Many new homeowners live under the impression that outdoor furniture cushions are waterproof as they were made for outdoor use. But it’s important to know that water-resistant cushions don’t imply they are waterproof.
They absorb water readily and emit an unpleasant odor, grow mold and mildew, and stain if not dried properly. So you might be wondering how long does it take for outdoor cushions to dry?
Depending on how much water they soaked up from hours to days. If a rainstorm hits and your patio furniture endures a downpour, it could take multiple days to completely dry cushions outside. You can use natural sun and wind, a fan, the car hood, or gel packs to dry the cushions. But it’s best to avoid direct heat.
It can seem very frustrating to deal with soaked cushions. Although you may feel hopeless with the arduous task of drying a wet foam cushion, the process is straightforward to follow.
You need time and patience when looking for a way to dry furniture. So without further ado, let us jump right into drying your patio cushions fast!
Step By Step Process: Drying Your Patio Cushions Fast
If you are still dumbfounded about what to do with your wet cushions, here is a step-by-step guide to follow:
Step 1: Remove Cushions From the Furniture
If you have cushion covers, remove them. Then place the cushions on a dry surface. Take the covers to wash later.
Use a towel to dab excess water from the cushions. Wring the cushions, to the best of your ability, to get rid of moisture.
If the wringing is too harsh, you can try pressing from both sides.
Step 2: Place Cushions In A Suitable Place To Dry
Decide a dry place where your cushions can be left undisturbed. The porch, if dry, can be used. The roof is also great if you can access it.
Do not stack them on top of each other. If even one of the cushions is not adequately dried, it can cause molds in your furniture.
Step 3: Flip Cushions Once In A While
This is necessary so both sides of your cushions can aerate properly. It helps to quicken the drying process as well.
You also get to check up on your cushions from time to time.
Step 4: Don’t Forget To Dry Your Furniture!
You must dry your furniture along with your cushions. Mold and mildew can form if the furniture is not cared for.
Place an electric fan near the furniture, maintaining a safe distance, and let it dry.
Step 5: Be Patient
Even after you have done everything perfectly, it will still take time. So maintain your composure. It’s not the end of the world.
Your cushions will be back to their fluffy, exquisite state.
Drying Patio Cushions: What To Do?
First and foremost, you must ensure that you start drying your cushion as soon as possible. The more you procrastinate after recent rains with wet patio furniture, the worse it will get later.
Here are a few methods you can use to dry patio cushions effectively:
Sunlight And Air Drying
The sun and direct sunlight themselves are the best sources of heat. It is passive, and you will not have to do anything additional.
Just let your wet cushions air dry by sitting in the sun naturally. However, you should ensure that the air is not too humid; otherwise, it will take too long to dry.
When placing the cushions to dry outdoors, try to eliminate as much water from them as possible.
Wring the moisture out of the cushions and flip them now and then. Since it is not something in your control, it can take a few hours to dry.
The sun and wind combination is fabulous, but UV rays are not good for cushion and pillow fabric. If exposed for a long time, it can slowly ruin your cushions.
An Electric Fan
If the weather does not allow you to utilize the sun and wind for drying your cushions, you can speed this up by placing them in front of a fan. It can also help speed up the process and the natural heat.
You can set your cushions in front of a couple of fans inside or outside the house. You need to be aware of both situations.
Check whether your cables are long enough or if there are available outlets to power the fans. If you want to do it in the house, ensure the dripping water does not damage anything else.
Your bathroom can come in handy here. Using dry towels to soak up excess water can simplify your life!
The Scorching Car Hood
This is related to the first suggestion. But in this case, you have a catalyst to dry your cushions even faster. The metal body of your car hood retains the heat of the sun, especially if it is dark in color.
It is very effective as metal attracts the sun more than other materials. But beware of damaging your car’s paint job or the metal body while drying your cushions.
You can use a towel underneath the cushion so it does not come into direct contact. This would help the water evaporate faster out of the cushions.
Dehumidifying Gel Packs
This is the last resort if the techniques mentioned above don’t work out for you or the cushions still feel damp.
Dehumidifying gel packs are pretty much available on the market. All you need to do is place each cushion in a separate bag and seal them with a gel pack. Then place them somewhere dry where they will get some warmth.
This process requires some time. You should check up on them after a few days. If the cushions are still not dry, keep them as is for a few more days.
You can repeat this process as often as necessary until they are completely dry.
Drying Patio Cushions: What Not to Do
There are also some things that you should avoid when drying your cushions. Here are two of the most common mistakes people tend to make that you should avoid.
Letting It Dry On Its Own
Your wet outdoor cushions need to be allowed to dry out completely. The more you wait, the more damage you’re causing to your cushions and furniture.
Not only is it uncomfortable, but it also emits a vile odor. It can potentially cause mold and mildew in your furniture, making it unusable in the future.
Letting the cushions sit and dry on their own is also wrong. If you do not tend to the furniture and the cushions properly, there is a chance that a few wet spots will go unnoticed and cause damage later.
Rainstorms can dirty your furniture. So it is good practice to clean everything. Letting it sit will only decrease its lifespan, and you’ll have to discard it sooner than you want.
Applying Heat Directly
Direct heat causes damage to your cushions. It can even cause severe accidents and fire hazards in adverse situations, especially when made of foam inside.
Heating iron and hair dryers may feel like possible ways to speed up the drying, but none of them are recommended tools to dry your cushions. The heat is too harsh for the furniture cushions and pillows.
You should be cautious about using heating fans when drying your furniture. Ensure cushion fabric is placed at least six inches away to avoid serious accidents and let them dry.
What is the Drying Time for Outdoor Patio Cushions When They Get Wet?
After caring for wet patio cushions, the drying time can vary depending on the material and weather conditions. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a day for outdoor patio cushions to fully dry. To speed up the process, place them in a sunny and well-ventilated area.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you understand more about how long outdoor cushions take to dry and how to do it as quickly as possible.
Whichever process you follow to dry outdoor furniture, it will take you a day or two to get good results.
That said, may you again spend quality time with your patio furniture!