Sunbrella · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Sunbrella Cast Custom Cushion Covers
No PFAS disclosure. water-repellent coating-treated textiles typically contain PFAS. Skip or contact brand.
Sunbrella cushion covers use solution-dyed acrylic with stain and water resistance treatment. Sunbrella does not publicly disclose PFAS content, though water-repellent coating finishes commonly use PFAS compounds.
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
Solution-dyed acrylic fabric 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
Sunbrella Cast covers are solution-dyed acrylic fabric, meaning color is built into the fiber during production rather than applied as topical dye. This eliminates the typical azo-dye and heavy-metal-pigment hazards common in printed textiles. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the concern: it protects the fabric outdoors but is almost certainly PFAS-based, a separate hazard graded at 30/100. The acrylic base itself is stable and unlikely to leach chemicals into skin or food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella (Glen Raven) does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatment or confirm PFAS-free alternatives. The brand has no published statement on PFAS phase-out or restrictions despite outdoor-furniture market-wide awareness of the issue since 2020. Sunbrella is transparent about UV and mildew resistance performance but silent on chemical composition, making independent verification impossible without direct contact.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella is the market-dominant outdoor fabric; most competitors (Olefin, polyester blends, coated cotton) carry higher risks of antimony (polyester), formaldehyde finishes, or flame-retardant treatments. Solution-dyed acrylic avoids most of these. However, non-PFAS water-repellent coating alternatives exist (paraffin-based or fluorine-free brands like those certified by Bluesign or OEKO-TEX) and are increasingly available, making Sunbrella's silence a competitive weakness rather than necessity.
If you buy it
Clean with mild soap and water only; avoid high heat (no machine drying or direct sunlight >8 hours daily in extreme climates, which can degrade water-repellent coating over time). Inspect annually for seam or coating breakdown; water-repellent coating effectiveness drops after 5-7 years outdoors, signaling replacement time. Consider contacting Sunbrella customer service requesting water-repellent coating formulation details and asking if PFAS-free options are in development before purchase.
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 PFAS content
Water-repellent treatments on outdoor textiles almost universally contain legacy or next-gen PFAS compounds. Sunbrella's silence and market-standard practice make PFAS presence likely, though not confirmed by the brand or third-party testing accessible to consumers.
Azo dyes and heavy-metal pigments
Solution-dyeing process bypasses typical azo-dye and pigment hazards. No recalls or warnings on record for Sunbrella acrylic fabrics related to dye toxicity or metal contamination.
Formaldehyde resins in finishing
Solution-dyed acrylics typically avoid formaldehyde-based finishes used in cellulose or blended fabrics. water-repellent coating is the primary finish; if PFAS-free, it is unlikely to be formaldehyde-based.
Flame retardants
Outdoor cushion covers are not classified as upholstery requiring flame-retardant treatment in most jurisdictions. No evidence of intentional flame-retardant additives in Sunbrella acrylic.
Antimony in polyester or dyes
Acrylic fiber does not contain antimony catalysts. Solution-dyed process avoids antimony-based pigments typical of some polyester or post-dyed synthetics.
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.