Sunbrella · Waterproof Outdoor Cushions
Sunbrella Segovia Outdoor Chair Cushion Covers
High PFAS risk likely, no disclosure from brand on treatment chemistry.
Sunbrella cushion covers use durable acrylic with water-repellent coating and stain-resistant treatments. Sunbrella does not publicly disclose PFAS-free status, raising concern about fluorochemical water repellents in the coating.
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
Acrylic fabric with water and stain resistance 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
Sunbrella Segovia covers are solution-dyed acrylic fabric, meaning color is built into fibers rather than applied surface dyes. The water and stain resistance finish is a chemical treatment applied post-weave; acrylic itself is relatively inert, but the hydrophobic coating chemistry is proprietary and undisclosed. Acrylic does not off-gas formaldehyde or VOCs at the levels typical of polyester blends, making fiber choice low-risk. The durability and fade resistance of solution-dyed acrylic is well-established in outdoor furniture use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella is owned by Glen Raven and is the dominant brand in outdoor performance fabrics. The company does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of its water and stain repellency treatments, and does not provide PFAS-free certifications or testing results for consumer review. Sunbrella has not faced major recalls or safety litigation for cushion covers. The silence on treatment chemistry is typical of the outdoor fabric industry but leaves end-users unable to verify PFAS exposure risk.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella dominates premium outdoor furniture textiles and is generally considered higher quality and more durable than budget acrylic alternatives or polyester blends. However, its market leadership does not translate to transparency: competing brands (e.g., Perennials, Outdura) similarly withhold treatment chemistry. Untreated natural cotton or linen cushion covers avoid the fluorochemical question but require more frequent cleaning and have shorter outdoor lifespan. PFAS-aware consumers have limited alternatives in the performance cushion market.
If you buy it
Store covers indoors during off-season to reduce UV and weather stress that degrades coating. Clean with mild soap and water or Sunbrella's recommended cleaner; avoid harsh scrubbing that abrades the finish and releases fibers. Do not use high-heat pressure washing, which can delaminate the coating and potentially aerosolize treatment chemicals. Replace covers when visible fading, stiffening, or water beading loss occurs (typically 5-10 years depending on climate); avoid stockpiling old covers in damp conditions where mold growth becomes a secondary hazard.
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.”
Fluorochemical water-stain resistance treatment (PFAS likely)
Sunbrella's proprietary durable water repellency finish is almost certainly fluorine-based given industry standards for outdoor performance fabrics. The brand does not disclose ingredients, test results, or PFAS-free claims. Skin contact and inhalation during use or storage are low-dose but chronic exposure routes.
Acrylic fiber shedding and microfiber release
Outdoor weathering, abrasion from use, and washing cause acrylic textiles to shed microfibers. Fibers released into the environment or inhaled during maintenance are a direct exposure pathway. Degree of shedding varies with fabric density and coating integrity; higher-quality Sunbrella construction minimizes this compared to budget acrylics.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers in acrylic sizing or finishing
Acrylic fibers do not inherently require formaldehyde-based resins, and no recalls or reports have surfaced for Sunbrella cushion covers. However, some acrylic finishes may include formaldehyde-releasing agents for wrinkle resistance or stiffness; Sunbrella does not test for or disclose this.
Azo dyes (low risk due to solution-dyeing process)
Solution-dyed acrylic uses disperse dyes incorporated during fiber extrusion, not surface application. This process avoids problematic azo dyes associated with reactive dyeing. No safety concerns are documented for Sunbrella's color palette or dye chemistry.
Coating degradation and chemical leaching with age
As the water-resistant finish breaks down over years of sun, moisture, and temperature cycling, the underlying acrylic may leach residual treatment chemicals or break into smaller particles. Risk is low during normal use but increases if covers are left outdoors year-round in harsh climates without protective storage.
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.