Sunbrella is now completely PFAS-free. What changes for your cushions?

What PFAS did

For decades the finish that made outdoor fabric bead water was fluorocarbon based: PFAS, the "forever chemicals". They repel water and oil extremely well and do not break down, which is the problem. The EU and UK are restricting them, and Sunbrella Europe has removed them from its entire furniture and shade range.

What replaced it

A fluorine-free water-repellent finish. These work by creating a surface that water does not want to spread on, without the fluorine. They are as good at repelling water. They are less good at repelling oil, which is the honest trade-off.

What you notice

• Rain: no difference. Water beads and rolls off the same way. In prolonged rain a little soaks in, as before, and drains out.
• Oily stains: sunscreen and barbecue fat sit in a little more readily. Treat them with a degreasing washing-up liquid sooner rather than later. See stains by type.
• Washing: the fluorine-free finish is a little more sensitive to harsh detergent and fabric softener. Mild detergent, no softener, 30°.
• Re-proofing: after a few years and many washes, a fluorine-free fabric guard spray restores beading. Older PFAS sprays are no longer sold in Europe.

What did not change

The fibre is still solution-dyed acrylic, so fading, mildew resistance, bleach cleaning and the 5-year warranty are all unchanged. See what is Sunbrella fabric. The filling and construction of our cushions are the same as before.

Why it matters beyond the cushion

Every wash of a PFAS-treated fabric released a little into the water. A cushion you wash twice a year for ten years adds up. The fluorine-free finish removes that entirely. For us it was an easy switch; the fabric arrives from the mill with the new finish and we sew it exactly as before.