Better Homes & Gardens · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Better Homes & Gardens Outdoor Patio Dining Seat Cushion
High uncertainty. Outdoor cushions often use water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS.
Standard outdoor patio cushions typically receive water and stain repellent finishes to withstand weather. Better Homes & Gardens does not disclose whether theirs uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating chemistry.
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 water/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
Better Homes & Gardens outdoor cushions are polyester fabric with a durable water and stain repellent (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyester itself is stable, but the water-repellent coating is the concern: these finishes often rely on PFAS-based chemistry to achieve water beading and stain resistance in outdoor environments. The fabric may also contain antimony as a polyester production catalyst and could have been treated with flame retardants common in furniture padding. None of these chemicals typically migrate into skin during normal contact, but degradation over years of UV and weathering can alter coating integrity.
The brand's record and disclosure
Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart's house brand) does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating treatment chemistry, PFAS testing, or flame retardant use for this product line. No independent certifications (Oeko-Tex, GOTS, or GREENGUARD) are listed for these cushions. The brand has no established record of proactive chemical transparency compared to premium outdoor furniture makers. Walmart's general sustainability commitments are broad and do not specifically address PFAS in garden textiles.
How it compares in its category
Most mass-market outdoor cushions use similar polyester-plus-water-repellent coating construction; this is standard practice. Premium alternatives (Sunbrella, Ballard Designs) often disclose PFAS-free water repellency or use wax-based treatments, though at higher cost. Budget outdoor cushions rarely distinguish themselves on chemical transparency. This product sits at the typical commercial baseline: functional and durable, but without assurance that water-repellent coating coatings are PFAS-free or that flame retardants are absent.
If you buy it
Wash new cushions before first use to reduce loose surface finishes. Store indoors during heavy rain or winter to minimize UV and moisture degradation of the water-repellent coating, which may release coating particles over time. Replace cushions every 3-5 years if heavily used outdoors, as UV breakdown can compromise both water resistance and coating integrity. Do not machine wash in hot water or bleach, as these can strip or disrupt the repellent finish and increase leaching risk. Children should not mouth or chew cushion fabric.
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) coating composition uncertainty
Outdoor cushions commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes to achieve durable water and stain repellency. Better Homes & Gardens does not disclose whether this product uses PFAS, fluorocarbon-free alternatives, or wax-based treatments. Degradation over years may alter coating stability.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production often uses antimony trioxide as a catalyst. Antimony is not typically released into contact with skin during normal cushion use, but high-temperature washing or degradation could theoretically increase migration. No test data on this specific product is publicly available.
Flame retardants in cushion filling
Cushion padding and internal structure may contain brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants common in furniture. Better Homes & Gardens does not disclose flame retardant chemistry. These compounds are not skin-contact hazards in intact cushions but can off-gas or release if filling is damaged or overheated.
Microfiber shedding and coating particle release
Polyester fabrics can shed microfibers, especially with wear and weathering. water-repellent coating coatings may flake or fragment as they degrade under UV and moisture stress over months or years, potentially releasing coating particles into air or soil.
Formaldehyde-based resin finish or dye fixation
No public reports of formaldehyde resin finishes on this specific product line. Polyester cushions typically use lower-formaldehyde dye chemistry than cotton textiles, and outdoor exposure would rapidly off-gas any residual formaldehyde. Not flagged as a primary concern for this category.
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.