Williams Sonoma · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Williams Sonoma Lyon Club Chair Cushion Standard Sunbrella Performance Canvas
Sunbrella canvas likely contains PFAS-based water-repellent coating; Williams Sonoma shares no disclosure.
Sunbrella performance canvas uses water-resistant coatings historically based on PFAS chemistry. Williams Sonoma makes no public commitment to PFAS avoidance or testing.
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 Performance Canvas (acrylic-based fabric with water-repellent coating)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Williams Sonoma Lyon Club Chair Canvas is made of, ingredients and materials
Sunbrella Performance Canvas is solution-dyed acrylic fiber with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. The fabric itself is colorfast and mildew-resistant by design, with lower concern for color fading and mildew growth compared to untreated outdoor textiles. However, the water-repellent coating, typically fluorocarbon-based in commercial outdoor fabrics, imparts water and stain resistance at the cost of potential PFAS content. The acrylic base material itself carries no established heavy-metal or formaldehyde concerns under normal use.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating technology almost certainly relies on PFAS compounds; neither Sunbrella nor Williams Sonoma disclose the specific chemistry or offer PFAS-free certification. PFAS can leach into skin contact and potentially contaminate soil if cushions are discarded.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from acrylic fiber
Solution-dyed acrylic fibers are generally stable, but weathering, friction, or abrasive cleaning may cause microscopic fiber loss, especially as the cushion ages. This is typical for outdoor textiles but worth minimizing through gentle handling.
Degradation of water-repellent coating over time
Sunbrella's water-repellent coating finish typically requires periodic reapplication after 2-3 years of outdoor exposure. As the coating breaks down, the underlying fabric may retain moisture and become more prone to mildew; this is normal but indicates the cushion's protective layer is compromised.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Sunbrella's solution-dyeing process and acrylic fiber base do not rely on formaldehyde-releasing resins. No public recalls or complaints specific to formaldehyde have been documented for this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes or banned colorants
Sunbrella fabrics are widely used by architects and designers in commercial settings with strict chemical standards. No established reports of restricted azo dyes or heavy-metal pigments in Sunbrella canvas.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Williams Sonoma does not publicly disclose PFAS content or water-repellent coating chemistry in product specifications or safety documentation. The brand offers no third-party certifications (such as GOTS, Bluesign, or OEKO-TEX) that would rule out PFAS or other restricted chemicals. Sunbrella, the fabric supplier, also does not explicitly confirm or deny PFAS use in its marketing materials, though the company has acknowledged awareness of PFAS concerns in broader industry discussions.
How it compares in its category
Sunbrella is an industry-leading outdoor cushion fabric known for durability and colorfastness; it significantly outperforms cheaper polyester or untreated acrylic blends in longevity and mildew resistance. However, many competing outdoor fabrics (particularly those labeled water-repellent) also use fluorocarbon water-repellent coating without disclosure. Some premium brands now offer PFAS-free alternatives using paraffin or polyurethane-based water repellency, though these are less common and typically more expensive.
If you buy it
Maintain the cushion by vacuuming dry debris regularly and cleaning with mild soap and water; avoid harsh solvents or high-heat pressure washing, which may degrade the water-repellent coating finish and increase microfiber shedding. Store indoors or under cover during winter to extend life and reduce weathering. Replace the cushion cover or the entire cushion if the fabric becomes heavily soiled, torn, or the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water no longer beads). Given PFAS uncertainty, minimize direct skin contact during initial use and ensure good ventilation if the cushion is new.
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
- Williams Sonoma has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Williams Sonoma Lyon Club Chair Cushion Standard Sunbrella Performance Canvas?
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.