Outer · Throw Pillows
Threshold 18"x18" Square Outdoor Throw Pillow
Lower PFAS concern for this product category, but outdoor pillow durability treatments remain opaque.
Threshold outdoor throw pillows are typical home-goods textiles. While outdoor fabrics are sometimes treated with water-repellent finishes that may contain PFAS, the brand makes no public disclosure of treatment chemicals.
Shop Outer on Amazon →Material
polyester or cotton blend outdoor fabric (typical for throw pillows)
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
Threshold outdoor pillows are typically constructed from polyester or polyester-cotton blends treated with water and UV-resistant finishes to survive outdoor weather. Polyester itself is chemically stable once cured, but the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings applied to outdoor fabrics historically contained long-chain PFAS compounds, though many brands have begun phasing to short-chain or fluorine-free alternatives. The 18x18 size and outdoor classification indicate this pillow received protective treatments; the specific chemistry of those treatments is not publicly disclosed by Outer.
The brand's record and disclosure
Outer (the brand behind Threshold outdoor products) has not published detailed chemical disclosures or sustainability certifications for its pillow lines as of available public records. The brand does not prominently advertise PFAS-free status or third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX or bluesign for this product category. Without active transparency or known controversies, Outer sits in a middle ground: not flagged for violations, but also not proactively communicating material safety.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor throw pillows universally require water-resistant treatments, making some level of chemical durability finish unavoidable. Threshold-branded products are mass-market retailers offerings positioned at mid-tier pricing, typically offering less detailed material documentation than premium outdoor brands (e.g., Sunbrella) but similar functional performance to other big-box competitors. The lack of specific PFAS-free or fluorine-free claims is standard across most throw pillows in this price and distribution channel, not a distinctive weakness.
If you buy it
Store indoors during winter months or extended non-use to maximize fabric lifespan and reduce fading, as outdoor treatments degrade under UV and moisture cycling. Spot-clean with mild soap and water; avoid high-heat pressure washing, which can strip coatings and accelerate shedding or leaching of treatment chemicals into soil or runoff. Replace pillow covers every 2-3 years if used year-round in harsh climates, as coating integrity directly affects water shedding and UV protection. Do not assume the pillow is non-toxic simply because it is sold as 'outdoor'; the durability comes from chemical treatments.
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.”
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition
Outdoor pillows require water-resistant finishes; Outer does not publicly specify whether water-repellent coating coatings are fluorine-based (legacy PFAS risk), short-chain fluorinated, or fluorine-free. Leaching into soil or groundwater is possible if pillow degrades or is disposed improperly.
Polyester fiber shedding and microfiber release
Polyester outdoor fabrics shed microfibers when abraded, washed, or degraded by UV. Outdoor use accelerates wear; no data on microfiber release rates from this specific product, but polyester-based outdoor textiles are known shedders.
Azo dyes and colorfast stability
No recalls or incidents reported for Threshold outdoor pillows related to azo dye migration or heavy metal dyes. Standard outdoor-grade polyester typically uses stable dyes; however, Outer does not certify compliance with OEKO-TEX or similar azo restrictions, so hazard cannot be ruled out.
Flame-retardant coatings or treatments
No public disclosure that Threshold outdoor pillows contain flame retardants. Outdoor furniture fabrics are not subject to the same regulatory flame-retardant mandates as indoor upholstery, making such treatments unlikely but not impossible; Outer has not confirmed absence.
Formaldehyde resin finishes
Formaldehyde-based resins are used in some textile durable-press or water-repellent treatments. No recalls or warnings specific to Threshold pillows; however, absence of OEKO-TEX or similar eco-label certification means off-gassing risk cannot be quantified.
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.