Buying guide

Outdoor Cushion Fabric for Canadian Weather

Updated October 25, 2026 · 3 min read

Canadian outdoor furniture has a hard life: strong summer sun, humid evenings, sudden rain, and months in storage. The right fabric, and a little care in the fall, will keep cushions looking good for many seasons.

What Canadian weather does to outdoor fabric

• Sun. Ultraviolet light fades colour and weakens fibres. Summer sun at the cottage or on a south-facing deck is the biggest cause of worn-out cushions.
• Rain and humidity. Wet cushions that stay damp grow mildew, which stains and smells.
• Temperature swings. Hot days and cool nights mean dew, so cushions are often damp in the morning even without rain.
• Winter. Fabric left outside under snow and ice stays wet for months.

What to look for in outdoor fabric

Solution-dyed fibres

In a solution-dyed fabric the colour is added to the fibre before it's spun, so it runs all the way through rather than sitting on the surface. It resists fading far better than printed or piece-dyed fabric, and many can be cleaned with diluted bleach. Solution-dyed acrylic, polyester and olefin are the usual choices.

Fade, water and mildew resistance

Check the spec sheet for fade resistant, water resistant or weather resistant, and mildew resistant. Our outdoor and marine fabrics are chosen for exactly these.

Water-resistant vs. waterproof

Most outdoor upholstery fabric is water resistant: it sheds light rain and dries quickly but isn't sealed, so it can breathe. A fully waterproof fabric keeps water out entirely but can trap moisture inside the cushion. For seat cushions, water resistant plus a quick-drying cushion is usually the better combination.

Durability

Outdoor cushions get dragged around. Look for a high double-rub rating; see double rubs explained.

Indoor fabric outside? Usually not

Indoor upholstery fabric isn't made for UV and moisture. In a fully covered sunroom or screened porch it can work, but in direct sun and rain it will fade and mildew quickly. Outdoor fabric, on the other hand, works well indoors in sunny rooms, kitchens and kids' rooms.

Getting cushions through the winter

1. Clean before storing. Brush off dirt, then clean with mild soap and water (or as the cleaning code allows). Rinse well.
2. Dry completely. Stand cushions on edge in the sun and breeze until fully dry inside. Storing a damp cushion is the most common cause of mildew.
3. Store dry and ventilated. A garage shelf, basement or deck box works. Use breathable storage bags, not sealed plastic, which traps moisture.
4. Keep them off the floor of a garage or shed, where cold and damp collect.
5. In spring, air them out and brush off any dust before the first use.

During the summer

• Tip cushions on edge after rain so they drain and dry.
• Brush off pollen, leaves and bird droppings promptly: debris holds moisture and feeds mildew.
• Spot clean spills with mild soap and water.
• Flip and rotate cushions so they fade evenly.

Common questions

What is the best fabric for outdoor cushions in Canada?

A solution-dyed fabric that is fade, water and mildew resistant. Solution-dyed acrylic and polyester are the most common choices for patio and cottage furniture.

Can outdoor cushions stay outside all winter?

It's best not to. Even good outdoor fabric lasts longer when cushions are cleaned, dried and stored somewhere dry and ventilated for the winter.

How do I remove mildew from outdoor cushions?

Brush off what you can outdoors, then clean as the cleaning code allows; many solution-dyed outdoor fabrics can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution. Rinse well and dry completely in the sun.

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