What Can I Use for Water-Resistant Stuffing within an Outside Furniture Pillow?

It doesn’t take a lot of work to make outdoor cushions if you’ve got basic sewing skills and understand how to use a sewing machine. Choose fabrics meant to resist moisture, water and fading for the very best results. Along those exact lines, then choose from among several types of stuffing meant to be used in exterior cushions. If you don’t decide on the perfect stuffing, you might locate your cushions developing mould, mildew or splitting down after just a season’s use.

Cover the Stuffing

You can use common polyester fiberfill stuffing in outdoor cushions or furniture cushions, as long as you insert the stuffing to a protective water-resistant cover which goes inside the cushion’s outer covering. Pick up this 60-inch broad fabric at crafts and sewing shops or online. Made from polypropylene, this protective substance is a non-woven, water-repellent material that’s also non-allergenic and resistant to spills and stains. The fabric resists tears and bows.

Outdoor Pillow Inserts

If you don’t want to make an insert to hold the stuffing, you can pick up premade cushion types designated for outdoor usage. These cushion forms are available at several big department store retailers, thrift shops and on the internet. It is as simple as inserting the outside pillow form to your decorative ultra-violet and water-resistant cushion cover matched to the size of this form.

Compressed Polyester and Polyurethane Foam

Compressed polyester offers an alternative to foam; it works well for patio chairs. Unlike traditional foam, it doesn’t yellow or break down, but it does compress with time. Totally washable, it air-dries fast, is mildew-resistant and non-allergenic. Polyurethane foam treated with specific chemicals — biocides — to avoid fungus growth, mold and mildew can be applied as stuffing for outside cushions. Foam needs to be cut to match the specific pillow dimension. For extra safety, cover the foam in plastic before inserting it into the cover.

Open and Closed Cell Foams

Particular open-cell foams treated with antimicrobial agents are made for use in outdoor seating and cushions, since the water flows through them. The therapy prevents against mold and mildew development when paired with a fabric constructed for outdoor use. Open-cell foam should enable the water to move straight through it, not shed to side; otherwise, it is falsely advertised. Closed-cell foam, on the other hand, has no water absorption, so when coupled with an exterior cloth, you can use it for pillows and cushions. Closed-cell foam is frequently used for boating cushions since they also double as flotation devices due to their buoyancy.

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