How to create a perfect summer patio with FibreGuard Outdoor

The scenario is all-too familiar. It’s a perfect summer day and your friends are coming over for a barbecue. You’ve spent ages getting your patio summer-ready, and it looks great. But…as the summer goes on, your patio furniture starts really showing the beginning effects of wear and tear. The cushions start fading, water stains appear after a surprise shower, and sunscreen stains are so hard to get out you can’t be bothered even trying anymore.

That’s where we come in.

Read on for our complete guide to achieving the perfect patio this summer – one that stays beautiful from the first warm day until the last.

The Outdoor Furniture Fabrics Behind Worry-Free Summer Entertaining

What makes some outdoor fabrics barely survive a season while others remain beautiful for years? The difference lies in how they’re designed and made. There are two kinds of summer-ready outdoor fabrics:

1. Protective treatments that are applied after the fabric is manufactured, and sit on the surface
2. FibreGuard Outdoor. FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics incorporate solution-dyed polyolefin yarn specifically engineered for outdoor use.

This fundamental difference means your furniture's resistance to stains, fading, and moisture isn't something that can wash away or degrade over time. By mid-summer, you won’t be constantly cleaning less durable designer fabrics, or settling for the faded appearance of more weather-resistant options.

Cleanability: Sunscreen Smears, BBQ Spills, and Cocktail Catastrophes

Summer entertaining brings inevitable spills and stains, especially when sunscreen, food, and beverages enter the mix. Most outdoor fabrics require specialised cleaners, immediate attention, or simply accept that some stains become permanent fixtures of your summer memories.

With FibreGuard, your "Summer Stain Emergency Kit" is refreshingly simple: just water and mild soap. No specialised cleaners, no permanent reminders of accidents.

This simple process works for everything from the most common summer stains to the most challenging ones:

Sunscreen and Sun Oils: Sunscreen has a bad reputation for being hard to remove. But there’s no need to ban sunscreen-covered children from your furniture or create special "sunscreen application zones" away from your seating areas. Thanks FibreGuard Outdoor!

BBQ Sauce and Food Stains: Lots of us love BBQ, but those sticky, coloured condiments typically spell disaster for outdoor cushions? With FibreGuard, they clean up with a simple application of water and soap. No more strategic placement of guests based on what they're eating.

Cocktails, Juice and Soda: Spilled sangria or knocked-over margaritas can stop any gathering in a heartbeat. We’re happy to support your carefree summer living, making drinks from red wine to colourful cocktails easily cleaned up without any traces left behind. The peace of mind alone transforms how you use and enjoy your outdoor space all summer long.

Sustainable Summer Living: Eco-Friendly Performance Fabrics

It’s a fact of life that consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the products they buy, wear, or eat, and that includes outdoor furnishings. FibreGuard's approach to sustainability means you can create beautiful outdoor spaces that align with your own environmental values, without sacrificing on durability or colourfastness.

All FibreGuard upholstery fabrics are free of ‘forever chemicals,’ aka perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS/PFCs). Even our FibreGuard Outdoor ranges! This is particularly important for outdoor spaces where children and pets play, or where food is served.

FibreGuard's performance comes from the innovative fibre technology itself, instead of relying on these extremely harmful chemicals. Our fabrics are also certified with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, one of the world's most rigorous testing systems for textile safety.

Your Complete Summer Outdoor Fabric Guide: From Poolside Loungers to Dining Sets

Different areas of your outdoor space face different challenges, and selecting the right fabric for each zone ensures optimal performance throughout the summer season.

By tailoring your fabric selections to each area's specific needs, you create an outdoor space that functions beautifully throughout the entire summer season.

Fabric tips for Poolside/Water-Adjacent Areas:

• Priority concerns: Chlorine/salt exposure, frequent wet/dry cycles, sun exposure
• FibreGuard advantage: Water-repellent properties mean quicker drying after splashes
• Practical tip: Arrange in configurations that allow full drying access after heavy use

Upholstery Selection for Outdoor Dining Areas

• Priority concerns: Food/beverage spills, frequent cleaning needs, comfort during extended sitting
• FibreGuard advantage: Simple cleaning process for food stains without specialised products
• Practical tip: Consider arm covers for dining chairs where the most frequent contact occurs

Soft, Comfortable Fabrics for Conversation/Lounging Areas:

• Priority concerns: Comfort, sunscreen transfer, extended exposure to body oils
• FibreGuard advantage: Resistance to sunscreen and body oil staining
• Practical tip: Layer with FibreGuard throw pillows for seasonal refreshes

Vibrant Colours and Enhanced Durability for Kid-Friendly Zones:

• Priority concerns: Frequent spills, sunscreen, popsicles, rough usage
• FibreGuard advantage: Simplified cleaning and exceptional durability
• Practical tip: Create designated kids' seating with FibreGuard fabrics where other activities like crafts can happen without worry
  

Summer-to-Autumn Transition: Protecting Your Patio Investment When the Season Ends

As summer winds down, proper care ensures your outdoor furniture remains in excellent condition for years to come. Remember that FibreGuard fabrics can be washed repeatedly without losing their protective properties!

Your Perfect Patio Awaits: Bringing It All Together

Creating the perfect summer patio isn't about following trends or investing in furniture that looks beautiful for just a few weeks. It's about making smart choices that allow you to enjoy your outdoor space without constant maintenance, worry, or disappointment.

FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics represent a solution to the most common frustrations of outdoor living. From their exceptional colour retention and weather resistance to their easy-cleaning properties and sustainability credentials, these innovative textiles transform how you experience your outdoor space throughout the entire summer season.

Imagine hosting gatherings where you don't hover nervously around guests with drinks, creating play spaces for children without restricting their sunscreen use, or designing beautiful poolside retreats that maintain their vibrant colours despite constant sun exposure. These scenarios become your reality when you choose materials designed specifically to overcome summer's challenges.

As you plan your perfect patio this summer, remember that the fabric you choose does more than just look beautiful on day one—it determines whether your outdoor living experience will be one of constant maintenance and frustration or one of relaxation and enjoyment. Choose wisely, and your summer will be filled with memories of outdoor moments rather than outdoor maintenance.

Ready to transform your outdoor living experience? Explore the full range of FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics and discover the perfect solution for your summer patio needs.