Outdoor Pillow Sham Care: Keep Pool Lounge Pillows Fresh

Quick answer

Treat every outdoor pillow sham issue by its symptom: dampness usually means trapped moisture, musty odor points to mildew, and a flat pillow is almost always an undersized insert. Wash the sham, dry it fully, and store it dry — but replace it if mildew has stained the terry.

Diagnose the problem before you treat it

• Symptom: the sham feels damp hours after pool use: Likely cause: the insert is holding water and the terry cannot dry around it. Remove the insert, air both pieces separately in shade, and wash the sham only after it is fully dry. Corrective action: wash the sham on a gentle cycle, then dry completely before reinserting. If dampness returns within a day of drying, the insert itself is trapping moisture and should be replaced.
• Symptom: musty odor or dark speckling on the terry: Likely cause: mildew from a sham stored or left damp. Wash the sham promptly, dry it in open air, and keep it out of closed storage until fully dry. For poolside pillow mildew prevention, never fold a damp sham into a bag or bin. Stop treating and replace the sham if dark stains remain after one wash and full drying.
• Symptom: colors look washed out or embroidery threads look fuzzy: Likely cause: sun exposure and harsh detergent. Move the pillow to shade between uses, wash with a mild detergent, and avoid bleach. Follow outdoor pillow covers washing tips: turn the sham inside out and skip the dryer if the trim is delicate. If fading has reached the embroidery or applique, the sham is a display piece, not a poolside one.
• Symptom: the sham looks loose, creased, or flat: Likely cause: an undersized insert. Weezie recommends ordering inserts 2 inches larger than the sham so the pillow has the extra fluff it deserves. Reshape the sham around the insert after each wash. If a correctly sized insert still will not fill the sham, the sham has stretched and should be replaced.
• Symptom: the envelope closure will not stay closed: Likely cause: an oversized insert straining the opening. Size down to the recommended 2-inch-larger insert and avoid stuffing the sham. For outdoor pillow sham storage, keep the insert in place only when the sham is completely dry. A closure that stays open after resizing means the sham is worn out — choose another option.

Product facts that affect care

• Outdoor Pillow Sham: The Outdoor Pillow Sham is made of soft, absorbent terry with an envelope closure, and inserts are not included. Absorbent terry needs thorough drying after pool use, and the envelope closure makes it easy to remove the insert for washing and airing.

  

• Outdoor Pillow Sham: The sham can be customized with embroidery or applique, and Weezie recommends ordering inserts 2 inches larger than the sham. Ordering the insert 2 inches larger gives the pillow the fluff it deserves, while customized embroidery or applique calls for gentler washing to protect the stitching.