Crate and Barrel · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Crate & Barrel Coral Jacquard Outdoor Throw Pillow
Stain-resistant finish has unknown PFAS content; no data available.
The stain and water resistant finish on this woven polyester pillow suggests chemical treatment. Crate & Barrel won't confirm the finish type or PFAS status.
The better-graded swap
World Market
World Market Mud Cloth Indoor Outdoor Patio Throw Pillow
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Jacquard woven polyester with stain/water resistant finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Crate & Barrel Coral Jacquard Outdoor is made of, ingredients and materials
This pillow is jacquard woven polyester with a stain and water-resistant chemical finish applied to the fabric surface. Jacquard polyester is durable and colorfast, but the finish layer is where chemical concerns arise, stain resistance on outdoor textiles typically relies on fluorochemical coatings (PFAS family) or newer hydrocarbon alternatives. The fabric itself poses minimal risk unless heated directly; the finish degradation over time from UV and weathering is the primary exposure pathway.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Stain-resistant finish (fluorochemical or hydrocarbon)
Crate and Barrel does not disclose whether this outdoor pillow uses PFAS-based (e.g., Teflon-type coating, C6/C8 fluorotelomers) or non-fluorine stain treatments. PFAS is graded separately; other hydrocarbon finishes are low-risk but also undisclosed here.
Microplastic shedding from polyester fiber breakdown
Outdoor exposure (UV, weather, agitation during cleaning) degrades polyester fibers over time, releasing microplastics into the environment and potentially inhaled dust. This risk is inherent to outdoor polyester but accelerated if the finish layer delaminates.
Coating degradation and finish particle inhalation
As the stain-finish layer weathers or peels (common for outdoor pillows in 2-4 years), fine particles of the coating become airborne, especially in dry climates or with friction. Content and toxicity of these particles depend on the finish chemistry, which is undisclosed.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No record of formaldehyde treatment in Crate and Barrel outdoor jacquard polyester. Polyester jacquard typically does not require formaldehyde for dye fixation; risk is low but unconfirmed by published testing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes (carcinogenic amine precursors)
Crate and Barrel does not publish dye supplier data or GOTS/OEKO-TEX certification for this line. Azo dye risk in polyester jacquard is low in reputable manufacturing but unverified here; no known recalls.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Crate and Barrel does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of stain-resistant finishes on their outdoor textiles, nor do they publish certifications like OEKO-TEX or GOTS that would rule out fluorochemical treatments. The brand has no documented public commitment to PFAS elimination in home furnishings. No recalls or regulatory actions have been recorded against this specific product line, but silence on chemical composition is the norm for this retailer across outdoor fabrics.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor throw pillows typically carry similar disclosure gaps; few major retailers name their stain-finish chemistry openly. This product is mid-market; budget outdoor pillows often use untested finishes, while premium alternatives (e.g., Pottery Barn, West Elm) occasionally cite PFOA-free or PFAS-free claims, though verification is limited. Performance-wise, jacquard polyester is standard and durable; the finish uncertainty affects long-term safety, not immediate functionality.
If you buy it
Keep the pillow outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces; do not place in direct contact with skin for extended periods, especially for children or pregnant individuals. Avoid heat exposure (no dryer, no near heat sources). Hand rinse or spot-clean rather than machine wash if possible, as agitation can degrade and mobilize the finish layer. Replace every 3-5 years or if the surface feels sticky, chalky, or peels; these are signs the finish is breaking down and shedding.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Crate and Barrel has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More outdoor furniture cushion protectants 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.