Have you washed your sofa seating cushions, or have your outdoor cushions gotten wet due to rain? Whatever the cause may be, sofa seating cushions should be dried properly to prevent mold growth and foul odors. Besides, no one wants to sit on wet sofa cushions, do you? Whether you are refreshing your living space or enhancing your home decor with curtains Dubai and other stylish touches, maintaining clean and dry cushions is essential for a comfortable and hygienic environment.
And if you are looking for expert ways to dry sofa cushions, you have stumbled across the most informative piece of information in this regard. In today’s post, we have compiled the ultimate guide to drying cushions (indoor and outdoor) like professionals.
The Best Tips And Tricks To Dry Sofa Cushions Quickly
Before we explain the methods to dry your seating cushions, it is necessary to be aware of the types and nature of upholstery fabrics. Because different fabrics respond differently and may get damaged if mistreated.
Understanding The Nature Of Cushion Upholstery Fabrics
Sofa cushions Dubai come in various upholstery materials including cotton, polyester, linen, leather, etc. The type of upholstery fabric plays a significant role in defining the cushion outlook, feel, and maintenance aspects.
The most preferred upholstery choice for outdoor seating cushions is sunbrella fabric. It is an extremely durable and resilient fabric that can withstand mold, mildew, fading, discoloration, and water damage. Also, the color and strength of sunbrella upholstery fabric remain undamaged even when exposed to sun and rain. This fabric material dries quickly and is easy to clean.
For sofa cushions placed indoors, natural and synthetic fabric materials are the most common choices like cotton, polyester, etc. Natural fabric upholstery is soft, breathable, and gives a plush feel while synthetic materials are exceptionally durable and last a longer duration. Speaking of leather upholstery, it is the easiest to clean and maintain and dries in no time after getting wet.
The Role Of Cushion Fillings In Determining The Cushion Dry Time
There are various filling materials for stuffing cushions including down, feather, foam, polyester, hollow fiber, wool, etc. When cushions with traditional foams or filling materials are washed, they soak in water and take more time to dry completely and this also increases the chance of mold and mildew growth. That is why it’s important to make an informed choice when buying cushions to alleviate the effort put into care and maintenance.
In contrast, quick-dry foam is one such filling material that dries quickly because of the open-cell structure that does not soak in water and allows better air circulation. Thus, the drying process for cushions with quick-dry foam happens speedily.
Follow The Initial Steps To Dry Cushions Completely
The two initial steps that everyone must follow to dry their cushions include;
- Removing Excessive Water
- Enhancing Air Circulation
1. Remove Excessive Water
Just like clothes are wrung after washing, sofa cushions are to be squeezed. You need to squeeze the cushions repeatedly to remove as much water and moisture as possible. In this concern, you can press the cushions against a hard surface like flooring to remove as much moisture as possible. Then, you have to blot the surface moisture using a dry towel to prevent mold and mildew growth.
2. Enhance Air Circulation
You can hang the cushions on a clothesline using clips or pins in balconies or any space where there is better airflow. This will help the cushions dry quickly in two ways. First, gravity will aid in the natural drainage of moisture. Second, the air currents will speed up the drying process.
However, if you are unable to hang cushions on balconies or patios, then you can hang them indoors with clips or pins, and do not forget to turn on the ceiling fan in this situation for enhanced air circulation.
Can You Dry Cushions With Sunlight Exposure?
Yes, you can place your sofa cushions outdoors and have them face the sunlight for quite some time. The Ultraviolet rays of the sun are warm and bright and will help kill the bacteria and mold spores. Plus, the sunlight will speed up the cushion drying process. However, you should place cushions in bright sunlight and diffused sunlight is of no use in such circumstances.
One important aspect is to keep flipping the cushions over time regularly to ensure proper drying of the cushion from all sides. And, do not leave your cushions out in the sun for too long because some types of upholstery fabrics are prone to fading when exposed to sunlight.
Alongside sunlight exposure, you must ensure adequate airflow and wind circulation to prevent unwanted smells and odors.
What About Using Hair Dryers And Machine-Dryers For Drying Cushions?
You can use a hairdryer to dry cushions, however, it must be set to a cool setting and you need to keep it at a safe distance from the cushion. Because hairdryers even set to cool settings can damage the fabric with heated air and may cause fading if you keep the air flow concentrated to a specified region.
Therefore, it is necessary that you keep the hairdryer moving in a circular motion and do not concentrate the airflow in one region. Also, you should take care not to overheat the cushion upholstery or filling because it will be damaged and have to be replaced earlier in such situations.
In contrast, drying your outdoor cushions using a machine dryer is not recommended at all. It will not only deform the cushion but also affect the filling materials and you will end up with saggy cushions that will wear earlier than expected. Machine dryers follow a tumbling action and that is damaging to the shape and structural integrity of the wet cushions.
The Takeaway
Drying sofa cushions is important to keep them from smelling and prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. In today’s post, we’ve explained the best approach to drying cushions like professionals. You need to remove excess water by squeezing the cushions. Also, you should enhance the air circulation for quick drying. You can hang the cushions and turn on the ceiling fan for better airflow. Placing the cushions in bright sunlight is another good approach. Besides, you can use hairdryers in cool settings to dry sofa cushions efficiently.
