Ethan Allen · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Custom Outdoor Pillow, Leilani Fern, Polyester by ETHAN ALLEN
Avoid or contact Ethan Allen; outdoor pillow likely treated with PFAS-based water-repellent coating.
Outdoor polyester pillows typically receive water and stain-resistance treatments relying on PFAS-based compounds. Ethan Allen provides no public PFAS statement or testing verification.
The better-graded swap
Blazing Needles
74 in by 19 in Outdoor Solid Polyester Tufted Chaise Lounge Cushion
85/100 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
Polyester with likely water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Custom Outdoor Pillow, Leilani ETHAN ALLEN is made of, ingredients and materials
This pillow is 100% polyester, a synthetic polymer chosen for outdoor durability and water resistance. The 'Leilani Fern' design suggests a printed pattern, which requires dyes and finishes. Outdoor polyester pillows are typically treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed rain and resist staining. That water-repellent coating finish is the primary chemical concern, most outdoor textiles use PFAS-based water repellents, though non-fluorinated alternatives exist but are less common.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Azo dyes and colorfast stability
The printed 'Fern' pattern requires disperse or reactive dyes; exposure to sunlight, chlorine, or salt water may cause color bleeding or degradation over time. Ethan Allen does not disclose dye class or azo-dye status; this is typical for the category and not a distinguishing risk factor.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester print and water-repellent finishes may contain residual formaldehyde-releasing resins to lock dyes and water-repellent coating agents to the fiber. Off-gassing is typically minimal in outdoor use with air exposure, but a brief pre-wash is prudent to reduce any volatile residues.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from weathering
Outdoor polyester slowly degrades under UV and mechanical wear, releasing microfibers into soil and water when replaced. This is a material-class issue, not brand-specific, and unavoidable with synthetic outdoor textiles unless you choose natural fiber alternatives.
water-repellent coating durability and reapplication toxicity
The water-repellent finish degrades after 1-3 years of outdoor exposure. Commercial water-repellent coating recoating products often contain PFAS or volatile organic compounds; Ethan Allen does not provide guidance on re-treatment options, and consumer products are frequently higher in chemical load than factory application.
What’s reassuring
Antimony (trace contaminant in polyester)
Polyester fibers may contain antimony as a catalyst residue from synthesis, but levels in finished textiles are generally not bioavailable during normal use. No recalls or health incidents linked to this pillow or typical Ethan Allen outdoor polyester products are on record.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Ethan Allen has not published a public PFAS disclosure policy or commitment to phasing out PFAS in textiles as of available information. The brand does not promote PFAS-free or PFAS-tested products in its marketing, and direct contact with Ethan Allen is required to learn whether this specific pillow uses legacy PFAS-based or newer non-fluorinated water-repellent coating. Ethan Allen holds an established reputation for solid upholstery craftsmanship, but chemical transparency in outdoor textiles is not documented as a marketing or compliance priority.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor polyester cushions are industry-standard and generally associated with lower off-gassing concern compared to foam-filled alternatives. This pillow sits in the middle-market tier; premium outdoor brands (e.g., some Pottery Barn offerings) now market PFAS-free water repellents, while budget alternatives often contain conventional PFAS water-repellent coating without disclosure. Ethan Allen's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical for mainstream furniture retailers, making this product neither exceptional nor a known risk leader in its category.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other fabrics using mild detergent and cool water before first use to reduce residual dyes and finish chemicals. Avoid high heat drying; air dry in shade to preserve the water-repellent coating. Inspect seams and fabric surface annually for pilling or degradation; replace if the cover tears and foam interior is exposed. Store indoors during off-season or cover with a breathable protective bag to minimize weathering and UV breakdown of the polyester fibers.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Ethan Allen has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Custom Outdoor Pillow, Leilani Fern, Polyester by ETHAN ALLEN?
Blazing Needles
74 in by 19 in Outdoor Solid Polyester Tufted Chaise Lounge Cushion
- Polyester fill with polyester cover
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes in polyester textiles
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral oil, argan oil blend
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 100% cotton canvas
- Azo dyes and dye contamination
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.