You must be pleased with your new patio set but what precautions can you take now to maintain it? To be properly classified as “outdoor furniture,” your furniture must be constructed from materials that can withstand the elements.
Outdoor furniture must resist the sun, rain, and wind, but you should also protect it with a cover to ensure its longevity. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of tips below to help you select the best outdoor sofa cover for your patio set. So let’s read on to find out!
Why Do You Need an Outdoor Sofa Cover?
Covering patio furniture when not in use is the best way to prevent it from getting dirty or worn out. Metal, wooden, and plastic patio furniture can deteriorate over time when exposed to the sun, heat, and rain. Therefore, covering your outdoor sofa will protect it from the elements and extend its life.
How to Choose The Best Outdoor Sofa Cover
Get the measurements right
Covers for outdoor garden furniture are readily available at any store, provided the pieces have a common size. However, careful consideration should precede the purchase of outdoor sofa covers in the case of customized furniture.
Do not choose extra-large outdoor sofa covers as the extra cloth may be too large and blow around in the wind. Many companies produce custom cases for their products, so please get in touch with the furniture maker for more information.
Choose fully watertight coverings
While waterproof outdoor sofa covers are widely available, the majority of these covers are only effective against light rain. They will not work at all in the event of a severe rainstorm.
Water beads easily roll down a vinyl cover, making them popular because of how quickly they dry. These waterproof outdoor sofa covers are not only effective in preventing moisture from escaping but also in preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
Additionally, waterproof outdoor sofa covers further repel dust and other particles.
Patio set covers must be fastened securely
Fastening the outdoor sofa covers to the furniture is essential, thus features like straps, elastic hems, Velcro, zippers, leg ties, and so on help cover the furniture during gusty weather; straps can help keep things looking neat and allow water to drain away from the pieces rather than pooling on them.
If your furniture has complicated angles, you should pick an extra large outdoor sofa cover with a drawcord that wraps around your outdoor sofa or outdoor chair. Many different shapes of covers are available such as L- shaped outdoor sofa covers; therefore, select the most appropriate cover for your patio furniture.
For the greatest results, take careful measurements and utilize clips, ropes, or fasteners to ensure the cover stays securely attached to the outdoor patio set.
Covers for outdoor furniture should be weatherproof
Get the best outdoor sofa covers for your patios that are suitable for the weather where you live. Covers for patio furniture are plentiful and varied, with some being better suited to hot, sunny climates and others to wet, windy ones. Find out if the outdoor patio furniture cover meets your needs by reading the manufacturer’s specifications.
Covering your patio furniture subjected to the wind requires a high-quality, long-lasting material that is resistant to tearing and double stitched on the sides.
Water is one of the most destructive factors for outdoor patio furniture, so it’s important to consider using a specialized waterproof outdoor sofa cover to protect against water seepage.
A layout that allows air circulation
Ventilated outdoor sofa cushion covers are the best option because they allow unrestricted airflow. Mold and mildew growth may occur if ventilation is inadequate. Thus, ensuring that your furniture covering has adequate air circulation while keeping water out is important.
Best Material for Outdoor Sofa Covers
Acrylic material
Acrylic is stain- and mildew-proof, as well as wear- and tear-resistant. Acrylic fabrics can withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight since the threads are colored before weaving. In addition, the acrylic material is UV-resistant for a full thousand hours..
Pros
- Low-maintenance and simple to clean.
- Rapidly dries.
- Many colors to choose from.
- It won’t fade in the sun.
Cons
- Possible to experience a lot of pilling
- Presence of heat or flame causes it to melt.
- Lacks abrasion resistance.
Olefin material
Polypropylene, often known as olefin, is a synthetic fiber. Olefin yarn is exceptionally stain- and fade-proof since the color is woven right into the fibers, and many people use it for their patio outdoor décor.
Olefin is an excellent L-shaped outdoor sofa cover material to use if you reside in a wet climate, and it dries quickly and is mildew-resistant. You can use this material for outdoor sofa cushion covers as well.
Pros
- Antimicrobial and chemically resistant
- Anti-wear, anti-heat, anti-chemical
- Water-based stains are the simplest to remove.
- Cleanable with bleach.
- High resistance to light (resistance to fading)
Cons
- It can get brittle in direct sunlight if not protected with UV inhibitors.
- Not recommended for uses that necessitate fireproofing.
- Solution-dyed color.
- Lines of folding stress
Polyester material
This manufactured fabric is tough and won’t fade or stain easily, and it’s quick drying and resistant to tears.
The polyester fabric allows for more vibrant colors and intricate weaving patterns to make the best outdoor sofa covers. However, prolonged exposure to sunshine will cause it to deteriorate rapidly.
Pros
- Polyester is a very long-lasting material
- Fabric is quite pleasant to the touch.
- Liquid spills may be cleaned up quickly and easily.
- This material is also more resistant to stains than others.
- It doesn’t retain moisture and dries rapidly after washing, making it ideal for travel.
Cons
- Polyester furniture cushions are combustible.
- Extreme heat and precipitation can quickly destroy it.
- Polyester covers aren’t eco-friendly.
- This fabric tends to soak up sweat and other body fluids.
Textilene material
Woven polyester with a PVC coating is the basis for textilene. Waterproof, flame-retardant, and mold-resistant, textilene is frequently used for sunshades and extra-large outdoor sofa covers.
But textilene has a synthetic, plastic quality. If ease of installation is important, you should review this fabric before purchasing.
Pros
- The textilene fabric is extremely robust and long-lasting.
- It can withstand fire while still allowing air to pass through.
- It is waterproof and mildew-proof.
- Safe from the effects of sunlight.
- Simple to keep in good condition.
Cons
- Less comfortable than other materials.
As summer is the best time for outdoor furniture shopping, it is better to choose the appropriate outdoor sofa cover hand in hand too. There are numerous variables to consider, yet the ultimate selection is a matter of your taste and priorities.
Ending Note
Maintaining your investment in outdoor patio furniture is important, especially if you’ve splurged and bought the best. Hopefully, you’ve found our comprehensive guide helpful in selecting the best outdoor sofa covers for your patio.
