Totes Review, Is Totes Non-Toxic?
Across 3 graded products, Totes averages Bad (20/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Totes
Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella
polyester/nylon fabric with unspecified water-repellent coating
PFAS
Polyester/nylon umbrellas typically rely on fluorine-based water repellents. Totes has…
Microplastics
As the water-repellent coating wears away over time (typically 2-5 years), small…
Skip unless brand confirms PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Totes
Vented Auto Open Stormbeater Golf Stick Umbrella
Polyester or nylon fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Totes has not disclosed whether this umbrella uses legacy PFOA/PFOS-based, long-chain…
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, traditional umbrella coatings often contain PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Totes
Unisex Auto Open J-Handle Stick ECO Umbrella
Polyester canopy with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, J-handle
PFAS
Polyester umbrellas commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes. Totes has…
Degradation and leachables from aged coating
Over years of sun exposure and repeated wetting, water-repellent coating coatings can…
Skip until Totes discloses its umbrella waterproof treatment formulation.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Totes and PFAS, common questions
- Does Totes have PFAS?
- We graded 3 Totes products, averaging Bad (20/100). None grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Totes non-toxic?
- No Totes product we graded reaches Good. The best of them is Totes Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella at 20/100.
- Which Totes products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Totes products we have scored are Totes Unisex Auto Open J-Handle Stick ECO Umbrella, Totes Vented Auto Open Stormbeater Golf Stick Umbrella, Totes Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →