Ballard Designs · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Bordered Sunbrella Outdoor Pillow Cover - Select Colors - Kiwi/White 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
Sunbrella fabric likely contains fluorinated water repellent, but no confirmation available.
Sunbrella is industry-standard outdoor fabric treated for durability and stain resistance. Brand makes no PFAS disclosure; fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments are common in this category.
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-repellent coating treatment
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 solution-dyed synthetic material engineered for outdoor durability. It includes a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed moisture and stains. Sunbrella itself is considered a safer acrylic alternative to polyester for outdoor textiles because solution-dyeing locks color into fibers before weaving, reducing loose dye migration and formaldehyde resin use. The water-repellent coating is the primary chemical concern, as these treatments have historically relied on fluorinated compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ballard Designs does not publicly disclose PFAS status or chemical certifications for outdoor textiles on product labels or sustainability pages. The brand has no known recalls or regulatory violations specific to this product line. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, Cradle to Cradle) are advertised for these pillow covers. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical among home furnishing retailers and does not indicate confirmed risk, only lack of transparency.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella is widely recognized as one of the more chemically conservative brands in outdoor fabric. Competitors using cheaper polyester blends typically involve higher azo-dye loads and antimony catalysts. However, many outdoor pillow covers now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (paraffin, silicone, or wax-based), which Ballard Designs does not advertise as available. If PFAS avoidance is a priority, this product sits in the middle of the market rather than at the safer end.
If you buy it
Hand wash or spot-clean only; machine washing can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and increase any potential leaching of treatment chemicals into water. Do not dry clean or expose to direct heat. Store indoors during off-season to minimize UV and moisture cycling, which speeds fabric degradation. Replace the cover if visible mildew, pilling, or coating wear appears, typically after 3-5 years of seasonal use depending on climate.
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.”
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish chemistry
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating treatment almost certainly contains fluorinated compounds based on industry standards, though Ballard Designs does not confirm the specific chemistry. Fluorinated water-repellent coating has been linked to PFAS accumulation but risk from a pillow cover is primarily in manufacturing/disposal rather than consumer skin contact.
Solution-dyed azo dyes and heavy metals
Sunbrella's solution-dyeing process is designed to minimize loose azo dyes and associated heavy metal catalysts (e.g., antimony) compared to surface-dyed synthetics. No recalls or test failures have been reported for this product or brand.
Formaldehyde resins in fiber finish
Outdoor acrylics may receive wrinkle-resist or crease-set treatments containing formaldehyde donors. Sunbrella does not publicly disclose whether this pillow uses such finishes. Off-gassing risk is minimal for outdoor-only use in well-ventilated spaces.
Microfiber shedding and microplastic migration
Repeated washing and weathering can shed acrylic fibers into water and air. Machine washing is discouraged both to preserve the water-repellent coating and to minimize microfiber release. Outdoor placement reduces direct contact with skin.
Mold and mildew growth if poorly maintained
Outdoor pillows in humid climates can harbor mildew if not dried promptly after rain or cleaned regularly. This is a hygiene issue rather than a chemical hazard, but indicates need for active care.
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.