Outdoor cushions can be shower-proof, water-resistant, water-repellent, or waterproof depending on their cover and what goes into it, it’s safe to assume garden cushions can’t handle rain showers or downpours so dont take the risk of leaving them out if you want to keep them looking good and get plenty of life and enjoyment from them.
- Shower-proof outdoor cushions can withstand the occasional drizzle or a summer shower, but serious rain will soak them and turn them into a breeding ground for mildew. It may also fade and damage them in time and can leave black mould spots that wont come out.
- Water-resistant outdoor cushions are similar to shower-proof ones in that they can resist brief exposure to light rain. They will need airing or hanging on the line after, or mould may grow on them. You will need to drain the water out of them before placing them in a warm spot to fully dry out before use or storage.
- Water-repellent outdoor cushions have a coating that can keep water at bay. Good quality products will give better water resistance than the shower-proof and water-resistant varieties but don’t expect them to keep looking at their best. They may harbour mould or fungi after continued exposure to rain and require cleaning and drying—the sooner, the better.
- Waterproof outdoor cushions are your best bet if you’re living in a rainy climate or have a seating area very close to a swimming pool. Not all waterproof cushions are the same, though—there can be big differences in quality and durability. Leaving anything out in the rain will ruin it eventually so if in doubt bring it inside or put it in your storage box.
As a rule, cheap outdoor cushions are the least likely to withstand weather damage. Most of the time, they’re not even shower-proof. So, think twice before leaving them out in the rain! it takes seconds to grab the cushions and throws if the rain starts, you might have paid quite a bit for some lovely accessories so dont throw your money away by letting them get wet.