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Did you know that applying Scotchgard to your own furniture at home isn’t nearly as messy as you might imagine? Scotchgard is a straightforward spray treatment that prevents spills from seeping into your couch (or chairs and other upholstery) without leaving the fabric feeling stiff and uncomfortable. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to Scotchgarding your sofa and safeguarding it from pets, children, spills, and stains.
What You Need to Be Aware Of
- Before applying Scotchgard, clean the couch with water or dry cleaner detergent to ensure it maintains a fresh and tidy appearance over the long term.
- Prepare by opening windows and moving the couch away from the wall. Place a drop cloth beneath the couch and use masking tape to protect the legs.
- Shake the can of Scotchgard and conduct a spot test beforehand. Then, apply two coats of Scotchgard to the entire couch, waiting 2 to 4 hours between coats, and allow the couch to fully dry.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare Your Couch for Scotchgard Application
Prioritize cleaning your couch before applying Scotchgard to maintain its pristine appearance. When dealing with an older couch, it's essential to eliminate any existing stains or dirt. Scotchgard is formulated for use on washable fabrics such as cotton, polyester, silk, wool, acrylic, and nylon. Check for a fabric tag on your couch containing a coded letter that indicates the type of fabric. Then, follow the tag’s cleaning instructions accordingly. If your couch is already clean (or new), lightly vacuum it to remove dust instead.
- For fabric labeled with a 'W': Use a water-based upholstery cleaner to remove dirty spots, or opt for a steam cleaner if necessary to tackle dirt and stains.
- For fabric labeled with an 'S': Spot-clean using dry cleaning solvent to eliminate stains and dirt; this fabric should not be washed with water.
- For fabric labeled with 'WS': Spot-clean stains with either a water-based upholstery cleaner or dry cleaning solvent, as both are safe for use on this fabric.
- Scotchgard should not be applied to leather or suede. If your couch has an 'X' fabric code, it cannot be cleaned with water or solvents and is incompatible with Scotchgard.
Aerate the Room by Opening Windows
Ensure proper ventilation to minimize inhalation of fumes. Take a moment to open all windows in the room where you intend to apply Scotchgard, allowing ample airflow in and out. Keep the windows open throughout the project to prevent lingering Scotchgard fumes indoors.
- If feasible, consider spraying your couch outdoors or in a well-ventilated garage.
- Additionally, keep children and pets away from the workspace while Scotchgard application is in progress.
Protect the Floor with a Drop Cloth
Shield Your Floor with a Drop Cloth
Shift your sofa away from the wall.
Prevent Scotchgard from contacting the wall during application. To avoid accidental spraying and subsequent marks on the wall, move your couch at least 3 feet (0.91 m) away from all room walls. Make sure there's ample space to spray the couch without reaching the wall.
- Raise the couch slightly to slide the drop cloth underneath, ensuring its legs rest on the cloth.
- Ensure the couch is well-positioned away from all walls, allowing safe spraying from various angles.
Clear nearby furniture out of the path.
Safeguard surrounding items from Scotchgard by decluttering the area. Remove any nearby furniture, such as tables, lamps, or floor toys, to allow the drop cloth to cover the entire area without obstruction. After clearing, ensure nothing impedes the Scotchgard's path, regardless of the spraying angle.
- If Scotchgard accidentally oversprays onto other furniture, promptly wipe it off to prevent white discoloration stains.
Secure the couch legs with tape and take off its cushions.
Protect the couch legs from unintended spray marks using masking tape. Similar to floors, the couch legs should be shielded from Scotchgard spray. Wrap masking tape around each leg until fully covered. Then, remove the cushions and place masking paper over the bare seat of the couch.
- Position the couch cushions on the remaining space of the drop cloth or use a separate one for them. Spraying the couch and cushions separately ensures complete coverage.
Give the Scotchgard can a good shake.
Thoroughly mix the contents of the can by shaking it for approximately 10 seconds. A freshly bought bottle of Scotchgard may not be adequately mixed due to sitting stationary on a shelf. Shake the bottle up and down to ensure proper mixing before application.
- While Scotchgard will still spray without shaking, its effectiveness in coating the couch will be compromised compared to a well-shaken bottle.
Conduct a patch test on the couch.
Conduct a brief test to check if the fabric retains its color. Before applying Scotchgard, ensure it won't damage your couch's color. Select an inconspicuous area of fabric and spray it with Scotchgard. Then, rub the sprayed area with a lint-free white cloth. If the cloth remains white, you can proceed with Scotchgard.
- If any color transfers to the cloth, Scotchgard isn't suitable for your couch.
Use Scotchgard to protect your couch.
Hold the can upright, positioning it 6 inches (15 cm) away from the couch's surface. Begin spraying from one of the couch's top corners, applying Scotchgard in long, overlapping strokes from right to left. Ensure thorough coverage of both the couch and removed cushions. Allow 2 to 4 hours for the spray to fully penetrate and dry.
- Apply a comprehensive but light coat; two lighter coats are more effective than one heavy coat of Scotchgard.
- Drying time may vary depending on local humidity; approximately 2 hours in dry climates, up to 4 hours in humid conditions.
Administer a second coat of Scotchgard.
Enhance your couch's protection with an additional coat of Scotchgard. Repeat the spraying process for both the couch and cushions, ensuring even coverage with a light spray. Avoid heavy application as the bottle may not contain enough spray for a second heavy coat.
- A single bottle of Scotchgard typically covers a single couch for both coats.
- By the end of the application, the couch should be lightly damp but not saturated.
Ensure the couch remains unused for 24 hours.
Using the couch before it’s fully dry can compromise the effectiveness of Scotchgard. Allow the couch and cushions to dry overnight to ensure Scotchgard sets into the fabric properly. The following day, return the couch to its place (along with any other furniture you moved).
- Now your couch is waterproofed and ready for use!
Apply Scotchgard every 6 to 12 months.
Regular re-application ensures long-term fabric protection. Since Scotchgard diminishes over time, remember to reapply it annually based on usage frequency. For instance, for heavily used couches, reapply every 6 months. For less frequently used ones, yearly reapplications suffice.
- Consider cleaning the sofa before each re-application to maintain its fresh appearance!
Address stains promptly on a couch treated with Scotchgard.
Blot the area before using a cleaner based on the fabric tag. Absorb the stain with a plain paper towel, applying pressure until it stops soaking into the paper. Then, based on your couch’s fabric tag, use either a water-based upholstery cleaner or a dry solvent. Apply a small amount of cleaner to the stain and blot with a clean rag until the stain disappears!
- Afterward, rinse off the cleaner by dampening a cloth or paper towel with water and blotting the area to remove any leftover solvent.
