Grandin Road · Outdoor Furniture Cushions
RST Brands Modular Outdoor Set of 2 Sunbrella Club Ottoman Cushion Covers
Sunbrella fabric likely contains PFAS-based water-repellent coating; brand silent on chemistry.
Sunbrella outdoor fabrics typically use fluorochemical water-repellent coating treatments, a known PFAS application. Grandin Road discloses no information about PFAS content or alternatives used in this product.
The safe swap
Target
Covers & All Square Cushion Slipcover
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Sunbrella acrylic 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
These are cushion covers made from Sunbrella acrylic fabric, a solution-dyed synthetic textile engineered for outdoor durability. Sunbrella's stain and water resistance typically relies on fluorochemical (PFAS-based) water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments applied during manufacturing. The acrylic fiber itself is generally stable, but the finish chemistry matters for longevity and potential leaching under degradation or washing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Grandin Road (the seller) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or sourcing practices for this product line. Sunbrella, the fabric supplier, has not committed to PFAS-free alternatives in its standard outdoor collections, though some eco-labeled variants exist. Neither brand has faced major recalls or documented toxicity complaints specific to cushion covers, but opacity around chemical inputs is a red flag for consumers seeking safer outdoor textiles.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella fabrics are market-leading for outdoor durability and stain resistance, but this comes at the cost of PFAS-based treatments that are now common industry-wide for performance textiles. Competitors using untreated natural fibers (cotton, linen) or PFAS-free synthetic alternatives exist but offer less water/stain repellency and shorter lifespans. This product sits in the 'high performance, high PFAS likelihood' segment; trading durability for reduced chemical load is the main tradeoff in this category.
If you buy it
Avoid machine washing or aggressive scrubbing, which degrades the water-repellent coating finish and may release or concentrate any residual chemicals. Spot-clean with mild soap and water, and allow air-dry only. Store indoors or under cover during off-season to extend the fabric lifespan and reduce weathering that could compromise the coating. Replace covers if seams fray or the fabric becomes pilled or thin, as degradation can increase any migration of finish chemicals into contact areas.
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/stain-resistant treatment
Sunbrella's standard water-repellent coating formulations historically use fluorochemical compounds (PFAS-class); no public commitment by Grandin Road or Sunbrella to PFAS-free alternatives for this product line. PFAS is graded separately per your criteria.
Formaldehyde resins in synthetic fabric finishing
Acrylic textiles may incorporate formaldehyde-based resins in dyeing or setting processes. No recalls or testing data on record for Sunbrella cushion covers; Sunbrella maintains OEKO-TEX Standard 100 compliance for some products, which limits formaldehyde to safe levels, but this is not confirmed for Grandin Road's specific batch.
Azo dyes or disperse dyes in colored fabric
Sunbrella uses solution-dyed acrylic (dye is part of the fiber), which avoids surface dyes, making azo contamination unlikely. No documentation of dye-related sensitization in this product line.
Flame retardants in cushion fill or backing
These are cushion covers only, not filled cushions. No flame retardant requirement applies to fabric covers alone. If a backing or adhesive is used, it is not detailed in available product specs.
VOC off-gassing from dyes and finishes
New acrylic outdoor fabrics may release volatile compounds during initial use or storage, especially if warehouse conditions were warm. Off-gassing is typically mild and short-lived. Airing the covers before first use can reduce odor.
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 Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Target
Covers & All Square Cushion Slipcover
Cotton or cotton-blend slipcover fabric
Low PFAS concern for bare textile slipcover without stated treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Target
ARDEN Elastic Deep Seat Cushion Cover 2-Pack
polyester/cotton blend upholstery fabric
Lower concern. Soft furnishings rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Pottery Barn
Cammeray Dining Chair Cushion Slipcover
cotton/polyester blend upholstery fabric
Likely lower concern; typical furniture fabric without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
More outdoor furniture 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.