Your patio furniture can become the ideal spot for family reunions with new back and seat cushions that provide ultimate comfort. Choose from our wide range of fabric materials designed to withstand sun, rain, or both!
Clean your patio chair cushions regularly to prevent mold growth. Most can be washed down with water and dish soap for quick and easy clean-up.
Choose the Right Size
When ordering new patio chair cushions, it’s essential that measurements are precise. Even slight discrepancies between measurements recorded can make cushions appear unfit or slip off the furniture, diminishing their effectiveness as outdoor seating options. Beyond size considerations, choosing materials will have an immense effect on how enjoyable outdoor sitting experiences become.
Quality cushions are an integral component of any patio furniture set. Not only will they help shield against cold and harsh sunlight rays, they create a welcoming place to sit and unwind – the right fabric, color and shape will help you craft an outdoor space which can be enjoyed for years.
Measuring for new cushions may seem daunting, especially if the old ones have become disfigured over time and no longer fit appropriately. Use a rigid tape measure to measure the width, height and depth of the seat area before writing down these measurements for future reference.
Selecting an appropriate back cushion size is of utmost importance, since they must fit atop of the chair frame without protrusions. To prevent this, subtract your desired seat cushion’s thickness from its height: for instance if your cushion measures 18 inches high then record it as 14 inches.
Outdoor chair cushions that stand the test of time and remain fashionable are those made from weatherproof materials, including solution-dyed acrylic, woven vinyl and polyester – with foam being another great lightweight but long-term option that also holds its shape well. Cotton canvas cushions may also work, though these may not be as resistant to moisture or mildew as some other options.
Fabrics
When selecting fabric for outdoor cushions, many factors should be taken into account: cost, climate and comfort are just some of the considerations that need to be addressed. Often the ultimate decision comes down to what kind of weather a cushion fabric can withstand.
Weather-resistant fabrics for seat and back cushions are plentiful. Options for vinyl, duck cloth (a canvas-like material prone to mildew and fading), textileene fabric with its blend of woven polyester covered in PVC and solution-dyed acrylic–more commonly known as Sunbrella fabric–are all great choices, while it breass well, making it the ideal option during those hot summer days.
As you select fabric for your patio furniture and home’s color scheme, take into account what will best complement it. If you have chairs that already feature vibrant hues, using something light neutral such as white could help keep things looking current.
Once you have chosen your fabric, lay it out on a flat surface such as a dining room table or floor with its wrong side facing upward. Here is where you’ll plan how to arrange and place your pattern pieces. For directional patterns such as stripes, plaid or checks it may be beneficial to pin each piece first in order to see how they’ll fit together before sewing – graph paper may help with visualizing how the pattern will fall as well. Once all pattern pieces have been pinned it’s time to start cutting your fabric pieces
Materials
Material selection for chair cushions is key to both their comfort and longevity of furniture, with many manufacturers opting for materials resistant to moisture and fading to extend product lifespan.
As an example, spun polyester fabric is often chosen for outdoor cushions due to its affordability and wide array of patterns. Unfortunately, however, it is prone to stretching over time, leading to lumpy lumps to appear over time and creating static electricity, leading to pet hair sticking to its fibers and potentially leading to staining as a result.
Olefin is another durable material suitable for outdoor seating and lounge cushions that is water-resistant and dyeable to any hue, making it the ideal material to resist rainwater or pool water while quickly drying and resisting mildew growth. This makes olefin an excellent option to consider for long-lasting seating that needs to be kept wet from time to time – perfect for patio and pool deck furniture where frequent soaking occurs! Additionally, its rapid drying times ensure it doesn’t become moldy easily!
Other popular fills for seat cushion fills include foam, polyester fill, and Dacron wrap. Foam fills are an excellent way to replicate the feeling of luxurious indoor furniture as they’re resilient and hold their shape well; soft polyester fill can wear down faster; while Dacron wrap provides durability combined with soft comfort.
While it is possible to re-cover existing chair cushions with new fabric, for optimal results it is wiser to purchase outdoor furniture cushion fabrics specifically tailored for the climate where you reside. This will ensure the fabric can withstand UV rays, rain and heat – lowering risks of premature fading or deterioration due to early exposure – like All-Weather Spun Polyester fabric as well as Sunbrella(r) or Outdura(r) solution-dyed acrylic fabrics such as Sunbrella(r).
Cleaning
No one likes sitting on an uninviting-looking chair cushion caked with pollen, dirt and dust. Vacuuming helps, but its suction may not reach deep crevices of fabric where mold or mildew has formed. Therefore, regularly clean your cushions whenever they appear dirty to keep them looking inviting for guests.
If your outdoor cushions are particularly filthy, try soaking them first to loosen any dirt accumulated between seams and creases. Create a solution of quarter cup mild dish soap mixed with one gallon of water and soak the cushions. Next use a soft-bristle brush to scrub at any visible areas of soiling before rinsing thoroughly with clean water. For machine-washable cushions follow their care label instructions before air drying on a sunny day in a well ventilated space.
Alternately, a pressure washer can also be used to scrub and rinse cushions. Be sure to use a low-pressure nozzle so as to not damage fabric; test any cleaning solutions such as bleach first (follow manufacturer’s directions). For extra thorough cleaning solutions use oxygen-based cleaners like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover in order to scour deep dirt from cushions.
Before cleaning, lay a plastic tarp on your lawn or patio to create a clean work area. Remove fabric from frames, spray cleaning solution on cushions using a low-pressure garden hose with low pressure (not high-pressure which could damage fibers), wait 15 minutes, use a soft bristled brush to scrub into fabric then use plenty of water to rinse until all soap residues have been washed away from fabric and rinse with plenty of fresh water until no soap residue remains in fabric or on fabric surfaces.
Storage
Outdoor cushions require proper storage to remain safe and in great condition for years. Storing them properly means prolonging their lifespan by properly cleaning and wrapping each pillow before placing in a dry location that keeps out mildew spores; with such care taken they could last many more seasons!
Those with enough space may benefit from purchasing a storage bench to protect and organize their chair cushion in an accessible place. They’re designed with plenty of seating space as well as room for cushion storage. For those with limited room, cushion storage boxes provide another secure alternative that protect your cushions against bugs, pests, mold and mildew while not in use.
Waterproof cushion storage bags are an excellent option for those with limited extra space, as these seal-tight bags are specially made to fit your pillows securely inside them while remaining lightweight enough for easy transport. Wooden storage options also exist and make for attractive yet long-term solutions; some even boast barrel shapes reminiscent of patio furniture styles.
Your shed or garage can make for the ideal place to store patio chair cushions during winter or any other times when they won’t be used. Take precautions against moisture damage as this could cause mildew growth that attracts pests; using covers may help alleviate this issue; just make sure that each cover fits securely over each cushion to prevent gaps from developing.