How to Keep Patio Cushions Dry

Do you remember the scene from Steele Magnolias when M’lynn screams when she sees Shelby’s brothers have decorated her honeymoon car with condoms? Well, that’s the same reaction I have when we are minutes from hosting a backyard bbq and I sit on a soggy patio cushion. And, the source is the foam cushion that absorbs all that rain or snow.  And, while taking out the kitchen trash for the 18th time in six days, I came up with a solution on how to keep patio cushions dry.

Sometimes the best ideas are based on the premise; do not overthink the idea. The solution is simple and most of you have to look no further than under your kitchen sink.

Last summer, with a forecast of more than two days of rain, I worried about how to keep my patio cushions from getting soaking wet. It wasn’t practical to bring them inside for every afternoon thunderstorm. But, who wants to sit in a soggy patio cushion when the weekend comes around? 

And, then inspiration struck when I grabbed a handful of plastic kitchen bags. It turns out plastic trash bags are a great resource to keep the foam cushions dry. 

 From there I  unzipped the pillow covers and tucked the foam cushions into a plastic bag.  I tied the bag shut and placed the wrapped foam cushion back in the pillow covers (from Ikea).

That’s it! And, it works. The reality is when the rain penetrates the pillow cover the cover dries after a morning of sunshine, but it’s the foam cushion that traps the moisture. Those wet cushions lead to fun stuff like mold spores. Who wants to sit on a cushion full of mold and mildew? 

Thanks for stopping by! Now go cover those patio cushions! 

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