Sunbrella · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Sunbrella 20"x20" Cabana Stripe Outdoor Throw Pillow
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS; no transparency.
Sunbrella fabrics use water-repellent coating finishes typical of outdoor textiles, historically PFAS-based. Brand discloses no PFAS information or alternatives.
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
Sunbrella acrylic solution-dyed fabric with proprietary water/stain repellent
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Sunbrella 20"x20" Cabana Throw Pillow is made of, ingredients and materials
This pillow uses Sunbrella acrylic solution-dyed fabric, meaning the color is integrated into the fiber itself rather than applied as surface dye, reducing off-gassing and colorant migration risks. The fabric carries a proprietary water and stain repellent treatment that is almost certainly PFAS-based, though Sunbrella does not publicly disclose the chemistry. Acrylic fibers themselves are generally stable and non-toxic when not heated, but the water-repellent coating is where chemical concern concentrates.
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.
VOC off-gassing (volatile organic compounds from resins or coatings)
The proprietary water repellent and any sizing or finishing resins applied during manufacturing may release VOCs initially, particularly indoors or in warm, humid conditions. Off-gassing typically diminishes within days to weeks but is most pronounced in sealed indoor spaces.
Coating degradation and leaching of residual treatment chemicals
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
No flame retardant chemicals are known to be added to Sunbrella acrylic textiles as part of standard formulation. Solution-dyed acrylics have inherent flame resistance, so additional retardants are unnecessary and not on record.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Sunbrella acrylic fabric does not use formaldehyde-based dyes or finishing resins. Solution dyeing and acrylic polymer chemistry avoid this hazard class.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Solution-dyed Sunbrella acrylic integrates synthetic dyes directly into the polymer; this method avoids the problematic azo dyes and heavy metal pigments common in surface-dyed textiles.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella is owned by Glen Raven and has built a reputation for outdoor durability and UV resistance, but the company maintains silence on PFAS content in its water-repellent coating treatments, despite industry-wide pressure for transparency. No major recalls or documented toxicity incidents are on record for Sunbrella throw pillows specifically. However, the brand's refusal to disclose or commit to PFAS-free alternatives, even as competitors like Polartec have moved to non-PFAS options, signals a lack of proactive chemical stewardship.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella outdoor textiles sit at the premium end of the market and genuinely perform better than budget acrylic blends or polyester alternatives in terms of durability and UV hold. Most mainstream outdoor fabrics, whether Sunbrella, Olefin, or polyester, use PFAS-based water repellents as standard, so this pillow is not uniquely risky in that regard. A PFAS-free alternative would require seeking out niche brands (typically more expensive) or accepting reduced water and stain resistance.
If you buy it
Sunbrella acrylic does not require or benefit from heat-based care; wash in cool water with mild soap and air dry to avoid accelerating any water-repellent coating breakdown. Do not use harsh cleaners, bleach, or pressure washers, which can strip the water repellent and increase leaching of residual chemicals. Replace the pillow insert every 3-5 years depending on UV exposure; the cover itself typically lasts longer but will gradually lose stain resistance. Store indoors during off-season if possible to reduce weathering of the water-repellent coating layer.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Sunbrella has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Sunbrella 20"x20" Cabana Stripe Outdoor Throw Pillow?
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.