Stein Mart · Stain-Resistant Textiles
SteinMart.com Alina Tablecloth
Skip until stain and water resistant treatment is disclosed.
Polyester blend tablecloth with durable stain and water treatment, but Ethan Allen refuses to explain the coating formula or PFAS status.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester blend fabric with stain/water resistant finish
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
Stain-resistant finishes on polyester textiles often contain perfluorinated or fluorinated compounds; Ethan Allen has not disclosed whether silicone, Teflon-type coating, or other fluorocarbons are used. Degradation during laundering or wear could release volatile organic compounds or particulates.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester fiber shedding and microfiber release
Polyester blend fabrics shed microfibers during washing and use. While the Alina tablecloth itself does not pose direct ingestion risk (unlike apparel), laundering releases microplastics into wastewater, which is an environmental concern with unknown long-term human health implications.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester textiles and their finishing treatments may include formaldehyde resins for crease resistance or dye fixation. Ethan Allen does not disclose use of formaldehyde-free processes. Off-gassing is typically minimal in finished textiles, but present on initial purchase and after laundering.
Source, ATSDR ↗Finish degradation and unknown replacement products
Water and stain resistance wanes predictably after 5-15 washes. If you reapply commercial finishes (spray or liquid), you are introducing additional uncontrolled chemistry to the fabric. Many aftermarket products contain their own fluorochemicals or volatile solvents.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No specific recalls or reports link Ethan Allen Alina tablecloths to restricted azo dyes or heavy metals. Polyester dyes are generally well-controlled in US manufacturing, but third-party verification is absent.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Alina is a polyester blend fabric, likely polyester with cotton or other natural fibers, treated with a water and stain-resistant finish. Polyester itself is chemically stable in normal use, but the finish applied to achieve stain resistance is the concern, these coatings typically contain Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or fluorinated compounds to create the protective barrier. The finish can degrade over time with washing and heat, potentially releasing particles or chemicals into your home or washwater. Without manufacturer disclosure of the specific finish chemistry, you cannot assess whether PFAS-class chemicals are present.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ethan Allen, the parent brand, has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free finishes on textiles and has not disclosed the specific chemical composition of treatments on products like the Alina tablecloth. This silence is standard for mid-market furniture and textile brands but represents a gap in transparency. Ethan Allen does not publish restricted substance lists or third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GREENGUARD) for most of its fabric offerings. The absence of disclosure means you are purchasing with incomplete information about chemical exposure risk.
How it compares in its category
Water and stain-resistant tablecloths are common, and most major retailers (including premium brands) use similar fluorochemical or silicone-based finishes without clear labeling. Ethan Allen's Alina is priced in the mid-to-premium range, which does not correlate with better chemical transparency or lower concern finishes. Certified alternatives exist (look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or similar certifications on labels), but they are less common in the casual tablecloth segment and often cost more. Most consumer tablecloths in this price bracket carry the same undisclosed-finish risk.
If you buy it
Wash before first use to remove residual finish chemicals and loose fibers; use cool or warm water, not hot, as heat can accelerate finish degradation. Expect the stain-resistant coating to diminish after 5-10 washes; reapply commercial stain-resistant sprays (or accept reduced performance) if you want to maintain water beading. Avoid dry cleaning, which can use solvents that interact unpredictably with the finish. Replace if the fabric begins to pill, tear, or show signs of coating breakdown (cracking or clouding).
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
- Stein Mart has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Stain-Resistant Textiles
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100% cotton
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes and colorfast concerns
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Heavy metals
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Microbial growth and mold
Limited concern
Plain cotton tablecloth, no surface treatments, lower PFAS concern.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
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Skip pending brand verification of finish treatment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
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Flame retardants
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Heavy metals
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Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
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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.