wood is that you don't need to oil it, and the upkeep takes little time overall.
