Better Homes & Gardens · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Better Homes & Gardens Multi-Stripe Outdoor Pillow
Unknown treatment chemistry, outdoor textiles often use PFAS.
Better Homes & Gardens won't say whether this outdoor pillow uses PFAS-based water or stain treatments. No lab data available.
The better-graded swap
Ethan Allen
ETHAN allen Spring Floral Garden 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 blend fabric with stain/water repellent 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) coating composition
Outdoor textiles routinely use PFAS-based water-repellent coating (e.g. C6 fluorocarbons or legacy PFOA formulations). Better Homes & Gardens has not disclosed whether this pillow uses PFAS, fluorocarbon-free wax, or silicone alternatives. water-repellent coating is applied to the surface and not typically ingested, but off-gassing during manufacturing and eventual landfill leaching are environmental concerns.
Flame retardants
Outdoor furniture in some jurisdictions may be treated with flame retardants (brominated or chlorinated compounds) to meet flammability standards. Better Homes & Gardens does not disclose whether this pillow contains added flame retardants. Treatment level, if present, is likely minimal on outdoor fabric since water repellent coatings do not require heavy FR additives.
Source, EPA ↗Polyester fabric degradation and microplastic shedding
All polyester textiles shed microfibers when washed or weathered. Outdoor exposure (UV, moisture cycles) accelerates fiber breakdown. This pillow's lifespan in direct sun is typically 2-3 years before significant degradation; end-of-life disposal sends polyester fragments to landfill or water systems. Not a health hazard during normal use, but an environmental consideration.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No documented formaldehyde finish on this specific SKU. Polyester blends may occasionally use small amounts of formaldehyde in dye-setting or wrinkle-resistance treatments, but outdoor cushion fabrics are less commonly treated than apparel. New textiles should be washed before use as a precaution.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No recalls or reported issues with dye safety on Better Homes & Gardens outdoor pillows. Polyester blends accept synthetic dyes when applied at standard industrial concentrations. Washing before use reduces any loose dye residue.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This pillow is polyester blend fabric treated with a stain and water repellent finish. Outdoor textiles require water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings to resist moisture and UV degradation; these coatings are frequently PFAS-based, though Better Homes & Gardens has not disclosed the chemistry. Polyester itself is stable and non-toxic under normal use, but the applied treatments warrant scrutiny. Outdoor furniture fabrics may also contain flame retardants, though specifics for this SKU are not publicly documented.
The brand's record and disclosure
Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart house brand) does not publish chemical disclosure statements or Safety Data Sheets for individual home textiles. The brand has no documented third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle, GOTS) for this pillow line. No recalls or safety controversies specific to this product are on record. The silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical for mass-market outdoor furnishings but limits consumer choice based on PFAS avoidance.
How it compares in its category
This pillow sits at the budget end of outdoor cushions; many competitors in the mid-range offer OEKO-TEX or similar certifications that exclude PFAS alternatives. Higher-end outdoor pillows sometimes disclose fluorocarbon-free water-repellent coating (e.g. wax or silicone-based), though at higher cost. Mass-market outdoor textiles from Walmart and similar retailers rarely provide this transparency. For the price, this pillow is typical for its market segment in terms of disclosure gaps.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other textiles before first use to rinse loose dyes and finish residues. Use cold water and mild detergent; hot water may degrade water repellent coating. Avoid machine drying; air dry outdoors or indoors. Replace the pillow if fabric shows significant UV degradation, tears, or color loss (typical lifespan 2-3 seasons in direct sun). Store indoors during off-season to extend water-repellent effectiveness and reduce mildew risk.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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.