Can Outdoor Cushions Get Wet?

Waterproof outdoor cushions can get wet without any problem. They are designed for it. The Gardenia range from Homefords, for example, has a fully waterproof finish, so rain and spills sit on the surface and wipe off rather than soaking in.

That answers the immediate question. The longer answer depends on the type of outdoor cushion you have and what happens after it gets wet.

What happens when waterproof cushions get wet

Water beads on the surface of a waterproof outdoor cushion rather than absorbing. After light rain, you can usually wipe the cushion dry with a cloth and it is back in use straight away. After heavier rain, water may collect in seams or folds, and the cushion will need to be tipped to drain and then dried in the sun or breeze for an hour or two before it is properly dry.

The waterproof coating means the inner pad stays dry too, which is the main thing. Cheap outdoor cushions absorb water through the cover, which then sits in the foam or fibre filling for days, and that is where mildew and musty smells come from.

What happens when non-waterproof cushions get wet

Standard fabric outdoor cushions absorb water through the cover into the filling. Drying takes a long time, and during that time the cushion is essentially a damp sponge. If left damp for more than a day or two, mildew starts to grow.

This is why the answer to ‘can outdoor cushions get wet’ matters before you buy them, not after. If you have proper waterproof cushions, getting wet is fine. If you have basic fabric ones, getting wet is a small disaster.

What to do if your cushions do get soaked

For waterproof cushions, tip them up to drain, wipe down with a cloth, and stand them in the sun or a breezy spot. Done.

For non-waterproof cushions, the priority is drying them out as fast as possible to prevent mildew. Bring them indoors if the weather is going to stay wet. Stand them on edge so air can circulate. A fan or dehumidifier speeds things up considerably. Once dry, give them a quick spray with a 1:1 white vinegar and water mix to kill any mildew spores that might be starting to grow.

When even waterproof cushions need protection

Even genuinely waterproof cushions benefit from being brought in or covered during prolonged heavy rain or winter storage. The waterproof coating is durable but not infinite. A single soaking is fine; weeks of exposure to sustained rain, frost and UV light will eventually degrade any outdoor fabric.

In practice, this means leaving them out through a normal British summer is fine, but storing them indoors over winter (or under a sealed cover) is the right call.

Browse the Homefords waterproof outdoor cushion range for cushion covers and seat pads designed to handle British weather.