Grandin Road · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
45" X 18" Replacement Bench Cushion - Knife-Edge, Knife Edge/Awning Stripe Aquatic - Grandin Road
Skip or request materials; outdoor cushion likely treated with PFAS-based water-repellent coating without brand disclosure.
This Grandin Road bench cushion is described as water and stain resistant, typical of outdoor furniture using water-repellent coating finishes that have historically relied on PFAS. Grandin Road says nothing about treatment chemistry.
The better-graded swap
Blazing Needles
74 in by 19 in Outdoor Solid Polyester Tufted Chaise Lounge Cushion
85/100 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
Outdoor fabric with stain/water-resistant finish (likely water-repellent coating treatment)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What 45" X 18" Replacement Bench Grandin Road is made of, ingredients and materials
This cushion uses outdoor-grade fabric with a stain and water-resistant finish, typically a durable polyester or polypropylene blend. The water-repellent (water-repellent coating) treatment is almost certainly PFAS-based chemistry (covered separately in your PFAS grade). The knife-edge construction means the fabric wraps tightly around foam or batting, which can off-gas VOCs during initial use, particularly if stored in warm conditions before arrival.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
VOC off-gassing from foam and fabric finish
Outdoor cushions often contain polyurethane or polyester foam and fabric dyes that release volatile organic compounds, especially when new or stored warm. Off-gassing typically decreases within 48 hours of airing.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester outdoor fabrics may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance and color fastness. Grandin Road does not disclose use, but this is standard in the category. Exposure risk is low in finished cushions but increases if fabric is cut or heavily worn.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in synthetic fabric
The Aquatic/Awning Stripe colors likely use synthetic azo dyes, which can potentially break down under UV exposure or prolonged moisture. No specific safety concern for consumers, but long-term wear may alter finish integrity.
Mold and bacterial growth in cushion fill
Outdoor cushions retain moisture in the foam core if not dried between use. Poor maintenance or shade storage in humid climates can allow mold colonization. Regular airing and storage in dry conditions prevents this.
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
Grandin Road does not declare flame retardant use for this product. Outdoor cushions are generally not required to meet residential flame-safety standards, but some manufacturers voluntarily add brominated or phosphorus-based retardants. No evidence of this for this model, but the brand does not disclose.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Grandin Road does not publicly disclose the specific chemical treatments applied to outdoor fabrics, including water-repellent coating finish type or flame retardant status. The company is silent on PFAS use, formaldehyde-resin fabric treatments, or third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign). This lack of transparency is typical for home furnishing retailers but leaves consumers unable to verify alternatives with lower concern.
How it compares in its category
Replacement outdoor cushions from major retailers (Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Frontgate) follow the same pattern, polyester-blend fabrics with undisclosed water-repellent finishes. Grandin Road pricing is mid-range and quality is standard for the category, but no clear differentiation on chemical safety. Certified alternatives (OEKO-TEX Standard 100 outdoor cushions) exist but are less common in this price tier.
If you buy it
Air the cushion outdoors in direct sunlight for 24-48 hours before first use to reduce VOC off-gassing from the foam and fabric treatment. Avoid contact with direct high heat (hot grills, fire pits). Clean with plain water and mild soap; do not use bleach, which can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and potentially alter treated chemicals. Replace the cushion when fabric shows visible wear, cracking, or color fading, as degraded coating can increase exposure to underlying material.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Grandin Road has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to 45" X 18" Replacement Bench Cushion - Knife-Edge, Knife Edge/Awning Stripe Aquatic - Grandin Road?
Blazing Needles
74 in by 19 in Outdoor Solid Polyester Tufted Chaise Lounge Cushion
- Polyester fill with polyester cover
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes in polyester textiles
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral oil, argan oil blend
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 100% cotton canvas
- Azo dyes and dye contamination
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.