Ballard Designs · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Applique Trim Sunbrella Outdoor Pillow Cover - Canvas Spa 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
Sunbrella fabric likely contains PFAS-based water-repellent coating; brand discloses nothing.
Sunbrella is a well-known performance outdoor fabric typically treated with PFAS water repellents, though some newer Sunbrella products use PFOA-free chemistry. Ballard Designs provides no PFAS transparency. Request specific fiber treatment info before purchase.
The safe swap
Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens 19 inch x 18 inch Rectangle Outdoor Seat Pad Cushion, 1-Piece, Medallion
75/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Sunbrella acrylic fabric with water and stain repellent finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This pillow cover is Sunbrella acrylic fabric, a synthetic textile engineered for outdoor durability. Sunbrella applies a durable water and stain repellent (water-repellent coating) finish to achieve its signature performance; this finish is almost certainly PFAS-based, as fluorochemical water-repellent coating treatments dominate commercial outdoor textiles. Acrylic fiber itself is relatively stable, but the finish chemistry is the primary chemical exposure vector for this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ballard Designs does not publicly disclose PFAS content, manufacturing certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Bluesign), or chemical restriction commitments for their Sunbrella products. Sunbrella (made by Glen Raven) does not market itself as PFAS-free and has not signed pledges to eliminate fluorochemicals. Neither brand provides transparency on the specific water-repellent coating chemistry used. This silence is typical in the high-end outdoor furniture market but represents a notable gap in chemical disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillow covers overwhelmingly use PFAS-treated acrylic, polyester, or solution-dyed olefin fabrics; Sunbrella is a premium choice within this category. PFAS-free alternatives (e.g., untreated outdoor textiles, beeswax-coated cotton, or emerging non-fluorinated hydrophobic finishes) exist but are rare and typically cost more or sacrifice stain resistance. Most consumers buying outdoor textiles face this same PFAS trade-off; Sunbrella does not materially worsen the category baseline.
If you buy it
Store indoors when not in use to minimize weathering and finish degradation, which can release particles. Clean with mild soap and water; avoid high-heat dryers or pressure washing, as these can compromise the water-repellent coating finish and potentially increase microfiber shedding. Replace the cover if visible wear, fading, or water no longer beads on the surface occurs, as a failed finish reduces the product's function. Do not use near children's play areas where textile particles from sitting and friction could be ingested.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fluorochemical water-repellent coating finish (PFAS-based)
Sunbreller's commercial water-repellent coating finish is virtually certain to contain legacy PFAS (C6-C8 fluorotelomers or similar). Leaching risk is low under normal indoor/covered use but increases with wear, laundering, and outdoor UV exposure over years.
Azo dyes and colorant safety
No recalls or published safety concerns for Sunbrella colorants; the 'Spa' colorant in this product has no documented azo-dye or heavy-metal contamination on record. Standard textile dye regulation (CPSC, REACH) generally applies.
Formaldehyde resins (finishes and dyes)
Sunbrella acrylic fabric does not typically require formaldehyde-based resins for color or wrinkle resistance. No formaldehyde finish hazard is documented for this product line.
Flame retardant treatments
Sunbrella outdoor textiles are not marketed as flame-retardant treated. No added halogenated or phosphorus flame retardants are documented for this product. Acrylic fiber itself is naturally somewhat flame-resistant.
Microfiber shedding and particulate release
Like all outdoor acrylic textiles, Sunbreller can shed microfibers, especially after UV exposure and physical wear. This is a wear-mechanism concern rather than a manufacturing chemical hazard, but it accumulates over the product lifetime.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Better Homes & Gardens
19 inch x 18 inch Rectangle Outdoor Seat Pad Cushion, 1-Piece, Medallion
polyester fabric fill, cotton cover
Lower concern. No PFAS-prone treatments reported for cushion.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Cut Garden Flowers Pillow Cover
100% cotton canvas
Lower concern. Plain cotton pillow cover unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Outdoor Knotted Border Pillow
outdoor pillow, likely synthetic fibers or polyester blend
Outdoor pillow with no disclosed PFAS or water-repellent coating treatment info.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof outdoor cushions grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.