Room & Board · Outdoor Cushions & Pillows
Room & Board Modern Dena Outdoor Pillow
Outdoor pillow likely has water-repellent coating, PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
Room & Board does not publicly disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating treatment details for this outdoor pillow. Outdoor textiles commonly use fluorinated water repellents, but no confirmation available for this product.
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 outdoor pillow 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
The Dena pillow is polyester with a water-resistant (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the outer fabric. Polyester itself is stable and does not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organics under normal conditions. The water-resistant coating is the chemical wildcard: outdoor pillows typically use either PFAS-based or PFAS-free durable water repellents, but Room & Board has not disclosed which. This coating degrades over time with UV and washing, releasing microfibers and potentially exposing the underlying polyester.
The brand's record and disclosure
Room & Board does not publicly document chemical policies or certification status (OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle, etc.) for this pillow. The brand has remained silent on PFAS use across its outdoor textile line. No recalls or substantiated complaints specific to this model are on record. This lack of transparency is notable given that major competitors (e.g., Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware) increasingly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or certify textiles.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillows universally require water repellency; most budget and mid-market options use PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings without disclosure. Room & Board's silence places it in the middle of a murky category. Higher-end alternatives (e.g., Sunbrella-branded, OEKO-TEX certified outdoor textiles) explicitly disclose PFAS-free treatments or source sustainably. Budget alternatives often disclose nothing and cost half as much, making the value proposition here unclear.
If you buy it
Keep the pillow covered or under an overhang to reduce UV degradation and extend water-repellent coating life. Wash only in cool water with mild detergent; hot water and dry cleaning accelerate coating breakdown and microfiber shedding. Replace the pillow every 3-5 years or when water no longer beads on the surface, signaling water-repellent coating failure. Before purchase, contact Room & Board directly to ask whether the water-repellent coating is PFAS-free; their silence may shift with customer pressure.
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 (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry (PFAS class covered separately)
Coating type and chemical composition are undisclosed. Durability and potential leaching into soil or water during outdoor use cannot be assessed without manufacturer transparency.
Microfiber shedding from polyester
Polyester textiles release microfibers during use, especially when wet or abraded. Outdoor pillows exposed to UV and weather accelerate this process. No product-specific data exists, but the hazard class is established for all polyester textiles.
Flame retardants in outdoor textiles
No evidence that Room & Board applies flame retardant chemicals to this outdoor pillow. Outdoor cushions and pillows are not subject to the same flammability standards as indoor upholstered furniture in most jurisdictions.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing resins
Polyester does not inherently contain or release formaldehyde. The water-repellent coating may contain formaldehyde-releasing biocides, but no reports or disclosures suggest this for Room & Board's outdoor line.
Azo dyes or heavy metals in pigments
No specific safety data or recalls on record. Standard textile dyes used in outdoor fabrics are typically vetted for commercial safety, though no third-party certification is visible for this product.
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.