How to Store Cushions for Outdoor Furniture?

Store outdoor cushions completely dry, in a ventilated space, standing upright rather than stacked flat, and off the ground. A garden storage box, a bench with a lift up seat, a shed shelf or a breathable storage bag all work. What ruins cushions is not cold but trapped moisture, so the single most important step is making sure they are fully dry before they go away, and that air can still circulate once they are packed.

In the UK the risk period is not deep winter but the mild damp weeks either side of it. Temperatures around eight to twelve degrees with high humidity are ideal conditions for mildew, and cushions sealed in a plastic bag in September will often be spotted by November. Ventilation solves this more reliably than any waterproofing.

Dry Them Properly First

Cushions hold water in three places: the outer fabric, the seams, and the foam core. Surface fabric dries within an hour on a breezy day, but foam can stay damp for days. Press firmly on the centre of a cushion after it feels dry; if any dampness appears at the surface, it is not ready.

Speed the process by standing cushions on edge in a sheltered, airy spot rather than laying them flat. Turning them once or twice helps. If the weather will not cooperate, bring them indoors and stand them against a wall in a room with reasonable airflow for a day or two. Avoid drying them directly on a radiator, since concentrated heat can distort foam and shrink covers.

Give them a quick clean at the same time. Brush off loose debris, then wipe covers with a mild soap solution and rinse. Removable covers can often be machine washed cool, though check the label. Storing cushions with sun cream, pollen or food residue on them leads to staining that becomes permanent over months.

Choose the Right Storage Location

The best option is somewhere dry, ventilated and stable in temperature. In order of preference: inside the house, a dry garage, a well ventilated shed, a purpose made garden storage box, then a breathable cover on the furniture itself.

Indoor storage is ideal but rarely practical for a full set. A loft is acceptable if it is dry, though temperature swings can be extreme. A garage works well provided the floor is not damp and the cushions sit on a shelf or pallet rather than the concrete.

Sheds are the most common choice and work well if you address two issues: airflow and rodents. Leave a gap between cushions and walls, and store them in a closed box or bag rather than loose on a shelf, because mice will use foam for nesting given the opportunity. Wooden and plastic storage options both work, and there are practical sizes across modern wooden garden storage UK sale ranges for gardens where indoor space is limited.

Garden Storage Boxes and Benches

For most households a dedicated outdoor storage box is the realistic answer, because storage that sits beside the furniture actually gets used. Storage that requires carrying cushions across a wet lawn to a shed does not.

Look for a box with a lid that overhangs the body so rain runs off rather than in, drainage or raised feet at the base, and some form of ventilation. Fully sealed airtight boxes are worse than vented ones for cushion storage, despite sounding more protective.

A bench with a lift up seat achieves the same thing while remaining useful as seating. It suits small patios where a separate box would take up too much room, and there are options within modern outdoor garden benches UK collections that combine both functions.

Whichever you choose, add a moisture absorber or a few silica sachets inside, and open the lid on a dry day every few weeks through winter to let air move.

How to Pack Cushions

Stand cushions on edge rather than stacking them flat. Stacking compresses foam and creates permanent hollows, and it stops air moving between them. Standing them upright with a small gap between each keeps their shape and lets any residual moisture escape.

Use breathable bags rather than bin liners. Cotton laundry bags, canvas storage bags and purpose made cushion bags all allow vapour to pass while keeping dust and insects out. If you only have plastic, leave it open at the top rather than sealing it.

Keep sets together and label bags by furniture piece. This sounds fussy until spring, when working out which cushions belong to which chair takes longer than it should. Store the largest base cushions at the bottom and scatter cushions on top.

Remove ties, straps and any metal fixings that could press into the fabric over months, and shake out any covers that have creased sharply, since deep folds left for a season can leave lasting marks.

If You Have No Storage At All

Where there is genuinely no space, you can leave cushions on the furniture under a breathable cover, but manage the risks. Prop the centre of the cover so water runs off, raise the furniture on feet so damp does not wick up from paving, and check underneath every few weeks. Choose cushions with quick drying foam and solution dyed covers in the first place, as these tolerate this treatment far better than standard upholstery.

Alternatively, reduce the problem. Sling seating and mesh chairs need no cushions at all and dry within minutes of a shower, which makes them a sensible option for gardens without storage. Many customers pair a small number of cushioned pieces with sling seating for exactly this reason, and there are examples throughout our modern outdoor garden furniture UK sale range.

Bringing Them Back Out

In spring, take cushions out on a dry day and stand them in fresh air for a few hours before use. Brush them down, check seams and zips, and treat any faint musty smell with a solution of warm water and a little white vinegar, then dry thoroughly. Persistent mildew spots on solution dyed acrylic can usually be treated with a diluted bleach solution, though always test a hidden area first.

Check the foam as well. If a cushion has flattened and does not recover its shape after a day, the foam has broken down and replacing the insert is often cheaper than replacing the whole cushion.

You can find garden storage, seating and full sets at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes and Returns are available up to 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can outdoor cushions be stored in a shed over winter?

Yes, provided the shed is dry and ventilated and the cushions are completely dry before they go in. Keep them in a closed box or breathable bag rather than loose, and lift them off the floor.

Should outdoor cushions be stored in plastic bags?

Sealed plastic traps moisture and encourages mildew. Use breathable canvas or cotton bags instead, or leave plastic bags open at the top so vapour can escape.

Is it better to stack or stand outdoor cushions?

Stand them upright with small gaps between them. Stacking compresses the foam, creates permanent hollows and prevents air from circulating.

How do you get mildew smell out of outdoor cushions?

Air them thoroughly, then clean with warm water and a little white vinegar or mild soap, and dry completely before storing again. Repeat if the smell lingers, and check whether the foam core has stayed damp.

What if I have nowhere to store cushions?

Leave them on the furniture beneath a vented cover propped so water runs off, raise the furniture off the ground, and check underneath regularly. Choosing quick drying cushions or sling seating avoids the problem altogether.