Ballard Designs · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Scalloped Outdoor Pillow Cover - Kiwi/White - 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
Outdoor pillow likely treated with water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
Scalloped outdoor pillow covers typically receive water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes to resist moisture and stains. Ballard Designs provides no PFAS disclosure; contact them to confirm treatment chemicals.
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
polyester or poly-blend with stain/water resistance 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 polyester or a polyester-blend fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to handle outdoor weather. water-repellent coating treatments are the primary concern here: historically many outdoor textiles used PFOA-based fluorochemicals, though some brands have shifted to PFAS-free alternatives without public disclosure. The polyester substrate itself is stable under normal use, but the chemical treatment is the variable.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ballard Designs does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS avoidance for outdoor textiles on their website or product specifications. The brand has no known third-party certifications (e.g., bluesign, GOTS, OEKO-TEX) that would rule out fluorochemicals. This silence is typical of mid-market home furnishings but leaves consumers without assurance about treatment composition.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillow covers across the furniture category almost universally use water-repellent coating treatments; Ballard's lack of transparency is standard rather than exceptional for non-premium brands. Premium outdoor textile brands (e.g., Sunbrella, certain REI house items) sometimes specify PFAS-free water-repellent coating, but cost significantly more. This product sits in the middle of the category with typical risk profile and typical opacity.
If you buy it
Hand wash or hose rinse only; avoid machine washing, which can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and potentially mobilize treatment chemicals. Do not dry-clean. Inspect the cover annually for UV damage, mold growth, or coating degradation, especially in high-humidity climates; replace if the surface becomes chalky or flaking. Store indoors during off-season to extend life and reduce weathering.
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.”
Flame retardants or antimony in polyester
Polyester textile fibers do not require added flame retardants for regulatory compliance in home furnishings unless specifically marketed as fire-resistant. No evidence that Ballard Designs applies antimony-based dyes or additives to outdoor pillow covers; outdoor textiles for non-upholstered use are not subject to strict flammability codes.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing resins
Polyester-blend fabrics may use formaldehyde-based dyes or finishing agents to set colors and improve wrinkle resistance. Ballard Designs does not disclose dye chemistry. Formaldehyde off-gassing from new textiles is typically brief and decreases after initial airing; outdoor pillow covers are less likely to accumulate volatile levels than upholstered furniture.
Azo dyes and azo dye breakdown metabolites
The kiwi and white colors could involve azo dyes, which are common in polyester textile dyeing. Some azo dyes can break down under UV exposure or sweating to produce aromatic amines; Ballard does not specify whether dyes meet OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or similar restrictions. Risk is low for decorative outdoor pillows that are not in direct prolonged skin contact.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment chemistry (PFAS distinction)
The specific water-repellent coating chemistry is unknown and undisclosed. Historically, outdoor textiles have been treated with PFOA or other legacy PFAS; newer PFAS-free alternatives exist but are not confirmed here. Without manufacturer transparency or testing, the presence of PFAS in the treatment cannot be ruled out, making this the primary non-PFAS hazard concern.
Microplastics shedding
Polyester fabrics shed microfibers during washing and weathering. Regular hosing or hand rinsing is less likely to trigger shedding than machine washing, but degradation over time will release fibers. Outdoor pillows are not high-shedding compared to apparel, and shedding is typically collected in soil rather than ingested, but the mechanism is present.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.