Macy's · Upholstered Furniture
Elizabeth 85" Stain-Resistant Fabric Reversible Sofa Chaise Sectional - Macy's
Skip until Macy's discloses stain-resistant treatment composition.
Macy's markets this sofa as stain-resistant but provides no details on the finish chemistry or PFAS status. Stain-resistant textiles commonly use fluorinated compounds; without disclosure or third-party verification, PFAS risk remains unquantified.
The better-graded swap
Joybird
Banks Sleeper Sofa Foam
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
fabric with unspecified stain-resistant finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Elizabeth 85" Stain-Resistant Macy's is made of, ingredients and materials
The Elizabeth 85 is described as a fabric upholstered sectional with a stain-resistant finish, but Macy's does not specify the fiber content of the base fabric (polyester, cotton blend, or synthetic) or the chemical identity of the stain-resistant treatment applied to it. Stain-resistant finishes on upholstered furniture are often PFAS-based (fluorinated compounds) or, less commonly, silicone or wax formulations, but without manufacturer disclosure, the type and concentration remain unknown. The base fabric composition matters for durability, off-gassing potential, and flame retardant content, which are industry-standard concerns for this product category.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Vague safety claims only
Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement.
PFAS
Macy's does not disclose the stain-resistant finish chemistry. PFAS-based fluorinated treatments are industry-standard for upholstered furniture stain resistance; absence of a PFAS-free claim or third-party certification makes PFAS presence probable, not certain.
Source, ATSDR ↗Flame retardants
US upholstered furniture must meet flammability standards (16 CFR 1633 or 1634). Macy's does not specify which flame retardant class or chemical is used (chlorinated, brominated, phosphorus-based, or mineral). Some retardants have been linked to health concerns, but undisclosed type prevents hazard ranking.
Source, EPA ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New upholstered sectionals routinely off-gas VOCs from adhesives, foam, and fabric treatments during the first weeks; this product carries no GREENGUARD or low-VOC certification, making off-gassing exposure likely during initial use.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-based resins are used in some upholstery finishes and fabric bonding; no disclosure or testing data is provided. Third-party certification would exclude or limit formaldehyde, but none is listed.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating or finish degradation over time
The stain-resistant finish may degrade with use, cleaning, or sunlight exposure, potentially releasing particles or chemical residues. Without data on treatment durability or composition, long-term safety cannot be assessed.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Macy's does not publish transparency reports on chemical treatments, flame retardant use, or PFAS policies for upholstered furniture. No third-party certifications (such as GREENGUARD, Gots, or Oeko-Tex) are listed for this product. Macy's has not disclosed whether the stain-resistant treatment complies with emerging PFAS restrictions in the EU, California, or other jurisdictions, or whether the sectional undergoes formal off-gassing testing. This silence on material composition is typical of mass-market furniture retailers but creates significant uncertainty for consumers seeking lower-concern options.
How it compares in its category
Most mass-market reversible sectionals at this price point use undisclosed stain-resistant treatments and do not carry environmental or chemical certifications. Higher-transparency alternatives exist from brands that publish flame retardant data, fiber content, and PFAS-free certifications (e.g., some direct-to-consumer or specialty retailers), though they typically cost more. Budget sectionals from Macy's, West Elm, or Article generally share the same disclosure gaps, making comparison difficult; however, brands offering GREENGUARD Gold or explicit PFAS-free claims provide a documented alternative.
If you buy it
Ventilate the space well for the first 2-4 weeks after delivery and assembly, as new upholstered furniture commonly off-gases volatile organic compounds. Do not expose the sectional to prolonged direct heat (radiators, sunny windows) or steam-clean the fabric, as heat may accelerate off-gassing of the stain-resistant finish. For spill cleanup, use water or mild soap first; most stain-resistant treatments allow this and reserve chemical solvents for persistent stains. Request a detailed material specification sheet from Macy's customer service before purchase; if they cannot provide fiber content and treatment chemistry, the information gap reinforces the skip recommendation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Macy's has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Elizabeth 85" Stain-Resistant Fabric Reversible Sofa Chaise Sectional - Macy's?
- polyurethane foam
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Off-Gassing
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Polyester upholstery fabric
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- John Linen, polyester blend upholstery
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.