Williams Sonoma · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Williams Sonoma Santorini Side Chair Cushion
Lower concern; typical outdoor cushion without known stain or water treatments.
This is a standard outdoor cushion cover with no known stain or water treatment marketed. Williams Sonoma makes no PFAS claims. Without active stain or water treatment, PFAS risk is lower.
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
Polyester outdoor cushion cover (likely acrylic or polyester blend)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Williams Sonoma Santorini Chair Cushion is made of, ingredients and materials
This cushion cover is polyester or a polyester-acrylic blend, materials chosen for outdoor durability and weather resistance. Polyester itself is chemically stable when intact, but the dyes used to color outdoor fabrics and any finishes applied for water or soil repellency are the primary concern. Unlike natural fibers, polyester does not biodegrade and can shed microfibers during washing, though the risk from a stationary cushion cover is minimal.
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.
Azo dyes and color fastness
Polyester cushion covers are typically dyed with reactive or disperse dyes; azo dyes are not inherently present in quality outdoor textiles but color bleed during washing or heavy rain is common. Monitor for dye transfer to skin or adjacent fabrics, especially in first uses or after washing. This is a quality and minor irritation risk rather than a toxicity hazard for most users.
Microplastic shedding
Polyester textiles shed microfibers during washing and weathering; a cushion cover is a static outdoor object so shedding risk is lower than apparel, but washing may release fibers into water. For users concerned about microplastic accumulation, gentle hand washing or rinse-only maintenance reduces fiber release compared to machine washing.
Water repellency treatments and off-gassing
Williams Sonoma does not disclose whether the Santorini cover has been treated with water-repellent finishes; if present, these may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Any off-gassing would be limited outdoors, but initial odor is common in newly purchased outdoor textiles and usually dissipates within days to weeks.
Mold and mildew from moisture retention
Polyester absorbs and traps moisture more than solution-dyed acrylic. If cushions are left damp or stored without drying, mold growth on the cover or foam filling underneath is a practical hygiene concern, especially in humid climates. This is a maintenance risk, not a manufacturing hazard.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-based finishing resins are standard in polyester outdoor cushion covers in the current market. If present, any residual would off-gas minimally given the product is used outdoors and not in direct contact with skin for extended periods.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Williams Sonoma does not publicly disclose material safety certifications or testing for this product line on their website. The brand has no documented recalls or controversies specific to cushion safety, and they carry outdoor furniture as a standard product category without special transparency initiatives. No third-party certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, GOTS) are mentioned in available product materials for this cushion.
How it compares in its category
Polyester outdoor cushion covers are the industry standard and represent a middle ground, more durable than untreated cotton but with higher microfiber shedding potential than solution-dyed acrylic alternatives. This product sits in the typical range for department-store outdoor cushions; it lacks premium certifications but also carries no flagged safety issues. Higher-end alternatives (certified organic or solution-dyed acrylic) exist but cost significantly more.
If you buy it
Store the cushion indoors during off-season and rinse with plain water before the first use to remove loose dyes. Wash covers by hand or gentle machine cycle with mild detergent; avoid bleach and hot water, which can degrade polyester and set stains permanently. Replace covers if seams split or material thins noticeably, as water absorption increases the risk of mold and mildew in the foam underneath. Do not expose to direct, prolonged heat sources or intense UV without protective storage.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 65% 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 Santorini Side Chair Cushion?
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.
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.