Care guides
How to Store Outdoor Cushions for Winter (So They Come Out Fresh in Spring)
Clean, dry, off the floor and able to breathe: a simple checklist for storing outdoor cushions through winter, and the mistakes that cause mildew by spring.
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Updated November 2026 · By Sam K, Fabrica Kraft
Quick answer: Before winter, brush off and clean your outdoor cushions, let the covers and foam dry completely, then store them somewhere dry and ventilated, off the floor, in a breathable bag or a dry storage box. Don't seal damp cushions in plastic: trapped moisture is what turns into mildew and musty smells by spring.
Outdoor cushions are made to handle sun and rain, but months of snow, ice and freeze–thaw cycles are hard on any cushion. A few minutes of prep in the fall means they come out clean, dry and ready for the first warm weekend.
Step 1: Brush off and shake out
Brush off leaves, pollen, dirt and cobwebs, and check the seams and zippers. Dry debris left on fabric through winter holds moisture and is harder to clean in spring.
Step 2: Clean the covers
- Spot clean small marks with mild soap and water.
- If your covers zip off and the care label allows, wash them. Our Sunbrella covers zip off and are machine washable.
- Never store stained cushions: food, sunscreen and bird droppings feed mildew over winter.
For marks that won't shift, see how to clean and maintain marine cushions; the same steps work on patio cushions.
Step 3: Dry them completely
This is the step that matters most. Cushions that feel dry on the outside can still be damp in the foam.
- Stand cushions on their edge in the sun or a warm, airy room so water drains down and out.
- Squeeze the middle of each cushion. If you feel any coolness or moisture, give it more time.
- Quick-dry outdoor foam (often called reticulated or Dry Fast foam) lets water drain straight through, so it dries much faster than standard foam.
Step 4: Choose a dry, ventilated spot
- Best: indoors, in a closet, basement or spare room that stays dry.
- Good: a garage or shed, as long as cushions are off the floor and away from damp walls.
- OK: a deck storage box, if it seals out rain and snow and the cushions go in fully dry.
Step 5: Store them off the floor, able to breathe
- Use breathable cushion storage bags, or old cotton sheets, to keep dust off.
- Avoid sealed plastic bags and tubs for cushions: any leftover moisture has nowhere to go.
- Stand cushions upright on a shelf or stack them loosely. Don't pile heavy items on top, which can crease covers and flatten foam.
- Keep them away from heaters and furnaces. In rural garages and sheds, check for signs of mice before you store them.
Step 6: Check once mid-winter
Open the bag or box once in January. If anything smells musty or feels damp, bring the cushions indoors to dry and air out before it turns into mildew.
Winter storage mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | What happens | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Storing cushions damp | Mildew and musty smells | Dry completely, then squeeze-test |
| Sealing in plastic | Trapped moisture and condensation | Use a breathable bag |
| Leaving them on a concrete floor | Cushions pick up cold and damp | Store on a shelf or pallet |
| Leaving cushions out under snow | Soaked foam and stretched covers | Bring them in before the first snow |
| Storing dirty cushions | Stains set and feed mildew | Clean before storing |
What about cushions that stay outside?
If you can't bring cushions in, choose fabric and foam built for it. Standard Sunbrella is water-repellent and resists mildew, but it is not waterproof. For cushions that live outside, Sunbrella Rain and marine fabrics are waterproof, and quick-dry foam drains so the core doesn't stay soaked. Even so, a cover or storage box through the worst of winter will add years to any cushion.
Spring: getting cushions ready again
- Air cushions outside on a dry day for a few hours.
- Fluff and rotate them so they wear evenly.
- If the foam has gone flat or the covers have faded, replace just what's worn. You can order outdoor cushion covers only, foam cut to size, or complete custom outdoor cushions.
In Canada? See our Muskoka chair cushions and outdoor cushion foam for Canadian winters.
Frequently asked questions
Can outdoor cushions be left out in winter?
They can survive it, but they last much longer if you bring them in. Snow and freeze–thaw soak the foam and stretch the covers.
Should I store outdoor cushions in plastic bags?
Not sealed ones. Plastic traps any leftover moisture, which leads to mildew. Breathable fabric bags are better.
Can I store cushions in a garage?
Yes, if they are clean, completely dry, off the floor and away from damp walls.
How do I stop mildew on stored cushions?
Clean them, dry them completely, store them where air can move, and check them once during winter.
