RST Brands · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Helmes Outdoor Sunbrella Seat Cushion Cover RST Brands Fabric
Sunbrella historically uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating, verify before buying.
Sunbrella cushion covers offer water and stain resistance through solution-dyed acrylic. Sunbrella's history of PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes raises concern, with no current disclosure available.
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75/100 safety
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Material
Sunbrella acrylic fabric with water-repellent coating 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.
PFAS
Sunbrella brand has historically used PFAS (such as Teflon-type coating or fluorocarbon-based) for water and stain repellency. Grandin Road has not published current formulation data. PFAS can leach into soil and water if covers degrade or are disposed of improperly, but direct skin exposure during normal use is low.
Source, ATSDR ↗VOC off-gassing and odor
New acrylic and coated fabrics can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the first weeks of outdoor exposure and in enclosed storage. Odor is typically transient but may be noticeable; airing the cover outdoors before first use can reduce initial emissions.
Microplastic shedding
Sunbrella acrylic fibers can shed microplastics through wear, abrasion, and weathering over time. When cushion covers degrade or are disposed of, shed fibers may accumulate in soil or water. Outdoor storage limits washing frequency and may reduce shedding relative to indoor synthetic textiles.
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
No established records of added flame retardant treatments in Sunbrella acrylic fabrics for outdoor cushion covers. Acrylic fiber itself has moderate inherent flame resistance and is not typically treated with additional halogenated or phosphorus-based retardants for this application.
Source, EPA ↗Heavy metals
Sunbrella uses solution-dyeing (pigment spun into fiber before extrusion), which is considered a lower-contamination method than surface dyeing. No recalls or third-party reports of heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium, chromium) in Sunbrella outdoor fabrics are on record, though independent testing data is not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This cushion cover is made from Sunbrella acrylic fabric, a solution-dyed synthetic material known for UV and moisture resistance. The fabric includes a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied during manufacturing. Sunbrella brand has historically relied on PFAS-based chemistry for its water-repellent properties, though formulation details are proprietary and not publicly disclosed by Grandin Road for this specific product. Acrylic fiber itself is stable and does not leach chemicals under normal outdoor use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Grandin Road does not publicly disclose the water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS content of its Sunbrella seat cushion covers. Sunbrella (owned by Glen Raven) has faced ongoing scrutiny over PFAS use in outdoor fabrics but has not committed to eliminating PFAS from formulations industry-wide. Neither Grandin Road nor Sunbrella provides third-party testing results or certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS) for this product. Transparency is limited; contacting the company directly about water-repellent coating formulation is the only way to confirm current chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor furniture cushion covers in this price and durability tier commonly use acrylic blends with water-repellent coating coatings; this Sunbrella option is industry-standard in that respect. Some competitors (e.g., performance fabrics from solution-dyed polyester or certified organic cotton) may use non-PFAS water repellents, but these tend to be less durable or more expensive. Sunbrella's reputation for longevity (10+ year lifespan) is well-earned, but comes with the historical trade-off of PFAS-based water-repellent coating. This product does not stand out as either lower concern or higher concern within its category without formulation transparency.
If you buy it
Store covers indoors during off-season to reduce weathering and extend water-repellent coating life. Clean with mild soap and water only; avoid high-heat pressure washing or industrial dry cleaning, which can degrade the water-repellent coating layer and potentially release trapped chemicals. Inspect seams and fabric surface annually for pilling, tears, or water-beading loss; replace the cover if the water-repellent property visibly fails (water no longer beads). Do not use near heat sources such as outdoor grills or fire pits, as synthetic acrylic can melt if exposed to sustained temperatures above 160°F (71°C).
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
- RST Brands has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Microplastic shedding and degradation
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⚠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.