Bring Those Indoor Cushions Outside!

Getting outside after a long winter is the BEST feeling, isn’t it? We’ve been spending an inordinate amount of time on our deck over the past month, and I only see that increasing as the summer goes on. We upped our deck furniture game in a big way this summer, adding a sectional outdoor couch and a massive table perfect for a great big backyard barbecue. However, I was a little bummed to realize that the cushions weren’t weatherproof, which means we need to bring them in and out each day to avoid damp cushions and mold. Not a huge problem, but a minor annoyance nonetheless. Plus, guess what gets grubby in a flash with kids, dogs, pollen and regular use? That’s right, white cushions. I went on a mission to make our cushions more life proof with a little fabric dye and some waterproofing spray.

The first step was to decide on color. Our decking is a light gray, so I decided to go for a similar shade. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the pearl gray color made by Rit at any nearby stores. I figured I could hack gray using black. It was worth a shot, right? 

First, I did a test run on a few fabric scrap in a similar color to our cushion covers. In the end, I ended up using a dye bath of hot water and half the recommended amount of dye. I also cut the recommended soaking time in half. Then I rinsed in cold water and ran everything through the washer and dryer. I know the color will likely fade a little in the sun, but all in all, I’m pretty happy with the color. 

Next, it was time to waterproof. I ordered a few bottles of Rustoleum’s NeverWet for Fabric, with high hopes. You might remember the playhouse project I did when NeverWet first came out? Well, this product is specifically for fabric and it’s pretty fantastic. It’s SO EASY to use. I grabbed a tarp and took my cushions outdoors to give them the NeverWet treatment. I sprayed the tops and sides of the cushions, let them dry, and then sprayed the flip side of the cushion. 

After 24 hours, the cushions were ready for the water test…

I’d say they’re pretty waterproof. 

We’ll still probably bring the cushions in if heavy storms are called for, but for a light shower or some morning dew, we are pretty happy to not worry about scurrying out to grab the cushions. Just one more thing that makes the deck all the more livable and that means more time outdoors as a family, which is always a good thing. With our newly life-proofed cushions, we’ve got this deck living thing dialed in.