Serena & Lily · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Serena & Lily Jalico Outdoor Pillow
Outdoor pillow likely has water-repellent coating treatment; moderate PFAS risk without brand transparency.
This outdoor pillow is polyester treated with water-repellent finish typical of outdoor goods, which historically relied on PFAS-based coatings. Serena & Lily makes no PFAS statement or offers third-party testing, leaving risk uncertain.
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 with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Serena & Lily Jalico Outdoor Pillow is made of, ingredients and materials
This pillow is polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish, a factory treatment that beads water and resists stains. water-repellent coating coatings are conventionally applied using fluorochemicals (PFAS family), though non-fluorine alternatives exist. Polyester itself is stable and does not leach plasticizers under normal outdoor conditions, but the finishing chemistry is the primary concern here. Serena & Lily has not disclosed whether this pillow uses legacy PFAS, newer fluorine-free water-repellent coating, or a hybrid approach.
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
Polyester outdoor pillows are almost always treated with fluorinated water repellents unless explicitly labeled otherwise. Serena & Lily provides no chemical specification, so PFAS presence is probable. Risk is primarily environmental/bioaccumulative rather than acute consumer exposure during normal use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Outdoor polyester degrades under UV and weather; pilling and fiber loss occur, especially at seams and high-friction areas. Shed fibers can enter soil and water systems. Risk to humans is low during normal use, but pets chewing the pillow or prolonged skin contact with degraded fabric present minor ingestion/irritation concerns.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
Outdoor cushions are not legally mandated to meet flammability standards in most jurisdictions, and no public records indicate Serena & Lily treats this pillow with added flame retardants. However, polyester itself has moderate flammability; if any chemical finish is applied for fire resistance, it is not disclosed.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating and other industrial finishes on polyester can include trace formaldehyde use in cross-linking or preservation, though this is uncommon in premium outdoor lines. No specific reports or certifications for this product exist. Off-gassing risk is minimal after factory curing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Color fastness and azo dye leaching
Serena & Lily's outdoor pillows are typically colorfast to light and water under normal conditions. No safety violations or azo dye reports are on record. Risk is low for this brand category, though fade over time is cosmetic, not a health hazard.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Serena & Lily is a mid-luxury home goods brand owned by Bed Bath & Beyond (later acquired by Overstock). The brand has not published a PFAS reduction commitment, supply chain transparency report, or certification (e.g., bluesign, GOTS, or OEKO-TEX) for this outdoor line. No recalls or safety violations specific to their cushions are publicly recorded. The brand's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical for the outdoor furniture category but leaves consumers without assurance.
How it compares in its category
Most outdoor pillows use polyester with water-repellent coating finishing; this is industry standard. Premium brands like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn are similarly non-transparent on PFAS specifics. Some competitors (e.g., certified sustainable lines) disclose fluorine-free water-repellent coating or third-party testing, making them more traceable. Serena & Lily's price point ($150-200 range) does not correlate with enhanced transparency or lower-PFAS materials compared to lower-cost outdoor pillows.
If you buy it
Inspect seams and fabric regularly for pilling, degradation, or loose fibers that could shed into soil or water. Do not use in direct contact with food or as a pet bed without a protective cover. If the water-repellent coating wears (water no longer beads), the pillow can continue being used but will stain more easily; replacement is aesthetic, not urgent for performance concerns. Keep out of direct flame and very high heat (grills, fire pits); polyester softens above 150°C and can emit irritant fumes.
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
- Serena & Lily has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Serena & Lily Jalico Outdoor Pillow?
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.