Grandin Road · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Helmes Outdoor Sunbrella Seat Cushion Cover RST Brands Fabric
Sunbrella brand historically uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating; verify current formulation before purchase.
Sunbrella cushion covers offer water and stain resistance typical of solution-dyed acrylic fabrics. Sunbrella's historical use of PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes raises concern; brand disclosure on current PFAS status is absent.
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 cushion cover is made from Sunbrella acrylic fabric, a solution-dyed synthetic material known for UV and moisture resistance. The fabric includes a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied during manufacturing. Sunbrella brand has historically relied on PFAS-based chemistry for its water-repellent properties, though formulation details are proprietary and not publicly disclosed by Grandin Road for this specific product. Acrylic fiber itself is stable and does not leach chemicals under normal outdoor use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Grandin Road does not publicly disclose the water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS content of its Sunbrella seat cushion covers. Sunbrella (owned by Glen Raven) has faced ongoing scrutiny over PFAS use in outdoor fabrics but has not committed to PFAS-free formulations industry-wide. Neither Grandin Road nor Sunbrella provides third-party testing results or certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS) for this product. Transparency is limited; contacting the company directly about water-repellent coating formulation is the only way to confirm current chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor furniture cushion covers in this price and durability tier commonly use acrylic blends with water-repellent coating coatings; this Sunbrella option is industry-standard in that respect. Some competitors (e.g., performance fabrics from solution-dyed polyester or certified organic cotton) may use non-PFAS water repellents, but these tend to be less durable or more expensive. Sunbrella's reputation for longevity (10+ year lifespan) is well-earned, but comes with the historical trade-off of PFAS-based water-repellent coating. This product does not stand out as either a safer or riskier choice within its category without formulation transparency.
If you buy it
Store covers indoors during off-season to reduce weathering and extend water-repellent coating life. Clean with mild soap and water only; avoid high-heat pressure washing or industrial dry cleaning, which can degrade the water-repellent coating layer and potentially release trapped chemicals. Inspect seams and fabric surface annually for pilling, tears, or water-beading loss; replace the cover if the water-repellent property visibly fails (water no longer beads). Do not use near heat sources such as outdoor grills or fire pits, as synthetic acrylic can melt if exposed to sustained temperatures above 160°F (71°C).
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.”
PFAS in water-repellent coating treatment
Sunbrella brand has historically used PFAS (such as Teflon-type coating or fluorocarbon-based) for water and stain repellency. Grandin Road has not published current formulation data. PFAS can leach into soil and water if covers degrade or are disposed of improperly, but direct skin exposure during normal use is low.
Flame retardant chemicals
No established records of added flame retardant treatments in Sunbrella acrylic fabrics for outdoor cushion covers. Acrylic fiber itself has moderate inherent flame resistance and is not typically treated with additional halogenated or phosphorus-based retardants for this application.
Heavy metals in dyes
Sunbrella uses solution-dyeing (pigment spun into fiber before extrusion), which is considered a lower-contamination method than surface dyeing. No recalls or third-party reports of heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium, chromium) in Sunbrella outdoor fabrics are on record, though independent testing data is not publicly available.
VOC off-gassing and odor
New acrylic and coated fabrics can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the first weeks of outdoor exposure and in enclosed storage. Odor is typically transient but may be noticeable; airing the cover outdoors before first use can reduce initial emissions.
Microplastic shedding
Sunbrella acrylic fibers can shed microplastics through wear, abrasion, and weathering over time. When cushion covers degrade or are disposed of, shed fibers may accumulate in soil or water. Outdoor storage limits washing frequency and may reduce shedding relative to indoor synthetic textiles.
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.