Sunbrella · Stain-Resistant Textiles
Sunbrella Solids Marine Fabrics Ocean Blue
Skip or contact brand; waterproof treatment unspecified, PFAS unknown.
Sunbrella marine fabrics are solution-dyed acrylic with stain/water treatment applied. Brand does not disclose PFAS status or use of PFOA/PFOS alternatives in water-repellent coating coatings.
The safe swap
Amazon Basics
Amazon Dining | Amazon White Dining Tablecloth | Color: White | Size: Os
75/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Acrylic solution-dyed fabric with water/stain-resistant 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 Solids Marine Fabrics are solution-dyed acrylic, meaning pigment is added during fiber manufacture rather than applied afterward. This process typically yields excellent color retention and resistance to fading. The fabric receives a water and stain-resistant topical treatment; the chemical composition of this treatment is not publicly specified by the brand. Acrylic itself is stable and does not off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) the way some polyester blends or synthetic furnishings do.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella (owned by Glen Raven) is recognized for performance marine and outdoor fabrics and maintains ISO 14001 environmental management certification. The brand does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of its water and stain-resistant finish, nor does it provide PFAS-free certification or statements. When contacted directly, the brand may clarify treatment composition; silence on this detail is common in the outdoor fabric industry but leaves uncertainty for consumers concerned about PFAS exposure.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella is a premium option in outdoor/marine upholstery fabrics, positioned above mass-market acrylic blends and polyester options. Competitors such as Outdura and Ballard Designs fabrics similarly do not uniformly disclose PFAS content in water-resistant treatments. Sunbrella's solution-dyed acrylic and established durability (typically 5+ years outdoors) represent a longer product lifecycle than budget alternatives, which may offset replacement frequency concerns. However, no major furniture fabric brand in this category has yet adopted PFAS-free waterproofing as a standard marketing point.
If you buy it
Clean spills promptly with mild soap and water; the stain-resistant treatment reduces absorption but does not prevent permanent staining if left untreated. Do not machine wash or dry clean; spot clean only. Inspect annually for mold, mildew, and UV-induced color change, particularly if stored outdoors in humid climates. Expect the water-resistant treatment to degrade over 5 to 7 years; reapplication is possible but requires commercial recoating or replacement of the fabric. Before purchase, contact Sunbrella directly to confirm whether the treatment for this specific colorway contains PFAS compounds.
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 (brominated or other)
No public record of flame retardant additive in Sunbrella acrylic fabric. Solution-dyed acrylic is inherently low-flammability; topical treatments for water/stain resistance are not documented as flame retardant formulations.
VOC and formaldehyde off-gassing
Acrylic fiber itself does not off-gas formaldehyde or significant VOCs. The water-resistant topical treatment composition is undisclosed; most commercial outdoor fabric finishes do not emit detectable VOCs after manufacture, but full chemical identity is needed to confirm.
Heavy metals in dyes (azo dyes, antimony, cadmium)
Solution-dyed acrylic typically uses acid and disperse dyes that are not heavy-metal dependent. Sunbrella does not advertise restricted substance testing results, but this material class and brand reputation suggest low risk for heavy metal contamination in pigmentation.
Microplastic shedding and fiber degradation
Acrylic fibers can shed microfibers when brushed or laundered, a characteristic of most synthetic textiles. For outdoor use and furniture, shedding is minimal during dry service; risk is greatest during washing, which is not recommended for this product.
Water and stain-resistant treatment chemistry (unspecified, potentially PFAS-containing)
The specific finish is not disclosed; industry standard for marine/outdoor acrylic fabrics has historically included PFOA or PFOS alternatives. Sunbrella has not publicly committed to PFAS-free treatments. Contact the brand for verification of treatment composition before purchase if PFAS avoidance is critical.
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 Stain-Resistant Textiles
Amazon Basics
Amazon Dining | Amazon White Dining Tablecloth | Color: White | Size: Os
100% polyester fabric
Lower concern. Plain polyester tablecloth has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
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Amazon Essentials Light Blue Multicolor Cotton Tablecloth
100% cotton
Lower concern. Plain cotton tablecloth, no surface treatments detected.
⚠Risky category by default
Ethan Allen
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polyester fabric with unknown finish treatment
Skip pending verification of finish or water treatment applied.
⚠Risky category by default
More stain-resistant textiles 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.