Pier 1 Imports · Outdoor Cushions & Pillows
Pier 1 Outdoor Square Pillows (Set of 2)
Likely uses water-repellent coating; brand silent on PFAS ingredients.
Outdoor pillows typically receive water-resistant finishes that may contain PFAS. Pier 1 provides no PFAS disclosure. Contact brand for coating details before purchase.
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 fabric with 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
These pillows are polyester fabric treated with a water-resistant water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, most likely fluorinated given industry norms for outdoor textiles. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic, but the water-resistant finish is the chemical wildcard. Outdoor cushion coatings typically include either PFAS-based or alternative water-repellent coating agents, surfactants, and often flame retardants to meet furniture flammability standards. The combination of coating plus synthetic fiber can off-gas volatile organic compounds, especially in heat or direct sunlight.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pier 1 Imports has not published transparent ingredient lists or PFAS phaseout commitments for its furniture lines, including outdoor textiles. The company was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2020 and has made no public commitment to chemical safety disclosure standards that competitors like Patagonia or REI have adopted. No recalls specific to chemical hazards in Pier 1 outdoor pillows are on record, but the absence of disclosure rather than safety testing is the concern.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillow sets at this price point typically use polyester with water-repellent coating, so Pier 1 is standard in material class. However, major outdoor brands (REI, Crate and Barrel, West Elm) increasingly disclose their water-repellent coating chemistry or certify against harmful chemicals; Pier 1 does not. This product sits in the middle tier for transparency: better than unbranded imports, but behind certified or disclosure-forward brands. The set format (2 pillows) is common and poses no additional hazard versus singles.
If you buy it
Air the pillows outdoors in sunlight for 24-48 hours before use to off-gas volatile compounds from the coating and fabric. Avoid covering your face directly with untreated side for prolonged periods, especially for children or pregnant people. Wash covers in cool water before first use if removable; if not, spot-clean only. Do not machine-dry or expose to high heat, as coating breakdown accelerates off-gassing. Inspect annually for coating cracking or degradation; replace if protective layer visibly fails, as this increases mold risk and removes water barrier.
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 retardants in polyester outdoor fabric
Outdoor furniture typically contains additive or reactive flame retardants to meet furniture flammability codes (e.g., Cal. TB 117). Polyester itself does not inherently meet these standards, so brominated or chlorinated retardants may be present. Pier 1 does not disclose which agents are used.
Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water-repellent coating and polyester
Water-resistant coatings release VOCs, especially in first weeks and under sun or heat exposure. Polyester backing can emit VOCs as well. Not acutely toxic at typical indoor exposure levels, but prolonged inhalation may trigger respiratory or olfactory irritation in sensitive individuals, particularly in enclosed spaces.
Coating degradation and microfiber/microplastic shedding
As the water-repellent coating weathers and cracks (especially in UV exposure or with washing), polyester fibers may shed or fragmentize. While outdoor pillows are not typically ingested, microplastic shedding into soil or water is an environmental concern; there is no evidence of acute health risk from handling shedding pillows.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester manufacturing can introduce antimony as a catalyst residue in the resin. Pier 1 has not disclosed antimony levels in these pillows, and the hazard is very low during normal outdoor use (antimony leaches only under extreme conditions such as high-temperature laundering or contact with strong acids). Outdoor pillows are low-risk for this exposure route.
Azo dyes or colorfast dye toxicity
If the pillows are dyed, azo dyes may be used; however, well-manufactured polyester outdoor fabrics typically use non-azo colorfast dyes to avoid degradation in sun. No recalls or safety alerts for Pier 1 outdoor pillow dyes have been reported. Risk is low unless pillows bleed dye excessively or are used with infants.
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.