Outdoor furniture cushions....

[bas71873]

Do you leave them outside all spring/summer long, or you store them inside and drag them out when you want to use them? We are redoing our deck and I'm shopping for new furniture, but have never had anything that had cushions so I'm not sure how to care for them? If left outside, will they always be damp and then get mildewy? Any advice?

 

[MIGrandma]

We used to have that dilema about our cushions, until we bought a deck box to store them in. Keeps them nice and clean until we want to use them. We keep the box right on the deck with the patio furniture and swing, so it only takes a moment to get them out to use.

 

[Janepod]

Ours are the kind that dry quickly and don't fade, so we leave them out all summer (unless, you know, there's a hurricane or something coming.) We store them in the attic for the winter.

 

[bas71873]

Thanks!

 

[hlg22]

I have fairly pricey outdoor cushions (Sunbrella canvas linen from Resto. Hardware). I leave them on the outdoor furniture all summer, but all the furniture gets covered when not in use - they are treated to be "water-resistant", but if caught in a downpour will still take a long time to dry. The cushions get cleaned and stored in large waterproof cushion bags in the garage during the winter. If I had the cheaper more plasticy type of cushions that are more water resistant, I might leave the furniture uncovered more often during the summer, but it's really not much of a hassle to pull the covers on and off.

I made the mistake of not bringing in the cushions on the front porch swing this winter since the porch is covered and they're pretty sheltered, and now I am going to have to try and clean squirrel pee off of them.

If you do store them inside for the winter, make sure to clean them off thoroughly first...I missed a spider egg sac on one once, and when I opened the cushion bag the following spring, there were hundreds of little spiders inside!

 

[bas71873]

I have fairly pricey outdoor cushions (Sunbrella canvas linen from Resto. Hardware). I leave them on the outdoor furniture all summer, but all the furniture gets covered when not in use - they are treated to be "water-resistant", but if caught in a downpour will still take a long time to dry. The cushions get cleaned and stored in large waterproof cushion bags in the garage during the winter. If I had the cheaper more plasticy type of cushions that are more water resistant, I might leave the furniture uncovered more often during the summer, but it's really not much of a hassle to pull the covers on and off.

I made the mistake of not bringing in the cushions on the front porch swing this winter since the porch is covered and they're pretty sheltered, and now I am going to have to try and clean squirrel pee off of them.

If you do store them inside for the winter, make sure to clean them off thoroughly first...I missed a spider egg sac on one once, and when I opened the cushion bag the following spring, there were hundreds of little spiders inside!

Thanks for the tips. Yikes on the spiders!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Do you leave them outside all spring/summer long, or you store them inside and drag them out when you want to use them? We are redoing our deck and I'm shopping for new furniture, but have never had anything that had cushions so I'm not sure how to care for them? If left outside, will they always be damp and then get mildewy? Any advice?

Unless it is under a roof or you store them in a "deck box" like a PP said, don't do it. I got rid of mine last year.

I am in a valley and we have dewy moisture every morning, all year. I needed something that did not absorb moisture.

Bottom line they are cute and comfy but a PITA if you are in a place that is not "arid/dry".

We bought the set in TX and they were great there. Here in MO, not so much.

Happy shopping!!!

 

[hops&dreams]

DH made a hanging shelf in the garage, along the back wall (above where we park the bikes) where we store our cushions. If we're having people over, or we're going out back, we bring the cushions out. It seriously only takes 2 trips. When we're lazy, we just sit on the furniture without cushions.

(my sets are cheapo ones from Walmart. I think we paid $600 for the conversation set of a loveseat and 2 chairs, AND the 6 seat table)
In the winter, the cushions get brought down to the basement, and the chairs and tables get put on the garage wall for winter storage.

This will be their 3rd summer, and they still look brand new!

 

[kimmar067]

Ours are the kind that dry quickly and don't fade, so we leave them out all summer (unless, you know, there's a hurricane or something coming.) We store them in the attic for the winter.

...ours go in the garage during the winter....yes, they do tend to fade and dry out when left out all year...

 

[wiigirl]

We used to have that dilema about our cushions, until we bought a deck box to store them in. Keeps them nice and clean until we want to use them. We keep the box right on the deck with the patio furniture and swing, so it only takes a moment to get them out to use.

Thats what we use too.