By PFAS Database · Updated July 27, 2026
PFAS-Free Products List: Which Brands and Items to Choose
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals used in thousands of consumer products to repel water, grease, and stains. These chemicals persist in the environment and human blood for decades, raising public health concerns backed by growing epidemiological research. This guide surveys products with lower PFAS concern based on available materials disclosure and third-party testing data. It names specific brands, explains what to avoid, and offers evidence-based alternatives across cookware, water filtration, textiles, and personal care.
What Are PFAS and Why Should You Care?
PFAS are a family of more than 4,700 man-made chemicals engineered to resist heat, oil, and water damage. Manufacturers have used them since the 1940s in nonstick coatings, waterproof fabrics, food packaging, cosmetics, and stain repellents. Once released into soil or water, they do not break down naturally, earning the nickname "forever chemicals." Research published in peer-reviewed journals documents associations between PFAS exposure and elevated cholesterol, immune suppression, liver inflammation, and thyroid disease, though causation remains an active area of investigation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detected PFAS in the blood of 97 percent of Americans sampled in recent surveys. Reducing exposure through product choices is a practical step many health-conscious consumers are now taking.
Which Everyday Products Contain PFAS?
PFAS appear in a surprisingly wide range of household items. Non-stick cookware sold by major brands traditionally contains PFOA or PTFE coatings. Waterproof textiles, including rain jackets, waterproof boots, and outdoor activewear, often rely on PFAS-based fabric treatments. Water-resistant food packaging, such as microwave popcorn bags and takeout containers, frequently uses PFAS to prevent grease penetration. Dental floss, waterproof mascara, and some cosmetics incorporate PFAS for performance. Carpeting and upholstery treated with stain-resistant finishes commonly contain PFAS. Some tampons and period pads use PFAS-treated materials in their moisture barriers. Fabric protector sprays designed for furniture and clothing have historically relied on PFAS chemistries. Even drinking water filters may require PFAS-containing membranes, though this varies by design.
Which Brands and Products Show Lower PFAS Concern?
Cookware and Bakeware
Ceramic nonstick cookware represents one of the clearest shifts away from fluorinated polymers. Caraway Ceramic Saute Pan & Lid carries a grade A rating (100/100 safety), reflecting our model-based estimate from materials disclosure, not a lab test. Similarly, Caraway Ceramic Baking Sheet and Caraway 15" Ceramic Nonstick Pizza Pan all show no evidence of PFAS in reviewed materials. These products replace traditional PTFE nonstick with mineral-derived ceramic coatings. Caraway publicly discloses its manufacturing standards and source materials, though third-party lab testing of final products is not publicly posted. Browse our full cookware directory for additional options.
Food Storage Containers
Airtight Caraway Food Storage Set achieves grade A (100/100 safety), based on materials reported and brand disclosure of manufacturing practices. Stasher Storage Bag 4-Pack similarly shows lower concern, using platinum silicone rather than fluorinated polymers. These silicone and glass alternatives avoid the fluorochemicals historically used in plastic films and coatings to create moisture barriers in food packaging. Both brands disclose ingredient sourcing; independent lab certification of finished containers is limited but manufacturer claims are consistent across product lines.
Water Filtration Systems
Water filters present a nuanced picture. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS in tap water, but some filter membranes or binders may themselves contain trace PFAS. PureLiving Puri 7 Reverse Osmosis System carries grade A (100/100 safety), reflecting disclosed materials and manufacturing transparency, not independent lab validation of PFAS removal rates. TAPP Water Faucet Filter, Hydro Flask 32 oz Water Bottle, and Naya KOR 650mL Filter Water Bottle all achieve grade A ratings. For pitcher filters, Honeywell 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher and Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Replacement Filters show lower concern based on NSF certification and disclosed filter materials. Visit our water filters section to compare tested options.
Period Care Products
Menstrual products have become a focus for PFAS reduction. Natracare Super Tampons with Applicator and Cora Organic Tampons with Applicator both carry grade A (100/100 safety) ratings, using organic cotton and disclosed non-fluorinated moisture barriers. Ruby Love Women's Hipster Period Underwear and Knix Teen Super Leakproof Reusable Snap Pads achieve the same grade, relying on silicone and other non-PFAS leak barriers. Explore our full period care directory for more alternatives to traditional brands.
Textiles and Protective Clothing
Organic Basics Kariban Bio Apron and Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set both achieve grade A (100/100 safety) by using untreated natural fabrics. Neither brand applies PFAS-based water repellency or stain-proofing finishes. Traditional waterproof jackets, rain boots, and stain-resistant bedding often incorporate PFAS; these products represent a different approach, relying on fiber quality rather than chemical treatment.
Fabric and Furniture Protection
Spot removers and fabric sprays historically relied on PFAS. Folex Spot Remover and Carbona Carbon both carry grade A (100/100 safety), using alternative chemistries disclosed in their product safety data sheets. These represent a growing segment of PFAS-free fabric care products, though performance data comparing them to traditional PFAS-treated competitors is limited.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
RMS Beauty Organic Makeup achieves grade A (100/100 safety), formulated without water-repellent PFAS chemicals. Waterproof mascara, foundation primers, and long-wearing lipsticks have historically incorporated PFAS to improve durability; organic cosmetic brands typically substitute botanical waxes and oils instead. Explore our makeup options to find additional PFAS-lower-concern choices.
Winter and Sports Equipment
Ski and snowboard waxes are a specialized category. Purl Natural Ski Wax and Purl Eco Ski & Snowboard Wax both carry grade A (100/100 safety), using hydrocarbon and botanical bases rather than fluorinated compounds. These alternatives sacrifice some glide performance for lower environmental persistence; consumer reviews indicate adequate performance for recreational use.
How Do Product Grades Work?
Our ratings are model-based estimates derived from materials disclosure, manufacturing transparency, and third-party certifications, not direct laboratory testing of every product. A grade A (100/100 safety) indicates no evidence of PFAS found in reviewed sourcing materials and brand-stated compliance with restricted substances lists. This does not mean the product is absolutely PFAS-free; trace contamination or undisclosed components remain theoretically possible. Learn more about our rating methodology.
What Should You Avoid?
Traditional non-stick cookware from major brands continues to use PTFE or PFOA-based coatings, though many manufacturers have phased out PFOA following regulatory pressure. "PFOA-free" labels do not guarantee the absence of other PFAS; some brands have switched to newer fluorinated polymers not yet restricted. Waterproof fabrics labeled "DWR" (durable water repellent) without further specification often contain PFAS; look for brand transparency on fabric treatments. Microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers, and pizza box liners remain sources of PFAS exposure; home popping is a practical alternative. Stain-resistant carpets, upholstered furniture pre-treated with fabric protectors, and waterproof boots sold by mainstream outdoor brands typically incorporate PFAS unless specifically marketed otherwise.
Comparison Table: Lower-Concern Product Examples
| Product Category | Recommended Product | Grade | Key Material | Brand Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonstick Cookware | Caraway Ceramic Saute Pan | A (100/100) | Mineral ceramic coating | Full materials list published |
| Food Storage | Stasher Storage Bag 4-Pack | A (100/100) | Platinum silicone | No fluorinated polymers stated |
| Water Filtration | TAPP Water Faucet Filter | A (100/100) | Activated carbon with coconut shell | NSF certified, materials disclosed |
| Period Tampons | Natracare Super Tampons | A (100/100) | Organic cotton, non-PFAS barrier | GOTS certified, ingredient list public |
| Bed Sheets | Boll & Branch Hemmed Sheets | A (100/100) | Untreated organic cotton | GOTS certified, no durable water repellent applied |
| Cosmetics | RMS Beauty Organic Makeup | A (100/100) | Plant waxes and oils | Organic certified, PFAS-free claim |
| Spot Remover | Folex Spot Remover | A (100/100) | Alternative surfactants | SDS available, no PFAS listed |
Bottom Line
Reducing PFAS exposure is achievable through deliberate product substitution, particularly in cookware, food storage, water filtration, and textiles. The products listed above show lower concern based on available materials disclosure and transparent manufacturing, though no product can be certified absolutely PFAS-free without direct third-party laboratory analysis. Brand-stated PFAS-free claims should be verified against independent certifications such as NSF, GOTS, or published safety data sheets. Starting with water filtration and daily-use items like food storage containers and period care products offers an efficient entry point for reducing household PFAS burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "PFAS-free" the same as "safe"?
No. "PFAS-free" or lower concern means no detectable PFAS in reviewed materials and manufacturing disclosures, but this does not guarantee absolute absence or confirm health safety. "Safe" implies clinical proof of no harm, which requires controlled human studies. Our grades reflect available evidence, not absolute safety certifications. The absence of PFAS is one step toward lower chemical exposure, but other toxins or allergens may still be present.
Can I trust brand claims that a product is "PFAS-free"?
Brand-stated claims vary in rigor. Companies may test only finished products or specific components, not raw materials or manufacturing by-products. Third-party certifications such as NSF, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or published independent lab reports carry more weight than unverified brand statements. Always cross-reference brand claims against public safety data sheets or certification databases before deciding.
How much does switching to lower-PFAS products cost?
Grade A alternatives often carry a premium of 20 to 60 percent compared to conventional products. Ceramic cookware costs more than traditional nonstick, silicone food storage exceeds plastic films, and organic cotton textiles exceed conventional treated fabrics. However, prices have fallen as demand grows. Prioritizing high-contact items such as water filters, food storage, and cookware offers the best return on investment. Used or secondhand options are another cost-reduction strategy.
```Now check your own stuff
Search anything you own and get its A-to-F PFAS grade in seconds.
Get the safe list, free
The products we score each week, and the safest alternative in every category.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.