To store a patio umbrella for winter, clean the canopy and let it air-dry completely while it is still open. Make sure the frame is free of dirt and dry, then keep the closed umbrella in a cool, dry place under a breathable cover.
The base is its own job. A fillable base holds sand, water, or both, and the umbrella's cover does nothing for it. Before you change the fill or choose where the base spends the winter, check the instructions for your exact base model.
Prepare Each Patio Umbrella Part for Winter
Find the care label or manual for your umbrella and your base first, and note what the base is filled with. After that, prepare the canopy and frame, and plan for the base on its own terms.
Clean, Dry, and Protect the Canopy
The canopy needs to be clean and fully dry before you close it. Our general umbrella-care guidance says to use a soft-bristled brush with mild soap and water when dirt is ground in, and then to rinse well. If your canopy's care label says something different, follow the label.
Keep the umbrella open after rinsing and let the canopy dry completely in the open air. A canopy that still feels damp is not ready to close.
Once it's clean and dry, store the outdoor umbrella somewhere cool and dry. An umbrella cover or a breathable fabric such as a cotton sheet keeps dust off and still lets air move. For more upkeep tips that fit this step, see our guide to off-season umbrella care.
Clean and Dry the Operating Frame
Give the pole and its moving parts their own cleanup, separate from the canopy. Clear away dirt and dust and make sure the whole assembly is dry before you store it.
Here is one example from a single model. The care page for Pottery Barn's 10-foot aluminum Round Metal Cantilever Umbrella says to brush off dirt and dust and wipe the pole with a soft, dry cloth. It also says to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives. That advice is written for that umbrella only, so check what your own model's instructions say.
Taking the umbrella apart is not a standard winter step for every model. Configurations vary, so take the frame down or remove parts only if your umbrella's manual tells you to.
Handle the Base According to Its Fill and Instructions
Start by checking whether your base is fillable and what is inside it. That matters more than anything else in planning the base's winter, and the umbrella cover can't help you answer it.
Take our ZY01BASE-100 cantilever base as an example. It's made of HDPE plastic, and each plate has a water port with a screw cap for filling or emptying. We recommend filling it with 50% sand and 50% water, which brings it to about 220 pounds when full. The listing does not include winter steps. If your base could sit outdoors through freezing weather, get the winter directions for that model before you change the fill or pick a storage spot.
Use instructions that belong to your own base. A manual for another plastic base includes cold-weather steps meant only for that product, and those steps may not suit yours.
Put the Prepared Parts Into Winter Storage
Work in an order that keeps the umbrella dry and the base on its own plan:
- Read the instructions for your exact umbrella and base before you take the umbrella down or change the base's fill.
- Clean the canopy and the frame, each in its own way.
- Leave the umbrella open until the canopy is completely dry, then close it.
- Store the closed umbrella in a cool, dry place under a breathable cover. Our guide on how to match an umbrella cover can help you get the fit right.
- Deal with the base separately, using its own fill and winter directions.
The cover protects the umbrella from dust. It doesn't tell you what to do with a filled base, which is why you need both the cover and the base's own instructions.
FAQs
Can I use a plastic tarp instead of a breathable cover?
Breathable protection is the better choice. Our care guidance recommends a cover or a fabric like a cotton sheet because it keeps dust off and still lets air circulate. The Pottery Barn care page for its cantilever model says not to cover the umbrella with plastic or similar materials that trap moisture.
Does it matter what furniture the umbrella was used with?
If you have outdoor furniture with an umbrella, the furniture probably needs its own covers. Measure each piece and choose a cover by its shape and clearance. The umbrella's cover is sized for the umbrella alone.
Why does base weight matter when I bring the umbrella back out?
Weight is what holds the umbrella steady in wind. Our ZY01BASE-100 holds about 220 pounds when fully filled with the recommended mix. To learn how weight and design affect stability, read our tips on choosing an umbrella stand.
What if I can't find my base's model number?
For our bases, contact our customer service with your order number and the umbrella you bought. We offer more than one version of the ZY01BASE-100, and the version we send matches the umbrella in your order.
