FABULOUS OUTDOOR PILLOWS- CHOOSING THE PERFECT PILLOWS AND CARING FOR THEM
The thought of talking about pillows today makes me ridiculously happy! As you probably know, I love love love pillows! Pillows are like jewelry! They add that extra layer of pretty embellishment making a room something special! That’s why I take pillows outdoors too! Placed on a rocker, chair, porch swing or glider, pillows can add posh and pop to outdoor decor! Let’s talk about finding the best and prettiest and most fabulous outdoor pillows… and how to care for them!
Today I’m sharing some of my favorite outdoor pillows! Many of them are on sale too!
Outdoor pillows come in many sizes, styles, designs, motifs, colors, materials and price point. There is something for everyone!!!!
The number 1 first thing we need to know is that we should buy pillows or pillow covers that are meant to be used outside! This is so important.
Look for outdoor pillows that are:
- waterproof/ water resistant/ or water repellent
- mildew and mold resistant
- fade proof or resistant
It’s even better if these pillows are:
- easy to clean
- are treated with UV blockers
monogrammed pillow (Oh my! I love this pillow… monogrammed!)
It is also important that pillow inserts are appropriate for outdoor use. Never use down in an outdoor pillow. Although down is my first choice for indoors, when down feathers get waterlogged they smell foul (pun intended) and take forever to dry. What a mess! So keep the down pillows for indoor use only!
Go for a foam or polyfill that will dry easily when pillows are kept outside.
Even though I have a big wrap covered porch I still use outdoor pillows to accent the furniture on the porch. If I use an indoor pillow, very occasionally, I take it out only on nice days and bring it in before it gets too late in the day!
Moisture and indoor pillows do not mix! The dew point alone in the summer can cause pillows to become damp.
Pillows can also be exposed to spiders and other crawling creatures as well as debris and dirt that flies through the air. Spiderwebs and farm field dirt is a big problem around StoneGable. Just yesterday the farmer across the street harvested rye. It looks so pretty… but my porch got filthy! No wonder I only choose pillows I can hose off along with the rest of my porch!
royal blue and white stripe pillow
I have several pillows that say “indoor/outdoor”. And they have held up great outside. Not all pillows are the same. So check if they have some or all of the features listed above for outdoor use.
Indoor pillows can be treated with Scotchguard or Never Wet making them stand up to the outdoor elements much better. Just follow the directions on these products. But, be aware that these products do wear off and will need to be retreated.
Cleaning an outdoor pillow is easy. Always follow any cleaning instructions on the tag of each individual pillow. I use a small whisk broom to knock off any surface dirt, spiderwebs, leaves etc. From experience, I have found that whisking my pillows regularly really helps to keep them clean.
If there is any light dirt or soil on a pillow, I try to blot it off with water and a clean white cotton (like t-shirt material) cloth. I have been known to spray the pillows with a hose too. I really do that a lot!
If a pillow gets lightly soiled mix 4 cups of water, tsp castile soap (love this stuff!!!!!) and 1 TBS borax in a spray bottle. Soak the stain with the solution and let sit for 15 minutes. Then spray with a hose or blot with cool water and a clean white cotton cloth.
The quicker the stain is tended to the better the chances of it being removed.
I must say… I have been known to put my pillow covers in my washer with Oxyclean, soak them and then wash them. I have had good luck with my outdoor pillows, but this is a last resort! You can also soak them in Oxyclean and hand wash and dry outdoor pillows… again as a last resort! I only hang up my pillows and pillow covers to dry. NEVER put them in the dryer!
coral embroidered pillow ( I have this and love it!)
Outdoor pillows are not just for summer! Think of them as three or even four season outdoor decor depending on where you live! Pillows look so pretty in your outdoor rooms and on your patios, porches and stoops during spring, fall and even winter too!
Here are just a few of the gorgeous pillows for fall! I’m ordering a couple of these!!!!
I hope this post has encouraged you to add some fabulous outdoor pillows to your outside living spaces! If you use pillows outside, we would love to hear a tip or two from you!!!! Let’s share!
|| mandarin orange pillow || crab pillow || monogrammed pillow || trio of blue fish pillow || whale pillow || bamboo outdoor pillow || green geometric pillow || beachy cornflower blue pillow || royal blue and white striped pillow || beach ball geometric || embroidered animal pillow || dragonfly pillow || coral embroidered pillow|| blue beach bike|| star embroidered pillow || mum pillow || copper velvet-like pillow || give thanks pillow
You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see what I am finding to pin every day HERE!
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I’m in love with outdoor pillows, or cushions as we call them, too. I particularly love your thought – pillows are like jewelry. Couldn’t agree more. I just bought six new ones in all shades of pale blues and greens with a couple of peachy tones thrown in for good measure!
Thanks for all of the great ideas, Yvonne, and thanks for posting links now to all of your great finds. I love that you take the time to let us all know where to find your inspiration pieces!
Love your post(s)! Foul smell… hahaha. Have a GREAT Day!
I agree with Michelle. You have cut our shopping time in half. Thank you! Have you come across little spots of mildew on outdoor cushions? If so how did you remove them from the fabric?
I’m thrilled you like the new links I am bringing to all my readers. The number 1 question I get asked is, “Where did you get that”? I try to listen to my readers to make StoneGable more enjoyable, educational and valuable for all of the StoneGable community. Thanks for letting me know!
As far as mildew, I know there are some products on the market that can remove or lessen mildew stains. You could try those. And if you have color safe fabrics on the mildewed piece you can use 1 gallon of water to 1/2 cup of bleach, put it in a spray bottle, spray the cushion and give it a scrub and a rinse. I would absolutely try this on a tiny part of the fabric first to see if it works. My thought is… when a cushion etc has mildew it is already ruined so why not see if the bleach works. If you cannot remove the mildew, take out the pillow insert, wash it and save it for the next outdoor pillow cushion or pillow. Hope this helps!
Yvonne,
I love those outdoor pillows, too! Love your blog, too! But, reading it is difficult with all the adds and pop-up adds…just saying. I understand the need for adds, it just seems that they are taking over your wonderful blog.
Hi Lisa, I know what you mean, but there are no more on my blog than most others. In fact, I don’t run the ads that cover the bottom of my page like many bloggers do. It is just part of blogging now. It takes a tremendous amount of time and money to keep StoneGable up and running. And I am so so thankful for companies that are willing to support my blog. Thanks so much for understanding and reading and being a part of our StoneGable family. And Lisa, I do understand you too! Hugs!
I love pillows, too. Those were such great tips for buying outdoor pillows. I love the Fall pillows, especially the mum pillow.
I just bought that! So so pretty! And a fabulous price point!
Ohhh, you’re speaking my language when you talk pillows!!! I super love the bicycle one and would love to actually add an old timey bike to my landscape someday. Paint it a pretty color and fill the basket with overflowing flowers! Swoon…somebody slap me back to reality 🙂 Annnd thank you for the heads up on the sale!!!
You are so welcome, Sherry!
I am also a pillow addict! TeeHee ☺️Love that mum pillow for fall. Perfect colors for my porch! I have paisley cushions in orange, lime green, yellow and tourquise.The price is not bad for a hooked pillow either. Right now I have a cute bike pillow too on one chair. Bought it for 60% off at Joanns. The colors and price were too perfect to past up!
Thanks for some more great tips Yvonne. Love those pillow covers you showed, and so crushing over that green and white throw on your black chair!
I live in the SE where we commonly have high humidity. I buy a fabric safe spray-on mold and mildew inhibitor and spray the outdoor pillows on my screen porch and covered front porch at the beginning of summer each year. So far no mildew, even during times of heavy rains. Also treated a couple cotton ones with it to see what happened, and they have not mildewed in two years. Of course, they are under cover, but still get damp from blowing rain and high humidity.
I got mine at Home Depot but probably available in most hardware or camping stores.
Hi Jae, thanks so much for the great tip! I’ll have to check that out. LOVE my readers who contribute with tips. HUGS!
Could you please tell me the source for the crab and fish pillows and also the bicycle and lime green ones. Love them!!!!
Hi Janice, you can find the links under the pillows and towards the bottom of the page under GET THE LOOK. Hope this helps.
Love my pillows and cushions I clean them weekly brushing off loose dirt.My gardener comes every two weeks I take all cushions and pillows in,this really saves them! I then give them a quick vacume to keep them fresh.
Love all the pillows Yvonne!….thanks for the cleaning tips. Must say that I love the Beach Bike pillow!!!
You make my life easier!
I love, love the dragonfly pillow and the monogrammed pillow! And how could you not fall in love with that beach bike pillow. Thank you, Yvonne, for adding the links for purchasing each one.
I do love the pillows and tips. Do you have an inexpensive source for replacing outdoor cushions? Ours are so old and faded, but new ones cost as much as the furniture. I have thought about painting them, since I have nothing to lose. Have you tried that?
No I haven’t but it’s a great idea!
Love, love, love outdoor pillows! Thanks for the cleaning tips.
I love pillows so much I started my own pillow shop, Stuck on Hue! My husband will never understand the need for ever-changing throw pillows, but at least it’s part of my job now, so he can’t complain too much!