AllModern · Throw Pillows
Joss & Main Selma Throw Pillow
Lower concern: standard throw pillow with no PFAS-prone treatments disclosed.
The Joss & Main Selma Throw Pillow is a standard fabric pillow with no public disclosure of water-resistant, stain-resistant, or nonstick coatings, the main vectors for PFAS in textiles. AllModern has not made PFAS claims or sought third-party verification.
Shop AllModern on Amazon →Material
Polyester/cotton blend pillow cover, no waterproofing or stain treatment disclosed
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Selma pillow cover is a polyester-cotton blend, a common textile construction that balances durability with softness. Polyester fibers themselves are stable in normal use but can shed microfibers when washed, especially in the first few cycles. The cotton component reduces overall synthetic content and is less likely to off-gas VOCs than 100% polyester alternatives. No water-repellent or stain-resistant coatings are disclosed, which actually reduces exposure to treatment chemicals like PFOA-family compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
AllModern (a Wayfair subsidiary) provides minimal chemical disclosure for this product; no third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX or GOTS are listed. The brand does not publicly disclose formaldehyde resin testing, dye safety protocols, or antimony screening for polyester. Wayfair-owned brands have not faced major textile safety recalls in recent years, but their transparency on treatment chemicals lags competitors like Article and West Elm, which often specify dye standards and finishing treatments.
How it compares in its category
Standard polyester-cotton throw pillows are the market norm and carry baseline textile hazards common across the category. This pillow lacks branded sustainability or safety certifications that would differentiate it upward; competitors at similar price points (e.g., Threshold, Pottery Barn basics) offer comparable risk profiles. The absence of waterproofing is actually an advantage here, as water-repellent finishes on textiles are the primary vector for PFAS and other persistent chemicals in this category.
If you buy it
Wash the pillow cover separately on cold water before first use to remove loose dyes and reduce microfiber shedding. Avoid dry cleaning, which can expose residual solvents; gentle machine wash is safest. Replace the cover if seams fray or the weave breaks down, as damaged fabric sheds more microfibers. Store in a dry space away from direct heat and sunlight to slow natural fiber degradation.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Formaldehyde-releasing resins
Polyester-cotton blends may contain formaldehyde-based finishing resins for wrinkle resistance or color-fixing, though AllModern does not disclose these. No test data is publicly available for this specific product.
Azo dyes and heavy-metal pigments
No dye safety certifications are listed. Polyester takes synthetic dyes readily; low-cost producers may use azo dyes (which can release carcinogenic amines under certain conditions) or pigments with cadmium or lead. Brand does not specify dye sourcing or testing.
Antimony in polyester fibers
Antimony trioxide is a common polymerization catalyst in polyester production. Most modern manufacturers keep residual antimony below regulatory thresholds, but AllModern provides no testing documentation for this pillow cover.
Microfiber shedding
Any polyester textile sheds microfibers during washing and handling, particularly in early use. This is an inherent property of synthetic fibers and poses no direct toxicity hazard but contributes to microplastic accumulation in household dust and waterways.
VOC off-gassing from synthetic dyes or finishes
New polyester textiles can emit low-level VOCs (solvent smells) for days or weeks after packaging. Airing the pillow outdoors or in a well-ventilated space before use minimizes exposure; risk is negligible for most users but worth noting for chemically sensitive households.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Throw Pillows
Organic Modernism
Coyuchi Canyon Organic Decorative Pillow Cover
Organic cotton shell
Lower concern: plain organic cotton pillow cover with established textile certification, but brand does not disclose PFAS practices.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More throw pillows 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.