Back in May 2000, 3M pulled out the Scotchgard stain removing products from the market. It was due to the various internal toxicity studies and the ever-increasing pressure from the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
It was found that the main chemical compounds present in these stain removing products have long-term harmful effects on the environment and humans.
By 2003, the company reformulated and relaunched a more environmentally-friendly variant of Scotchgard.
But within these 3 years, many other competitors entered the market to fill the gap that the popular brand left. These products make fabrics resistant to stains along with other fabric protection applications.
This post will share the five best and safe alternatives to Scotchgard and review them in detail. So, scroll down to get the full scoop.
5 Alternatives to Scotchgard Reviewed
1. Stir Soft Clad Fabric Protector
- Fabric protector spray and stain guard - prevents stains and repels liquids
- Works on most fabrics-Shoes, Suede, Carpet, Jackets, Curtains, Furniture, Leather, Canvas & more
- Proudly Made in the USA
- Safe to use - SoftClad is non-flammable and safe to use indoors. PFAS and PFOA free.
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Stir Technologies’ Soft Clad fabric protector is the best and safest alternative to Scotchgard. It is an extra-strength fabric protector spray that can prevent stains and repel any fluids.
It can assist you in protecting your furniture, carpet, shoes, suede, upholstery couch, leather, canvas, and so much more. And the best part is that this party is 100 percent safe to use indoors.
It is available in a 32 oz bottle, and it works pretty well on all fabrics. This product is proudly made in the US, and it is completely safe to use inside your house as none of its ingredients are flammable.
You have to make sure that you shake it well before using it and keep in mind to protect any nearby items from over spraying. Do not oversaturate it, and let the surface dry before you start pouring it with the spray.
All you need to do is shake it well before spraying it on the surface you want to treat. Moreover, you will have a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Simple to use.
- Versatile to use on a range of different surfaces.
- Comes with a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
- Safe to use indoors.
Cons
- It might need some reapplications.
2. protectME Premium Fabric Protector
- Stain resistant spray will repel liquids, dirt and stains.
- Environmentally friendly formulation is silicon dioxide and water based, allowing for a non-flammable and odorless fabric, shoe and carpet protector.
- Our fabric protector spray uses nanotechnology, creating an abrasion resistant and UV stable barrier on materials that lasts 2-3 years depending on use.
- Save time and money! Stronger stain repellent means less applications than your standard stain guard or upholstery protector.
- protectME fabric and waterproofing spray requires no ventilation to use and will never change the look, feel or smell of your fabric - simply spray and stay.
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The fabric protector also works well as a stain guard for your carpet, upholstery, and shoes. It is made of non-toxic ingredients, and the formula is entirely water-based. It is safe to use indoors because there are no flammable ingredients.
Furthermore, it is a stain-resistant spray that can repel liquids, dirt, and stains. This formula is environmentally friendly and odorless. Therefore, you can use it on a range of different surfaces.
It uses nanotechnology and creates an abrasion-resistant layer that is UV stable on all materials.
You will be able to save time and money as it is more effective compared to your regular stain guard. It can conveniently last for up to 2 or even 3 years based on how you use it.
It doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients, so you won’t have to worry about ventilation while using it indoors. Just spray and stay and let it work on its own.
The chemical formula features silicone dioxide, which is safe for humans and the environment; therefore, you can conveniently use it without any issues, even if you have pets and children.
Pros
- Cruelty-free formula with non-toxic ingredients
- Works on a range of different surfaces.
- It doesn’t contain PFAS or PFC chemicals.
- Safe to use indoors.
Cons
- Check before you use it, or it might damage the colors.
3. Nano Tex-10 Textile and Fabric Protector
- TEX-10 is eco-friendly, made with pure nanoparticles, and is water base. It works as a water repellent, snow and stain-proof, is invisible and is odorless. For outdoor & indoor uses, for ski wear, gloves, fabric, shoes, and most sports shoes, suits, jackets, furniture, sun awnings, car seats and more.
- ALLOWS FOR FABRIC BREATHABILITY - This hi-tech protective fabric coating made from PURE NANO PARTICLES allows your fabric to protect from stains and water while maintaining its breathability, this crucial for preserving the fabrics lifespan.
- MAKES FABRIC EASY TO CLEAN - With this protective layer you can keep your fabric clean with ease, as dirt or any stainable unwanted mess will not be absorbed into the material and can be wiped off with a paper towel.
- UV PROTECTION, PERFECT FOR CLOTHES - Other existing coating products based on silicone, Teflon and various solvents dissolve and disappear as a result of the heat and radiation of the sun, as well as air pollution! Our solution will last up to two years.
- EASY AND SIMPLE TO DO-IT-YOURSELF - Spray the formula on the fabric until the fabric is completely wet. Massage the liquid in a circular motion into the fabric (glove recommended) making sure it penetrated the fabric. Wait with testing for 24 hours while the protective coating dries. Coverage ability - 7.5-30 square feet for the 250 ml bottle Depending on the absorbency and type of surface
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product is an excellent fabric and textile protector. It can effectively work as a stain guard to repel snow and water. It can also come in pretty handy to protect your car or upholstery.
It features natural oil, so you can use it on your carpet, sofa, and clothes. Plus, it is an eco-friendly product that is made of pure nanotechnology.
The formula is entirely water-based, and it doesn’t have any toxic ingredients. You can use it on a variety of different surfaces pretty conveniently.
In addition, it allows fabric breathability as it is made of pure nanoparticles. Therefore, the spray comes in pretty handy to protect the overall lifespan of your fabric.
This cleaner will make sure that your fabric becomes much easier to clean. As it forms a proactive layer, you will be able to keep the fabric clean for a longer period.
You will be able to keep your fabric safe from dirt or any other mess, and you can easily wipe it off.
And the best part is that spraying it on your clothes will make them UV safe. Therefore, the sun won’t be able to damage the color of your fabrics or clothes.
The spray is pretty simple to use. However, you will have to use the fabric until thoroughly wet.
After that, you will have to massage it into the fabric in a circular motion. But make sure that you wear your gloves for this. Give it full 24 hours to dry and then test it, and you will see that it will repel water or snow right away.
Pros
- Quality spray for different surfaces.
- Simple to use and apply.
- The spray comes with UV protection.
- It allows fabric breathability.
Cons
- You do need a lot of fluid.
4. Nikwax Fabric & Leather Footwear Protector
- Footwear Cleaning Gel and Fabric & Leather Proof combined into a Footwear DUO-Pack
- High performance cleaning and waterproofing treatment for smooth leather, suede, GORE-TEX, or synthetic fabrics
- Spray-on application. NON-AEROSOL spray application to avoid negative environmental impact
- Recommended use on smooth leather, synthetic fabrics, or GORE-TEX shoes, hiking boots, and gloves
- Water based, non-persistent, and contains no PFAS, optical brighteners, or added scent
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Nikwax spray protector guarantees excellent performance. You can use it for leather and fabric cleaning and use it for your footwear.
It comes in a dual pack, where the purple one is for leather and fabric proofing, and the green one is for footwear cleaning. You can also buy spray-on or sponge-on variants of these products.
This is a soap-based cleaner that is a top choice for leather, fabric, or suede, and it can easily waterproof any fabric without much effort to keep it safe from any water damage. You can use it on your hiking boots, gloves, Gore-Tex shoes, smooth leather, and fabric.
The chemical construction of these products is entirely water-based, and it is entirely biodegradable. You won’t find any VOCs, PFCs, artificial scents, or optical brighteners.
The footwear gel removes dirt and other residues without damaging or harming water repellency.
You can use it on fabric or leather footwear. This prey maintains breathability while providing the surface with water repellency.
You will have to dampen and remove the dirt from the surface where you want to apply it. After that, you will have to wash the surface, proof it with the spray, and dry it.
Pros
- Effortless to use.
- Comes in a dual-pack for fabric and shoes.
- Spray on and sponge on variants available.
- Doesn’t have any harmful ingredients.
Cons
- Not for heavy excessive wetting.
5. Vectra Furniture, Carpet, Fabric Protector
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This spray is an excellent choice if you want to waterproof your furniture fabric or carpet. Your purchase will include a couple of 12 oz spray cans. The spray is pretty easy to use on any surface.
You can conveniently use it to retract your fabric, carpet, furniture, and wall coverings to protect them from wine, grease, pet, and water stains. It can protect the fibers of your fabric and keep them soft and luxurious.
Apart from that, this is the pay that will help you moth-proof your area and fabrics so these pesky insects can stay away from you.
You have to shake it well before using it and then spray it on the safe you want to treat. You have to be careful because the spray might not come out right away.
Therefore, you will have to shake it well before going with the first few spritzes. It is a pretty quality product, but you might have to apply it a few times to ensure it works effectively. You can also use it highly versatile on a range of different surfaces.
Pros
- Easiest to use and highly versatile.
- Your purchase includes a couple of 12 oz spray cans.
- Top choice for fabrics and carpets.
- It also makes your fabric moth-proof.
Cons
- The spray needs to be shaken well before you, or the spray won’t come out.
Factors to consider before Buying an Alternative to Scotchgard
You need to keep in mind various features when buying these stain guard and waterproofing products. And in this buying guide, we will highlight all of them for your guidance so you can make the right purchase decision.
Ease of Application
You have to make sure that the product you are going for is pretty easy to apply. Some sprays are pretty tough to spritz, while others are sponges.
It is better to go for the spray-on options with durable nozzles. You can conveniently use these spray bottles on different surfaces just like you want them.
Ingredients
You also need to make sure that the ingredients used to construct the formula you are considering have to be all-natural.
This is especially the case if you want to use your spray indoors. It should also be a high priority for you if you have kids or pets in your home.
Dry-Time
Also, make sure that the dry time is pretty fast for the option you consider. Most of these sprays come with a dry time ranging between 12 to 24 hours, but some also take much longer. For effective usage, make sure to go for a dry time that’s much faster or equivalent to it.
Color Protection
You have to make sure you are going for an option with color protection features.
There is no point in going for a stain-protecting water repellent spray that can damage colors over time. This is especially the case if you are looking to use the spray on a range of different fabrics.
Multi-Purpose

Versatility is pretty important for such a product. Therefore, you need to go for a suitable spray on various fabrics and surfaces. You can use them on your furniture, fabric, shoes, and even your carpets.
FAQs
How frequently do I have to reapply these furniture & upholstery protection sprays?
For any upholstery or similar other fabrics, you will have to reapply the spray every six months or right after each water extraction or professional cleaning.
How long will it take for a furniture protection spray to dry?
If you are drying between different coats, the protector spray will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to dry on furniture.
Can you use furniture and upholstery protector sprays on suede fabric?
Yes, there are some furniture and upholstery protector sprays that you can use on suede fabric. And Stir Soft Clad Fabric Protector is one of them. It is a pretty versatile product useful for different surfaces.
Are Fabric Protectors Safe?
Yes, they are safe if you go for predictions made of natural ingredients or don’t have any toxic ingredients. The US Environmental Protection Agency is pretty tough on any environmentally harmful chemicals.
And Scotchgard was one such product. So, in most cases, you will find a safe product on the market. But if you are still unsure, make sure to go through the ingredients list on the back label of the spray to be 100 percent sure.
Safe Alternative to Scotchgard, Editor’s Choice.
The best and safe alternative to Scotchgard is Stir Soft Clad Fabric Protector. It is made of non-toxic ingredients, and it is a highly versatile product that works on a range of different surfaces.
It also has a pretty decent dry time. The simple to use spray is a simple choice to keep water off various surfaces and keep them clean for longer periods.
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