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 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