Patio Cushions: How To Care For Them When They Get Wet

Patios are an excellent place to spend your mornings or afternoons outside for fresh air. So you finally make it comfortable and add some cushions.

Yet, the next thing you know, it starts to rain, soaking your beautiful cushions! How can you protect your cushions?

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How can you care for them when they get wet? Let’s dig into what to do if patio cushions get wet.

Patio furniture is water resistant, but the cushions are definitely not waterproof. You can care for wet patio cushions by removing them from the area, squeezing out excess water, and standing them up to dry in a well-ventilated area.

You can also wash them to prevent the growth of mildew and mold. Keep reading to learn more about caring for your patio cushions and protecting them from water damage.

Remove The Cushions and The Covers

If your cushions are sopping wet, then you need to dry them immediately! Letting the water makes the perfect breeding ground for mold and other bacteria that can damage your patio furniture.

To begin, remove the cushions and place them in a dry area. Some patio cushions will have a removable cover closed with a zipper. Unzip it and remove the cover.

If your cushion does not have a zipper, then you need to care for the entire cushion by taking it out of the rain and into a dry place.

Squeeze Out Excess Water

Once you have removed your cushions and their covers, wring out excess water. Take the cover in both hands and twist it in opposite directions over a sink or in an area that can catch the excess water.

If you do not have cushions, then you will need to squeeze the entire cushion to drain water and prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

You can wring out your cushions by:

• Twisting cushions in opposite directions
• Placing the cushion on a flat surface and rolling them tightly
• Placing a towel on each cushion and applying direct pressure

Applying any sort of pressure will push and squeeze out any remaining water from the covers and cushions.

Lay Them Out to Dry

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Squeeze as much water from your cushions as possible, and then lay them flat to dry. You will want your cushions to dry fast, so you need to find the best area to place them.

Here are a few recommendations from other homeowners:

• Place cushions flat in the sun
• Place cushions flat on a dry surface and aim a fan at them
• Place cushions on their sides and aim a fan at them.
• Place cushions on your car hood on a sunny day
• Use gel packs as a dehumidifier

Whether your place your cushions outdoors to dry naturally, or use a fan, it is important that you place them in a well-ventilated, warm area to prevent humidity and moisture from penetrating your patio cushions even more.

Flip The Cushions

Once you place your cushions to dry, it is important to flip or turn them every half hour, especially if you place them in the sun.

Sunlight has great drying power but can leave sun damage if they are left out too long. Flip each cushion every half hour to ensure they dry equally.

Place Cushions Back on Your Patio

Once your cushions are entirely dry, you can place them on the patio again. However, if they have watermarks, then you may need to wash them with soap and water and repeat the drying process.

Once you finish, it is important to care for the cushions afterward and be prepared for any rainy weather that may happen in the future.

You can do this by purchasing patio furniture covers, storing your cushions when not in use, and cleaning your cushions regularly.

How Do I Protect and Care for My Patio Cushions?

Patio cushions are easy to care for and should last a long time due to their water-resistant capabilities.

You can also make them last longer by protecting them from severe weather with patio covers or storing them in your garage or looking to patio covers to help make them as waterproof as possible when not in use.

Use Patio Furniture Covers

Patio covers are an excellent way to protect your furniture and prolong your patio cushion life.

These should be used whenever you expect wet weather, or to make it even easier, only remove the covers when needed.

Covers can be purchased on Amazon, or in any patio furniture store, but be sure to look for the following features for the most protection.

• Waterproof binding seam
• Stain resistance
• UV resistance
• Acrylic or Polyester fabric

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Keeping your cushions covered will prevent any water or sun damage and makes your furniture last longer.

Remove and Store Cushions

If you are unable to buy a cover for your furniture or cushions, then you can remove them and store them in a waterproof are like a garage whenever they are not in use.

Your storage container should be waterproof and have a strong seal. It doesn’t need to be expensive!

You can use the following budget-friendly options to store your cushions.

• Waterproof storage bags
• Plastic storage totes
• Garage storage shelves
• Sheds
• Outdoor storage benches

Anything that keeps water out is a great place to store your cushions to keep them free of moisture, bugs, mold, and mildew.

Wash And Dry Cushions Regularly

The last and final step of caring for your patio cushions is to wash and dry them regularly, especially after they get wet.

If you can remove your cushion cover, then it should be machine washable. Then, use a bristle brush to scrub the cushion with soap and water.

Once your cushion is thoroughly clean, you can place it to dry outside or aim a fan at it. Remember, to flip it every so often so that it dries evenly.

Cleaning your cushions regularly will make them last longer and will prevent any water stains or sun damage.

Final Thoughts on What To Do If Patio Cushions Get Wet

Patio cushions will often get wet due to unexpected weather, but they are easy to clean, and their life expectancy can be extended with just a few easy steps.

If your cushions get wet, make sure to squeeze out the water immediately and place them in a safe, warm place to dry.

Then, make sure to protect them from any other unexpected whether by using covers or placing them in storage.

It doesn’t hurt to be prepared, so unless you’re using them, be sure to keep them in a dry place and your cushions will be good as new!

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor