Storage & Maintenance Guide

How to store, clean and maintain event furniture to extend its working life.

Stacking limits

Stacking beyond these limits causes frame distortion in the lower chairs and increases the risk of the stack toppling. These are maximums under normal dry indoor storage conditions — where space allows, stack lower.

Product	Max stack height	Notes
Folding chairs	50	Stack folded flat, not open
Chiavari chairs	10	Remove seat pads before stacking
Wishbone chairs	6	Solid beech — heavier per stack than polypropylene
Tolix style steel chairs	8	Stack upright, same orientation
Eames / conference chairs	Do not stack	Store upright in rows or on racks — stacking scratches the shell and distorts the legs
Banqueting tables (folding leg)	10	Fold legs before stacking. Store flat or on table trolleys for quantities above 10.
Full steel tables	Do not stack	Fixed-height, non-folding. Store upright against a wall or on table trolleys.

Cleaning by material

Plastic shells
(Eames, folding chairs, Tolix)

Wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent after use. Avoid abrasive cleaners — they remove the surface sheen and leave micro-scratches that trap dirt. For stubborn marks, diluted white vinegar works without damaging the plastic.

Wooden chairs
(Chiavari, Wishbone)

Wipe dry after outdoor use. Do not leave wet wood in contact with other wood surfaces when stacking — this causes staining and can bond frames together. For day-to-day cleaning, a dry cloth or barely damp cloth is sufficient; avoid soaking.

Steel and metal surfaces

Dry after outdoor use. Painted steel will show surface rust at chips and scratches if left wet. Wipe down after rain and store under cover where possible. Touch up paint chips early — rust spreads under the paint layer if left.

Seat pads
(upholstered)

Spot clean only. Do not machine wash or saturate with water — the foam core holds moisture and develops mildew. For heavy soiling, use an upholstery cleaner and allow to air dry completely before restacking on chairs.

Outdoor equipment storage

Gazebo frames and canopies

Dry the frame before folding and storing — trapped moisture in the joints corrodes the aluminium connectors over time. Never store a wet canopy folded in its bag; mildew sets quickly in enclosed damp fabric. Lay the canopy flat to dry fully before bagging and storing.

Patio heaters

Remove the gas cylinder before storing. Store heaters indoors or under cover when not in use over winter — the burner and regulator degrade faster with repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Inspect and replace the gas hose and regulator annually before the outdoor season starts.

Beer bench sets

The galvanised frame and plastic panels handle outdoor exposure well, but leaving them uncovered over winter accelerates surface wear on the plastic panels and any painted fixings. A tarpaulin or winter cover extends finish life noticeably.

Replacement parts

Expo Direct can advise on replacement rubber feet, plastic glides, chair leg caps and Chiavari seat pads. Parts availability depends on current stock. Contact us with the product SKU and the part you need before ordering, and we will confirm availability and cost.