Are Outdoor Pillows Waterproof?

Water-resistant, not waterproof. The difference matters, and most listings blur it.

What water-resistant actually means

Our pillows are made from 100% spun polyester. Polyester is a synthetic fibre that does not absorb water the way cotton or feather does. Rain, dew and sprinkler spray run off the surface, and the small amount that does work its way in evaporates out again on its own.

What that is not is sealed. A truly waterproof pillow would need a membrane or coating that stopped water passing in either direction, and that same barrier would trap any moisture already inside. Those pillows exist, and they are the ones that end up smelling of damp, because water gets in through the seams and then cannot leave.

Water-resistant with good drainage is the better design for something that lives on a patio.

What this means day to day

Rain and dew

Fine. Leave them out. They will dry on their own once the weather clears.

Sprinklers

Fine. This is the situation the fabric is built for.

A heavy downpour

Also fine, but help them afterwards. Stand each pillow on its edge so water runs out of the seam rather than pooling in the base, and give them airflow.

A pool or a puddle

Not what they are for. Full submersion pushes water past what the fibre can shed, and a soaked fill takes a long time to dry.

Mildew resistance

The fabric is mildew-resistant, which means it does not feed mould the way natural fibres do. It does not mean mould can never grow on it. Mildew needs standing damp over time. A pillow that gets wet and then dries is safe. A pillow that is stored damp in a closed box is not, regardless of what it is made of.

Fading

The polyester is UV-resistant, and the design is printed directly into the fibre rather than sitting on top of it as a layer. There is nothing to crack, peel or wash off. Deep saturated colours hold longer than very pale ones, as they do in any fabric.

Frequently asked questions

Are outdoor pillows waterproof?

Water-resistant is the accurate term. Rain, dew and sprinklers are no problem and they dry out by themselves. They are not sealed against submersion.

Can outdoor pillows get wet?

Yes, and they are designed to. Stand them on edge after heavy rain so the water can drain out.

Can outdoor pillows stay outside all year round?

They cope with weather, but they last considerably longer if you bring them in over winter. Constant damp with no chance to dry is what shortens their life.

Are outdoor pillows resistant to fading?

Yes. UV-resistant polyester with the design printed into the fibre. Deep colours hold longest.

What are outdoor pillows made of?

100% spun polyester, both cover and fill, printed directly into the fabric on both sides and finished with a sewn seam closure.