Question from Jessica
Hi Debra,
Thanks for all your research and helpful information, which I use all the time. I’m wondering if you know anything about Pottery Barn’s new furniture line, “PB Comfort Eco.” Here are the details: www.potterybarn.com/shop/furniture-upholstery/sofa-sectional-collections/pb-eco-sofas-sectionals
I’ve learned to be suspicious of “green-washing,” especially from the big manufacturers, but this looks like it might be a genuinely safe option for those of us who can’t afford the truly 100% non-toxic couches available.
I’d appreciate your opinion, based on the information available online.
Debra’s Answer
They have a nice little graphic that explains what makes it “eco.”
Let’s look at each of these.
But first, we’re going to see more and more of these types of sofas and chairs because of the change in the California law that now allows upholstered furniture without fire retardants.
100% flame-retardant free. Excellent
Recycled polyethylene & natural latex foam cushion I have no problem with that either.
FSC certified [wood] frame and legs Good.
Recycled steel springs. Fine.
Recycled foam arm padding. Undisclosed type of foam, so can’t evaluate.
100% organic cotton upholstery [fabric]. Yay!
I called Pottery Barn and the upholstery fabric is totally untreated.
They have no further information on the recycled foam in the arms. It’s probably a mix of foams.
OK. So they are unclear on the concept. The point here is that this is a fire retardant free sofa or chair. Their market is people interested in health. Yet they designed this collection with recycled materials that have environmental benefits, rather than focusing on healthy materials.
They are going in the right direction. Almost there. I just can’t evaluate that foam in the arms. But the rest of it looks fine to me, based on the information I have.
Does the Pottery Barn Whitney Corner Desk contain VOCs? I am trying to “de-tox” my bedroom and I was told that Pottery Barn Furniture is toxic!!
I love my desk setup, but if it does contain VOCs, I will move it to an office space, rather than my bedroom.
Thank you for your help. KHedden
I can’t tell you the level of VOCs but there are some clues about the relative toxicity of the item. The good news is it’s made of solid hardwood with solid wood drawers. Engineered woods, which this doesn’t seem to use, tend to be significant sources of VOCs. The source of VOCs will come from adhesives used for the veneers and the paint/stain and finishes. You can call the company and ask if they can send you a safety data sheet (SDS) on the adhesives, paints and finishes but it is unlikely they will have that available. You can ask if they use low VOC materials, but again, that is unlikely. Finishes tend to offgas for a few months and then taper off, so the worst may be behind you.
While odor doesn’t tell you anything definitive about the toxicity of an item, it can be an indicator. If there is no odor coming from the desk that is a good sign.
If you are trying to detox your bedroom, I would start with your bed. If you have a traditional mattress made with polyurethane foam, I would be more concerned about that than the desk.
Ikea has a flame retardant free sofa (Ektorp) that is a fraction of Pottery Barn. I have 3, no outgassing whatsoever
I looked up this sofa at Ikea-Ektorp.
It doesn’t say “no fire retardant” but no fire retardants are listed.
Ikea does do a good job of listing all their materials. It’s made from cotton=polyester fabric, particleboard, polyurethane foam, and other materials. I’m not sure how this would pass the flammability test without a fire retardant. There may be fire retardant in the polyurethane foam and not listed as a separate item.
Good to hear you are not perceiving any outgassing, but it’s not materials I can recommend.
Hi all, Just another note on Pottery Barn’s ECO collections (PB Eco Comfort and Cameron Eco): they add antimicrobials. Not something I want my family swimming in.
I have to say that this is a good example of people designing and advertising a product where they are unclear on the concept. Nothing against Pottery Barn—I love Pottery Barn and often buy things there. But when it comes to making an “eco” product, this is just not.
We are living in a time where we are making a transition, and it seems like consumers are a bit ahead of the manufacturers. They will catch up.
Hi Penelope,
I just wanted to check with you to see where you got your information about the added antimicrobials in the Eco-friendly sofas. After 5 weeks of intense arguing with Pottery Barn upholstered furniture specialists, I have been assured that none of the fabrics/materials in these sofas are treated with flame retardants OR antimicrobials.
The management representative said that she was mailing me a copy of their product specifications and advised that when she contacted the manufacturer in North Carolina, she was assured that there are absolutely no antimicrobials added to any of the parts. The organic slipcovers are also 100% untreated.
I have not ordered my sofa yet as it is non-returnable and non-refundable. I wanted to make sure that my concerns were addressed BEFORE I make this investment. I would like to add that one thing that is missing from the PB graphic below is that the natural cushions are wrapped in polyester!
I asked Pottery Barn to take a look at Debra’s site and see all of the interest that exists for healthy sofas, not just sofas that are good for the environment.
I will update as soon as I receive the materials sheet from them!
Joelle,
I am also looking at this product line. Did you ever get the spec sheet your noted?
Hi Matt! I did not receive the actual sheet from them. The young lady who was helping me went on maternity leave.
Needless to say, I have not ordered my sofa. I will follow up with them again!
Just wanted to update any interested consumers on the response I finally received from Williams-Sonoma corporate customer service today. The Pottery Barn eco-friendly sofas DO contain antimicrobial agents in the foam that is the at the core of the cushions. She said that it is not anywhere else in or applied on the sofa.
I am so glad that I waited and did not order this sofa. I am back to square one because I simply cannot afford $5k for a sofa. I hate to sound crabby but the modern looks of all of the “green sofas” are awful. Face palm at the lack of viable options out there!
I agree we need more affordable options for safe sofas. And thanks for getting this info.
Here’s more information about the antimicrobial that is usually used in polyurethane foam:
https://www.debralynndadd.com/q-a/antimicrobials-polyurethane-foam-used-mattresses-upholstered-furniture/
I ordered a PB Comfort sofa with washed linen, foam cushions, and it was delivered yesterday. It out gassed so badly I had to leave the house. I’ve never had furniture do this before and was shocked at the smell when they took the plastic off. I called Pottery Barn and they told me it would go away in a couple of days. But terrible to even have to deal with this.
Thanks for your feedback. This is exactly why I don’t recommend this sofa. Please let us know how long it takes to no longer have an odor.
This is why I don’t recommend foam cushions.
I bought the same sofa. It did not have that awful smell but I did stay away from it for a month just to let it air out and settle. I have had no problems with it but I got the slipcover in off white denim/twill or what ever they use.
Cathy was yours just the PB Comfort (as you wrote), or the PB Comfort *Eco*, which is the new line reviewed here? Pottery Barn has both.
Hi Debra,
Thanks so much for your research! Is there a particular brand of sofa you would recommend? I’ve had such trouble finding a safe and affordable option.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
No brands I can recommend in the “affordable” range. But I i will write a post about the affordable options next week.
Is there a link to the affordable options? I’m in search of an affordable non toxic sofa.
See QA: Affordable Sofas
Debra- this sounds really good – finally! 2 questions, please: can the polyethylene be used in place of latex? (severe latex allergy) – in other words, is it a cushioning foam? Also, if this chair was finished in leather, instead of the organic cotton – would it outgas with toxins?
As always – you are appreciated!
Polyethylene foam can be used anywhere in place of latex or polyurethane. Yes it is a cushioning foam.
Ordinary leather does outgas toxins very much so.
So helpful, Debra – thank you for your reply. Question: what do you mean by ‘ordinary’ leather? Is there a leather that will not outgas?
Ordinary leather is the leather commonly used. There are other types of leather such as “vegetable-tanned” but these are not widely available.