Mele & Co. · Jewelry Cases & Jewelry Organizers
Mele & Co. Maria Plush Fabric Jewelry Box
Low concern. Plush fabric box unlikely to hold PFAS.
Plush fabric lining and storage construction skip waterproof or stain-resistant finish. Plush fabric alone carries minimal PFAS risk versus treated alternatives.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
plush fabric lining, jewelry box storage
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Mele & Co. Maria Plush Fabric Jewelry Box is made of, ingredients and materials
The Mele & Co. Maria uses a plush fabric lining (typically polyester velvet or similar synthetic blend) over a rigid box frame. Plush fabrics are chosen for jewelry storage because they protect delicate items from scratching without chemical leaching risk. Unlike cookware or food-contact plastics, a stationary fabric-lined box has minimal exposure vectors for harmful substances to migrate into skin or ingestibles.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and polyester-blend plush fabrics may contain formaldehyde-releasing finishes (wrinkle resistance, sizing) applied during manufacturing. Off-gassing is typically minimal in stationary storage boxes with minimal air circulation and no heating; risk is low but not zero on first opening.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored plush lining
Synthetic plush fabrics are often dyed with azo colorants, which can release aromatic amines under certain conditions. In a storage box application with no heat or moisture stress, leaching into jewelry is unlikely, but contact with sensitive skin (e.g., ears if used as a pillow) over prolonged periods carries theoretical low risk.
Microplastic shedding from plush fibers
Repeated opening, closing, and friction can cause loose synthetic fibers to shed. While inhalation risk is minimal in a bedroom or dresser setting, shed microfibers could accumulate in the box and transfer to jewelry surfaces; regular inspection and gentle handling minimize this.
Box frame degradation or delamination
Over years of use, the plush lining may separate from the underlying frame due to adhesive breakdown or humidity cycles. This creates loose fabric that can shed fibers onto stored jewelry; no chemical hazard, but functional decline triggers replacement.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No recalls or documented metal contamination reported for this product. Metal fasteners and box frame materials are not disclosed publicly; risk is low for a non-food item with no direct ingestion pathway.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Mele & Co. is a jewelry storage brand owned by Macy's and does not publicly disclose detailed material composition or third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GOTS). No recalls or documented safety controversies are on record for this product line. The brand's silence on chemical testing is typical for non-food storage items but limits transparency.
How it compares in its category
Fabric-lined jewelry boxes are among the lowest-risk home storage products because they involve no heating, food contact, or direct prolonged skin exposure. Alternatives (wooden boxes, plastic organizers) carry similar or slightly higher risks from VOC off-gassing or plastic leachables. This product avoids the durability concerns of cheaper imitation leather linings that can degrade and shed microparticles.
If you buy it
Store in a dry, room-temperature environment away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and fabric degradation. Do not apply heat or moisture to the plush lining. Inspect periodically for loose fibers or separation from the frame; if the lining delaminates significantly, consider replacement to avoid loose fibers contacting jewelry. Spot-clean with a dry brush or mild vacuum; avoid chemical solvents.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Mele & Co. has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More jewelry cases & jewelry organizers 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.