· Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Sunguard Fabric UV Protectant and Sealant
Skip until composition is disclosed. Waterproof coatings often contain PFAS.
Chemical composition stays undisclosed for this fabric sealant. Waterproof treatments commonly use PFAS with no independent verification available.
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
Proprietary UV protectant and water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Sunguard Fabric UV Protectant and Sealant is made of, ingredients and materials
Sawyer's Sunguard is a spray-applied UV protectant and water-repellent sealant with proprietary formulation not publicly detailed beyond marketing claims. Water-repellent fabric coatings typically rely on fluorinated polymers (PFAS) or silicone-based compounds to achieve durability and stain resistance. Without ingredient disclosure, the actual chemistry remains opaque. The product is designed for outdoor textiles (cushions, awnings, outdoor clothing), where UV and moisture protection are functional drivers.
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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvent off-gassing
Spray-applied coatings typically contain carrier solvents or propellants. No VOC testing or emissions data published for this product. Inhalation during application is the primary exposure route; indoor use without ventilation poses respiratory irritation risk.
Aerosolization and inhalation during application
Product is sold as a pressurized spray. Fine mist inhalation can occur during application, particularly to large surfaces. Sawyer's label includes basic precautions but does not quantify particulate size or respiratory hazard class.
Skin and eye contact irritation
No safety data sheet (SDS) publicly accessible; formulation details absent. Water-repellent coatings can include irritant surfactants or polymers. Risk is moderate if used as directed (on fabrics only) but elevated if spray contacts skin or eyes.
Microplastic or polymer shedding into environment
After application, coated fabrics may shed particulate polymer (from weathering or washing) into soil or waterways. This is a known concern for spray-applied synthetic coatings, though quantification for this specific product is absent.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Unlikely in a spray coating intended for finished textiles, but formaldehyde-releasing resins are present in some water-repellent treatments. No evidence Sunguard contains such resins, but lack of SDS prevents confirmation.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand has not published detailed ingredient lists or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand does not publicly commit to PFAS avoidance or disclose supplier testing. No recalls or safety controversies are on record for Sunguard specifically, but the silence on composition is a transparency red flag for water-repellent fabric treatments, which commonly contain PFAS or other fluorochemicals.
How it compares in its category
Most fabric UV protectants and water repellents fall into two camps, PFAS-based (Scotchgard, older formulations) and alternatives not linked to PFAS (silicone, wax, or fluorine-free polymers). Sawyer's refusal to specify places it in an ambiguous middle. Competitors like Nikwax and some eco-labeled products explicitly market PFAS-free options and publish ingredient breakdowns; Sawyer does not. For price-conscious consumers, the tradeoff is lower cost but higher uncertainty.
If you buy it
Apply outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces to minimize inhalation of spray aerosol. Allow full dry time (typically 24-48 hours) before contact with skin or food. Reapply annually or after heavy washing, as durability of water repellency declines over time. If PFAS status becomes confirmed through independent testing or brand disclosure, reassess retention. Store in a cool, dry place away from children and pets; do not ingest or use on items that contact food or sensitive skin.
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
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Sunguard Fabric UV Protectant and Sealant?
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.