Crate and Barrel · Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Crate & Barrel Palmyra Jacquard Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillow
Indoor/outdoor finish likely treated; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
Jacquard throw pillows marketed for indoor/outdoor use typically receive durable water and stain treatments, often fluorine-based. Crate and Barrel does not publicly disclose PFAS treatment status for this product.
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 synthetic blend with water/stain treatment
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 woven from a synthetic fiber blend (likely polyester dominant) treated with a water and stain repellent finish. The jacquard construction uses dyed synthetic yarns, which may involve azo dyes and chemical mordants in production. The water/stain treatment is the primary chemical concern here, as outdoor-rated textiles commonly receive fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or alternative durable repellent finishes to shed moisture and resist degradation, though Crate and Barrel has not disclosed which chemistry is used.
The brand's record and disclosure
Crate and Barrel does not publish detailed chemical or flame retardant disclosures for soft furnishings on their website or product pages. The brand has no known major recalls or safety controversies specific to textiles. However, their silence on PFAS use in water-resistant treatments is consistent with the broader furniture industry practice of non-disclosure. Without third-party certification (OEKO-TEX, STANDARD 100, or bluesign) listed on this product, chemical composition remains opaque.
How it compares in its category
Indoor/outdoor throw pillows are a category with high variability in chemical treatment. This product is mid-range for a major retailer; budget alternatives often use heavier synthetic blends with minimal disclosure, while premium certified options (e.g., bluesign-approved or GOTS-certified organic cotton blends) provide transparency and lower chemical loads. Crate and Barrel's positioning suggests standard commercial durability treatments rather than eco-certified alternatives, placing it in the mainstream unvetted zone.
If you buy it
Air out the pillow indoors for 24 to 48 hours before use to off-gas residual solvent and dyes; this is especially important in a bedroom. Use it primarily outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces during warmer months. Wash per care tag (usually gentle cycle, cool water) before extended indoor use to reduce dye and chemical load. Replace if fabric shows thinning, color cracking, or water beading loss, as degradation of the treatment layer may release trapped compounds.
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.”
PFAS in water/stain repellent coating
Indoor/outdoor textiles are routinely treated with fluorinated water repellents; Crate and Barrel's silence on treatment type suggests undisclosed PFAS is plausible. Contact dermatitis or inhalation risk is low during normal use, but washing may mobilize residues.
Azo dyes and synthetic dye fixatives
Jacquard-dyed polyester typically uses disperse and reactive azo dyes fixed with heavy-metal-based mordants (chromium, copper compounds). Industry standard but not disclosed here; risk is primarily via skin contact or dust inhalation if fabric degrades.
Flame retardants in polyester blend
Crate and Barrel furnishings generally comply with flammability standards (16 CFR 1633 or similar). No publicly documented use of brominated or antimony-based flame retardants in this pillow; however, additive type is not disclosed and cannot be confirmed from product information.
VOC off-gassing from dyes and finish resins
New synthetic textiles with durable finishes typically off-gas low levels of organic compounds (formaldehyde releasers, residual solvents) in the first days to weeks. Not hazardous at normal room exposure but noticeable as a chemical odor.
Microfiber shedding and fragmentation
Synthetic jacquard blends shed microfibers during use and washing, especially if the weave is tight and the coating cracks. Indoor use over time may contribute minor airborne fibers; outdoor weathering accelerates shedding.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.