West Elm · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
West Elm Colette Outdoor Pillow 20"x20
Outdoor pillow likely treated, West Elm silent on PFAS.
Outdoor pillows typically get water-repellent coating treatment. West Elm doesn't disclose PFAS status or provide third-party testing.
The better-graded swap
Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach Perron Pillo Cushion
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
outdoor fabric with water-repellent finish
Lab data
No public lab test
What West Elm Colette Outdoor Pillow 20"x20 is made of, ingredients and materials
The Colette pillow uses an outdoor-grade fabric with a water-repellent finish. Water resistance in outdoor textiles is typically achieved via fluorochemical coatings (PFAS compounds like C6 or C8 perfluorocarbons) or polyurethane-based systems. West Elm does not publicly disclose which treatment method is used on this pillow. The fabric itself is likely polyester or a polyester blend, which does not pose leaching risks, but the finish chemistry is the primary concern.
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
Outdoor fabric water resistance almost always involves fluorochemical treatment. West Elm does not disclose the specific compound or concentration, making exposure assessment impossible without independent testing.
Source, ATSDR ↗VOC off-gassing from coatings
New water-repellent outdoor fabrics may emit volatile organic compounds, particularly in warm or humid storage. Odor is typically the first indicator; airing the pillow outdoors before use may reduce exposure.
Microfiber shedding from coating wear
As the water-repellent finish degrades over time, tiny particles may shed into soil or water during heavy rain or cleaning. This is difficult to prevent but minimized by gentle care and protection from extreme weather.
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
No public record of flame retardant treatment on the Colette pillow. Outdoor cushion fabrics sometimes include brominated or chlorinated compounds for fire safety; check care label for explicit chemical warnings.
Source, EPA ↗Heavy metals
West Elm does not publish dye safety information for this product. Polyester outdoor fabrics typically use modern disperse dyes, which are tested for heavy metals under standard textile regulations, but independent verification is unavailable.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
West Elm has not published a public PFAS reduction policy or chemical disclosure standard for textiles as of available records. The brand does not advertise PFAS-free outdoor fabrics in this product line. West Elm has not faced major product-specific recalls for textile chemical hazards, but transparency on water-repellent treatments remains absent. This silence is typical of mid-market furniture retailers and does not indicate known contamination, only lack of third-party verification.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor pillow fabric treatments are nearly universal in the industry; alternatives not linked to PFAS exist but are rare and typically cost 20-40% more. Most mainstream outdoor furniture brands (Pottery Barn, Wayfair house brands, RH) offer similar water-repellent treatments without disclosure. A few premium brands market PFAS-free or OEKO-TEX certified outdoor textiles, but the Colette pillow is standard for its price point and category.
If you buy it
Store the pillow indoors during off-season to minimize weather exposure and coating degradation. Do not machine wash; use a soft brush and mild soap with water. Avoid high heat and direct prolonged sun, which can degrade the water-repellent finish and potentially release volatile compounds. Check the care label for specific manufacturer instructions. Replace the pillow if the finish begins to crack, peel, or show heavy wear, as degradation may increase particle shedding.
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
- West Elm has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.