Ballard Designs Review, Is Ballard Designs Non-Toxic?
Across 8 graded products, Ballard Designs averages Poor (36/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 1 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Does Ballard Designs have PFAS, by category
Worth buying from Ballard Designs Good or better, best-graded first
Ballard Designs
Amalfi Glider Replacement Cushion
polyester fill and cover fabric
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) off-gassing
New polyester cushions may emit low levels of VOCs in the first weeks after manufacture.…
Microfiber shedding
Polyester fabrics release microscopic fibers with age, mechanical stress, and washing.…
Mold and bacterial growth (moisture retention)
Polyester does not naturally resist moisture; damp storage or humid environments can…
Furniture cushion with no known PFAS risk factors.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Ballard Designs
Scalloped Outdoor Pillow Cover - Kiwi/White - 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
polyester or poly-blend with stain/water resistance treatment
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester-blend fabrics may use formaldehyde-based dyes or finishing agents to set colors…
Azo dyes and azo dye breakdown metabolites
The kiwi and white colors could involve azo dyes, which are common in polyester textile…
PFAS
The specific water-repellent coating chemistry is unknown and undisclosed. Historically…
Microplastics
Polyester fabrics shed microfibers during washing and weathering. Regular hosing or hand…
Outdoor pillow likely water-repellent coating-treated, PFAS risk unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs
Outdoor Sofa Cover
outdoor fabric with water and stain resistant coating
PFAS
Water and stain-resistant outdoor fabrics commonly use PFAS chemistry; Ballard Designs…
Microplastic shedding from coating degradation
As the water-resistant topical layer breaks down under UV and weather stress, microscopic…
Contamination from storage or transport
Sofa covers may absorb odors or residues during storage or shipping if not sealed…
Skip until brand discloses composition details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs
Bordered Sunbrella Outdoor Pillow Cover - Select Colors - Kiwi/White 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
Sunbrella acrylic fabric with water-repellent coating treatment
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish chemistry
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating treatment almost certainly contains fluorinated…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Outdoor acrylics may receive wrinkle-resist or crease-set treatments containing…
Microfiber shedding and microplastic migration
Repeated washing and weathering can shed acrylic fibers into water and air. Machine…
Mold and mildew growth if poorly maintained
Outdoor pillows in humid climates can harbor mildew if not dried promptly after rain or…
Sunbrella likely contains fluorinated water repellent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs
Outdoor Bordered Pillow Cover
Outdoor polyester or acrylic blend with water/stain resistant finish
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition
Outdoor textiles typically use PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments; Ballard…
Outdoor pillow with stain and water treatment, PFAS not disclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs
Outdoor Loveseat/Bench/Glider Cover
outdoor textile blend with water/stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating degradation and particle release
Outdoor textile covers experience weathering that degrades water-repellent coating…
Azo dyes and color fastness
Outdoor furniture covers are dyed to match decor. If the cover uses low-cost azo dyes…
Outdoor furniture cover likely water-repellent coating-treated, PFAS risk unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs
Thandie Watercolor Print Outdoor Pillow Cover - Spa - 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
polyester with outdoor finish/water-resistant treatment
PFAS
Outdoor polyester textiles are treated with hydrophobic finishes; industry standard…
Azo dyes in polyester colorants
The spa color palette (likely blues, greens, or earth tones in polyester) may include azo…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester blends and outdoor-treated fabrics sometimes include formaldehyde-based resins…
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding over time
Water-resistant finishes on outdoor textiles can flake, peel, or degrade when exposed to…
Outdoor pillow likely treated, PFAS composition undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs
Applique Trim Sunbrella Outdoor Pillow Cover - Canvas Spa 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
Sunbrella acrylic fabric with water and stain repellent finish
PFAS
Sunbreller's commercial water-repellent coating finish is virtually certain to contain…
Microfiber shedding and particulate release
Like all outdoor acrylic textiles, Sunbreller can shed microfibers, especially after UV…
Sunbrella likely contains PFAS-based water-repellent coating, brand silent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Ballard Designs and PFAS, common questions
- Does Ballard Designs have PFAS?
- We graded 8 Ballard Designs products, averaging Poor (36/100). 1 grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Ballard Designs non-toxic?
- Ballard Designs Amalfi Glider Replacement Cushion is the highest-graded Ballard Designs product we have scored, at 75/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which Ballard Designs products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded Ballard Designs products we have scored are Ballard Designs Amalfi Glider Replacement Cushion. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
- Which Ballard Designs products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Ballard Designs products we have scored are Applique Trim Sunbrella Outdoor Pillow Cover - Canvas Spa 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs, Thandie Watercolor Print Outdoor Pillow Cover - Spa - 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs, Ballard Designs Outdoor Loveseat/Bench/Glider Cover. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →