Sunbrella · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Sunbrella Outdoor Custom Cushion Cover
Outdoor fabric with water-repellent coating treatment, PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
Sunbrella is premium outdoor acrylic with documented water and stain resistance, typically achieved via water-repellent coating treatments that historically contained PFAS. Brand provides no transparency on current PFAS content or reformulation.
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 with water-repellent coating (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 outdoor cushion covers are solution-dyed acrylic, meaning color is built into the fiber during manufacture rather than applied afterward. This construction typically avoids surface dyes and heavy metal pigment loads. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the material layer of concern: water-repellent coating treatments on outdoor textiles have historically used PFAS-based chemistry, though some manufacturers now offer fluorine-free alternatives. Sunbrella does not publicly disclose which formulation they use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella, owned by Glen Raven, is a market leader in solution-dyed acrylic for outdoor use and holds various performance certifications (Oeko-Tex, etc.). However, the company has not made public commitments to PFAS phase-out or transparent disclosure of water-repellent coating chemistry in their outdoor cushion covers. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this product line. Their silence on water-repellent coating composition is notable given industry movement toward fluorine-free alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Solution-dyed acrylic is a safer base fiber than polyester-blend outdoor fabrics, which may carry antimony or unclosed flame retardants. Compared to canvas or untreated cotton, Sunbrella's durability and water resistance eliminate mold and mildew risk in damp storage. Against premium competitors offering explicit fluorine-free water-repellent coating claims (e.g., some Crypton or Perennials lines), Sunbrella's lack of disclosure puts it in the middle tier by transparency, though performance and color retention are industry-standard.
If you buy it
Store covers indoors or under shade during off-season to minimize UV degradation and water pooling. Wash with mild soap and hose water only; avoid high heat or harsh chemicals that could degrade the water-repellent coating finish and increase fiber shedding. Solution-dyed acrylic does not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organics at room temperature. Inspect seams and binding annually for wear; replace covers if stitching splits or large areas become non-water-repellent, as degraded water-repellent coating may leach untested byproducts into soil or furniture contact zones.
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 finish
Water repellent treatment likely contains legacy PFAS compounds; Sunbrella does not disclose chemistry. Risk is primarily environmental leaching and skin contact during wet use, not ingestion.
Formaldehyde resins in finishing
Solution-dyed acrylic with water-repellent coating finish is not a typical source of formaldehyde releasers. No reports or certifications indicate this hazard for Sunbrella cushion covers.
Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments
Solution dyeing process incorporates color into fiber before weaving, avoiding surface dye application. No documented heavy metal loading in Sunbrella's color pigments.
Flame retardants
Solution-dyed acrylic is inherently flame-resistant due to fiber chemistry. No additive flame retardants are listed or known in Sunbrella outdoor cushion covers.
VOC off-gassing and fiber shedding
New outdoor acrylic textiles may release minor volatile organics during initial cure; degraded or wet water-repellent coating finish can increase microfiber shedding into contact areas. Risk is low but increases with age and UV exposure.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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.