Is it wise to leave the cushions out in the open in the rain? (2023)

We invest in our outdoor furniture and expect it to look stylish and stand the test of time. Our patio or backyard is where we can get together with others, or just put our feet up to relax.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that our outdoor furniture is clean, comfortable and stylish. Choosing the right cushions and pillows makes a big difference in this regard.

Maintaining the quality of our outdoor furniture also includes taking care of our cushions. You may have a lot of questions about how to maintain your outdoor pads.

But, one of the most common questions is “can you leave the pads outside in the rain?” In this article you will find a detailed answer to your question.

Let's begin!

Can you leave the pads outside in the rain?

It's fine to leave your cushions outside in drizzle or light rain. However, it is not recommended to expose them to large amounts of water, especially without drying them afterwards.

The reason for this is that humidity creates the perfect environment formold and fungus growth, which can ruin your pads.

Even though its outer pads are waterproof, they still aren't fully waterproof. They can still get wet and retain moisture.

Also, during heavy rains, water can mix with dirt and other elements. In this case, it will not only be a matter of getting wet, but the pillows can also get dirty and stained.

How to Dry a Wet Sofa Cushion Quickly

Let's be honest, we're not always on top of all our household chores, including taking care of our outdoor furniture.

So while we often do everything we can to protect our outdoor cushions, there comes a time when we forget to cover them up or bring them inside during storms.

In this case, it is essential to ensure that the cushions are completely dry if we really want them to maintain their quality over time.

Here are some tips on how to quickly dry a wet sofa cushion:

Expose them to sunlight

The best way to dry pillows outdoors is to place them in an area with plenty of sunlight. Not only will this dry them out completely, but it can also get rid of any musty or musty odors that have already built up.

If possible, try to wring them out with your hands to get as much water out as possible. Check the weather to make sure it doesn't rain while you try to dry them.

Don't forget to turn the pillows frequently to ensure all sides are dry.

If you are going to dry them on a hot, sunny day, it shouldn't take long for them to be completely dry. On the other hand, they can take a few days to dry completely on the coldest days.

A pro tip for you here is to put your pads on their side. This helps drain the water faster than laying the pads flat.

Use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner

A wet/dry utility vacuumit can help speed up the drying process of your pads. You can also use a portable vaporizer as an alternative.

Unlike previous methods, this method requires some labor time to dry the pads.

You can use the vacuum cleaner or steamer first to extract excess water. You can then clean any stains with mild soap and rinse with clean water.

For tough stains, try going with the vacuum or steamer again. So not only are you drying your pads, you are also deep cleaning them.

Increase Air Circulation

Find an area with the best air circulation. If you are drying them outdoors, be sure to place them in a dry, well-ventilated area.

However, if you can bring them inside, you have two options for increasing air circulation in a room to speed up the drying process.

First, you can place the pads in a room with an open window for fresh air. If you have a room with two opposite windows, open one fully and leave the other slightly open.

This creates a strong crosswind to speed up the drying process of the pads. Note that this method is weather dependent.

So if the weather doesn't help, you can use fans to create the air circulation we need. Placing your pillows under a ceiling fan is best in this case.

A standing or table fan can also do the job. But be sure to direct it towards the pads. If you have two fans, place one on either side of the pads for stronger crosswind.

wash your pillows

We know this can seem counterproductive as we are talking about how to dry pillows. But washing them in the washing machine will clean them and squeeze out excess water.

This will help speed up the drying process, as well as clear the pads of any stains or unwanted bacterial growth. Using laundry detergent works well in this situation.

After washing the pads, you can let them dry in a well-ventilated area or in direct sunlight.

Do not attempt to dry your pillows in the dryer. It will definitely dry your pillows quickly, but it will also damage them.

How to protect outdoor cushions from rain

It is always better to be safe than sorry. Rather than leaving your outer pads out in the rain until they are soaked through, it's best to be prepared from the start.

There are several things you can do to protect your outdoor pads from the rain:

keep them inside

The easiest and cheapest way to protect your outdoor pads from the rain is to store them indoors.

If you already know that rain or even frost is coming, take a few minutes of your time and take them indoors.

Yes, your outdoor furniture will run out of cushions. But probably no one will sit on them when it's raining outside. When the weather is clear again, you can bring them back.

It is recommended to store the outer pads indoors during the winter. This is most crucial, especially if you live in an area with frequent threats of rain and snow during the winter season.

However, you need to choose a suitable place to store your outdoor pads indoors. Air-conditioned spaces are best for this purpose, to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria.

Avoid storing them in your garage, as it is generally not well ventilated. It can be humid in there, making the conditions perfect for mold to grow.

Use patio furniture covers

A patio furniture cover is a good way to protect your outdoor cushions from the elements such as rain, frost and even UV rays.

This option is great for everyone, especially those who don't have enough space at home to store their outdoor cushions.

Outdoor furniture covers come in various types and sizes. It is important to first measure your patio furniture before making a purchase. You don't want to end up with the wrong deck size.

In addition, we recommend getting a waterproof case that is also UV resistant. The waterproof feature will help keep your pads dry during storms without tearing or leaking.

The UV resistant feature increases the cover's durability so it can withstand exposure to sunlight without fraying.

Just be sure to remove the lid every now and then to drain the water and maybe even clean it. They can also accumulate moisture over time, which encourages the growth of mold and bacteria.

Unfortunately, many of these skins have a limited lifespan. After several seasons, they can develop tears, which will require replacement.

Store them in waterproof cases

Another option for protecting your outdoor pads from rain and other inclement weather is to store them in cover boxes. These boxes can be installed next to your garden furniture.

Do not worry; there are a lot of deck boxes out there. You will be able to find one that looks stylish next to your outdoor furniture.

This way, you can easily store your pads in the deck box without lugging them indoors or worrying about them getting wet in the rain.

However, when looking for a suitable deck box, it is important to look for one that is waterproof. From the beginning, our main goal has been to protect our outdoor pads from the rain.

Also, make sure it can be easily blocked without allowing water to penetrate.

apply waterproof spray

Waterproof sprays can increase the water resistance of your pads, but their name is a bit misleading. Waterproof sprays do not make them completely waterproof.

It's best to use them to protect your outdoor cushions from morning dew or light rain. Keep in mind that waterproof sprays can slightly darken the color of the outer pads, as well as make them brighter.

Fabric protectant sprays like this one aren't magic, but they help protect your throw pillows. Plus, they also double as stain-resistant sprays, which is even more useful.

Place patio furniture under an awning

Simply placing patio furniture under an awning, gazebo or other covered structure is also a good way to keep cushions out of the rain.

While it's inevitable that the furniture will still be exposed to the rain, the roof should help keep the furniture from getting completely soaked.

While rain protection is good, the biggest benefit is that you'll also get shade while relaxing on these dry pads.

takeaway final

Now you know that leaving your outdoor pads out in the rain is not ideal. However, you can always reduce the consequences of this error by properly drying them, as we mentioned above.

We recommend protecting your pads from the rain early on rather than leaving them soaking wet. This will save you a lot of time trying to clean and dry your pads.

In addition to rain, there are also benefits todo not leave patio cushions overnightthat you might want to consider.

Happy (dry) rest!