Better Homes & Gardens · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Better Homes & Gardens 1 Piece Rectangle Outdoor Chair Cushion
Unknown treatment chemicals. No PFAS disclosure from brand.
Outdoor cushions typically receive water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments that may contain PFAS. Better Homes & Gardens provides no transparency on treatment type or PFAS status. Lab testing not publicly available.
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 fabric with stain/water-resistant 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 cushion is polyester fabric treated with a stain and water-resistant topcoat, likely a synthetic polymer finish (acrylic, polyurethane, or silicone-based). Polyester itself is stable, but the water-resistant treatment is the chemical wild card: these coatings often contain flame retardants, surfactants, or other performance chemicals not itemized on the label. The combination means two potential off-gassing sources, especially in sun and heat.
The brand's record and disclosure
Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart house brand) does not publicly disclose chemical treatments on outdoor textiles or commit to restricted substance lists. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, GOTS, GreenGuard) are advertised for this product line. The brand has no known major textile safety recalls, but transparency on flame retardants and finish chemistry is absent, which is standard industry opacity for budget outdoor goods.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor cushions at this price point almost always receive chemical water-repellent treatment; alternatives either have the same unknown finish or cost significantly more for certified low-VOC options. Better Homes & Gardens occupies the middle-ground budget tier, where disclosure lags premium brands but quality is consistent. Most competitors in the under-$30 cushion market share the same transparency gap.
If you buy it
Air the cushion outdoors in sunlight for 24-48 hours before first use to off-gas volatile compounds. Avoid prolonged contact with skin if you detect chemical odor; wash pillowcase or cover separately. Store in a dry, well-ventilated space during off-season to prevent mildew, which may encourage rewashing and accelerate coating wear. Replace cushion if fabric develops cracks, peeling, or color bleeding into the foam interior, signaling barrier breakdown.
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 in water-resistant treatment
Outdoor fabric finishes commonly include halogenated or organophosphate flame retardants to meet flammability standards. Better Homes & Gardens does not specify the type; brominated compounds or chlorinated additives are not ruled out.
VOC off-gassing from synthetic finish
Polyurethane, acrylic, or silicone water-resistant coatings release volatile organic compounds, especially in warm or sunny conditions. Odor may persist for days to weeks; cumulative exposure in enclosed spaces (e.g., covered patios) is not quantified in available data.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production sometimes uses antimony oxide as a catalyst. Levels in finished fabric are generally low and not bioavailable during normal use, but degradation, washing, or sun exposure could theoretically increase leaching over time.
Azo dyes if fabric is colored
Polyester outdoor cushions are often dyed with disperse or acid azo dyes. Restricted azo compounds (banned in EU, restricted in some US states) are not confirmed here, but no third-party dye testing is documented.
Foam interior off-gassing
Cushion filling is typically polyurethane foam, which off-gases formaldehyde and other isocyanate residues. This is masked by the fabric exterior but still relevant if seams split or foam degrades.
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.