CB2 · Throw Pillows
Stria Black and White Woven Silk Throw Pillow with Down-Alternative Insert 23"x23" by Ackerman - CB2
Lower PFAS concern, untreated natural fiber with synthetic fill, but no transparency from CB2.
This pillow is primarily silk (naturally PFAS-free) with a down-alternative polyester insert. No stain-resistant, water-resistant, or grease-guard claims visible. CB2 makes no PFAS disclosures for this product; check the product tag or contact customer service if you need certainty about the polyester fill treatment.
Shop CB2 on Amazon →Material
woven silk with down-alternative polyester insert
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 cover is woven silk, a protein fiber that requires no synthetic dyes or finishes to function as a fabric, making chemical loading inherently lower than synthetics. The insert is down-alternative polyester, typically polyfill or hollow-core polyester staple fiber, which is chemically inert when sealed inside a pillow. Silk does require mordants and dyes during production, but these are rinsed and don't persist in finished fabric at significant levels. The real exposure risk is minimal because the silk is a barrier between skin and the fill.
The brand's record and disclosure
CB2 (Crate and Barrel subsidiary) does not publish detailed material transparency reports or third-party certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, GOTS) for most home textiles. The brand has no documented recalls or safety violations for throw pillows in public records. CB2 does not disclose PFAS treatment status or use of flame retardants in soft furnishings, which is common among mass-market home goods brands but represents a gap in proactive disclosure rather than evidence of hazard.
How it compares in its category
Silk-covered pillows are at the lower end of chemical concern compared to polyester microfiber or synthetic blends, which often undergo finishing treatments (water-repellency, wrinkle resistance) that may contain PFAS or formaldehyde releasers. Most down-alternative pillows use untreated polyester fill, making this product typical for its price tier. Higher-end alternatives (certified organic cotton covers, biodegradable fills) offer modestly better transparency; budget alternatives (100% polyester covers) carry marginally higher finishing chemical risk.
If you buy it
Machine wash the cover separately in cool water before first use to rinse any residual dye mordants or finishing agents. Air dry completely before reassembling to avoid mildew in the fill. Rotate and fluff monthly to maintain loft and prevent compression. Inspect for seam degradation annually; once seams fail or fabric pills heavily (typically 2-4 years with normal use), retire the pillow to reduce microfiber shedding risk.
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 releasers in fabric finishing
Silk fabrics sometimes undergo resin-based wrinkle resistance or stiffening during production. CB2 does not disclose whether this pillow cover has received such treatment. Pre-wash rinsing mitigates any residual formaldehyde.
Azo dyes and heavy metal contamination
Woven silk typically uses acid dyes (safer class) for black coloring, but heavy metals (e.g., chromium, copper) can persist in poorly regulated dyeing. No test data available for this specific product; CB2's manufacturing origins are not fully transparent.
Polyester microfiber shedding from fill
Down-alternative polyester can shed microfibers through worn seams or abrasion. This is not a chemical hazard but a physical one; it becomes relevant only after structural failure (typically years of use).
Dye bleeding or transfer
Black silk is prone to dye bleeding on first wash if not pre-rinsed, particularly onto pale fabrics or skin during extended contact. This is a cosmetic and allergen concern (dyes on skin can irritate sensitive individuals) rather than a systemic toxicity risk.
Flame retardant treatment
CB2 does not state whether this pillow meets flame standards via fabric inherent properties or chemical additives. Silk is naturally flame-resistant; polyester is not, but small pillows may not trigger flame-retardant disclosure requirements depending on jurisdiction.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.