Pier 1 Imports · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Pier 1 Outdoor Square Pillows (Set of 2)
Likely uses water-repellent coating; brand silent on PFAS ingredients.
Outdoor pillows typically receive water-resistant finishes that may contain PFAS. Pier 1 provides no PFAS disclosure, so contact them for coating details before buying.
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 fabric with water-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Pier 1 Outdoor Square Pillows (Set of 2) is made of, ingredients and materials
These pillows are polyester fabric treated with a water-resistant water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, most likely fluorinated given industry norms for outdoor textiles. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic, but the water-resistant finish is the chemical wildcard. Outdoor cushion coatings typically include either PFAS-based or alternative water-repellent coating agents, surfactants, and often flame retardants to meet furniture flammability standards. The combination of coating plus synthetic fiber can off-gas volatile organic compounds, especially in heat or direct sunlight.
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.
Flame retardants
Outdoor furniture typically contains additive or reactive flame retardants to meet furniture flammability codes (e.g., Cal. TB 117). Polyester itself does not inherently meet these standards, so brominated or chlorinated retardants may be present. Pier 1 does not disclose which agents are used.
Source, EPA ↗Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water-repellent coating and polyester
Water-resistant coatings release VOCs, especially in first weeks and under sun or heat exposure. Polyester backing can emit VOCs as well. Not acutely toxic at typical indoor exposure levels, but prolonged inhalation may trigger respiratory or olfactory irritation in sensitive individuals, particularly in enclosed spaces.
Coating degradation and microfiber/microplastic shedding
As the water-repellent coating weathers and cracks (especially in UV exposure or with washing), polyester fibers may shed or fragmentize. While outdoor pillows are not typically ingested, microplastic shedding into soil or water is an environmental concern; there is no evidence of acute health risk from handling shedding pillows.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester manufacturing can introduce antimony as a catalyst residue in the resin. Pier 1 has not disclosed antimony levels in these pillows, and the hazard is very low during normal outdoor use (antimony leaches only under extreme conditions such as high-temperature laundering or contact with strong acids). Outdoor pillows are low-risk for this exposure route.
Azo dyes or colorfast dye toxicity
If the pillows are dyed, azo dyes may be used; however, well-manufactured polyester outdoor fabrics typically use non-azo colorfast dyes to avoid degradation in sun. No recalls or safety alerts for Pier 1 outdoor pillow dyes have been reported. Risk is low unless pillows bleed dye excessively or are used with infants.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Pier 1 Imports has not published transparent ingredient lists or PFAS phaseout commitments for its furniture lines, including outdoor textiles. The company was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2020 and has made no public commitment to chemical safety disclosure standards that competitors like Patagonia or REI have adopted. No recalls specific to chemical hazards in Pier 1 outdoor pillows are on record, but the absence of disclosure rather than safety testing is the concern.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillow sets at this price point typically use polyester with water-repellent coating, so Pier 1 is standard in material class. However, major outdoor brands (REI, Crate and Barrel, West Elm) increasingly disclose their water-repellent coating chemistry or certify against harmful chemicals; Pier 1 does not. This product sits in the middle tier for transparency, better than unbranded imports, but behind certified or disclosure-forward brands. The set format (2 pillows) is common and poses no additional hazard versus singles.
If you buy it
Air the pillows outdoors in sunlight for 24-48 hours before use to off-gas volatile compounds from the coating and fabric. Avoid covering your face directly with untreated side for prolonged periods, especially for children or pregnant people. Wash covers in cool water before first use if removable; if not, spot-clean only. Do not machine-dry or expose to high heat, as coating breakdown accelerates off-gassing. Inspect annually for coating cracking or degradation; replace if protective layer visibly fails, as this increases mold risk and removes water barrier.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pier 1 Imports has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Pier 1 Outdoor Square Pillows (Set of 2)?
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.