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Storing porch furniture cushions

6 years ago

I had fairly expensive new cushions made for my porch furniture. Now its time to stow them for the winter. I used to just push all the furniture to the center of the screened porch and cover it with a tarp -- cushions and all. The old cushions were in bad shape so I wasn't careful with them. The new cushions are covered with an outdoor fabric. I can either store them on the porch or in an unheated detached garage. I don't want them to get wet or moldy or any other bad thing. What do you think ofthese bags? Would they be better than wrapping them in plastic sheets or even big trash bags? I don't have room for one of those storage bins. I'm thinking that it's best to allow them to "breathe".

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OutsidePlaying

6 years ago

I have used contractor bags for storage of our cushions with no problem. One year I left a cheap throw pillow out all winter in our covered porch. Just forgot to put it away. The next spring I found a mouse/squirrel/chipmunk had chewed a hole in one corner. Never had a problem with anything I put in the bags in the attic. Maybe you could put a few glue traps near where you store them or scatter some mothballs nearby. Mice don’t care for the odor, so I’m told.

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Comments (10)

lizbeth-gardener
6 years ago
I read the reviews as I thought these were interesting. One review says she left the cushions in this bag outside (? porch/deck) and rain did penetrate the bag and cushions got all wet. I store my cushions in an unheated (dry) attic in heavy duty contractor trash bags and have no problem with mold, mildew or dust. The bags are really large and thick and do hold quite a few cushions.
prairiemom61
6 years ago
The description says they're water resistant so that means they won't breath. But as long as they're dry when you put them away they should be fine. Will they be protected from rodents?
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Any workable solution that you decide on will have a price to it. The deck boxes are not expensive. You have invested in your cushions, and now you must go the further expense or effort to keep them. My SIL insisted on putting the cushions away back in the boxes that they came in. The result was that they never got used when you had to unbox them each time you wanted to use them. That was absurd! And, they still had to be stored somewhere. If they are not in a place where you can use them easily, they will not get used. There are really only two solutions, either bring them inside or put them in an outdoor box. Even those cushions that are made of drain dry materials take some time before you can use them and they are not impervious to mold. We had an outdoor box out on the deck that was not expensive, at all. Even then it got bugs and spiders that took up residence and it took up floor space. Eventually, I opted for chairs that do not require cushions and got rid of the box. Sometimes there is no perfect solution. Every option will come with either inconvenience or expense.
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We also have one of those Rubbermaid storage containers but ours is at least chest high (top lifts up and 2 doors swing out). It holds the double cushions of 6 chairs, a chaise lounge, and 4 folding chairs (all match). We've used it for many years (7 or 8 maybe??) and it's held up well and protected the cushions, etc. in all kinds of weather (winter snows, spring/fall rains, summer thunderstorms, tail ends of hurricanes). It even stayed closed the couple of times we've had near-hurricane force winds and the container itself was pushed around the deck (railings kept it on the deck)...cushions, etc. stayed nice and dry inside the container! We have a smaller one on the front porch that holds the double cushions for 4 chairs that also has works fine. Interestingly, we have had a couple of wasp or hornet nests in the one on the porch, but never in the one on the deck.
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I'd definitely bring cushions inside the house. Only climate it's a good idea to cover things up in is a very dry one. Otherwise, you're trapping water, and that allows mold and mildew to grow. It does anyway, of course, but not as much if it's not trapped. I have to wash my deck furniture every fall, after the summer, and it's got mildew on it despite not being covered. But one year I covered my picnic table for the winter. Big mistake. I was covered with mold and mildew in the spring. Now I leave it out and let the sun do its magic. I can't think of any reason to cover glass and resin furniture. Wicker, I'd bring in because it's a fiber and harsh weather can and will weaken the fibers.
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I had the cushions made by an upholsterer. The fabric is from Bella-Dura, the pattern is Pavillion and the color is indigo. Ready made cushions could not fit. I do plan to do something else with the rug and will need your input when I get to that.
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dedtired
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks. Yes, they will be dry and either under the porch roof or in the garage. If there is a very windy rain or snow storm, the porch will get damp. Maybe the garage is a better choice since it stays dry in there. I will check out contractors bags. I think whatever they are in must be breathable, but keep them clean.
sushipup1
6 years ago
I have some plasticy (not fabric) cushions on chairs on the front (covered, sheltered) porch. Since I am new to this cold climate, can I leave them out during the winter?
RNmomof2 zone 5
6 years ago
I am always of afraid of mice getting to things like cushions in my garage. Is that a concern for you? If so, I would think the porch would be better.
dedtired
Original Author
6 years ago
Sushi, the cold then hot weather could make the plastic crack. Better to put them in the basement.

RNmom, I don’t get mice in the garage, but I have had squirrels on the porch, which is a concern. One year I found that the rolled up rug was full of pine cones in the spring!
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
6 years ago
I vote for the garage. That is where I always stored mine until they completely wore out. I didn't even put them in bags, although now I probably would sinceI have noticed signs of mice in there. Ugh.
cat_mom
6 years ago
Rubbermaid deck storage box. We store ours in one year round (on a raised deck), and it's water and weather tight.
dedtired
Original Author
6 years ago
I just don’t have a place for one of those boxes. Wish I did. I bought two of the storage bags from the Container Store and I think they will work as long as they are in the garage, not out in the weather. I suppose an enterprising mouse could chew through but I haven’t seen evidence of mice in the garage probably because it is unheated.

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