Pier 1 Imports · Outdoor Cushions & Pillows
2 Pack Outdoor Throw Pillows
Skip due to water-resistant coating, no disclosure on PFAS.
Outdoor throw pillows typically use water-resistant or weather-proof treatments, which may contain PFAS. Pier 1 provides no public disclosure about PFAS in this product. Third-party testing unavailable.
The safe swap
Arhaus
Arhaus Ardennes Outdoor Pillow In Polyester
75/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester blend with 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
These pillows are polyester blend with a water-resistant finish coating, likely a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment. Polyester itself is stable, but outdoor-grade fabrics often receive flame retardant chemical treatments to meet safety standards, and water-resistant coatings frequently rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) for durability. The combination means multiple chemical layers that can off-gas, especially in heat or sunlight.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pier 1 Imports ceased operations in 2021 and sold its remaining inventory; there is no active brand disclosure policy to evaluate. Historical records show the brand offered no transparency on flame retardant chemistry or PFAS use in home textiles. No third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, GOTS) are documented for this product line, which is typical of mass-market outdoor cushioning.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor throw pillows from mainstream retailers typically use polyester with water-repellent coating coatings; this product sits in the standard risk profile for the category. Higher-cost alternatives may use solution-dyed polyester with lower chemical loads, or natural fibers with fewer treatments. Budget options like these trade transparency for affordability, which is common but means fewer guarantees on chemical inputs.
If you buy it
Air out pillows in sunlight and open air for 24 to 48 hours before first use to allow volatile off-gassing to dissipate. Wash covers in cool water before first contact with skin if removable. Replace within 2 to 3 years or sooner if you notice degradation, odor, or color bleeding. Avoid bringing them indoors during winter storage without airing them first, as this traps off-gases in closed spaces.
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.”
Flame retardant chemical residues
Outdoor polyester textiles are routinely treated with brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet flammability codes. These chemicals can migrate onto skin with wear and are endocrine disruptors at high exposure; outdoor products receive less scrutiny than children's goods.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New polyester textiles with water-resistant coatings are documented to emit formaldehyde, toluene, and other VOCs for days to weeks after purchase. Outdoor storage before use reduces but does not eliminate this risk, particularly if pillows are stored indoors during unseasonably warm periods.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Water-resistant finishes on polyester degrade with UV exposure and washing, potentially releasing microparticles and exposing the underlying flame retardant-treated fibers. Outdoor throw pillows experience accelerated weathering and may shed polymer fragments into soil or water.
Azo dye residues
Polyester outdoor fabrics are typically dyed with disperse azo dyes, which are restricted in the EU but legal in the US. Some azo dyes can cleave into carcinogenic amines under friction, sweat, or chlorine exposure, though risk is low with routine outdoor cushion use.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is used as a polyester catalyst and flame retardant co-additive in some polyester production. No public recalls or documented issues are attributed to antimony in consumer outdoor pillows from Pier 1, but residual levels are not typically disclosed.
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 Cushions & Pillows
Arhaus
Ardennes Outdoor Pillow In Polyester
Polyester, unspecified finish
Lower concern. Polyester pillow unlikely to contain PFAS unless treated.
⚠Risky category by default
Room & Board
Modern Cast Outdoor Pillow
Cast polyester or acrylic fabric cover
Outdoor pillow with synthetic fabric.
⚠Risky category by default
Pier 1 Imports
Rizzy Home Jim Throw Pillow
polyester/cotton blend with standard fill
Lower concern. No PFAS-prone features identified in typical throw pillow.
⚠Risky category by default
More outdoor cushions & 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.