Product pages are written to sell — not to disclose every chemical treatment applied to a garment. Learning to read between the lines can save you from unknowingly bringing PFAS into your wardrobe.
Common Words That Can Signal PFAS
PFAS are used in clothing primarily as performance-enhancing coatings. The language brands use to describe those benefits is your first clue. Watch for:
Water and moisture-related terms:
- Durable water repellent (DWR)
- Water-repellent finish
- Waterproof coating
- Moisture-resistant
Stain and soil-related terms:
- Stain-resistant
- Soil-release finish
- Oil-repellent
- Scotchgard™ (3M’s trademarked fluorochemical finish)
- Teflon™ EcoElite (DuPont’s finish — note that some versions are now fluorine-free, but confirm)
Generic performance claims:
- Easy care
- “Stays cleaner longer”
- Anti-soiling
None of these phrases confirms that PFAS are present — stain resistance can be achieved with other chemistries. But these terms warrant a closer look before purchasing.
Materials and Finishes to Watch For
Certain fabric types are more frequently treated with PFAS than others. When you see these materials in a product description, treat them as a prompt to investigate further:
Outerwear shell fabrics:
- Gore-Tex® (Gore has committed to PFC-free products; check the specific product’s compliance status)
- eVent® fabric
- Any fabric described as having a “membrane”
Performance fabrics:
- “Quick-dry” nylon or polyester
- “Performance” or “technical” stretch fabrics
- “Moisture-wicking” fabrics treated for odor and stain resistance
Everyday fabrics with finishes:
- Chinos, khakis, and trousers described as “wrinkle-free” or “no-iron”
- Dress shirts marketed as “stain-resistant”
What Brands May Leave Out
Product pages are not required to disclose chemical treatments. This means there’s often a significant information gap between what’s on the page and what’s on (or in) the fabric.
Specifically, you may not see:
- Whether a DWR coating is fluorocarbon-based or fluorocarbon-free
- Which generation of PFAS chemistry is used (C8 compounds are more restricted than C6, but both raise concerns)
- Whether a water-resistant fabric is membrane-only (no chemical coating) or membrane plus treatment
- Updated formulation status for older product listings
This gap isn’t necessarily deceptive — brands often don’t list standard processing chemistry the same way they’d list materials. But it does mean the absence of a PFAS disclosure isn’t the same as absence of PFAS.
Questions to Ask Before Purchasing
If a product description leaves you uncertain, these questions get you to a clear answer quickly.
For outerwear and performance gear:
- Is the DWR coating on this product fluorocarbon-free?
- Has this jacket been tested as PFAS-free?
- Does this product carry bluesign® or OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification?
For everyday clothing:
- Does this fabric have any stain-resistant or water-repellent chemical treatment applied?
- Is any surface finish on this garment fluorocarbon-based?
Most brands with an honest answer will give you one — brands that have reformulated tend to be proud of it. Customer service teams at companies like Patagonia, Cotopaxi, and smaller sustainable brands are often equipped to answer directly. If a brand can’t or won’t answer, that’s information too.
Safer Alternatives to Look For
Once you know what to avoid, it’s easier to spot what to look for. PFAS-free water repellency exists — the technology has improved significantly.
PFAS-free DWR alternatives:
- Wax-based DWR (beeswax or paraffin)
- Silicone-based coatings
- Bio-based repellents (some derived from corn or castor oil)
- C0 fluorocarbon-free chemistry (some brands have adopted this as a bridge solution)
Certifications that restrict PFAS:
- bluesign®: restricts per- and polyfluorinated compounds
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: tests for a restricted substance list that includes certain PFAS
- PFC-free labeling: some brands use this to signal no fluorocarbon content
Fabric choices that skip the issue entirely:
- Wool and boiled wool (naturally water-resistant without coatings)
- Tightly woven cotton canvas (water-resistant by construction)
- Oilcloth and waxed canvas (traditional, non-PFAS repellency)
FAQ
Does “water-resistant” always mean PFAS?
No — but it’s a prompt to investigate. Water resistance can come from fabric construction, PFAS-based coatings, or PFAS-free alternative coatings. The product page often won’t tell you which, so you may need to dig deeper or ask.
Is Gore-Tex® PFAS-free?
Gore committed to eliminating PFCs (a subset of PFAS) from its products. Many Gore-Tex® products are now marketed as ePE or ePTFE-based without PFAS DWR. Check the specific product’s claims, as older inventory may differ.
What does “PFC-free” mean on a label?
PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) are a category within PFAS. A “PFC-free” claim means no fluorochemical coatings were intentionally used. It’s a stronger signal than “water-resistant” alone.
Can I wash PFAS out of a jacket I already own?
Washing won’t remove PFAS from the fabric itself — and the wash water released contains microfibers and PFAS that enter the water system. The chemicals are bonded to the fabric during manufacturing.
Should I avoid all performance fabrics?
Not necessarily. Many performance fabrics are untreated polyester or nylon — the microplastic shedding risk is separate from PFAS. For PFAS specifically, look for explicit “PFC-free” or “PFAS-free” language, or choose naturally high-performance fibers like merino wool.
Related reading: PFAS in Clothing: What It Is and How to Avoid It · How to Read Clothing Labels
Use Wove to check clothing details faster. Download Wove for iPhone or Android and get an instant grade on fiber content and chemical concerns before you buy.
Sources
- Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse: PFAS in Textiles
- Environmental Working Group: PFAS in Consumer Products
- NRDC: Phasing Out PFAS in Apparel
- Bluesign Technologies: Restricted Substances List