Grandin Road · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
WNP 14-Piece Outdoor Cushion Cover Set
Skip until brand discloses water-resistant treatment chemistry.
Outdoor cushion covers typically use water-repellent coating coatings that commonly contain PFAS. Grandin Road makes no disclosure of treatment chemistry or PFAS status. Limited transparency raises concern.
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 and stain resistant 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
These covers are polyester fabric treated with a water and stain resistant finish. Polyester itself is petroleum-derived and stable, but the finish applied to achieve water/stain resistance is the concern: manufacturers typically use either PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") or other chemical coatings to create that barrier. Grandin Road has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use. The finish degrades over time through UV exposure, washing, and wear, which can release particles and volatile compounds into your outdoor space.
The brand's record and disclosure
Grandin Road is owned by Frontgate Companies and does not publish ingredient transparency, chemical safety policies, or PFAS phase-out commitments. No major safety recalls or controversies are on record for this specific product line, but the brand's silence on water-resistant treatment chemistry is notable given industry-wide PFAS concerns. This is a mid-range home furnishings brand without third-party certifications (like Oeko-Tex or Bluesign) that would independently verify chemical safety.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor cushion covers in this price tier almost universally use treated polyester with undisclosed finishes. Premium brands (e.g., some Pottery Barn options) offer Sunbrella fabric, which uses disclosed fluorocarbon treatment; budget alternatives use similar untreated polyester or cotton blends. This product sits in the middle: it promises water resistance (a functional advantage) but provides no chemical safety data, making it harder to compare than either extreme. Most mainstream outdoor cushion covers carry the same disclosure gap.
If you buy it
Store covers indoors when not in use to reduce UV degradation and off-gassing. Avoid high-heat cleaning methods (pressure washing or heat guns) that accelerate coating breakdown. Hand wash with mild soap and air dry in shade; machine washing can degrade the finish faster. Inspect covers annually for peeling, fading, or odor changes; replace if the coating noticeably deteriorates, as this increases particle and volatile compound release. Keep cushions in a well-ventilated area, especially during the first few weeks after purchase when off-gassing is highest.
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 (possible additive to polyester)
Polyester textiles, especially outdoor grades, sometimes contain brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet flammability standards. Grandin Road does not disclose whether this product includes them. These can leach slowly or off-gas, particularly when heated or aged.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) from water-resistant coating
The undisclosed water and stain resistant finish will release VOCs during early use and storage. Off-gassing is strongest in the first weeks but continues at lower levels as the coating ages and breaks down, especially if exposed to sun or heat.
Coating degradation and particle release
Water-resistant finishes on outdoor textiles degrade over 2-4 years due to UV, weather, and wear. As the coating flakes or breaks down, it can release microparticles into the environment and indoor air if stored improperly. No specific data exists for this model, but it is a well-documented issue across the product category.
Antimony in polyester (trace contaminant risk)
Antimony is sometimes present as a catalyst residue in polyester production. No recalls or test data exist for Grandin Road cushions specifically. Risk is low for outdoor use but higher if covers are stored indoors long-term in enclosed spaces.
Formaldehyde resins in dyes or finishing (potential but unlikely stated)
Modern polyester textiles rarely use formaldehyde-based resins, but budget finishes may include them. Grandin Road does not disclose dye chemistry. No known contamination reports exist for this brand, but testing would be required to rule it out.
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.