Do stain-resistant tablecloths and napkins contain PFAS?

Many tablecloths, napkins, and fabric placemats marketed as stain-resistant or spill-proof are treated with PFAS-based coatings to repel liquids. This applies to both disposable and reusable products. Since PFAS are the most effective way to create permanent stain resistance on fabric, any textile making this claim without specifying its technology should be viewed with suspicion.

While tablecloths have less direct skin contact than clothing, PFAS from treated table linens can transfer to hands and food. When hot dishes or acidic foods like tomato sauce sit on PFAS-treated fabric, chemical migration can occur. Children who touch the tablecloth and then put their hands in their mouths are at additional risk.

Untreated linen and organic cotton tablecloths are naturally elegant and easy to clean, even if they do not repel stains permanently. Prompt treatment of spills with cold water and washing handles most stains effectively. Choosing untreated natural-fiber table linens is a simple way to remove one more source of PFAS from your household.