Pier 1 Imports · Outdoor Cushions & Pillows
Horizon Stripe Outdoor Pillow
Outdoor pillow likely treated for durability; no brand PFAS disclosure available.
Outdoor pillows typically use water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings, often PFAS-based. Pier 1 Imports provides no public PFAS information for this product. Seek third-party testing or PFAS-free certified alternatives.
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 stain/water-resistant 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
The Horizon Stripe pillow is a polyester blend, meaning synthetic fibers derived from petroleum that are inherently hydrophobic. The 'stain/water-resistant treatment' applied to outdoor pillows typically involves water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings, historically PFAS-based (perfluorinated compounds), which bond to the fabric to repel moisture and UV damage over years of outdoor exposure. Polyester itself does not leach chemicals into skin under normal use, but the applied treatments are where chemical risk concentrates. The specific treatment chemistry is not disclosed by Pier 1, which is standard practice in this category but limits transparency.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pier 1 Imports has not published PFAS policies, chemical transparency reports, or certifications (such as bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or GOTS) for home textiles as of available public records. The brand does not appear to have made commitments to phase out PFAS in outdoor fabric treatments or to disclose water-repellent coating chemistry to consumers. This silence is common among mid-market home goods retailers but reflects an absence of third-party verification or supply-chain accountability for chemical inputs.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillows across brands (Sunbrella, Williams-Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, budget alternatives) typically use similar polyester or solution-dyed acrylic fabrics with undisclosed water-repellent coating treatments. Premium brands occasionally specify PFOA-free or PFAS-conscious treatments, while budget options rarely disclose. The Horizon Stripe sits in the mid-market segment with no competitive advantage in chemical transparency; its stain resistance is a feature, not a safety liability, but one achieved through chemistry buyers cannot verify.
If you buy it
Allow new pillows to air out in sunlight for 24-48 hours before use to off-gas any volatile residues from the treatment and manufacturing. Store in a dry location when not in use; moisture trapped in folds can promote mold and bacterial growth. Replace if the fabric develops tears, as the water-repellent treatment will degrade and no longer protect the fill material from weather exposure. Wash by hand or gentle machine cycle in cool water without bleach; abrasive cleaning or heat will degrade the water-repellent coating faster.
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-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Outdoor textiles are routinely treated with PFAS-based durable coatings for water and stain resistance. Pier 1 does not disclose the water-repellent coating chemistry, so PFAS presence cannot be ruled out and is statistically probable. Long-term environmental shedding and disposal pose secondary exposure routes rather than direct skin contact.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing
Polyester blend textiles and applied treatments may off-gas formaldehyde-based resins, solvents, or coupling agents used in dyeing and finishing. New pillows typically have noticeable odor; airing in sunlight mitigates this. Concentrations in typical home use are unlikely to cause acute harm but can irritate sensitive individuals.
Flame retardants
Outdoor pillows are not typically treated with flame retardants unless marketed as such, and no such claim appears on this product. Polyester is inherently slow-burning due to its melting point. No evidence suggests Horizon Stripe has added flame retardant chemistry.
Azo dyes and heavy metals in colorants
The 'Stripe' pattern likely requires multiple synthetic dyes to achieve color and pattern contrast. Polyester dyeing routinely uses azo dyes and metal-complex dyes; some azo colorants can degrade under UV exposure and release aromatic amines. Pier 1 does not certify dyes to OEKO-TEX or similar standards, so composition is opaque.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
The water-repellent treatment will wear away over 2-5 years of outdoor UV exposure and use. As the coating flakes or erodes, microparticles of treated polyester may shed into soil or water. The extent depends on maintenance and storage practices but is inherent to outdoor textiles.
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 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.