Design Within Reach · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Mags 10 Cushion, Natural at Design Within Reach
Lower concern cushion with no known PFAS risk factors.
This cushion has no water repellency or stain resistance claims linked to PFAS treatments. Design Within Reach offers no PFAS information.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Fabric cushion, likely polyester or cotton blend upholstery
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.
Flame retardants
Design Within Reach does not disclose flame retardant use in cushions. Standard upholstered furniture in the US often contains brominated or phosphate-based flame retardants in foam, though California TB117 compliance no longer mandates them. No recalls or contamination reports are on record for this brand's cushions.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester blends may use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or shape retention. Levels in finished upholstery are typically low and off-gas minimally at room temperature. No testing data exists for this specific cushion, but no complaints are documented.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Synthetic dyes used to color polyester upholstery may include azo compounds restricted under Oeko-Tex and REACH standards, though legal in US consumer goods. Skin contact risk is low on cushion surfaces. No recalls or reactions specific to Design Within Reach cushions have been reported.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Polyurethane foam degradation and dust
Polyurethane foam cores in upholstered cushions do not degrade significantly under normal indoor conditions and do not release airborne particles into living spaces. Risk is negligible unless the cushion is severely damaged or exposed to high heat.
Heavy metals
Design Within Reach sources upholstery from established manufacturers; no lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination has been reported in their textiles. This is not a recognized hazard for mainstream upholstered furniture in this price range.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Mags 10 Cushion is upholstered in a fabric blend typical of mid-range furniture, most likely polyester or a polyester-cotton mix based on Design Within Reach's standard specifications. Polyester blends in cushioning are chemically stable once manufactured and do not off-gas significantly under normal indoor conditions. The cushion core is likely polyurethane foam, a common, inert material that poses minimal chemical risk in residential use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Design Within Reach does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or third-party certifications (such as Oeko-Tex or GREENGUARD) for most cushion products. The brand has no public history of safety recalls or chemical controversies related to upholstered furniture. Their silence on flame retardant and formaldehyde-resin use is typical of mainstream furniture retailers and reflects lack of transparency rather than confirmed problems.
How it compares in its category
This cushion sits at the mid-to-premium end of the market and carries lower risk than budget upholstered furniture, which often uses lower-grade polyurethane and untreated fabrics. It lacks third-party certification advantages of eco-focused brands (e.g., Parachute, Article with Oeko-Tex claims), but also avoids the cost premiums tied to those certifications. For a comparable Design Within Reach product, chemical risk is standard for the brand's portfolio.
If you buy it
Air out the cushion in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after delivery to allow any residual manufacturing odors to dissipate. Use a removable, washable cover if you prefer an extra barrier against dust and skin contact. Rotate the cushion every 3-6 months to extend its life and prevent permanent deformation. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which can degrade polyester fabric over years.
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.