Work Aprons, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
Start here
The best non-toxic work aprons, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Dickies
2-Pocket Canvas Apron 57078
100% canvas cotton, uncoated
Lower risk from plain canvas apron with no performance finishes.
⚠Risky category by default
Dickies
Toolmaker's Apron
Cotton duck fabric
Lower risk from traditional cotton apron, though no lab confirmation exists.
⚠Risky category by default
Duluth Trading
Company Plus Heirloom Gardening Apron Smock
Cotton canvas apron, no waterproof or stain-resistant coating disclosed
Lower risk from plain canvas apron with no water or stain treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Duluth Trading
Company Makers Waist Apron
cotton canvas with standard stitching
Lower-risk utility apron; standard canvas, no waterproofing or stain treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Duluth Trading
Company Fire Hose Everyday Apron
100% cotton canvas (Fire Hose fabric)
Lower risk from untreated cotton canvas, though brand transparency is absent.
⚠Risky category by default
Wrangler
Made In Apron Rinse Wash Size One
cotton denim (rinse wash)
Lower risk from untreated denim; Wrangler offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Carhartt
Firm Duck Apron
100% ring-spun cotton duck with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Residual finish off-gassing during wear and washing
Limited concern
Carhartt won't say if its water-repellent coating treatment uses PFAS; risk is higher than untreated.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Men's Firm Duck Apron
100% cotton duck fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Degradation and microfiber shedding during use and washing
Limited concern
Duck apron is common workwear; Carhartt stays silent on PFAS in water-repellent coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Firm Duck Waist Apron
100% cotton duck cloth with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Degradation of coatings with repeated laundering
Limited concern
Duck apron likely carries lower risk, but Carhartt's water-repellent coating source stays hidden.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Rip Stop by WeatherWear
Carhartt Women's Ripstop Apron
Cotton/polyester ripstop with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Ripstop apron carries typical water-repellent coating risk; brand offers no PFAS clarity.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Rip Stop by WeatherWear
Ripstop Apron
Ripstop nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
water-repellent coating (fluorinated or paraffin) leachability
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microfiber shed
Limited concern
Ripstop aprons commonly use water-repellent coating coatings that may contain legacy PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Duluth Trading
Company Makers Apron
cotton canvas with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and fiber shedding
Limited concern
Leaching from water-repellent coating finish during washing
Limited concern
Hold off until Duluth clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry; PFAS treatment is likely.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Duluth Trading
Company Best Damn Fire Hose Work Apron
Canvas/fire hose fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) Treatment Chemistry (Fluorinated or Non-Fluorinated)
Limited concern
Wear and Tear Release of Fibers or Coating Particles
Limited concern
Skip or request PFAS details from Duluth; water-repellent coating-treated workwear typically uses PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Duluth Trading
Company BBQ Grilling Apron
cotton/poly blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
Limited concern
Residual reactive chemicals on untreated fabric
Limited concern
Avoid until Duluth discloses water-repellent coating ingredients; traditional finishes often use PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Duluth Trading
BBQ Grilling Apron - Green Onesize - Duluth Trading Company
Cotton/polyester blend with water-repellent water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS risk from standard water-repellent coating; Duluth provides limited chemistry detail.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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