How to Care for Your Nardi Outdoor Furniture Through an Irish Winter (2026)

If you have invested in Nardi outdoor furniture, the first Irish winter can feel a little nerve-wracking. The evenings draw in, the rain sets in sideways, and a small voice starts asking whether all that lovely resin and fabric will survive until spring. The reassuring news is that Nardi furniture is engineered precisely for climates like ours, and with a few simple habits it will look every bit as good next May as it does today.

This guide walks you through exactly how to care for your Nardi pieces through a wet, windy, mild-but-damp Irish winter. It is genuinely practical, not vague. You will learn what can safely stay outdoors, what is worth bringing in, how to clean off winter grime and green algae, how to beat mildew on cushions, and how to get everything sparkling again come spring. Everything here applies equally to homeowners in Ireland and the UK, where the winter story is much the same: rarely bitterly cold, but relentlessly wet.

Why Nardi Is Built to Cope With an Irish Winter

Before we get to the practical steps, it helps to understand why you can relax a little. Nardi has spent decades making furniture for Mediterranean terraces, poolsides and hotels, and the materials are chosen for real-world weather resistance rather than showroom good looks alone.

The frames are moulded from UV-stabilised, fibreglass-reinforced resin. That is a mouthful, so here is what it actually means for you through the winter:

• It will not rust. There is no metal to corrode, so salty coastal air and endless rain simply cannot eat into it the way they attack cheaper steel furniture.
• It will not rot or splinter. Unlike untreated timber, resin does not absorb water, swell, or grow soft and flaky over the years.
• It will not fade in a hurry. The UV stabilisers are built through the material, not painted on, so colour holds up to sun and weather.
• It is frost-proof. The resin stays dimensionally stable in the cold and does not become brittle at the temperatures an Irish winter throws at it.

On the soft side, genuine Nardi cushions are made with Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic. The colour is locked into the fibre itself rather than printed on the surface, which is why Sunbrella resists fading, water, mould and mildew so well. It is the same fabric family trusted on boat canopies and luxury awnings. For a deeper dive into the fabric, colours and long-term care, see our companion piece, Nardi Outdoor Fabrics: The Complete Guide to Sunbrella Colours & Care.

Pro tip: The single biggest enemy of any outdoor furniture in Ireland is not cold, it is trapped moisture with no airflow. Almost every winter-care habit in this guide comes back to that one idea: keep water moving off, and let air move through.

Can Nardi Frames Stay Outside All Winter?

Yes. This is the question we are asked most often, and the answer for the resin frames is a confident yes. Nardi resin furniture is designed to live outdoors year-round, including through frost, rain and storms. You do not need to dismantle your patio and cram it into the shed the moment the clocks go back.

Because the resin is frost-proof and completely waterproof, a Nardi chair, table or modular sofa frame can sit out through the whole Irish winter without cracking, warping or rotting. Flagship modular ranges such as the Nardi Komodo modular sofa and the Maximo modular armchair system are used on hotel terraces that stay set up in all weather, which tells you everything about how they cope.

That said, "can stay out" is not the same as "needs no attention". Leaving frames exposed all winter means they will collect grime, a green algae film and the odd bit of bird mess. None of that harms the resin, but it does mean a bigger clean-up in spring. Using a breathable cover, or tucking pieces under cover where you can, simply reduces how much scrubbing you face later.

What About Glass-Topped Tables?

Toughened glass tabletops, like those on the Komodo coffee tables, are perfectly weatherproof too. The main winter consideration is wind rather than cold: a light table can be caught by a gust. More on storm-proofing your lighter pieces further down.

What to Do With Your Sunbrella Cushions Over Winter

Here is where a little effort pays off enormously. While Sunbrella fabric is mould and mildew resistant, no fabric on earth is mould-proof if it is left cold, wet and starved of airflow for months. Mildew does not actually feed on the acrylic fibre, but it will happily grow on the dust, pollen and organic grime that settles on any surface left outdoors. Damp plus no airflow equals mildew, even on the best fabric.

So the golden rule for winter is simple: get your cushions out of the sustained damp. You have two good options.

Option 1: Bring the Cushions Indoors (Best)

The gold standard is to bring your Sunbrella cushions inside for winter and store them somewhere dry and ventilated, such as a utility room, garage shelf or airing space. Make sure they are fully dry before you stack them, and avoid squashing them into a sealed plastic bag where any residual moisture has nowhere to go. This applies to seat pads and back cushions alike, whether that is a Net Relax lounge cushion, a Komodo back cushion, or the modular Maximo Sunbrella cushions.

Option 2: Use a Breathable Cover (Good)

If you have no room indoors, the next best thing is to leave cushions on the furniture and protect the whole set with a good breathable furniture cover. The word breathable matters. A cheap non-vented tarpaulin traps condensation underneath and effectively creates a damp greenhouse, which is worse than no cover at all. Our Nardi outdoor furniture covers in S, M, L and XL and the tailored Maximo furniture covers are made to shed rain while still allowing air to move, which is exactly what you want.

Pro tip: If you cover cushions outdoors, lift the cover on the odd dry, breezy day and let everything air for an hour. Ten minutes of airflow now and again is the cheapest mildew insurance there is.

Routine Winter Cleaning: The Gentle Method

Nardi furniture is refreshingly low-maintenance, and the correct cleaning method is deliberately gentle. Harsh chemicals and high pressure do more harm than good. For both frames and fabric, the everyday routine is the same simple recipe.

• Mix a bucket of lukewarm water with a little mild soap or washing-up liquid.
• Use a soft sponge or a soft-bristled brush, never a wire brush or an abrasive pad.
• Work gently over the surface, paying attention to textured areas and joints where grime gathers.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water so no soap residue is left behind.
• Let everything dry fully, ideally in moving air, before covering or storing.

That is genuinely all most resin frames ever need, whether it is a Nardi Doga armchair or a stack of Net Relax chairs. A quick wash in autumn before the worst weather, and another in spring, keeps them looking new for years.

The Big Don'ts

• Do not use a pressure washer on cushions. The force drives water deep into the foam and can damage the fabric weave and its water-repellent finish.
• Do not use bleach or solvents on the resin frames. Undiluted bleach, acetone, white spirit and similar aggressive chemicals can dull or discolour the surface.
• Do not use abrasive scouring pads or wire brushes, which scratch the finish and give grime more places to cling next time.
• Do not put cushions away damp. This is the number one cause of mildew, full stop.

Removing Winter Grime, Green Algae and Bird Mess

An Irish winter leaves its signature: a thin green algae film on north-facing surfaces, watermarks, and the inevitable bird mess. Here is how to deal with each without damaging your furniture.

Green Algae Film on Resin Frames

That green haze that appears on shaded, damp surfaces is algae, and it is extremely common on any garden furniture over an Irish winter. The good news is it wipes off easily. Use your mild soapy water and a soft brush, working in small circles to lift the film, then rinse well. For a more stubborn coating, a dedicated outdoor-furniture or resin-safe cleaner works well, but always avoid harsh bleach on the frames. A gentle scrub is almost always enough because the algae sits on the surface rather than penetrating the resin.

Bird Mess

Deal with bird droppings sooner rather than later, as they are acidic and unsightly. Soften the deposit first with warm soapy water for a few minutes rather than scraping it dry, then wipe away gently and rinse. On Sunbrella fabric, the same approach works: blot and lift rather than grind it in.

Watermarks and General Winter Dullness

If frames look a little tired and watermarked after months outdoors, a full soapy wash and rinse usually restores the finish. Letting them dry in a bit of breeze rather than leaving them wet also prevents new marks forming.

Beating Mildew on Cushions: The Sunbrella Care Method

If a cushion has picked up the odd mildew spot, do not panic and do not reach for anything aggressive that could harm the fabric. Sunbrella has a well-proven cleaning routine for exactly this.

1. Brush off any loose dirt or surface debris first.
2. Make up a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water (no hotter than around 38°C).
3. Sponge it onto the fabric and let it soak in for a few minutes so it can work.
4. Use a soft brush to gently agitate the stained area.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until every trace of soap is gone.
6. Air-dry completely. Do not put a damp cushion back into storage or under a cover.

Sunbrella Deep-Clean for Stubborn Mould

For heavier mould that a soapy wash will not shift, Sunbrella's own guidance permits a stronger solution: mix a diluted bleach solution (a small amount of household bleach per litre of water, along with a little mild soap), apply it, allow it to soak for around fifteen minutes, then clean and rinse thoroughly and air-dry. Because Sunbrella is solution-dyed, the colour is locked into the fibre and this diluted solution will not bleach it out the way it would with ordinary printed fabric. A couple of important cautions: only use this method on genuine Sunbrella acrylic, always spot-test a hidden area first, keep the solution well away from your resin frames and any nearby planting, and rinse until no bleach smell remains. When in doubt, our fabrics guide has the full detail.

Pro tip: After any deep clean, once the fabric is bone-dry you can refresh its water-repellency with a fabric-safe outdoor guard product. It is not essential, but it helps rain bead and roll off rather than soak in, which keeps mildew at bay next winter.

Drying and Airflow: The Step Everyone Skips

It is worth repeating because it is that important. The most common winter mistake is not a cleaning error, it is putting things away wet. Whether you are stacking chairs, folding cushions into storage, or dropping a cover over a set, everything must be fully dry first.

• Choose a dry, breezy day for your autumn clean so pieces dry quickly.
• Stand cushions on their edge to air rather than lying them flat, so both sides breathe.
• Leave a little gap for airflow when stacking chairs, rather than pressing them tight together with wet surfaces touching.
• Give covered furniture the occasional airing on dry days through the winter.

Storing and Stacking

Many Nardi ranges are designed to stack, which makes winter storage genuinely easy where you do have indoor or sheltered space. Stackable chairs such as the Net and Bit families, and stackable sun loungers like the Atlantico, Alfa and Omega, nest neatly so a whole set takes up little room in a garage or store.

If you are stacking outdoors under a cover, put a strip of cloth or foam between stacked seats to stop surfaces rubbing and to keep a whisper of airflow between them. Store loungers flat or on their side rather than balanced where wind can topple them. Lightweight loungers such as the Plano reclining sun lounger are easy to fold down or move to a sheltered wall for the coldest months.

Using Furniture Covers Properly

A good cover is one of the smartest small investments you can make for an Irish winter, but only if you use it correctly.

• Choose breathable, tailored covers. The Maximo covers and the general Nardi furniture covers in S to XL are shaped to fit and vent moisture rather than trap it.
• Only cover dry, clean furniture. Sealing damp or dirty pieces under a cover invites mildew and staining.
• Secure the cover against wind. Use the ties, toggles or drawcords so a winter gale cannot whip it off or, worse, flog it against the furniture all night.
• Leave a little ground clearance so air can circulate underneath rather than the cover sitting in a puddle.

Securing Lightweight Pieces Against Winter Storms

In Ireland, wind is a far bigger winter threat to your furniture than cold ever is. Named storms roll in through autumn and winter, and resin furniture is light by design, which is wonderful for rearranging your patio and less wonderful in a 100km/h gust.

• Move light chairs and side tables such as the Nardi Folio armchair against a sheltered wall or indoors when a storm is forecast.
• Stack and, if possible, tie down stackable chairs so a stack cannot be sent tumbling.
• Lay parasols down and store them completely. Never leave a parasol up over winter.
• Cluster heavier and lighter pieces together so the heavy items help anchor the group, and use cover ties to link them.
• Bring cushions in ahead of a storm even if you normally cover them, as they are easily lost to the wind.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on Met Éireann storm warnings through the winter. A five-minute tidy-up before a named storm saves you chasing a chair down the garden the next morning.

Your Spring "Getting Ready" Checklist

When the days lengthen and the first proper sunshine arrives, getting your Nardi set ready for the season is quick and satisfying. Work through this list and you will be relaxing outdoors within the hour.

• Remove covers and check underneath for any trapped damp.
• Wash frames with mild soapy water and a soft brush to lift off winter grime and any green algae film, then rinse.
• Inspect and clean cushions, treating any mildew spots with the Sunbrella method above.
• Refresh water-repellency on cushions with a fabric guard if you like, once fully dry.
• Check fixings on modular sets and stools, tightening anything that has loosened.
• Let everything dry in the spring air, then reunite cushions with frames.
• Give glass tabletops a polish for that first sunny brunch.

Explore the full range any time in our Nardi outdoor furniture collection, where you will find matching cushions, covers and modular pieces made to order.

Do's and Don'ts at a Glance

Do:

• Leave frost-proof resin frames outdoors year-round with confidence.
• Bring Sunbrella cushions indoors, or use a breathable cover, over winter.
• Clean with mild soapy water, a soft brush and a thorough rinse.
• Dry everything fully before storing or covering.
• Secure lightweight pieces and cushions before winter storms.
• Air out covered furniture on dry days.

Don't:

• Pressure-wash cushions or drive water into the foam.
• Use bleach or harsh solvents on the resin frames.
• Use wire brushes or abrasive scouring pads on any surface.
• Store or cover cushions while they are still damp.
• Leave parasols up, or light chairs loose, through a storm.
• Seal furniture under a non-breathable tarp that traps condensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nardi furniture be left outside in winter?

Yes. Nardi's UV-stabilised, fibreglass-reinforced resin frames are frost-proof and fully waterproof, so they can stay outdoors all through an Irish or UK winter without rusting, rotting or cracking. The one thing best not left out in sustained damp is the Sunbrella cushions, which should be brought indoors or protected under a breathable cover to prevent mildew.

Will Nardi resin crack in frost?

No. The resin used in Nardi furniture stays stable in cold weather and does not become brittle or crack at the temperatures an Irish winter reaches. Frost simply is not a problem for these frames, which is why the same furniture is used on exposed terraces and poolsides that stay set up year-round.

How do I stop my outdoor cushions going mouldy?

Keep them dry and let air move around them. Sunbrella fabric resists mould and mildew, but mildew can still grow on the dust and grime that settles on any surface if it stays damp with no airflow. Bring cushions indoors for winter where you can, or use a breathable cover and air them on dry days. Always store cushions completely dry, never sealed away damp.

Can you machine wash Nardi Sunbrella covers?

For everyday care, the recommended method is spot-cleaning with mild soapy water, a soft brush and a thorough rinse, then air-drying. Some Sunbrella covers can be gently machine washed on a cool, delicate cycle with mild detergent, no bleach and no fabric softener, but always check the specific care label first and never tumble dry on heat. Air-drying is always safest and keeps the fabric performing at its best.

How do I clean green algae off garden furniture?

That green film is algae, and it lifts off easily. Use lukewarm water with a little mild soap and a soft brush, working in gentle circles, then rinse well with clean water. For a stubborn coating on resin frames, a resin-safe outdoor-furniture cleaner helps, but avoid harsh bleach on the frames. Because algae sits on the surface rather than soaking in, a gentle scrub almost always does the job.

The Bottom Line

Nardi outdoor furniture is made for exactly the kind of winter Ireland delivers: wet, windy, mild and damp. Leave the frost-proof resin frames outside with confidence, look after your Sunbrella cushions by keeping them dry and airy, clean gently with soapy water rather than harsh chemicals, and secure the light stuff before the storms. Do that, and your Nardi set will greet you every spring looking as good as the day it arrived, ready for many more seasons in the garden.