Sunbrella · Outdoor Cushions & Pillows
Crate & Barrel Sunbrella 20"x20" Cabana Wheat Yellow Stripe Outdoor Throw
Sunbrella uses water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS composition undisclosed by brand.
Sunbrella outdoor fabrics use water-repellent finishes typical of the industry, but the brand does not publicly disclose PFAS-free certification or testing results. Contact Sunbrella directly for treatment specifics.
The safe swap
Arhaus
Arhaus Ardennes Outdoor Pillow In Polyester
75/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Sunbrella solution-dyed acrylic with water-repellent coating 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
This throw is Sunbrella solution-dyed acrylic, meaning colorant is built into the fiber itself rather than applied topically, which reduces dye migration. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the variable: Sunbrella does not publicly disclose whether their water-repellent coating treatment contains PFAS or fluorine-free alternatives. Solution-dyed acrylic is inherently more stable than printed fabrics and resists fading, but the finish composition remains opaque to consumers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella is owned by Glen Raven and is the market leader in solution-dyed outdoor textiles. The brand has not published a formal PFAS disclosure statement or commitment to PFAS-free formulations, despite industry pressure. Sunbrella products are widely specified in hospitality and residential use but lack third-party certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, GOTS) that would independently verify chemical content. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is the primary transparency gap.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella acrylic outperforms typical polyester outdoor textiles in UV stability and colorfastness, reducing replacement frequency. However, many competitors now offer PFAS-free or fluorine-free water-repellent coating alternatives (e.g., Crypton, some Perennials lines), which Sunbrella has not widely adopted. The throw's price point and durability are competitive, but chemical disclosure lags peers in the premium outdoor segment.
If you buy it
Wash before first use and regularly (quarterly for outdoor use) with mild detergent and cool water to reduce surface residue and any loose finish particles. Avoid direct prolonged contact with skin if you have sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities, as water-repellent coating finishes can occasionally cause mild irritation. Store dry to prevent mildew; do not dry-clean, which may concentrate finish chemicals. Replace if visible degradation occurs (loss of water repellency, fraying, fading beyond normal use).
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 finish leachates (PFAS component undisclosed)
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating treatment composition is proprietary and not publicly disclosed. If PFAS-based, washing and skin contact could mobilize trace amounts; fluorine-free water-repellent coating would eliminate this risk. No recalls or consumer reports of harm from this product are on record.
Formaldehyde resins in dyes or finishing
Solution-dyed acrylic typically avoids formaldehyde-releasing finishes used in reactive dyes on cotton blends. No formaldehyde concerns are documented for Sunbrella acrylic throws. Standard acrylic dyeing does not require formaldehyde.
Azo dyes and colorant stability
Sunbrella solution-dyed fibers use synthetic disperse dyes engineered into the polymer; these are not azo-based heavy-metal dyes. The 'Cabana Wheat Yellow' coloring is built in during extrusion, not applied topically, which reduces leaching risk.
Flame retardant chemicals
Sunbrella acrylic is inherently flame-resistant due to fiber chemistry and does not require added flame retardant treatments. No brominated or chlorinated additives are documented in this material class.
VOC off-gassing or odor on first use
New outdoor textiles may emit mild VOCs (finishes, dyes) for the first few uses. Washing before use and air-drying in open air mitigates this. No reports specific to this product, but typical of finished textile goods.
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 Cushions & Pillows
Arhaus
Ardennes Outdoor Pillow In Polyester
Polyester, unspecified finish
Lower concern. Polyester pillow unlikely to contain PFAS unless treated.
⚠Risky category by default
Room & Board
Modern Cast Outdoor Pillow
Cast polyester or acrylic fabric cover
Outdoor pillow with synthetic fabric.
⚠Risky category by default
Pier 1 Imports
Rizzy Home Jim Throw Pillow
polyester/cotton blend with standard fill
Lower concern. No PFAS-prone features identified in typical throw pillow.
⚠Risky category by default
More outdoor cushions & pillows 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.