The frame of an outdoor sofa lasts twenty years. The cushions on it decide whether the sofa still looks good in year three. Fabric choice sets how it fades, foam choice sets how it dries, and both set how often you are hosing off mildew. This guide explains the fabrics you will see named on product pages here -- Sunbrella and the other solution-dyed acrylics, olefin, sling and polyester -- how each one handles sun and damp, what the foam inside should be, how replacement cushions and fitted covers work, and how to clean all of it.

Solution-dyed acrylic: why Sunbrella is the benchmark

A solution-dyed fabric is colored before the fiber is spun: the pigment is mixed into the liquid acrylic, so the color runs all the way through every strand, like a carrot rather than a radish. That is the whole secret. Sun cannot fade a color that is not sitting on the surface, bleach cannot strip it, and the fabric can be scrubbed without wearing a lighter patch. Sunbrella is the best-known solution-dyed acrylic; other mills make comparable solution-dyed fabrics under their own names, and each product page names the fabric offered on that piece.

Acrylic also does not absorb water into the fiber, which is why these cushions resist mildew: mold needs a damp fiber to grow on, and the fabric dries before it can. The trade-off is cost and a slightly firmer hand than cotton. For a cushion that stays outside all season in full sun there is no better choice, and it is the fabric to insist on for any cushion you cannot easily store. Browse the Sunbrella outdoor furniture collection.

Olefin, polyester and sling: the rest of the field

• Olefin (polypropylene) is also solution-dyed, dries fast and resists stains and mildew. It fades a little sooner than acrylic under relentless sun and has a slightly shinier surface. It is the honest mid-tier choice for a shaded porch or a cushion that comes in at night.
• Polyester is the budget outdoor fabric. Most of it is piece-dyed, so the color sits on the surface and fades within a season or two of full sun, and it holds water longer than acrylic. Printed polyester gives the widest range of patterns. Good on a covered porch, poor on an exposed deck.
• Sling is not a cushion at all: a vinyl-coated polyester mesh stretched taut in a frame. It drains instantly, dries in minutes, cannot mildew and needs no storage, which makes it the standard for pool decks and for anyone who hates putting cushions away. The trade-off is comfort over a long evening, which is why sling chairs pair well with a cushioned sofa.

What is inside the cushion matters as much as the cover

A fade-proof cover over a sponge is still a wet cushion. Outdoor foam should be either quick-dry reticulated foam, an open-cell foam with large pores that lets water run straight through and air follow it, or a dense closed-cell foam that water cannot enter. Reticulated foam is the usual choice for deep seats because it stays comfortable; it feels like ordinary foam when dry and drains in minutes when wet. Many makers wrap the foam in a polyester fiber batting for a softer edge, and the better cushions add a water-shedding liner between cover and foam. A cushion that lists only "polyester fill" with no foam type will take a day to dry and is best kept under cover.

Look for cushion covers with zippers so the cover can be washed, ties that hold the cushion to the frame in wind, and seams sewn with UV-stable thread, because ordinary thread rots before the fabric does. The product page for each piece states the fabric and fill of that piece.

Replacement cushions and fitted covers

Cushions are the consumable part of outdoor seating, and the best answer when they wear out is a replacement sewn by the furniture's own maker. The replacement cushions sold here are sewn by the furniture's maker to the original pattern, in the outdoor fabrics that piece is offered in. The frame is not included; each listing names the exact piece it fits and carries a fabric chooser, so you can change the color at the same time. For the Telescope Casual and Castelle seating sold here there is also a fitted cover for each piece in the outdoor furniture covers collection; a cover ships separately from the furniture and can be added from the furniture page or from the cart. Covers protect the cushion from debris and sun while the piece sits idle, which is where most fading happens.

Not sure of a color? Order free fabric swatches and look at them in your own light; a gray that reads cool on screen often reads warm on a sunny deck.

How to clean outdoor cushions

• Routine: brush off loose dirt, sponge with mild soap and lukewarm water, rinse thoroughly and air-dry upright so water runs out of the bottom seam.
• Mildew on solution-dyed acrylic: a diluted bleach solution is safe on this fabric because the color is in the fiber. Sponge it on, let it sit briefly, rinse well. Check the cushion label first; bleach is not safe on piece-dyed polyester.
• Sunscreen, oil and food: treat quickly with a degreasing dish soap; oil set by sun is the hardest stain to lift.
• Never machine-dry a cushion cover or pressure-wash a cushion; both break the seams.
• Sling: soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse the frame too, especially after pool use.

Store cushions dry. A cushion put away damp in a deck box in October comes out speckled in April no matter what it is made of. Read the covers and winter storage guide for the off-season routine, and the materials guide for the frames these cushions sit on.

Lead times and delivery

Built-to-order pieces from Castelle, Lloyd Flanders and Telescope Casual ship 6 to 8 weeks after the order is placed; Sunset West 4 to 6 weeks. Outdoor pillows and throws ship in 48 to 72 hours. Each product page shows its own shipping note under the price. Delivery is free curbside in the continental US; built-to-order pieces are not returnable, which is one more reason to order swatches first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunbrella worth it for outdoor cushions?

For cushions that stay outside in sun, yes. The color is in the fiber, so it does not fade or bleach, it resists mildew and it can be cleaned with diluted bleach. For a covered porch, olefin is a sound lower-cost alternative.

Can outdoor cushions be left out in the rain?

Solution-dyed acrylic or olefin over quick-dry foam can. Stand them on edge afterward so water drains, and bring any polyester-fill cushion in.

What is quick-dry foam?

Open-cell reticulated foam with large pores. Water passes straight through instead of soaking in, so the cushion drains in minutes rather than days.

How do I get mildew off outdoor cushions?

On solution-dyed acrylic, sponge on a diluted bleach solution, wait briefly and rinse well. On other fabrics use mild soap and a soft brush and dry in the sun.

Can I buy replacement cushions for my outdoor furniture?

Yes, for the seating sold here: cushions sewn by the furniture's own maker to the original pattern, in that piece's fabric range. Each listing names the piece it fits.

Sling or cushion for a pool deck?

Sling dries in minutes, cannot mildew and needs no storage. Add a cushioned sofa or chaise where you want to sit for hours.

Shop cushions and fabrics

Browse Sunbrella outdoor furniture, replacement cushions, furniture covers and outdoor pillows, and request free swatches before you decide.