As soon as the suitcases were barely set down, I wanted to lift the cover, readjust the cushions, and enjoy a coffee on the terrace. Three weeks earlier, the garden lounge set had been covered with a plastic sheet to protect it from storms, from the sun, and from dust. On returning, lifting the protection, shock: wood darkened, metal pitted, cushions speckled with greenish stains.
On paper, this instinct to pull out the mold-prone bâche salon de jardin moisissure seems obvious to anyone who wants to extend the life of outdoor furniture. Protecting against UV rays and pounding rain seems natural. Except that under an airtight plastic tarp, another scenario unfolds in midsummer. What happens in three weeks of absence is enough to transform a beautiful relaxation corner into a scrubbing headache.
Bâche plastique hermétique sur salon de jardin : un effet serre destructeur
Under a waterproof cover pressed onto the furniture, the sun creates “a real miniature greenhouse” described by specialists. The air heats up, but cannot escape. The slightest moisture present in the wooden slats, the metal tubes, or the ground begins to evaporate, only to be trapped against the plastic. This vapor condenses into droplets: water appears everywhere, even without a single drop of rain during the stay.
Without ventilation, condensation accumulates on every surface. Wooden structures “end up darkening or warping,” while wrought iron or steel quickly show the first signs of corrosion. Textiles become a perfect breeding ground for mold, with green halos and stubborn odors embedded in the fibers. After three weeks of confinement, the lounge is unrecognizable, and intensive cleaning does not always restore its original appearance.
Les bons gestes avant de couvrir son salon de jardin plusieurs semaines
The remedy starts well before pulling out a cover. According to recommendations in specialized guides, you should first clean the furniture with soapy water and then let it dry completely in the open air. “Let the furniture dry completely in the air before any handling or covering,” insists a guide dedicated to the subject. Covering wood still damp with dew or a table that has just been washed amounts to trapping moisture under the sheet.
The second rule is simple: all cushions, chair pads, and textiles must be brought inside the house, a dry garage, or a well-dried storage box. Even under a cover, these elements absorb water and promote mold. On the terrace, raising the furniture legs slightly reduces contact with a soaked floor after a storm. When space allows, a small well-ventilated wooden shelter remains a very effective solution.
Choisir une housse respirante de salon de jardin pour éviter la moisissure
To avoid the greenhouse effect, the key lies in choosing the protection. A garden lounge cover should stop the rain but let air circulate. Guides recommend a breathable housse respirante with real grilles d’aération, so that wood and metal can “breathe.” They discourage transparent plastic tarps, which under the sun promote condensation. Before buying, check:
- the presence of ventilation and an opaque fabric ;
- a proper fit to the shape of the furniture, without being too tight.
For exposed furniture, some covers use a 680-gram-per-square-meter polyester fabric, rated to withstand both cold and heat. Their Lowick coating slows the progression of humidity into the threads. The Cleangard finish, applied on both faces, makes the surface smoother, less dirty, and easier to clean.
