What happens to an outdoor cushion when it’s left out in the rain? Do you need to dry your cushions off, or can you leave them out in the elements for a long time? I’ll answer these questions and more in this article.
Most outdoor cushions are made of water-resistant material, so they can get wet. Always dry them off after they get wet. Never leave them out in the rain for long periods of time. Store them somewhere indoors under a cover, or in an outdoor storage bin.
Be careful not to leave your cushions out for too long. It’s important to properly care for all of your outdoor furniture, but especially your cushions. No one wants mildew or mold! Read on to find out how you need to take care of your outdoor cushions.
Wicker is prone to fading and getting brittle, and could also attract mold and mildew when exposed to moisture for long periods. In recent times, people have opted for synthetic resins instead of wicker because of their incredible durability.
Synthetic resins withstand all weather and require specific care. Another option is Aluminum, which is durable but suffers from rust because of moisture exposure. A protective layer can go a long way to protect it against the effects of rain and increase its durability.
Outdoor cushions need protection from moisture, which can ruin both cushions and furniture. How do you check whether your cushions are safe in the rain, and what is the best way to handle wet outdoor cushions? Read on to find out.
Can Outdoor Cushions Get Wet?
Yes, an outdoor cushion can get wet, but the most important thing is to make sure your cushions get dry afterward. Outdoor cushion fabric is treated in such a manner to make it withstand mildew and moisture.
The challenge does not lie keeping them out of the rain, but in ensuring that the rain does not interfere with the integrity of the materials. So when the outdoor cushions get wet, shake them off and sun-dry them.
The trick is to avoid leaving your cushions wet over a long period of time. That’s because it can lead to the growth of bacteria, resulting in mold and mildew. This also means that you will need to keep your cushion protected and away from bad weather, especially when not in use, including storing them under a shade or covering them.
How to Check if My Outdoor Cushions Can Get Wet?
The best way to check if an outdoor cushion can get wet is to find out its water resistance. This information is a must-have because of the effects of rain, moisture, and humidity on these cushions.
Your choice of which outdoor cushion to buy should be mostly based on its resistance to the elements of inclement weather and ability to withstand warping and rotting. However, you need to be careful. While some materials are not water-resistant, they are treated and dyed to resist some level of moisture.
“Waterproof” means that the fabric is synthetically formulated with tightly-closed cells that make it practically impossible for moisture to pass through. There are also water-repellent fabrics that keep the fabric from absorbing water. Make sure to choose a cushion fabric that can handle exposure to water.
It is also important to consider your cushions bleaching because of UV rays. Look for cushions that have an inbuilt resistance to all weather conditions. All-weather fabric that can resist both UV, water, and microbes is your best bet.
What to do When My Outdoor Cushions Get Wet?
The best thing to do is to avoid water pooling on the cushion. If the cushion is covered, remove the covers and inspect them. Once your cushion gets wet, shake it off and let it dry out. Clean the outdoor cushions to get rid of any pooled water.
Use water-repellent spray. This is a temporary solution, but will also help renew the stylish beauty of the cushion fabrics, especially if you have much upholstery.
Water repellent prevents water from soaking into the fabric and also facilitates evaporation of moisture from the inner part of the fabric. These water repellents provide a crystal coating that helps to reduce the chances of the yard warping or rotting because of moisture.
Get ahead of the weather. If you live in an area with lots of rain, you need to have a plan to protect your outdoor furniture, including the cushions. Get cushion covers or store them under a roof, in a storage box, or under an outdoor umbrella. You can also use sealant where you deem fit.
Will the Rain Ruin My Outdoor Cushions?
Rain will not ruin your outdoor cushions, but it is often wise to seek ways of protecting them. But prolonged exposure to moisture and rain can affect the integrity of the fabrics and could trigger the growth of mold and mildew. Once your cushion gets wet, dry them out or take them indoors when rain is imminent. If you leave in an area with a long rainfall period, you need to develop a long-term cleaning strategy.
Alternatively, you can use outdoor all-weather fabric treated to resist ultraviolet damage, mildew, and moisture effect.
Do Outdoor Cushions Need to be Covered?
This is unnecessary, but it could serve as a good way of protecting the outdoor cushion. You can use the patio umbrella to cover them. The furniture covers you place over your furniture to shield them from rain can also protect them. You will discover many of the covers in the market, whether covers with Velcro closures or those with zippers.
Protecting outdoor cushions with tarps
Tarp has been used extensively to protect outdoor furniture from rain and its effects. There are two ways you can use it. You can either use it alone, or you can simply lay it across the patio furniture and secure the cover with the aid of bricks.
These bricks will prevent the wind from carrying the tarps off to an unknown destination. One good thing about tarps is that you can easily store or bring them when they need to use them arise.
Use Plastic Table Covers
Where furniture covers are not easily accessible, you can opt for plastic table covers. Plastic table covers are great, especially during the warm periods of the year when pool parties become commonplace.
There are trendy plastic table covers with varying patterns you can use to protect your outdoor cushion. The good thing about using plastic table covers is that you can dispose of them any time you wish. This means you’ll worry less about cleaning them when dirt.
Store Away with Patio Furniture
What happens when you aren’t using the outdoor furniture and your outdoor cushions? Be sure to store your outdoor cushions away when they aren’t in use.
There is nothing wrong with keeping them out all year long. The only challenge is that you will have to ensure all-year-round maintenance and protection, especially when you are expecting rain.
The best routine would be to store them away for winter and bring them out in summer or spring. But, of course, preference differs. You just need to figure out what works for you.
