Can Outdoor Furniture Get Wet? [Find Out]

Outdoor furniture is a great way to enhance your living space, especially the backyard, patio, or porch. They are hot spots for hosting dinners, tea parties, or group discussions during spring or summer. The advance in technology has also upgraded their styles, colors, fabric, and material so that they can be personalized. However, they still require great care and maintenance, which is why most homeowners want to know can their outdoor furniture get wet?

Generally, manufacturers make some of them water-resistant while some are waterproof. This means that they can get wet, but if the wetness is consistent, it can make them vulnerable to damage, or wear and tear over time, especially if they don’t have proper care or are constantly left uncovered.

Owning outdoor furniture requires a lot of education on care, maintenance, do’s, and don’ts if you want your furniture to last and serve you for years to come. This article aims to explain everything you can do to ensure that your outdoor furniture is always in tiptop condition by providing answers to the questions below:

Check Out: How to care for and maintain your outdoor furniture.

Can Outdoor Furniture Get Rained On?

Yes, they can, but it isn’t advisable to let this happen frequently. Manufacturers design outdoor furniture to be weatherproof or water-resistant, so it is okay for them to get wet. But regardless of any remarkable water-resistant powers, they don’t change the fact that it is crucial to cover them once you notice the changes in the weather. 

Although outdoor furniture is made, of course, for outdoors, they are made with materials that still make them susceptible to damage. Since it might not always be possible to take your furniture indoors all the time during the rainy season, investing in durable and long-lasting coverings is a full preemptive measure to take.

Apart from the rain, they protect your furniture from the sun, atmosphere, dirt, bird poops, and more. There are a few features to look out for when buying coverings.

• Water-Resistant

Waterproofing isn’t entirely a good idea for the fabric as it can later be the cause of mold or mildew because it’s not breathable. Water-resistant, on the other hand, works all the time.

• UV Protection

Sunlight is the chief silent secret enemy of outdoor furniture. Ensure you investigate whether or not the coverings you buy have this feature.

• Fitting Size

The coverings should fit your furniture to perfection. You don’t want something too small or too large. Most outdoor furniture comes with protective covers these days, so it’s a good idea to ask your manufacturer for yours at the point of purchase.

• Tie downs

These drawstrings secure your furniture firmly, especially when there are strong winds.

• Breathable Vents

Your furniture needs to be able to breathe even when encased within a covering to prevent mold and mildew accumulation.

 

Can You Leave Outdoor Cushions Overnight?

Mild weather conditions and short timeframes are deemed safe for overnight stays. But it’s crucial to understand that morning dew regularly isn’t good for your outdoor furniture in the long run.

Of course, if you have protective water-resistant covers and minimal morning dew, you probably won’t have to deal with damage for a long time. But for safety purposes, it is best to have a storage space for outdoor furniture that is safe, dry, and temperature controlled.

Outdoor furniture is designed to be relatively durable and weather resistant. And although they were made purposely to be used outside, it doesn’t mean they have to be out all the time, especially if they are unprotected or without regular cleaning.

So you might think all is well and good until you begin dealing with smelly, moldy, or bug-filled cushion seats. Here is how to clean your outdoor cushions of mold and mildew properly.

Most cushions and covers are designed to hold up whenever there’s a little rainfall. But it is unwise to let them sit outside repeatedly during heavy rain. They need a clean break from heavy rainstorms. And if you weren’t fortunate enough to bring them in or store them indoors, wash and dry them out as soon as possible.

Outdoor Furniture That Can Be Left Outside

Yes, there are certain outdoor furniture you can leave outside in all weather conditions – snowstorms, hail, sunlight, rainfall, springtime, etc.

The impressive ability of these types of furniture to withstand harsh weather elements is powered by diligent upkeep at maintenance and the types of materials used to make them. Here are a couple of furniture types you can leave outside:

• Aluminum Furniture
• Synthetic Rattan
• Stone Furniture
• Plastic Furniture
• Treated wood furniture

Related: The most comfortable outdoor furniture for outdoor living space

• Aluminum Furniture

Aluminum has a way of reacting to atmospheric oxygen to form a coating of aluminum oxide that acts as a protective shield from rust and deterioration. This is why it is mainly found outdoors. Unlike other furniture types, water from ice and rain cannot corrode aluminum furniture.

The aluminum oxide coating also serves as a protective measure against dangerous UV radiation responsible for degradation. Check out our list of the best cast aluminum patio furniture for your outdoor space. 

Furthermore, it is easy to clean. Use a soft cloth and warm water on your cleaning schedules, and you are good. It is lightweight, which means you can easily move it around, but it also means that it is very much vulnerable to strong winds and so must always be secured.

Check Out: How to touch up aluminum furniture

• Synthetic Rattan

Natural and synthetic rattan pieces of furniture are used widely to formulate furniture. Yet there is a world of difference between them. Natural rattan is best used to make indoor furniture because it needs a lot of maintenance.

On the other hand, synthetic rattan is more robust and more durable. It is made from resin and plastic, making it waterproof resistant. These properties make it impossible to suffer from ice and rainwater corrosion or heat degradation.

As a result, it has no business with moss growth or frost damage, and it can handle any weather condition and still be long-lasting and durable.

• Stone Furniture

There are different kinds of stone furniture. But the one that is built to last is natural stone. It has slow degradation, and damages are never instantaneous, even when subjected to harsh weather. Therefore it can be a long-term outdoor furniture solution for your backyard. 

It requires very little in terms of maintenance. Not all stone furniture is strong, though. Some of them have cracks that let in moisture that, over time, can lead to degradation. In addition, long-term exposure to certain harsh weather conditions can damage some kinds of stone furniture but not natural stone.

• Plastic Furniture

Plastic can handle most weather conditions satisfactorily. However, if you live with extreme temperatures, it is probably best to keep them indoors. Extremely low temperatures can cause the plastic to become brittle and break. Extremely high temperatures can make plastic fade as time goes on. 

However, if you don’t reside in an area with extreme temperatures, plastic is a good bet because it is not susceptible to rust, rot, degradation, or fading. All you need to do is clean them properly and maintain them well, and they will serve you for an extended period.

• Treated Wood Furniture

Wood has been found to last for decades. However, if you want your wood to serve you and your unborn generation, you need to be selective about the timber you use for outdoor furniture. Check out how to treat untreated wood for outdoor use. 

Most carpenters prefer teak hardwood because it contains protective properties that prevent rotting. Other kinds of hardwood include oak, mahogany, Acacia, and elm. Softwood like pine and spruce do not tend to last as long. 

Wood is strong and durable enough to last for more than half a century outdoors if it is diligently maintained.

Can Outdoor Furniture Cushions Get Wet?

Plush beautiful cushions are great for enhancing outdoor living space. They add style, comfort, personality, and an aesthetically pleasing vibe to your outdoor space. Developments in waterproofing and fabric technology give outdoor cushions the wherewithal to withstand harsh outdoor elements. However, this doesn’t mean it is acceptable for them to always get wet. 

When you buy your outdoor cushions labeled shower resistant, water repellent, waterproof or water-resistant, they can only withstand or ensure to a certain degree. This doesn’t in any way imply total immunity from weather conditions. Therefore they must not be made to undergo anything beyond what they have been manufactured for.

What to do if outdoor cushions get wet?

It has already been established that even though outdoor cushions are water-resistant, this doesn’t imply full-time waterproof. If they stay wet for too long, you might have to wage long-standing battles with mold, mildew, and other bacteria.

These days, tons of cushions are made immune to mildew and mold, but it doesn’t mean you won’t care for them when wet. So with all that said, how do you care for your outdoor cushions when they are wet?

What do you do?

You start by stripping away your cushions from the furniture and putting them in place to dry. Indoors, putting them close to a fan will do. Outdoors, air-drying them under the sun will do. Always make sure to turn them over so that both sides can get dry quickly.

If the cushion was affected by a rainstorm, you must wash it with mild soap and water. Fabric soap is better, especially if the cushion has absorbed undesirable odors. Fabric soap can permeate the material and get it leached of all odors or potential mildew. Once they are scrubbed, dry them in the sun or beside your fan, and then you can place them back on your furniture once they are dried up. Check out how to clean outdoor cushions naturally. 

It is best to be more enlightened about the weather for future purposes. For example, you might have other activities or plans and might not be there for your cushions when a thunderstorm or rainstorm hits. So it is better to know the weather ahead so you can always be prepared.

How to dry wet patio cushions

It might have happened that lawn sprinklers made a splash on your fine cushions. Someone spilled a drink, or you were out of town when a rainstorm hit, and your coverings proved insufficient. So how do you get your cushions dry fast?

Check out: how to clean leather sofa and make it new again

• Wash

Washing might seem like the last counterintuitive idea, but it is the best thing to do first. Washing with fabric soap removes odors, mildew, mold, or pollutants that might have soaked themselves into the cushion. Wash with a mild sponge and warm water.

• Wring Out

Squeeze and wring out the cushion properly in your bathtub. Patio cushions are made of foam-like sponges but tend to reabsorb water. So wring appropriately in your bathroom to prevent water from staying in the cushion. Let all the grime from the cushion flow down the tub drain and use absorbent towels to squeeze correctly. Afterward, leave it to dry. 

• Drying Out

Air drying is one easy method if you reside in a warm, humid area. If, however, you live in a cold, wet place, your cushion will take a long time to dry. For cold spots, steam cleaning is the best bet. Steam cleaning gives you the prerequisite heat to completely dry out the cushion properly. Run the steam cleaning machine over the pillows as many times as possible. Make sure to target the wettest areas with the heat.

Never put your patio cushions in a dryer unless you want to destroy the interior foam. Air drying or steam cleaning is the proper process of washing and wringing out.

How long does it take for outdoor cushions to dry?

They’ll dry out between two to three hours in the sun or dry air. The fastest way to dry them out is through steam cleaning because you are using a machine, and machines are designed to make things easier and quicker. It is not recommended that rainwater dries up in your cushion. 

Extended rainwater stay can cause mildew or odors, so it is best to get the effects out by washing immediately and leaving it to dry afterward for two or three hours. Often drying out a cushion completely requires patience. However, there’s no hurry as long as all you want is to have it in good condition.

Can Outdoor Pillows Get Wet?

Yes, outdoor pillows can get wet even with advanced water-resistant technology. They can get soaked through the rain, water sprinklers, or water accidents if they are covered in weather-resistant fabric, such as sunbrella. The best thing to do when they are wet is to wash them immediately and leave them to dry.

It is also not advisable for them to get wet consistently. This can lead to the harboring of bacteria, mildew, or other undesirable things lurking beneath the cushion and diminishing its lifespan.

How To Protect Outdoor Furniture From The Rain

Rains are always imminent, so four ways to protect your cushions are here.

• Plan Ahead

Stay on top of weather trends all the time. Cover up your furniture or move it into a storage shed whenever a torrential downpour is imminent. 

• Use Water Repellent

They will prevent your furniture from being soaked in the rain, sprinklers, or spills. They are very easy to utilize and evaporate all the adverse side effects of moisture. Also, they can give crystal-clear coatings without damaging the fabric.

• Covering and Cleaning

Cleaning your furniture is always of utmost importance. If you leave your furniture out every day without a regular cleaning schedule, it won’t last. Furniture cleaning should always be dependent on the type of furniture used. All furniture has distinctive ways of being cleaned. Covering is a necessary imperative every time you step out.

• Use Water Preservatives

If you live in a cold or rainy area, you can look into the application of water sealants for your outdoor furniture. To know the best kind of water sealant to buy, ensure that it meets or exceeds federal specifications, prevents all types of water damage, and doesn’t change the look of your furniture.

Conclusion

A bright admirable outdoor space is every homeowner’s dream. It doesn’t, however, come without a price though. And the price is diligent maintenance, vigilance, and commitment to consistent and coordinated care.

Now that you have your answer to your question, can outdoor furniture get wet? You can keep your furniture safe, lasting, and far from ruin. Rainwater, storms, dirt, mildew, bacteria, stains, or pollutants do not have to cut short the life of your cushions or furniture. With furniture, care is ultimately king.