West Elm Review, Is West Elm Non-Toxic?
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.
Across 9 graded products, West Elm averages Good (65/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 7 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from West Elm Good or better, safest first
West Elm
Emma Chamberlain Multi-Stripe Curtain
Cotton/linen blend multi-stripe woven textile
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-based sizing and durable-press finishes are common in woven textiles to…
VOC off-gassing
Residual solvents from dyeing and finishing processes may off-gas slightly when new; this…
Lower concern because plain woven fabric shows no PFAS triggers, but West Elm lacks transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Poppy Blooms Curtain Set of 2
polyester blend curtain fabric, dyed
Heavy metals
West Elm does not disclose dye chemistry for the Poppy Blooms line. Conventional…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester-blend curtains often receive formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resist or durable-press…
Volatilization of residual dye solvents and manufacturing chemicals
New curtains often retain isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl formamide, or other dye-process…
Color bleeding or dye migration onto adjacent surfaces
Poorly fixed or low-quality dyes can bleed onto window frames, walls, or adjacent…
Lower PFAS concern, but West Elm does not clarify dyes or applied finishes.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Frankie Floral Curtain Set of 2
polyester blend curtain fabric, no reported water-repellent coating
Heavy metals
Floral print requires synthetic colorants; azo dyes are permitted in textiles but some…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester blends often use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance, shrink…
Allergens and sensitizers in sizing or dyes
Sizing agents and disperse dyes used in polyester textiles are contact allergens for a…
Lower concern because standard decorative fabric lacks PFAS-risk treatments, though brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Laney Floral Pillow Cover
100% linen or linen-blend cover (no water-repellent coating finish specified)
Azo dyes in floral print
Textile dyes, especially in multi-color prints, may include azo compounds; these are…
Pesticide residue
Conventional linen crops are treated with pesticides; West Elm does not certify organic…
Minimal concern; plain textile lacks water-repellent coating claims, though West Elm's PFAS stance is unclear.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Delia Pillow Cover
Cotton or cotton-blend pillow cover
Azo dyes (synthetic colorants)
The Delia cover is available in multiple colors; West Elm does not specify whether dyes…
Microplastics
If the pillow cover contains polyester or poly-cotton blend, washing will release…
Minimal PFAS concern; untreated fabric lacks water-repellent coating or stain-resistance claims typical of PFAS products.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Striated Chenille Pillow Cover
chenille textile (acrylic/polyester blend)
Azo dyes and colorant residues
Chenille textiles are typically acid-dyed; West Elm does not disclose dye chemistry.…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester/acrylic blends may receive wrinkle-resistant or sizing finishes during…
Microplastic shedding over time
Synthetic chenille sheds microfibers during washing and wear. This is a general property…
Minimal concern; soft textile with no obvious PFAS triggers, though brand is not transparent.
⚠Risky category by default
West Elm
Classic Linen Pillow Cover
100% linen with no stated finish or treatment
Residual processing chemicals (bleach, dyes, finishes)
Commercial linen undergoes bleaching and dyeing; West Elm does not disclose whether this…
Heavy metals
If the linen is dyed (color not specified in product description but assumed based on…
Minimal PFAS concern; plain linen has low risk, but West Elm's water-repellent coating practices on other textiles warrant caution.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
West Elm
Sunbrella Indoor/Outdoor Cast Pillow
Sunbrella acrylic fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Avoid until West Elm discloses Sunbrella's water-repellent coating chemistry or confirms PFAS-free status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
West Elm
Sunbrella Indoor/Outdoor Pillow
Sunbrella acrylic fabric with water-repellent coating finish
Avoid until West Elm discloses Sunbrella's PFAS treatment or switches to verified PFAS-free outdoor fabric.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →