Patio cushions are a wonderful accessory for your outdoor furniture.
Regardless of what material your lawn furniture is made from, the proper patio cushion can brighten the overall appearance and allow much more freedom in decorating your outdoor area.
Want to celebrate the beginning of spring? Opt for a bright, colorful print for your patio cushion fabric.
Whatever you chose, it's sure to help set your patio or garden area apart as uniquely yours.
After you have decided on the perfect design for your patio cushions, you'll want to make sure that your cushions can survive being outside.
There are many popular fabric options that will hold up to constant exposure from the elements while still being easy to wash and maintain.
Some of the most common fabric choices for patio furniture cushions include Acrylics, Olefin, Vinyl, and Vinyl Polyester.
Acrylic was originally intended for use in awnings and boat covers.
Because of this, acrylic is most likely one of the strongest and most durable fibers available for patio cushions.
To keep your acrylic cushions clean, simply wash with a solution of warm water and mild detergent.
For more stubborn stains, mix 1 cup of bleach with 2 capfuls of natural soap per gallon of water.
Be sure to rinse the cushion thoroughly and then allow it to air dry.
Olefin (also known as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyolefin) is a synthetic weave that is known for its resistance to stains, mildew, abrasions, and fading caused by the sun.
This makes it a well-loved material to have covering patio cushions.
To keep Olefin patio furniture cushions in good condition, just wash them with warm water and a mild detergent.
Make sure not to expose Olefin to bleach or temperatures above 100 degrees as that may damage the fabric.
Vinyl Coated Polyester (also known as Textilene) is a very durable fabric covered with molten vinyl to make it virtually waterproof.
This process also gives it a high resistance to dirt, oils, salt, chemicals, mildews, and sun damage.
If you're not a big cleaning fan, this may be what you want.
To clean patio furniture cushions made of this fabric, wipe with a mild mixture of 1 part bleach, 3 parts water, and just a dash of detergent then follow up with a clear water rinse.
Allow this type of patio cushion to dry completely in open air and sunlight before use.
Regardless of what type of fabric you select for your patio furniture cushions, a little bit of foresight should help keep your patio cushions in great condition and cut down on how often they need to be cleaned.
Many patio cushions are available with ties which will allow you to secure them to your patio furniture and keep them from being blown into the dirt or mud.
With just a tiny bit of prevention and maintenance, your cushions will stay great to look.
The better looking you can keep them through the season, the less time you will have to clean them and the more time you can enjoy relaxing on them!