Design Within Reach · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Design Within Reach Mags 10 Cushion
Lower risk, but brand silent on PFAS in cover treatment.
Mags cushions use down and feather fill with fabric covers. No public disclosure of water or stain treatments on covers, which may contain PFAS.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
down and feather fill, fabric cover
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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fabric finishing
Fabric covers may receive dye or finish treatments that release low levels of VOCs during initial use. No specific off-gassing data for Mags cushions is published, but this is routine in the category and typically mild with ventilation.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile dyeing and finishing can involve formaldehyde-based resins. Design Within Reach does not certify Mags covers as formaldehyde-free; risk is present but likely low given brand positioning and no reported incidents.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Synthetic or blend fabrics may contain azo dyes and trace heavy metals from pigmentation. No test results are available for this product; industry standard testing by retailers is inconsistent at this price tier.
Source, FDA ↗Microbial growth in fill if exposed to moisture
Down and feather can harbor mold or bacterial growth if the cushion becomes wet and dries slowly. This is a use hazard, not a manufacturing one, and is preventable with proper care and rapid drying after spills.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Flame retardants
Design Within Reach does not list flame retardants in Mags cushion specifications. Down-and-feather fills are often exempt from federal flammability standards in cushions, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Mags 10 cushion uses down and feather fill, a natural material with minimal chemical processing compared to synthetic foam. The cover is fabric (specific fiber content varies by colorway but typically cotton blend or performance fabric). Natural fills pose no inherent leaching risk, though fabric covers may carry dye residues or finishing chemicals depending on treatment. Down and feather are not known to off-gas or degrade into harmful particles under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Design Within Reach does not publicly disclose detailed chemical safety testing or certifications (e.g., GREENGUARD, OEKO-TEX) for the Mags line. The brand is silent on PFAS use in water-resistant treatments or fabric finishes, which is typical for mid-market furniture producers but limits transparency. No recalls or established safety controversies tied to this specific cushion model are on record. The brand markets design and durability rather than chemical safety credentials.
How it compares in its category
Mags cushions sit in the premium-priced middle ground, higher quality than mass-market upholstered furniture but without the third-party certifications common to eco-focused or high-transparency brands. Down and feather fills present lower concern for off-gassing volatile organics compared to polyurethane foam, but sourcing them involves greater environmental impact than certified synthetics. Performance fabrics used on some colorways may contain fluorochemical treatments for stain resistance, which is standard industry practice but adds to PFAS exposure uncertainty.
If you buy it
Vacuum or brush the cushion cover regularly to reduce dust and dye migration. Avoid dry-cleaning unless fabric label explicitly permits it, as solvent exposure can mobilize dyes and finish chemicals. Rotate cushions every 3-6 months to even wear and maintain fill loft. If the cover develops water damage or mold, address promptly to prevent bacterial or fungal growth in the fill; replacement covers are available from the brand.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Design Within Reach has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.