West Elm · Throw Pillows
Outdoor Woven Arches Pillow Set of 2
Lower-concern pillow; outdoor textiles sometimes use water-repellent coating treatments, but West Elm's product pages lack disclosure, check current label.
Outdoor woven pillows are typically made from polyester or poly-blend fabrics that may receive water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes. West Elm does not disclose PFAS use or absence for this product.
Shop West Elm on Amazon →Material
Outdoor woven fabric (polyester blend typical for outdoor textiles)
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
These pillows are woven from polyester-blend outdoor fabric, chosen for weather resistance and durability rather than natural fibers. Polyester itself is thermally stable and does not off-gas significantly under normal indoor/outdoor use conditions. The primary chemical concern in outdoor textiles is water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the surface, which West Elm does not disclose on product pages. Outdoor pillows also typically contain polyester fill, which is non-toxic but sheds microplastics over extended use and washing.
The brand's record and disclosure
West Elm has not published detailed chemical disclosure policies for outdoor textiles comparable to its furniture or apparel lines. The brand is owned by Williams-Sonoma Inc., which has faced scrutiny on PFAS in textiles but has not issued category-wide restrictions on outdoor fabrics. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies specific to West Elm throw pillows are on public record. The lack of transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry is common across the outdoor home goods market, not unique to West Elm.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillow sets typically use solution-dyed polyester or acrylic blends with water-repellent coating finishes; West Elm's offering sits in the mainstream. Premium alternatives (Pottery Barn, Frontgate) similarly do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Lower-cost outdoor pillows from big-box retailers have comparable hazard profiles with no better transparency. Natural fiber outdoor pillows (cotton, linen) avoid synthetic treatments but degrade faster and require more frequent replacement.
If you buy it
Machine wash in cool water and air dry to minimize microplastic shedding and preserve water repellency; avoid high heat. Replace covers every 2-3 years or when fabric degradation becomes visible (pilling, fading, loss of water resistance). Store indoors during off-season to extend lifespan and reduce exposure to UV and moisture cycling. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, contact West Elm customer service to request water-repellent coating treatment specifics before purchase.
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) coatings - PFAS-adjacent chemistry
Outdoor woven textiles commonly receive water-repellent coating treatments; West Elm does not disclose chemistry. Modern alternatives to legacy PFOA/PFOS exist but are not confirmed on this product label. This hazard is graded separately under PFAS (75/100).
Microplastic shedding from polyester fabric and fill
Polyester outdoor pillows shed microplastics during washing and abrasion over their lifespan. Shedding increases with machine washing and UV exposure. This is inherent to the material class, not a manufacturing defect.
Azo dyes in polyester coloring
West Elm's outdoor textiles are typically solution-dyed or use commercial colorants that meet CPSIA standards. No specific azo dye concerns or restrictions are documented for this brand's outdoor pillow line.
Heavy metals in synthetic dyes or pigments
Polyester outdoor fabrics sold in the US must meet CPSC limits on lead and cadmium. West Elm products are not flagged in testing databases for exceedances. Dye chemistry is not disclosed but is regulated.
Flame retardant treatments
Outdoor pillows are not subject to federal flammability standards (unlike upholstered furniture). West Elm does not advertise added flame retardants on this product, and none are standard in the outdoor textile category.
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.