Guide
Best foam for outdoor cushions
For outdoor cushions that get wet, look for reticulated (open-cell) polyurethane foam: its cell membranes are removed, so air and water pass through and it dries fast. Foam that stays damp can grow mold, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises drying wet items within one to two days (24 to 48 hr) to prevent mold growth.
Foamera makes made-to-measure foam cushions and sells them online through TURKEX LLC.
What is reticulated foam?
Reticulated foam is polyurethane foam whose cell membranes have been removed and bonded to the cell walls, leaving a three-dimensional network of open cells. The foam maker Joyce Foam Products notes that its fast drying makes it useful in outdoor furniture. Foamera’s guides and outdoor product pages call it dry-fast or quick-dry foam; what is dry-fast foam explains it in more detail.
Why does drainage matter outdoors?
The EPA states that the key to mold control is moisture control, and that no type of mold will grow without water or moisture. A foam that lets water drain out and air pass through dries sooner after rain.
What should an outdoor cushion be made of?
| Part | What to look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Foam core | Reticulated (dry-fast) foam | Air and water pass through it, so it dries fast |
| Fabric | Solution-dyed outdoor fabric | Solution-dyed fibres resist bleeding and fading from use and sunlight |
| Cleaning code | W or W/S | Water-based cleaners are safe |
| Care after rain | Dry the cushion within one to two days | The EPA gives this window to prevent mold growth |
Does Foamera use dry-fast foam in outdoor cushions?
Foamera’s outdoor product pages, such as the square patio cushions, describe quick-dry reticulated foam that lets water pass straight through, but the fill choices on the product page are High Density Foam, Fiber Fill and Cover Only. To confirm the foam core for your outdoor cushion before you order, email hello@foamera.com.
Does the fabric matter as much as the foam?
Both matter: the foam decides how fast the inside dries, and the fabric decides how the outside copes with sun and rain. See the best outdoor cushion fabric and water-resistant and water-repellent cushions explained.
How thick should outdoor cushions be?
Thickness depends on the furniture and the seat depth; the cushion thickness guide covers thickness by use, and you enter the exact thickness on the product page.
Where can I order outdoor cushions?
- Outdoor cushions
- Outdoor round cushions
- L-shaped boat cushions
- Concrete bench cushions
- How long do outdoor cushions last?
- How to store outdoor cushions
- Foam density guide
Sources
- Joyce Foam Products, A Guide to Reticulated Foam. Accessed 26 September 2026.
- US Environmental Protection Agency, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. Accessed 26 September 2026.
- Mammut, Solution Dyeing. Accessed 26 September 2026.
- American Leather, Explaining Fabric Cleaning Codes. Accessed 26 September 2026.
- Outdoor foam description: Foamera outdoor product pages.