PFAS are common in nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, waterproof textiles, stain-resistant fabrics, and some personal care products.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, and they remain common in items that promise nonstick, stain-resistant, waterproof, or grease-resistant performance. Knowing what household products contain PFAS helps you identify the most frequent sources and make informed choices about what you bring into your home.
Kitchen and Food Packaging Sources
The kitchen is one of the most common places to encounter PFAS. Nonstick cookware — including frying pans, baking sheets, and pressure cookers — has traditionally used PFAS-based coatings, according to Colorado state guidance. Food packaging is another major route: pizza boxes, fast-food wrappers, sandwich wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and grease-resistant paper plates and bowls all may contain PFAS to keep grease from soaking through.
Not every nonstick or grease-resistant product contains PFAS, but those claims are the clearest signal to check for PFAS-free labeling. Michigan’s consumer fact sheet groups food-contact items as a primary exposure route because of direct contact with your mouth and food.
Textiles, Apparel, and Home Furnishings
PFAS are widely used in fabrics and home goods treated to resist water, stains, or wrinkles. Carpets and rugs, upholstered furniture, mattress pads and covers, curtains, and tablecloths with stain-resistant or water-resistant treatments often contain PFAS, per Washington State’s consumer products guide.
Outdoor and performance apparel is another major category — raincoats, waterproof jackets, boots, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and ski gear commonly use PFAS-based durable water repellent coatings. The single best screening cue is the product label: if it claims to be waterproof, water-repellent, or stain-resistant, PFAS may be involved. Washington State notes that some PFAS-containing product types are restricted there, including new carpets and rugs with intentionally added PFAS.
| Category | Common Products | What To Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Nonstick Cookware | Frying pans, baking sheets, pressure cookers | Nonstick coating claims |
| Food Packaging | Pizza boxes, fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, grease-resistant paper | Grease-resistant labels |
| Carpets & Rugs | Wall-to-wall carpet, area rugs with stain treatment | Stain-resistant claims |
| Upholstered Furniture | Sofas, chairs, mattress pads, curtains | Water-repellent or stain-resistant treatment |
| Outdoor Apparel & Gear | Raincoats, waterproof jackets, boots, tents, backpacks, ski gear | DWR or waterproof labeling |
| Cosmetics & Personal Care | Mascara, lipstick, foundation, shampoo, dental floss, shaving products | Water-resistant, long-wear claims |
| Cleaning Products | Dishwasher detergent, floor wax, waterproofing sprays, stain removers | Grease-fighting claims |
| Other Household Items | Ski wax, plumbing tape, bicycle chain lubricant, some paints | Waterproof or nonstick claims |
Personal Care, Cleaning, and Other Products
PFAS show up in personal care items too — mascara, lipstick, foundation, concealer, nail polish, eye makeup, shampoo, moisturizers, shaving products, and even dental floss may contain them, especially in formulations marketed as water-resistant or long-wear. Washington State notes that existing stock of some PFAS-containing cosmetics and personal care products could still be sold through December 2025.
Cleaning and maintenance products are another source: dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, floor wax, waterproofing sprays, fabric protectors, carpet cleaners, and stain removers may use PFAS for their grease- and water-fighting properties. Other household items like plumbing tape (PTFE thread seal tape), ski wax, bicycle chain lubricant, and some paints and varnishes also may contain PFAS. New Mexico has announced bans beginning January 2027 for cookware and food packaging, with broader restrictions on carpets, cosmetics, textiles, and cleaning products by 2028.
FAQs
Do all nonstick pans contain PFAS?
Not all — some newer nonstick coatings are explicitly marketed as PFAS-free. However, traditional nonstick cookware has typically used PFAS-based coatings, so checking the manufacturer’s labeling for PFAS-free claims is the most reliable approach.
Can you tell if a product contains PFAS from the label alone?
Sometimes, but not always. Products labeled as waterproof, stain-resistant, grease-resistant, or nonstick are the most likely to contain PFAS. Some products now carry PFAS-free certifications, but no universal labeling requirement exists yet, so the absence of a claim does not guarantee the absence of PFAS.
Are PFAS banned in household products nationwide?
Not yet. There is no federal ban on PFAS in consumer products at this time, though several states have passed restrictions. New Mexico’s phased bans begin in 2027, and Washington has already restricted certain product categories like food packaging and carpets with intentionally added PFAS.
References & Sources
- Washington State Department of Health. “PFAS in Consumer Products.” Comprehensive list of PFAS-containing product categories in household use.
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “PFAS in Consumer Products.” State guidance on PFAS in cookware and other household items.
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “PFAS in Consumer Products.” Fact sheet grouping PFAS exposure routes by contact type.