Nothing compares to the feeling of being able to sit outside during the warmer months of the year. Especially if you live in the North East as I do, where it seems like we have six months of winter. When the spring and summer months roll around, basking in the sun outdoors is a dream come true.
If you are lucky, you can bring your patio furniture in during the winter, but not everyone has this luxury. So for some of us, our outdoor cushions have been through rain, sleet, and snow. We all want to protect anything that sees the outdoor regularly.
And nothing stinks more than sitting down outside on your patio furniture, and you feel water soak through your pants. Some cushions seem to take days to dry out entirely, so what is the point of even having them?
But it's actually really simple to waterproof your fabric in several different ways so you can enjoy sitting outside whenever you want.
Covers
First and foremost, it's best to have covers for your outdoor furniture. It will help tremendously in keeping your furniture dry through the winter and even through the summer during harsh weather conditions.
Both Wayfair and Amazon have some great choices on covers, depending on the measurements of your furniture.
But I'm not always home in time to get covers on during a thunderstorm. And I'm also lazy and don't always want to be bothered to cover the furniture up. Full disclosure there!
Waterproofing Sprays
So, another layer of protection is needed-waterproofing sprays. The whole process of using these from start to finish took me less than ten minutes. Obviously, it will depend on how many cushions you are treating.
After a few hours of drying, all of my outdoor cushions were good to go. Any water that did get on them just beaded up and rolled off. The sprays also make cushions easy to clean as you can wipe dirt or pollen off with a damp cloth.
I started by laying all my cushions out on a large piece of cardboard on the patio. I then lightly sprayed the entire surface of all the pillows, holding the can about six inches away.
I just used light sweeping motions to be sure that I was covering the whole surface. You don't need to saturate the fabric; just a light coating will do.
My second coat went on after a few hours, so I did one side at a time, leaving all sides to dry for about four hours. Just make sure it's not going to rain on the day you do it!
My Favorite Waterproofing Products For Outdoor Cushions
Most of these products can be found online or at places like Home Depot. They are made to bond with certain fabrics as they coat your outdoor cushions with a layer of protection.
Some of the sprays work better than others, as some are heat-activated. This creates a stronger bond with the fabric. However, most of these sprays are going to need to be reapplied at least once a year.
Scotchgard Water Shield
Scotchgard Water Shield is a great product. I have used it several times and sprayed it on all of our outdoor cushions, and it's worked well. You will want to make sure you are in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. You will use a lot so be sure to buy enough.
Make sure you cover the entire cushion so that you get maximum protection. I let my cushions dry for several hours after covering them with the spray. When I did a little test, the water just beaded off the surface of the pillows!
The product can be purchased here:
Scotchgard Water Shield
- One coat coverage.
- Maintains fabric breathability.
- Repels moisture during use and in storage.
Thompson's Waterproof Fabric Protector
This is a great product! You can even use it on indoor pillows, and it turns them into outdoor pillows with the snap of your fingers. Thompson's makes your patio cushions fade-resistant and waterproof in one easy step.
Because it's excellent on indoor fabric, I have used it to prevent stains for all those juice boxes the kids carry around. Not to mention cat pee. Gross!
The fabric also remained soft after I used the product on it. So many of these sprays turn your cushions into stiff, crunchy messes, but I did not have this problem.
The product can be purchased here:
Thompson's Waterproof Fabric Protector
- Prevents water damage.
- Repels spills and stains.
- Allows fabric to breathe.
Rustoleum Fabric Shield
This is a fantastic product that repels water but, at the same time, gives the fabric of your cushions space to breathe. The product is clear and will not stain your pillows. It also keeps everything dry without that crunchy feel that I mentioned earlier.
Rustoleum Fabric Shield can be used not only on outdoor furniture but also for shoes, backpacks, camping, or hunting equipment. It works great on canvas, cotton blends, polyester, suede, leather, and more.
One can is good for about 20-60 square feet of fabric. The polymers in the product penetrate the fabric deeply, forming a protective barrier. As with any spray, always wipe down the cushions first to remove any dirt. With this product, you want to wait 24 hours before getting your pillows wet.
It can be found here:
Rustoleum Fabric Shield
- Not for use on interior carpet or upholstery.
- Easy single step trigger spray application.
- Coverage will vary depending on fabric: 20-60 sq. ft.
Starbrite Waterproofing Spray
Starbrite Waterproofing Spray is not only suitable for your outdoor cushions but a myriad of outdoor fabrics. You can use it on boat and car covers, tents, jackets, sail covers, boots, as well as awnings and patio covers.
It will not change the color or feel of the fabric and has incredible breathability. It works well on older cushions as well as brand new ones. In addition to protecting your furniture against water, it will safeguard against the sun's harmful UV rays.
One gallon of the product will cover roughly 465 square feet of fabric. The product requires no dilution and is ready to go at full strength.
The link can be found here:
Starbrite Waterproofing Spray
- It’s easy to use; simply spray the fabric to be restored, and allow it to dry for 6 hours before use.
- Waterproofing is safe for on all marine fabrics, including Sunbrella.
- Coverage may vary slightly depending upon amount of product applied per square foot.
Keep Your Outdoor Cushions Waterproof
Enjoying your outdoor patio furniture should be something you do year after year. And with a good cover or by using these waterproofing sprays, you can help the fabric keep its integrity. Patio furniture can be expensive and so making a small investment to protect it will save you money in the long run.