Crate and Barrel · Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Crate & Barrel Coral Jacquard Outdoor Throw Pillow
Unknown PFAS content in stain-resistant finish; no disclosure available.
Outdoor throw pillow with polyester jacquard and stain-resistant treatment. Crate & Barrel provides no PFAS information; finish type and PFAS-free status unconfirmed.
The safe swap
Target
Covers & All Square Cushion Slipcover
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Jacquard woven polyester with stain/water resistant finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This pillow is jacquard woven polyester with a stain and water-resistant chemical finish applied to the fabric surface. Jacquard polyester is durable and colorfast, but the finish layer is where chemical concerns arise: stain resistance on outdoor textiles typically relies on fluorochemical coatings (PFAS family) or newer hydrocarbon alternatives. The fabric itself poses minimal risk unless heated directly; the finish degradation over time from UV and weathering is the primary exposure pathway.
The brand's record and disclosure
Crate and Barrel does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of stain-resistant finishes on their outdoor textiles, nor do they publish certifications like OEKO-TEX or GOTS that would rule out fluorochemical treatments. The brand has no documented public commitment to PFAS elimination in home furnishings. No recalls or regulatory actions have been recorded against this specific product line, but silence on chemical composition is the norm for this retailer across outdoor fabrics.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor throw pillows typically carry similar disclosure gaps; few major retailers name their stain-finish chemistry openly. This product is mid-market; budget outdoor pillows often use untested finishes, while premium alternatives (e.g., Pottery Barn, West Elm) occasionally cite PFOA-free or PFAS-free claims, though verification is limited. Performance-wise, jacquard polyester is standard and durable; the finish uncertainty affects long-term safety, not immediate functionality.
If you buy it
Keep the pillow outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces; do not place in direct contact with skin for extended periods, especially for children or pregnant individuals. Avoid heat exposure (no dryer, no near heat sources). Hand rinse or spot-clean rather than machine wash if possible, as agitation can degrade and mobilize the finish layer. Replace every 3-5 years or if the surface feels sticky, chalky, or peels; these are signs the finish is breaking down and shedding.
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.”
Stain-resistant finish (fluorochemical or hydrocarbon)
Crate and Barrel does not disclose whether this outdoor pillow uses PFAS-based (e.g., Teflon-type coating, C6/C8 fluorotelomers) or non-fluorine stain treatments. PFAS is graded separately; other hydrocarbon finishes are low-risk but also undisclosed here.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing resins in polyester finishing
No record of formaldehyde treatment in Crate and Barrel outdoor jacquard polyester. Polyester jacquard typically does not require formaldehyde for dye fixation; risk is low but unconfirmed by published testing.
Azo dyes (carcinogenic amine precursors)
Crate and Barrel does not publish dye supplier data or GOTS/OEKO-TEX certification for this line. Azo dye risk in polyester jacquard is low in reputable manufacturing but unverified here; no known recalls.
Microplastic shedding from polyester fiber breakdown
Outdoor exposure (UV, weather, agitation during cleaning) degrades polyester fibers over time, releasing microplastics into the environment and potentially inhaled dust. This risk is inherent to outdoor polyester but accelerated if the finish layer delaminates.
Coating degradation and finish particle inhalation
As the stain-finish layer weathers or peels (common for outdoor pillows in 2-4 years), fine particles of the coating become airborne, especially in dry climates or with friction. Content and toxicity of these particles depend on the finish chemistry, which is undisclosed.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Target
Covers & All Square Cushion Slipcover
Cotton or cotton-blend slipcover fabric
Low PFAS concern for bare textile slipcover without stated treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Target
ARDEN Elastic Deep Seat Cushion Cover 2-Pack
polyester/cotton blend upholstery fabric
Lower concern. Soft furnishings rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Pottery Barn
Cammeray Dining Chair Cushion Slipcover
cotton/polyester blend upholstery fabric
Likely lower concern; typical furniture fabric without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
More outdoor furniture cushions 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.