Ballard Designs · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Bordered Sunbrella Outdoor Pillow Cover - Select Colors - Kiwi/White 20" x 20" - Ballard Designs
Sunbrella likely contains fluorinated water repellent.
Sunbrella outdoor fabric treated for durability and stain resistance. Brand makes no PFAS disclosure, fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments are standard in this category.
The better-graded swap
Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics Pillow Insert Square
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
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
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish chemistry
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating treatment almost certainly contains fluorinated compounds based on industry standards, though Ballard Designs does not confirm the specific chemistry. Fluorinated water-repellent coating has been linked to PFAS accumulation but risk from a pillow cover is primarily in manufacturing/disposal rather than consumer skin contact.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Outdoor acrylics may receive wrinkle-resist or crease-set treatments containing formaldehyde donors. Sunbrella does not publicly disclose whether this pillow uses such finishes. Off-gassing risk is minimal for outdoor-only use in well-ventilated spaces.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding and microplastic migration
Repeated washing and weathering can shed acrylic fibers into water and air. Machine washing is discouraged both to preserve the water-repellent coating and to minimize microfiber release. Outdoor placement reduces direct contact with skin.
Mold and mildew growth if poorly maintained
Outdoor pillows in humid climates can harbor mildew if not dried promptly after rain or cleaned regularly. This is a hygiene issue rather than a chemical hazard, but indicates need for active care.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Sunbrella's solution-dyeing process is designed to minimize loose azo dyes and associated heavy metal catalysts (e.g., antimony) compared to surface-dyed synthetics. No recalls or test failures have been reported for this product or brand.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This pillow cover is Sunbrella acrylic fabric, a solution-dyed synthetic material engineered for outdoor durability. It includes a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed moisture and stains. Sunbrella acrylic fabric uses solution-dyeing, which locks color into fibers before weaving, reducing loose dye migration and formaldehyde resin use compared to some polyester alternatives for outdoor textiles. The water-repellent coating is the primary chemical concern, as these treatments have historically relied on fluorinated compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ballard Designs does not publicly disclose PFAS status or chemical certifications for outdoor textiles on product labels or sustainability pages. The brand has no known recalls or regulatory violations specific to this product line. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, Cradle to Cradle) are advertised for these pillow covers. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical among home furnishing retailers and does not indicate confirmed risk, only lack of transparency.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella is widely recognized as one of the more chemically conservative brands in outdoor fabric. Competitors using cheaper polyester blends typically involve higher azo-dye loads and antimony catalysts. However, many outdoor pillow covers now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (paraffin, silicone, or wax-based), which Ballard Designs does not advertise as available. If PFAS avoidance is a priority, this product sits in the middle of the market rather than at the lower concern end.
If you buy it
Hand wash or spot-clean only; machine washing can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and increase any potential leaching of treatment chemicals into water. Do not dry clean or expose to direct heat. Store indoors during off-season to minimize UV and moisture cycling, which speeds fabric degradation. Replace the cover if visible mildew, pilling, or coating wear appears, typically after 3-5 years of seasonal use depending on climate.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Ballard Designs has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Acadia Outdoor 61in Sofa Cushion
Polyester cushion cover; likely acrylic or polyester-blend upholstery
PFAS
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating or dyes
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
High concern
Mildew and bacterial growth if moisture trapped
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern likely, but West Elm discloses nothing.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
West Elm
Acadia Lounge Chair Cushion
Polyester upholstery cushion cover
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Limited concern
Lower concern cushion, but West Elm provides no PFAS transparency.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
West Elm
Westport Slim Outdoor 68in Sofa Cushion
Polyester/cotton blend cushion cover, no specified water or stain treatment
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding and degradation
Limited concern
Mold and bacterial growth if waterlogged
High concern
Lower PFAS concern. Standard outdoor cushion with no reported treatments flagging risk.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More outdoor furniture cushion protectants 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.