Crate and Barrel · Upholstered Furniture
Lounge 93" Sofa
Skip until Crate and Barrel discloses fabric treatments and PFAS status.
Lounge 93 uses upholstered fabric likely treated for stain and water resistance, common applications for PFAS coatings. Crate and Barrel provides no PFAS disclosure for this product.
The safe swap
AllModern
AllModern Rae 84'' Upholstered Sofa Fabric
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
Upholstered fabric with likely stain/water treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Flame retardants
Polyurethane foam in upholstered sofas commonly contains brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet flammability codes. These are not always disclosed by retailers. While regulatory limits apply, off-gassing and dermal contact over years of use represent chronic low-level exposure; alternatives (non-halogenated or barrier-free designs) exist but are not standard.
Source: EPA ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from foam and glues
Polyurethane foam, adhesives, and fabric backing release VOCs (including formaldehyde precursors, toluene, and other solvents) for weeks to months after manufacture. Crate and Barrel does not advertise VOC limits or certifications for the Lounge 93. Ventilation and time reduce exposure; sealed rooms amplify it.
PFAS
The sofa almost certainly received post-treatment stain/water repellent application. Without brand disclosure, assume PFAS-based chemistry (standard industry practice). PFAS accumulation in household dust and potential leaching into air and skin contact are documented; Crate and Barrel's silence prevents informed choice.
Source: ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Fabric dyes and wrinkle-resistant or stiffness finishes can use formaldehyde-based resins. The Lounge 93 lacks certification stating these are absent. Exposure is typically highest in the first days to weeks; ventilation mitigates.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and fiber shedding over time
As stain treatments and fabric finishes degrade with use and cleaning, particles and residual chemicals may be released into the home environment. No information is available on the durability of the specific treatments used on this model.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Lounge 93 is an upholstered sofa, meaning its fabric has been treated with water and stain repellents (likely PFAS-based given industry norms and Crate and Barrel's lack of public commitment to PFAS-free options). The foam cushioning and underlying support structure typically contain polyurethane foam, which off-gasses volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over weeks to months after purchase. Fabric dyes and finishing resins may also release formaldehyde in the short term. The combination of treated fabric plus foam creates a compound off-gassing profile.
The brand's record and disclosure
Crate and Barrel does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance in fabric treatments, nor does it advertise flame retardant-free or low-VOC certifications for this model. The brand has no known major upholstery recalls, but its silence on chemical treatments contrasts with competitors like Article and Wayfair, which increasingly offer PFAS-free or certified-low-emission options. No third-party certifications (GreenGuard, OEKO-TEX, etc.) are listed for this sofa on the brand's site.
How it compares in its category
Standard upholstered sofas in this price and style category almost universally receive stain treatments; the Lounge 93 is typical in that regard. Competitors vary widely: some brands now offer PFAS-free stain treatments or disclose their chemistry, while others remain silent like Crate and Barrel. Flame retardants in foam are still common across the industry, though safer alternatives exist. The Lounge 93 lacks certifications that would differentiate it on chemical safety.
If you buy it
Unbox and air the sofa in a well-ventilated space (open windows, fans) for 48-72 hours before regular use to allow initial VOC off-gassing. Before purchase, contact Crate and Barrel directly and ask for the fabric supplier name and PFAS/stain-treatment specification sheet; their response (or lack thereof) will clarify your exposure. Avoid placing it in low-air bedrooms or nurseries during the first few weeks. Use a breathable fabric protector if you want added stain protection without additional chemical application.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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.
Safer alternatives in Upholstered Furniture
Thomasville Furniture
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upholstered sofa, typically fabric or microfiber
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
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Volatile organic compounds (VOC) from padding, fabric dyes, and finishes
High concern
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⚠Risky category by default
Thomasville Furniture
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upholstered fabric on wood frame with polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
High concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Foam degradation over time
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⚠Risky category by default
Thomasville Furniture
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Flame retardants
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Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Limited concern
Dust and fiber shedding from polyester blend
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS risk. Standard upholstery rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More upholstered furniture 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.