The 4 Best Fabric Protectors For Outdoor Cushions

The cushions on patio furniture are exposed to the elements – intense sunlight, dew, dust, and rain. It’s no wonder that outdoor furniture doesn’t last as long as indoor furniture! Using a high-quality fabric protector on outdoor cushions and upholstery will guard them against stains and UV damage, making them look better for longer. 

Adirondack chair with outdoor cushions on front porch.

The best spray-on fabric protectors for outdoor cushions are Scotchgard™ Outdoor Water & Sun Shield or Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield. These products are designed to repel water, guard against stains, and protect textiles from UV rays so that cushions’ colors do not fade in the sun. 

Outdoor furniture is a costly investment, so to make it last for as long as possible, using some type of fabric protector is essential. Products from well-known brands, like 3M, are very reliable and work fantastically, but there are other lesser-known products that are just as great. Here, we discuss the best fabric protectors for outdoor cushions.

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What Are The Best Products To Protect Outdoor Cushions?

There are many different fabric protector products on the market. Some are specifically aimed at protecting fabric from water damage and stains, while others are more geared towards offering UV protection. 

It can be intimidating to choose a product that will work best for your outdoor cushions. We have reviewed the top fabric protector products to try and make the choice a little easier for you!

The best fabric protectors for outdoor cushions are:

  1. Scotchgard™ Outdoor Water & Sun Shield
  2. Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield
  3. Rust-Oleum Shield H2O Outdoor Fabric Spray
  4. Nano Tex-10 Textile And Fabric Protector

Let’s take a look at these products in a little more detail to explain why they made it onto our list.

Scotchgard™ Outdoor Water & Sun Shield

The bright yellow bottle of Scotchgard™ is the one to grab if you’re in need of water, sun, and stain protection for your outdoor cushions. This product does it all! 

3M’s Scotchgard™ is probably one of the best-known and most reliable fabric protectors. This outdoor formulation has all the stain-shielding properties of the original product but with beefed-up water repellence and UV protection.

Scotchgard™ Outdoor Water & Sun Shield comes in a spray bottle, making it quick and simple to apply. One 10.5-ounce can is enough to protect four large outdoor cushions, while two cans are enough to treat all the cushions on a large patio lounge suite. 

By blocking out UVA and UVB rays from the sun, it prevents fabrics from fading if they are exposed to full sun every day. It also provides a layer of stain resistance, making cushions easy to clean just by wiping them. 

This product causes drops of water to roll off the fabric when it rains, so you don’t need to worry when you forget your outdoor cushions outside in a deluge. It helps to keep moisture out of the cushion inners, preventing issues with mold and mildew. 

Scotchgard™ Outdoor Water & Sun Shield provides protection for 6 to 12 months, after which it must be reapplied. It is a good idea to get into the habit of spraying your outdoor cushions seasonally. 

Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield

This is another fantastic product from 3M. Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield is also made specifically for outdoor fabrics, like patio furniture cushions, tents, and grill covers. 

If your patio cushions are in a more shaded place, and you’re more concerned with preventing water damage than sun damage, this is the product for you! 

As with all Scotchgard™ products, this one is brilliant for creating a stain-resistant layer on fabrics. Whether you spill a drop of barbecue sauce or a splash of wine, you can simply wipe it away using a damp cloth without worrying about a stain. 

Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield can be used on a range of fabrics – nylon, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, and even leather or suede. A 10.5-ounce can is enough to cover four large outdoor cushions, and two cans can cover all the cushions in a large patio lounge suite. 

This product is easy to apply, as it simply sprays on. You can apply two layers for even more water protection. Allow the first layer to dry for an hour or two before applying the second. 

Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield is very durable, but to maintain maximum protection against water and stains, you should reapply the products every 6 to 12 months. 

Rust-Oleum Shield H2O Outdoor Fabric Spray

Rust-Oleum Shield H2O Outdoor Fabric Spray is designed to make your outdoor cushions as hydrophobic as a duck’s back. Applying a layer of this product will keep moisture from soaking into outdoor cushions. 

This product is better for the environment because it doesn’t contain any silicone, and it comes in a trigger spray bottle, so there are no propellants being sprayed into the atmosphere. 

Rust-Oleum Shield H2O Outdoor Fabric Spray contains polymers that absorb into fabric, creating a protective barrier over the fabric fibers. It doesn’t change the fabric’s color or the way it looks.

After applying this product to outdoor cushions, you need to wait 24 hours before putting them somewhere they could get rained or dewed on. This allows the product to soak into the fabric and dry fully, providing the best protection. 

As with any fabric protector, it needs to be reapplied on a seasonal basis. If applied correctly, it will protect outdoor cushions for up to a year. 

The reason that this product is third on our list and not in the top position is that you need to apply it quite liberally for the best results. One or even two 11-ounce bottles is nowhere near enough for all the cushions on a large patio lounge set. You would need seven or eight bottles. 

It doesn’t protect against stains or UV damage, so this product is best if the only thing you are worried about is water damage. 

Looking for new furniture to go with your outdoor cushions?Check out my top picks for outdoor rattan chairs.

Nano Tex-10 Textile And Fabric Protector

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly fabric protector for your outdoor cushions, Nano Tex-10 is the product for you! It is water-based, not polymer-based, like the other products on this list, and is made from nanoparticles.

The nanoparticles create a protective layer over fabric, shielding it from stains, water, and UV damage. It in no way changes the characteristics of the fabric, apart from increasing its lifespan outdoors. 

Nano Tex-10 Textile and Fabric Protector is long-lasting, offering protection for up to two years after application! 

This product comes in an 8.46-ounce trigger spray bottle or a bigger 16.90-ounce bottle. A small bottle is enough to treat 7 to 30 square feet of fabric, so go for the bigger option if you have lots of cushions to protect! 

Conclusion

Covering your outdoor furniture and cushions with a spray-on fabric protector is the best way to prevent water and sun damage from ruining them. Any of the products in this article are a fantastic choice of fabric protectors for your outdoor cushions. They’re all great quality, easy to apply, and long-lasting. 

Need ideas for your outdoor space? Read my complete guide to decorating a small patio!