Sunbrella · Outdoor Cushions & Pillows
West Elm Sunbrella Indoor/Outdoor Cast Pillow
Sunbrella uses water-repellent coating; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
Sunbrella outdoor fabrics typically employ water-repellent coating coatings to resist stains and moisture. The brand has not publicly disclosed whether treatments contain PFAS or committed to PFAS-free formulations.
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 acrylic fabric with water-repellent coating 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
This pillow uses Sunbrella solution-dyed acrylic fabric, a synthetic fiber where color is added during fiber production rather than applied to the surface. Solution-dyed acrylic is chemically stable, resists fading, and does not shed synthetic dyes readily into washwater. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is a separate coating applied to the fabric surface to make it stain and moisture resistant; this finish is where PFAS compounds are typically found in textile applications, though Sunbrella does not publicly disclose whether their water-repellent coating is PFAS-based or PFAS-free.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella (owned by Glen Raven) is a well-established outdoor textile manufacturer with a strong reputation for durability and colorfastness. The brand has not made public commitments to PFAS-free water-repellent coating systems or published transparency reports on chemical content in their finishes. Sunbrella has no known recalls or public safety controversies related to toxic chemical exposure. Their silence on PFAS status is consistent with many mainstream textile manufacturers and does not indicate a safety failure, only lack of proactive disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella fabric is considered a premium option in outdoor/indoor-outdoor textiles and generally performs better than untreated acrylic blends or polyester in terms of chemical stability and durability. Most outdoor cushion and pillow fabrics rely on water-repellent finishes (most of which contain PFAS), so Sunbrella is not unique in this regard. If PFAS exposure is a primary concern, the pillow would sit in the middle-risk tier compared to conventional synthetic fabrics (higher risk) and untreated or PFAS-free certified alternatives like organic cotton with non-fluorinated water repellency (lower risk). The pillow's removable cover design allows washing independent of the fill, which is a practical advantage.
If you buy it
Machine wash the cover separately in cool water with mild detergent every 3-6 months or after visible soiling; do not bleach or use fabric softener, which can degrade water repellency. Avoid prolonged direct heat sources, tumble drying, or high-temperature water, as this may accelerate degradation of the water-repellent coating finish and any embedded chemical residues. Air dry in shade. Replace the pillow if the fabric develops persistent staining, mildew despite regular cleaning, or visible coating breakdown (loss of water beading). Keep away from small children and pets if concerned about incidental ingestion of textile fibers or finish particles during mouthing.
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 (water-repellent coating) Finish - PFAS Status
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating finish is not disclosed as PFAS-free by the brand; the coating likely contains PFAS compounds based on industry standard practice, though specific chemistry is proprietary. Graded separately per your instructions (30/100), but relevant here as the primary non-acrylic chemical exposure route.
Formaldehyde Resins or Dyes in Acrylic Fiber
Solution-dyed acrylic fibers do not require formaldehyde-releasing binders or dye mordants. No public record of formaldehyde contamination in Sunbrella acrylic products.
Azo Dyes
Solution-dyeing during fiber production in Sunbrella acrylic typically uses reactive or vat dyes rather than azo dyes, which are restricted in many jurisdictions. No known azo dye content reported.
Flame Retardant Chemicals
Acrylic fiber is naturally flame resistant due to its chemistry and does not require added flame retardant coatings. No public record of intentional flame retardant application to Sunbrella outdoor fabrics.
VOC Off-gassing from Fill or Seams
The pillow fill and thread are not specified in typical product labeling; polyurethane foam or polyester fiberfill (common in cushions) may off-gas VOCs in the first weeks after unpacking, especially if stored warm. Airing the pillow outdoors before use reduces this exposure.
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.