Sunbrella · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Sunbrella Outdoor Custom Cushion Cover
Outdoor fabric with water-repellent coating, PFAS status undisclosed.
Sunbrella outdoor acrylic has documented water and stain resistance typically achieved through water-repellent coating treatments that historically contained PFAS. Brand won't disclose current PFAS content.
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
Solution-dyed acrylic with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Sunbrella Outdoor Custom Cushion Cover is made of, ingredients and materials
Sunbrella outdoor cushion covers are solution-dyed acrylic, meaning color is built into the fiber during manufacture rather than applied afterward. This construction typically avoids surface dyes and heavy metal pigment loads. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the material layer of concern, water-repellent coating treatments on outdoor textiles have historically used PFAS-based chemistry, though some manufacturers now offer fluorine-free alternatives. Sunbrella does not publicly disclose which formulation they use.
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
Water repellent treatment likely contains legacy PFAS compounds; Sunbrella does not disclose chemistry. Risk is primarily environmental leaching and skin contact during wet use, not ingestion.
Source, ATSDR ↗VOC off-gassing and fiber shedding
New outdoor acrylic textiles may release minor volatile organics during initial cure; degraded or wet water-repellent coating finish can increase microfiber shedding into contact areas. Risk is low but increases with age and UV exposure.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Solution-dyed acrylic with water-repellent coating finish is not a typical source of formaldehyde releasers. No reports or certifications indicate this hazard for Sunbrella cushion covers.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Solution dyeing process incorporates color into fiber before weaving, avoiding surface dye application. No documented heavy metal loading in Sunbrella's color pigments.
Source, FDA ↗Flame retardants
Solution-dyed acrylic is inherently flame-resistant due to fiber chemistry. No additive flame retardants are listed or known in Sunbrella outdoor cushion covers.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella, owned by Glen Raven, is a market leader in solution-dyed acrylic for outdoor use and holds various performance certifications (Oeko-Tex, etc.). However, the company has not made public commitments to PFAS phase-out or transparent disclosure of water-repellent coating chemistry in their outdoor cushion covers. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this product line. Their silence on water-repellent coating composition is notable given industry movement toward fluorine-free alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Solution-dyed acrylic presents lower concern regarding antimony or unclosed flame retardants compared to some polyester-blend outdoor fabrics. Compared to canvas or untreated cotton, Sunbrella's durability and water resistance eliminate mold and mildew risk in damp storage. Against premium competitors offering explicit fluorine-free water-repellent coating claims (e.g., some Crypton or Perennials lines), Sunbrella's lack of disclosure puts it in the middle tier by transparency, though performance and color retention are industry-standard.
If you buy it
Store covers indoors or under shade during off-season to minimize UV degradation and water pooling. Wash with mild soap and hose water only; avoid high heat or harsh chemicals that could degrade the water-repellent coating finish and increase fiber shedding. Solution-dyed acrylic does not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organics at room temperature. Inspect seams and binding annually for wear; replace covers if stitching splits or large areas become non-water-repellent, as degraded water-repellent coating may leach untested byproducts into soil or furniture contact zones.
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 Outdoor Custom Cushion Cover?
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.