Better Homes & Gardens · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Better Homes & Gardens 44 inch x 20 inch Outdoor Chair Seat Cushion
Skip until brand discloses coating details or certifications.
This cushion likely has water and stain resistance treatment, but Better Homes & Gardens offers no PFAS disclosure or verification.
The better-graded swap
Rizzy Home
Rizzy Home Rizzy 20" x 20" Poly Filled Pillow
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 unknown water/stain resistance coating
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) coating chemistry
Outdoor polyester cushions typically use PFAS-based fluorinated coatings for water resistance. Better Homes & Gardens does not disclose whether this cushion uses legacy or modern PFAS variants. Coating contact with skin is intermittent but chronic with outdoor use; no acute toxicity is expected, but long-term dermal and inhalation exposure to degrading coatings is not well characterized in consume
Flame retardants
Polyester textiles sold in North America may contain brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet flammability standards; Better Homes & Gardens does not specify whether this cushion is treated. Flame retardants in outdoor fabrics are not required federally but may be added during manufacturing. Long-term off-gassing and leaching into skin are not a primary concern for outdoor use, but
Source, EPA ↗Microfiber shedding and ingestion
Polyester cushion fabric sheds microfibers during use and laundering. Shed fibers are not acutely toxic but can accumulate on skin and in food if cushion is used near dining or food preparation. Weathering and UV exposure accelerate shedding over time.
Bacterial and mold growth in wet storage
Polyester fabrics retain moisture and can harbor mold, mildew, and bacteria if stored damp or left wet for extended periods. Cushions stored in humid climates or after heavy rain require thorough drying to prevent microbial colonization, which can cause skin irritation or respiratory irritation if handled or sat upon.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in fabric coloring
No specific reports of restricted azo dyes (those that cleave to form carcinogenic amines) in Better Homes & Gardens cushion textiles. Polyester dyes vary by supplier; without OEKO-TEX or GOTS certification, compliance with restricted substance limits is unverified but not flagged as a known issue for this brand.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This cushion is polyester fabric, a synthetic polymer that does not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds under normal outdoor conditions. The material itself is stable. However, the coating applied for water and stain resistance is undisclosed by Better Homes & Gardens, and outdoor cushion coatings frequently contain PFAS (fluorinated compounds) to repel liquids. Without chemistry transparency, the primary exposure risk is from treated fabric contact and potential coating degradation in UV and weather conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Better Homes & Gardens has not publicly disclosed chemical formulations, PFAS use, or pursued third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, GOTS, Cradle to Cradle) on textile furnishings. The brand remains silent on coating ingredients across their product line. No recalls or adverse event reports are documented for this specific cushion model. The silence on water-resistant chemistry is the critical gap for an outdoor textile intended for food/body contact areas.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor cushion coatings vary widely, budget polyester cushions (like this model) typically use conventional PFAS-based durable water repellents, while premium alternatives feature silicone or wax-based coatings (Sunbrella, Ballard Designs). Mid-tier polyester cushions without disclosed coatings occupy a disclosure gray zone. This product is priced for mass-market retail and does not signal investment in alternative chemistries with lower PFAS concern.
If you buy it
Rotate cushions seasonally to reduce constant contact; store indoors during winter to slow UV degradation of the coating. Spot-clean with mild soap and water rather than harsh chemicals. Inspect seams and fabric surface annually for cracking, peeling, or color fading that signals coating breakdown. Replace after 2-3 years of regular outdoor use, or sooner if coating visibly deteriorates. Do not allow young children to mouth or chew fabric.
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.