Better Homes & Gardens · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Better Homes & Gardens 1 Piece Rectangle Outdoor Chair Cushion
Unknown treatment chemicals, no PFAS disclosure.
Outdoor cushions typically receive water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS. Better Homes & Gardens provides no treatment details or PFAS information.
The better-graded swap
Ballard Designs
Ballard Designs Amalfi Glider Replacement Cushion
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
polyester fabric with stain/water-resistant 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.
Flame retardants
Outdoor fabric finishes commonly include halogenated or organophosphate flame retardants to meet flammability standards. Better Homes & Gardens does not specify the type; brominated compounds or chlorinated additives are not ruled out.
Source, EPA ↗VOC off-gassing from synthetic finish
Polyurethane, acrylic, or silicone water-resistant coatings release volatile organic compounds, especially in warm or sunny conditions. Odor may persist for days to weeks; cumulative exposure in enclosed spaces (e.g., covered patios) is not quantified in available data.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production sometimes uses antimony oxide as a catalyst. Levels in finished fabric are generally low and not bioavailable during normal use, but degradation, washing, or sun exposure could theoretically increase leaching over time.
Azo dyes if fabric is colored
Polyester outdoor cushions are often dyed with disperse or acid azo dyes. Restricted azo compounds (banned in EU, restricted in some US states) are not confirmed here, but no third-party dye testing is documented.
Foam interior off-gassing
Cushion filling is typically polyurethane foam, which off-gases formaldehyde and other isocyanate residues. This is masked by the fabric exterior but still relevant if seams split or foam degrades.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This cushion is polyester fabric treated with a stain and water-resistant topcoat, likely a synthetic polymer finish (acrylic, polyurethane, or silicone-based). Polyester itself is stable, but the water-resistant treatment is the chemical wild card, these coatings often contain flame retardants, surfactants, or other performance chemicals not itemized on the label. The combination means two potential off-gassing sources, especially in sun and heat.
The brand's record and disclosure
Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart house brand) does not publicly disclose chemical treatments on outdoor textiles or commit to restricted substance lists. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, GOTS, GreenGuard) are advertised for this product line. The brand has no known major textile safety recalls, but transparency on flame retardants and finish chemistry is absent, which is standard industry opacity for budget outdoor goods.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor cushions at this price point almost always receive chemical water-repellent treatment; alternatives either have the same unknown finish or cost significantly more for certified low-VOC options. Better Homes & Gardens occupies the middle-ground budget tier, where disclosure lags premium brands but quality is consistent. Most competitors in the under-$30 cushion market share the same transparency gap.
If you buy it
Air the cushion outdoors in sunlight for 24-48 hours before first use to off-gas volatile compounds. Avoid prolonged contact with skin if you detect chemical odor; wash pillowcase or cover separately. Store in a dry, well-ventilated space during off-season to prevent mildew, which may encourage rewashing and accelerate coating wear. Replace cushion if fabric develops cracks, peeling, or color bleeding into the foam interior, signaling barrier breakdown.
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
- Better Homes & Gardens 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.