6 PFAS-Free, Non-Toxic Outdoor Furniture Brands That Can Actually Weather the Weather

Let me just get the bad news out of the way right off the bat: when it comes to non-toxic outdoor furniture, there isn’t really a perfect solution.

There are very few outdoor furniture brands that meet all of the criteria in terms of performance, aesthetics, durability, and material safety.

To put it another way: you’re probably going to have to use synthetic (aka plastic) for the fabric and/or cushions.

But like most things in life, the goal is progress, not perfection. We’re shooting for the better, safer option, even if it’s not ideal.

So, I’m going to give you the resources you need to learn about what makes outdoor furniture toxic and what to consider when shopping for non-toxic patio furniture (or at least less toxic) so you can make a decision that’s best for you, your family, and your priorities.

P.S. I’ve also got you covered for indoor non-toxic furniture.

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

Pick Your Poisons (Or Priorities!)

Considering the fact that you may not be able to find the perfect solution, you may have to prioritize and decide what’s most important to you. 

Here are some of the main things to consider:

1. PFAS or No PFAS?

This is one of the biggest things to think about when it comes to outdoor furniture. PFAS—aka “forever chemicals”—are almost always added to outdoor furniture (especially ones that contain fabrics) in order to make them weather-resistant.

You’ve probably heard about PFAS before: 

• They’re what makes Teflon non-stick pans toxic. 
• They’re linked to a host of very concerning health effects, from cancer to heart disease, and more. 
• They’re persistent and bioaccumulative, meaning our bodies can’t metabolize them or break them down. Instead, they just build up over a long period of time (which is how they got their nickname “forever chemicals”).

These “forever chemicals” act the same way in the environment — building up over time and contaminating the soil and drinking water. Just as they bioaccumulate in humans, they do the same in marine and wildlife. 

A lot of outdoor brands (even those touted as “sustainable” or “eco-friendly”) use “performance fabrics” like Sunbrella for their cushions, umbrellas, and other outdoor products because they are water-resistant and less prone to mold. 

Although Sunbrella does have a few things going for it in terms of sustainability initiatives (such as OEKO-TEX and GREENGUARD certifications), it’s not always PFAS-free.

Sunbrella does have some PFAS-free fabrics, but as of right now, it’s really difficult to determine whether or not the specific piece of Sunbrella furniture that you might get at Target or West Elm, for example, is made using the PFAS-free fabric or not. You can read my deep dive into Sunbrella right here.

(Quick note: Sunbrella did announce they had plans to phase out PFAS from their fabrics. However, I have not yet been able to get assurance that the phase-out has happened yet. I’ll keep you posted!)

As a rule of thumb, you should probably always assume that an outdoor furniture brand contains PFAS unless they say otherwise.

P.S. At the bottom of this article I discuss how to water-proof your furniture or other outdoor items without toxic chemicals!

2. Engineered vs. Solid Wood

A lot of furniture (both indoor and outdoor) is made using engineered wood, which can also be called plywood, MDF, particleboard, fiberboard, and other things.

The problem with engineered wood is that it’s made by gluing a bunch of pieces together (like wood chips, sawdust, etc.) to make it look like real wood. That process requires a lot of glues and adhesives, which are often high in formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can evaporate into your air and contribute to air pollution. 

Even though formaldehyde occurs naturally in wood (and even in our own bodies!), it can contribute to serious health effects at the high concentrations often found in furniture. That’s why I usually recommend choosing solid wood whenever you can.

Here’s where you’re going to have to start deciding what your priorities are. 

When it comes to furniture that’s outside, if I have to choose between getting a PFAS-free outdoor sofa that’s made using engineered wood versus a couch that uses solid wood but has cushions that are treated with PFAS, I personally would rather go with the former.

Even though the product might have higher levels of formaldehyde than I’d prefer, the fact that the couch will be outside where there is plenty of airflow and where the formaldehyde will not be contributing to my indoor air pollution makes me feel okay about it (choosing the lesser of the evils!).

IKEA is a great example for this scenario. They use a lot of engineered wood, which is not ideal. However, they have actually had a ban on PFAS since 2016, making all IKEA outdoor furniture PFAS-free.

What to get instead: Solid teak wood is one of the best choices for outdoor furniture because it’s naturally resistant to water, rot, and pests—without needing any chemical treatment. It holds up well in all kinds of weather and doesn’t warp or crack easily.

Plus, it has a high oil content that helps it age beautifully over time, developing a soft gray patina if left untreated. Several of the brands below use solid teak wood for their outdoor furniture.

3. Synthetic vs. Natural Materials

The next thing to consider is what materials are used for your fabrics and cushions. Most outdoor furniture is going to include at least some synthetic material. 

So here are a few things to consider as you choose the best option for you:

• Bear in mind that cotton tends to be more vulnerable to mold compared to many synthetics.

• Hemp is relatively mold-resistant naturally, but extremely difficult to find in furniture cushions (unless you make your own…)

• But synthetic materials—which are mainly plastic materials that are derived from petroleum—are neither eco-friendly or non-toxic. But they are more resistant to mold growth and are more water-resistant.

• Synthetic fabrics also tend to be more affordable. 

• A PFAS-free synthetic material is usually better for you than a set of outdoor cushions that are made with natural cotton but then treated with a PFAS finish.

• Olefin fabric is a pretty good option for outdoor furniture. Even though it’s synthetic (made with waste from oil production), it is a tightly-woven, water- and mold-resistant fabric that does not need to be treated with PFAS.

• When it comes to cushions, natural latex or kapok are ideal natural materials, but they’re very difficult to find. So you may end up settling for polyurethane foam.

Some Good News

Despite the fact that it’s difficult to find outdoor furniture that’s 100% sustainable and non-toxic, the good news is that we’re seeing a lot of good progress when it comes to phasing PFAS out of consumer goods.

When I first published this article in 2022, there were very few PFAS-free performance fabrics on the market. But over the past couple of years, the PFAS landscape has changed.

Some states, like California, have implemented bans on PFAS in consumer products such as clothing, which will go into effect over the next several years.

OEKO-TEX, the third-party certification has also banned all intentionally-added PFAS in certified products in recent years.

I’ve also seen an increase in PFAS-free performance fabrics enter the market. I believe that over the next few years, we will see a lot more furniture brands using safer, PFAS-free fabrics that are still durable and water resistant.

The Best Brands for Non-Toxic (Or Less Toxic) Patio Furniture

Burrow

Materials: Powder coated steel, wicker, Olefin fabric, PU foam
PFAS-Free? Yes
Price range: $450-6000+ (financing available)

Burrow is one of the few brands that’s making PFAS-free non-toxic furniture that also looks nice and is affordable.

What I love: 

• Their upholstered cushions use C0, which is a vegetable-based, PFAS-free durable water resistant solution.
• Their synthetic fabric is OEKO-TEX certified Olefin.
• The cushions are porous and engineered to avoid water retention, helping it dry faster and avoid mold growth.
• The outdoor sofas are modular so you can really get creative and switch things up year after year. 
• They also offer non-upholstered outdoor furniture

What I don’t love: 

• They do use synthetic materials, but as I mentioned, it’s a reasonable choice for outdoor furniture.

7th Ave

Materials: Grade A solid Indonesian teak, synthetic fabrics (various options)
PFAS-Free? Yes
Price range: $1,450 – $12,750 (financing available)

One of the great things about 7th Ave’s PFAS-free outdoor furniture is that they offer modular furniture that’s really easy to change over time. So if you move and get a bigger space, you can add a piece to your sofa to make it bigger instead of getting a whole new one.

Or if you want to switch up the color, you can just buy new covers. I think this inherently makes it more sustainable option because you’ll be able to keep your furniture a lot longer.

For their outdoor collection, they have armchairs, loveseats, lounger sofas, sectionals, and ottomans.

What I love: 

• They use solid wood for the frames (grade-A, solid Indonesian teak). It’s certified by the Indonesian Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and comes with a Verification of Timber Legality (V-Legal Export Certificate).
• They use quick-dry foam for the cushions so they are are resistant to mold, rot, and mildew. The cushions have an open-cell structure and inability to retain water and humidity. These types of cushions are usually used on boats and in poolside settings. (This part is super important to me as a mold-sensitive person!)
• The fabric is treated with C0, so it’s water-resistant, but without any PFAS.
• The fabric is also OEKO-TEX & GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means they’ve been third-party verified to be free from not only PFAS but also a long list of other toxic chemicals.

What I don’t love: 

• Still a lot of synthetics for the cushions and fabrics, which I’ve already discussed.

IKEA

Materials: Solid & engineered wood, polyester, PU foam, nylon, and more
PFAS-Free? Yes
Price range: $9.99- 1,759

What I love:

• IKEA’s furniture is PFAS-free
• Affordable
• Lots of options
• You can sort to find the best options like filtering by solid wood

What I don’t love: 

• Lots of synthetics (like PU foam in the cushions and engineered wood)
• May not be as durable in the long-run.
• Don’t get stuck on IKEA for everything. For indoor non-toxic furniture there are a plethora of better options. 

I actually have a set of outdoor furniture from IKEA, pictured below. (I believe it’s from the BONDHOLMEN collection.) I am pretty happy with it! It’s comfortable, I like the colors, and it seems pretty durable so far.

The cushions are relatively water-resistant, but I still bring them in regularly because I want to make them last. I feel good sitting on them, knowing I’m not sitting on PFAS!

More about IKEA:

• How non-toxic is IKEA furniture 
• What is Fast Furniture & What Can You Do About It?

MasayaCo

Materials: Solid wood, polyester
PFAS-Free? Kinda (I recommend choosing their wood-only pieces for a completely PFAS-free choice)
Price range: $158- 2,895

MasayaCo makes absolutely beautiful furniture (for both inside and outside)!

What I love: 

• Each piece is handcrafted in Nicaragua
• Sustainably-sourced solid wood
• They grow their own teak on deforested cattle pastures as part of their reforestation project. 
• Many pieces are PFAS-free (but not all)
• They have classic Adirondack pieces along in addition to other options. 

What I don’t love: 

• Some pieces use Sunbrella fabrics which, as I noted above, may be PFAS-free, but it’s not necessarily guaranteed.
• When filtering by PFAS-free pieces, sorting by wood-only pieces does limit your options. 
• A little on the expensive side for outdoor furniture (but for a good cause, supporting a good company!)

Natural Home by The Futon Shop

Materials: Soy-based memory foam (with some synthetics), natural latex, solid wood, linseed oil finishes
PFAS-Free? Depends on the fabric
Price range: $296- 1,075.46

What I love: 

• Their outdoor furniture has options for cushions made from natural materials (many of the other brands don’t). 
• Their collection of futon frames and chairs is multi-functional and can be used inside or outside. 
• They use natural and non-toxic materials like solid wood and natural linseed oil for the finish. 
• They offer a variety of options such as loveseats, futons, and chaise lounges that come in different sizes. 
• The picture above is of the folding foam bed, which is available in a soy-foam and/or natural latex option. Depending on which type you choose, there may be some Certi-PUR certified synthetic memory foam as well.

What I don’t love: 

• Their outdoor collection is not very big — and seems to have gotten smaller in recent years.
• Not all options are PFAS-free so you’ll have to do some searching/digging. 
• They use Outdura fabric (which is similar to Sunbrella). I’ve contacted them to ask if it contains PFAS and unfortunately have not received a response.

Joybird

Materials: FSC-certified wood, polyester, PU foam, aluminum, acrylic, and more
PFAS-Free? Kinda; the “majority” of their products are not treated
Price range: $291- 3,258

What I love: 

• Most of their outdoor furniture is not treated with PFAS.
• They do not recommend applying Scotchgard to their furniture (neither do I). 
• They have several beautiful options to choose from.
• Their pieces are often multi-functional.

What I don’t love: 

• Like many of the other brands, they use a lot of synthetic material (such as PU foam)

What About Sustainability When It Comes to Outdoor Furniture?

• Non-toxic and eco-friendly initiatives are often closely related. Most of the time, what’s better for our health is also better for the planet — but not always. 

• When shopping for sustainable outdoor furniture, there are a few qualities you can look for:
  • FSC certified, meaning the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.
  • GREENGUARD Gold certification, which means products contain low chemical emissions and decreased indoor pollution. 
  • The use of reclaimed wood is a great eco furniture initiative.
  • Recycled aluminum is another sustainable material in durable patio furniture.

• Before outlining the sustainability features of the brands mentioned in this article, it’s important to note that the most sustainable kind of patio furniture you can get is something that’s already made. Check local groups, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, and secondhand stores. But look for brands listed here that I’ve verified are limiting their toxic chemicals. 

• Lastly, I completely understand the world is in a plastic crisis right now, with more plastic floating around than we know what to do with. Although reclaimed plastic may be better for the planet in some ways, it still contains the same toxicants (sometimes more) as fresh, virgin plastic. 

Now, here’s how the brands above stack up in terms of sustainability:

MasayaCo. Outdoor Furniture Sustainable Features:

MasayaCo. is one of the best sustainable outdoor furniture brands. Their furniture is artisan hand-crafted and never mass produced. The inspiration for the brand comes from the rich culture and appreciation for Nicaragua. Some of their sustainable features include: 

• They own their own tree farms established on deforested cow pastures
• A percentage of the forests they own are unused and untouched
• They plant trees in their own forest and donate to different initiatives
• All furniture is made from FSC certified wood
• In addition to their own forests, MasayaCo. collects and germinates seedlings in their own nursery
• The waste that is created is converted into bioenergy

7th Ave Sustainability Features:

• They use solid wood for the frames which is certified by the Indonesian Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and comes with a Verification of Timber Legality (V-Legal Export Certificate).
• Their fabrics are GREENGUARD Gold certified for low VOCs.
• Their furniture is built for durability and long-last—from the modular features, to the ability to swap out fabrics, to the fabrics that are fade resistance rated for up to 2,000 hours of UV, and more.

Joybird Outdoor Furniture Sustainable Features:

Joybird is known around the furniture industry for their fun, bright colors and comfy designs. Some of their sustainability initiatives include: 

• They finance and invest in reforestation and restoration programs 
• Some of their pieces contain reclaimed wood
• All furniture and fabrics are GREENGUARD Gold certified
• Fabrics are crafted from recycled water bottles

Burrow Outdoor Furniture Sustainable Features: 

Burrow is all about high-quality furniture blending Scandinavian and mid-century designs. While their pieces are made from FSC certified wood and designed with a modular system that allows pieces to be repurposed over time, they’re unfortunately lacking in sustainability certifications (outside of PFAS-free which is a big one!). 

Futon Shop Outdoor Furniture Sustainable Features:

The Futon Shop has made my list of recommendations in other categories for their commitment to non-toxic materials but they deserve a shout out for eco-friendly practices as well:

• They prioritize local farms and brands for material sourcing
• They use humanely harvested wool, which is beneficial for humans, animals, and the environment
• Their products use natural latex instead of synthetic
• Many of their materials are certified organic, including cotton

Outdoor Furniture Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut

Here are some of the other brands I looked at. All of these brands have sustainability initiatives of various kinds, however, none of these brands are clear about whether or not their outdoor furniture contains any PFAS. 

I’ve reached out to all of these brands, but unfortunately never heard back. I’ll be sure to update this article if I ever do.

Therefore, I cannot recommend the following brands at this time because it’s likely their outdoor furniture COULD contain PFAS.

All of the brands with *asterisks* use Sunbrella fabrics, which means they could be PFAS-free since Sunbrella does have a PFAS-free line, but you just can’t know for sure since they don’t specify…

Terra*
Villa*
Yardbird*
Crate & Barrel*
Neighbor*
Pottery Barn*
West Elm*
Outer
Room&Board
Urban Natural (They did reply to my emails, but they kind of skirted around my questions and I couldn’t get a straight answer from them about PFAS.)

Or… Go For An Organic Cotton Hammock Instead!

If it makes sense for you and your outdoor lounge area, you might want to go for a natural or organic hammock instead.

Here are some places to find them:

• Hangloose Hammocks
• La Siesta
• Rawganique
• West Elm

How to Properly Care for Your Outdoor Furniture

No matter what decision you make, properly caring for your furniture can make a big difference, both in the long-term durability as well as preventing mold and mildew. So here are a couple of pointers:

Water & Stain-Proof Your Patio Furniture the Non-Toxic Way

There’s a reason most of the outdoor furniture on the market is treated with PFAS. Most people want their outdoor stuff to be weather resistant! However, you do have safer options. 

You can consider using Otter Wax to help you waterproof your outdoor fabrics without toxic PFAS:

• Heat Activated Liquid Fabric Dressing 
• Waterproofing Solid Wax Bar

Both of these products are made in the USA out of natural ingredients like beeswax and plant-based waxes and oils. They’re both completely free from things like PFAS, petroleum derivatives, and other potentially problematic chemicals.

• The solid wax is a bit easier to use and requires fewer steps for application
• The liquid option is better for larger products (like furniture)
• Both of these options can be used on DIY cushions and other outdoor products like tents, hammocks, shoes, and more.

Force of Nature is another simple way to care for your outdoor furniture. This is a non-toxic spray that is registered with the EPA to kill 99.9% of germs, viruses, and bacteria, and it’s effective in preventing mold and mildew as well. It doesn’t have to be rinsed off, so you can spray it onto your upholstered furniture every other week or so as another preventative measure.

Proper Storage For Outdoor Furniture

In addition to treating your outdoor fabrics and cushions with natural weather-proof finishes, proper storage can go a long way, too!

To increase the life of your outdoor furniture and prevent mold without PFAS, store your cushions indoors when they’re not in use (even if that’s just in a shed or garage). At the very least, make sure to bring them in during periods of heavy rain and/or during the winter months.

Want to learn more about reducing PFAS?

If this article was helpful and you’re looking to learn more about PFAS and how to reduce them in your home, check out my PFAS Masterclass.

In this 5-day mini course, you’ll get straightforward video lessons on common PFAS misconceptions, how to spot greenwashing when shopping for PFAS-free products, how to “detox” from PFAS, and more.

The course is delivered directly to your inbox with bite-sized videos, a list of recommended PFAS-free products, and an Action Sheet to help you take practical steps to reduce your exposure.

Finding something that is all at once durable, PFAS-free, natural and/or organic, AND comfortable isn’t easy. But just as with everything: do what you can when you can! Hopefully this article has at least helped lay out your options and narrow things down so that you can make the best decision you possibly can!