How to Protect Your Outdoor Cushions
Spring weather can be very unpredictable so I am sharing my best tips for protecting your outdoor cushions!
As I sit here writing this blog post I’m listening to the sound of the rain pouring down. Hard.
Spring is like that around here. Lots of beautiful hot sunny days punctuated with hard rains. You never quite know what to wear so layering is a must.
And you never quite know when it is really safe to bring out the patio cushions.
Our deck is completely open to the elements – it faces south and gets hot, hot sun beating down on it all day long when it’s nice out. And pouring rain and wind when it’s not-so-nice outside.
Which makes the whole upholstered furniture thing a little bit tricky. We tuck our cushions under the roof overhang as much as possible but they still tend to get a lot of exposure to the elements.
So today I have a tip for you about one thing I do to help protect our outdoor deck cushions so that they will last for years (or, at least, for a few seasons), despite all the sun and rain they face.
This is not in any way a sponsored post, I just wanted to share about something that I have found useful for helping to protect my outdoor cushions from both the weather and direct sunlight.
A spray on outdoor fabric seal designed for upholstery that gives extra protection from both the rain and the hot sunshine and UV rays.
Awesome, right?
All you have to do is follow the directions to apply…
Even though most of my couch cushions are already outdoor rated fabric, it helps to have that little extra level of water seal to them.
Our beautiful deck is almost ready for summer, and we have been enjoying it already…
I’m hoping to bring in an extra special couple of pieces this year, and I can’t wait to share them with you when I do…
But for now, it’s a pretty cozy place to hang out when it’s not pouring-down-rain.
We love to hang out here on the deck as a family; sometimes I even get to enjoy a little live music…
Think you might give it a try? Save it to remember it…
Today I’m taking part in the second segment of the Outdoor Extravaganza!
Last week I shared my easy DIY Kitchen Herb Garden in Deck Pots…
And today my friends are sharing some other amazing ideas for Decorating and Entertaining Outdoors…
Amazing projects, right? Head over to check them out!
Country Farmhouse Porch Decor Ideas (with a Boho Twist) by The DIY Mommy
Easy Ways to Give Your Backyard Personality by City Farmhouse
Moss Chandelier Wreath by Craftberry Bush
Flea Market Style Outdoor Table Setting by Satori Design for Living
I may link up at some of these fabulous places below, for more info check out housie parties: Monday Funday , Inspiration Monday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Project Inspire{d} , Inspire Me Tuesday, The Scoop, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Wow Me Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday , From Dream to Reality, The Inspiration Exchange, Wow Us Wednesday, Live Laugh Rowe Live Laugh Linky, Thursdays Are Your Days, Inspire Me Please, Catch as Catch Can, Fabulously Creative Friday, Party Junk, Pinworthy Projects , Link Party Palooza,, Weekend Bloggy Reading, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Spotlight Saturday, Suburbs Mama , That DIY Party
OMG! I love the stuff shared on the blog. Thanks for this blog and I will be looking forward to a similar post in the future.
Hi Krista! I’m DEFINITELY going to be checking out this product, but I have a few questions:
1. Do you do anything else to protect your furniture? Like bring them inside or cover them in certain weather conditions?
2. Do you have problems with storms leaving a bunch of dirt and debris on your cushions?
Now for my gripey explanation:
We just bought a house last year and I got some outdoor furniture on sale during the fall. It’s the first time I’ve ever had to deal with keeping my patio user-friendly and it is such.a.pain. The thing is, my parents and my in-laws all lived out in the woods when my husband and I were growing up. Neither of us remembers our mothers ever slaving to keep their outdoor furniture clean. But mine is NASTY no matter how often I clean it. I sprayed it with something I got at Walmart to protect from moisture (though I don’t think it was good enough). The furniture has become grimy, has a lot of black spots from dirt no matter how much I clean it (the cushions were originally red), and now one cushion has a huge hole in it (I half suspect and animal has made its nest in there…. Honestly, I’m afraid to look).
My mother recommended covering them, but covers are so expensive and won’t keep animals out. Is there anything else you do to your furniture? Am I cursed, or just not doing it right? I’d love to be able to have coffee on my patio in the mornings, but the furniture is so gross I can’t sit on it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Hi Chelsey! That sounds like quite an issue. Not knowing where you live, it sounds like maybe you have a lot of moisture and/or shade in your area that cause it to get grimy or mouldy? Some fabrics that I’ve had seem to stay clean outside better then others – so perhaps it is the fabric that your cushions are made from, as well. Have you thought about getting a deck box? Lots of big box stores carry them for outdoors – in plastic or wood – and you can store your patio cushions in them overnight or when you see bad weather is coming? We tuck ours under the overhang of our deck much of the time to keep them out of the rain. Best of luck on your quest!
Thanks, Krista! I don’t have room for a deck box. But I think you might be right about the fabric. The chairs do OK, but the fabric has an almost vinyl feeling to it. Whereas the sofa has this porous, cotton-y fabric on it and it’s terrible. I live in Atlanta, so it definitely gets humid! 😛 Thanks for the help!
Great tip! We have a big outdoor trunk we keep our pillows in, but something to protect the larger lounger cushions would be good. Going to give this a whirl. Your deck looks so pretty btw!
A trunk sounds like a good plan too- we don’t have one (or room for one, really). Thanks Shauna!
oh awesome! i need to get that!
Thanks Cassie! It helps… 🙂