Sunbrella · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
West Elm Sunbrella Indoor/Outdoor Cast Pillow
Sunbrella applies water-repellent coating treatments, PFAS status stays undisclosed.
Sunbrella fabrics typically use water-repellent coating coatings to fight stains and moisture. The brand hasn't publicly stated whether treatments contain PFAS or promised PFAS-free formulas.
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 fabric with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What West Elm Sunbrella Cast Pillow is made of, ingredients and materials
This pillow uses Sunbrella solution-dyed acrylic fabric, a synthetic fiber where color is added during fiber production rather than applied to the surface. Solution-dyed acrylic is chemically stable, resists fading, and does not shed synthetic dyes readily into washwater. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is a separate coating applied to the fabric surface to make it stain and moisture resistant; this finish is where PFAS compounds are typically found in textile applications, though Sunbrella does not publicly disclose whether their water-repellent coating is PFAS-based or PFAS-free.
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's water-repellent coating finish is not disclosed as PFAS-free by the brand; the coating likely contains PFAS compounds based on industry standard practice, though specific chemistry is proprietary. Graded separately per your instructions (30/100), but relevant here as the primary non-acrylic chemical exposure route.
Source, ATSDR ↗VOC Off-gassing from Fill or Seams
The pillow fill and thread are not specified in typical product labeling; polyurethane foam or polyester fiberfill (common in cushions) may off-gas VOCs in the first weeks after unpacking, especially if stored warm. Airing the pillow outdoors before use reduces this exposure.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Solution-dyed acrylic fibers do not require formaldehyde-releasing binders or dye mordants. No public record of formaldehyde contamination in Sunbrella acrylic products.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo Dyes
Solution-dyeing during fiber production in Sunbrella acrylic typically uses reactive or vat dyes rather than azo dyes, which are restricted in many jurisdictions. No known azo dye content reported.
Flame retardants
Acrylic fiber is naturally flame resistant due to its chemistry and does not require added flame retardant coatings. No public record of intentional flame retardant application to Sunbrella outdoor fabrics.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbrella (owned by Glen Raven) is a well-established outdoor textile manufacturer with a strong reputation for durability and colorfastness. The brand has not made public commitments to PFAS-free water-repellent coating systems or published transparency reports on chemical content in their finishes. Sunbrella has no known recalls or public safety controversies related to toxic chemical exposure. Their silence on PFAS status is consistent with many mainstream textile manufacturers and does not indicate a safety failure, only lack of proactive disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella fabric is considered a premium option in outdoor/indoor-outdoor textiles and generally performs better than untreated acrylic blends or polyester in terms of chemical stability and durability. Most outdoor cushion and pillow fabrics rely on water-repellent finishes (most of which contain PFAS), so Sunbrella is not unique in this regard. If PFAS exposure is a primary concern, the pillow would sit in the middle-risk tier compared to conventional synthetic fabrics (higher risk) and untreated or PFAS-free certified alternatives like organic cotton with non-fluorinated water repellency (lower risk). The pillow's removable cover design allows washing independent of the fill, which is a practical advantage.
If you buy it
Machine wash the cover separately in cool water with mild detergent every 3-6 months or after visible soiling; do not bleach or use fabric softener, which can degrade water repellency. Avoid prolonged direct heat sources, tumble drying, or high-temperature water, as this may accelerate degradation of the water-repellent coating finish and any embedded chemical residues. Air dry in shade. Replace the pillow if the fabric develops persistent staining, mildew despite regular cleaning, or visible coating breakdown (loss of water beading). Keep away from small children and pets if concerned about incidental ingestion of textile fibers or finish particles during mouthing.
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
- Sunbrella has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to West Elm Sunbrella Indoor/Outdoor Cast 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.