Ethan Allen · Stain-Resistant Textiles
Somerly Outdoor Furniture Covers, 56"diameter x 32"h, Round Dining Table Cover, Polyester by ETHAN ALLEN
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry; outdoor covers commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating.
This Ethan Allen polyester cover lacks public disclosure about water or stain-resistant coating. Outdoor furniture covers frequently receive PFAS-containing water-repellent coating treatments for weathering.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester with unspecified water/stain-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
PFAS
Outdoor polyester covers almost universally use PFAS-based durability treatments to survive season cycles. Ethan Allen's silence on chemistry and lack of certification strongly suggests conventional fluorinated water-repellent coating; even 'modern' non-PFOA formulas often contain long-chain fluorochemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate. No independent testing of this specific SKU is on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from degraded coating
Polyester fabric sheds microfibers naturally; the applied water-repellent coating can flake or peel with age, UV exposure, or improper care, accelerating particle release. While not unique to this cover, the outdoor exposure and coating brittleness over time create conditions for increased shedding compared to indoor textiles. No data on the quantity or composition of particles released from this specific pro
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester fabric (if present)
Ethan Allen does not disclose dye chemistry for this cover. No restrictions on azo dyes apply to outdoor furniture textiles in the US, though some azo dyes can release aromatic amines under certain conditions. Without third-party testing or certification (absent here), the presence and safety of dyes cannot be verified.
Antimony in polyester (catalyst residue)
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production and may remain in trace quantities in the final fiber. Typical concentrations in polyester are low and not considered a bioavailability hazard from fabric contact; however, Ethan Allen provides no spec sheet confirming removal or testing. For outdoor exposure in humid or coastal environments, long-term leaching potential is not established for
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating and flame-retardant finishes on polyester can incorporate formaldehyde-releasing resins. Ethan Allen does not disclose whether formaldehyde releasers are used in the coating. Outdoor covers are not regulated for formaldehyde off-gassing as strictly as indoor upholstery, and off-gassing is expected to be minimal in ventilated outdoor settings, but cannot be ruled out without disclosure.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This cover is 100% polyester fabric with an applied water- and stain-resistant (water-repellent coating) coating of unknown chemistry. Polyester itself is stable and non-leaching under normal conditions. The concern is entirely the invisible coating layer, outdoor furniture covers routinely use PFAS-based durable water repellents (historically PFOA, now often GenX, ADONA, or other legacy replacements) to achieve multi-season water shedding. Ethan Allen has not published the coating formulation, so you cannot verify whether fluorine-free alternatives were used.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ethan Allen is a legacy furniture retailer without a public commitment to PFAS-free outdoor textiles or transparent chemical disclosure policies. No recalls related to this product line are on record. The brand does not advertise third-party certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, Oeko-Tex) for this cover, which would have mandated testing for restricted chemicals including PFAS. Silent stance on outdoor coating chemistry is typical for mid-market home furnishings but reflects a lack of voluntary transparency.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor furniture covers are a high-PFAS-risk category because durability in wet UV conditions drove adoption of fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments decades ago. Many competitors (Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, generic Amazon covers) remain equally opaque. A small subset of premium brands now offer PFAS-free outdoor textiles (e.g., Parachute, some eco-focused lines), though these cost 40-60% more and carry no guarantee of durability parity. Ethan Allen sits in the non-disclosing mainstream.
If you buy it
Store indoors when not in use to extend lifespan and reduce weathering-driven microfiber shedding. Do not wash in hot water or machine-dry, as this can degrade the coating and potentially mobilize additives. Replace every 3-4 seasons or if coating visibly peels or flakes; deteriorated covers shed microfibers and lose their barrier function. If you have young children or pets, minimize their contact with the cover surface, as ingestion of microfibers or residual coating compounds is theoretically possible but not quantified for this product.
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
- Ethan Allen has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
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Azo dyes and colorfast concerns
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Heavy metals
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Microbial growth and mold
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Plain cotton tablecloth, no surface treatments, lower PFAS concern.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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Flame retardants
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High concern
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Skip pending brand verification of finish treatment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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upholstery fabric (composition unspecified)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
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Flame retardants
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Heavy metals
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Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
High concern
No PFAS disclosure available from brand on this cover.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More stain-resistant textiles 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.