How to Scotchgard a Couch Personally at Home

Is It Worth It to Scotchgard a Couch?

After buying an expensive couch, you would want to treat it expensively, and what other better way to do it than to Scotchgard it? Well, protecting your couch from an expected mess like wine spillage, dog pee, and food crumbs will guarantee its longevity and a Scotchgard does that at its absolute best.

The best thing about using a Scotchgard on your couch or sofa is that you can do it personally in the comfort of your home. you will at least need to spare about 30 to an hour of your time and it will be fully protected and ready to withstand all the wear and tear that may come its way.

Every homeowner might need to consider Scotchgard their couch or any other upholstered furniture as it contributes greatly in its durability making it absolutely worth it. One thing that makes Scotchgard worth trying is how easy it makes cleaning your couch after a stain. However, this might not be the experience with a Scotchgard-free couch.

How Do you Scotchgard a Couch at Home?

When I first heard about Scotchgard, I was skeptical about trying it out on my sofa as I knew after spending lots of money buying it, I would need to break a bank again to be able to afford a Scotchgard. However, since I needed to protect my favorite expensive furniture against anything that will ruin its aesthetic and even shorten its longevity, I decided why not do some research about this Scotchgard thing?

Therefore, I went online and researched a few of its benefits, and when I realized just how much of a lifesaver it can be for my expensive couch, I researched a lot more about it, and that’s how I got deep down to using it at least once a year on all my upholstered furniture, and truly the experience has been amazing while saving on a lot of things including time and costs.

I will in great detail go through the steps I follow when I need to Scotchgard my couch and other upholstery furniture, read on to learn more.

Step 1: Vacuuming or Dusting off the Couch

A Scotchgard will work effectively on a clean surface. Therefore, before applying it I usually use a vacuum to remove every dust particle, food crumbs, pet hair (because I keep pets), and any other form of dirt that may be lingering on my couch. I make sure to remove the cushions (removable) so I can reach every corner of the couch easily.

If you don’t have a vacuum, you can as well use a soft bristle brush or a soft cloth to dust off the couch. It is just as effective as using a vacuum only that you will need to use a lot of energy, you know with rubbing, brushing, and all that.

Step 2: Shampoo your Couch

Cleaning your couch doesn’t stop at vacuuming. However, with the right upholstery cleaner, you can shampoo your couch and leave it looking sparkling. Just make sure you use the right cleaner to avoid causing discoloration. In fact, make sure you test it first in a small area of your couch to ascertain that it is safe for use.

Step 3: Spot Test the Scotchgard

Before applying the Scotchgard on every part of your couch, you will need to ascertain that it is not going to cause discoloration. And the best way to do this is by applying a mild amount of it on a small area of your couch (like the back which is usually invisible).

Make sure it doesn’t get to any other surface, and to be on the safe side, you can put pieces of paper down so that the Scotchgard won’t get to the floor or wall, or anything that is near. Let the spray sit until it dries then confirm if there is any color change, if not you can proceed to use it.

Step 4: Cover the Floor and Couch’s Legs with a Drop Cloth

You will need to protect the legs of your couch and the floor and the best thing to use is a drop cloth. No matter how careful you would want to be, you will still need a drop cloth just to be on the safe.

Step 5: Ventilate the Room to Keep the Air Flowing

To avoid suffocation, make sure you keep every opening open and if you have kids and pets, please send them outside for a minute until you are done and dusted. Because Scotchgard is quite fumy and corrosive and without good airflow things might get a bit crazy, so yes, being safe is better.

Step 6: Apply the Scotchgard

Before applying the Scotchgard, make sure you shake the can gently then start spraying thin coats from one area of the couch to the other. Make sure you hold the can upright and it should be at least 9 inches away from you. Although the can says 6 inches, I found it to be really close and so 9 inches worked for me.

Let it dry (drying takes almost immediately) then repeat spraying for the second time while putting a bit more on areas more prone to spills and dirt like the cushions and the arms. The whole can is more than enough, and you might be surprised that there will be some remaining.

Step 7: Let It Dry

The Scotchgard dries almost immediately depending on the weather. If it’s a bit sunny then your couch will be ready for use in the next 30 minutes (it will have fully dried and no lingering smell of Scotchgard). But it won’t take long either even when the weather is gloomy outside, just make sure the windows and doors stay open.

Step 8: Put the Cushions Back On the Couch

After they have fully dried, you can now put on back the cushions, remove the drop cloth, and call the kids back in. Now you can be sure to give them their favorite drinks without worrying about your sofa being stained.

Does Scotchgard Come In Different Types?

Scotchgard is a fabric protectant spray and is suitable for couches or sofas and any other furniture upholstery. It comes in three different types giving you the convenience of choosing one that suits your couch or sofa fabric. They include:

1. Scotchgard fabric water shield
2. Scotchgard fabric craft water shield
3. Scotchgard suede and Nubuck protector

Scotchgard Fabric Water Shield

Characteristics

• Suitable for upholstery furniture like cotton, silk, polyester, and nylon

• Not suitable for leather and suede

• Should not be applied on fabrics with “X” tag

• Can be applied whenever you clean your couch

Scotchgard Fabric Craft Water Shield

characteristics

• Suitable for all types of furniture upholstery except for leather and suede

• Unlike Scotchgard fabric water shield, it can also be applied on knitted fabric

Scotchgard Suede and Nubuck Protector

Characteristics

• Can only be applied on furniture with leather and suede upholstery

What Precautions Should You Take While Applying Scotchgard?

There are measures you will need to put into consideration for your safety, and that of your couch and other furniture upholstery while applying Scotchgard. These include:

1. Proper Room Ventilation

Scotchgard is quite fumy and the last thing you would want is to suffocate every living creature in your home. its best that you keep every opening for smooth airflow and if possible let everyone take a walk outside until you are done.

2. Hold the Scotchgard can at least 7 inches away from the couch 

The can advise to hold it 6 inches from the couch but while using it I found that to be quite close and so I hold mine at around 9 inches away.

3. Protect Couch Legs and the Floor

To prevent the Scotchgard from getting to the legs of the couch, floor, and any other surrounding furniture, make sure you cover them with a drop cloth.

4. Use the Right Scotchgard for your Type of Couch Fabric

Make sure you use the right Scotchgard depending on the type of furniture upholstery you have. Apart from Scotchgard suede and nubuck protector which is only suitable for leather and suede, the remaining two are suitable for all washable materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Scotchgard Last On a Sofa?

Scotchgard lasts for a period of 6 months on a sofa. However, according to Scotchgard the moment you clean your sofa, you should reapply Scotchgard so as to guarantee maximum protection against spillages.

The best thing is that you can still keep your Scotchgard safely for use for the next 3 years and it would still work effectively.

What Does Scotchgard Do for Couches?

Scotchgard is a furniture upholstery protectant that helps minimize the extent of damages like wine spillage, watermarks, which if penetrates further would cause tough stains that may be difficult to eliminate.

Therefore, if you apply Scotchgard on your couch, it will be protected against any form of dirt that is likely to ruin its aesthetic. Basically, Scotchgard protects couches against spillages, pet hairs, dust, and any other form of dirt.

Does Scotchgard Make the Fabric Stiff?

No! Scotchgard application doesn’t interfere with the texture of your furniture upholstery. However, when applying, it is important to spray it in thin coats repeatedly than spraying one thick coat. Plus, remember to give it time to dry in between coats.

Should you Scotchgard a New Furniture?

Spills and dust are not limited to just old furniture. So yes, you can Scotchgard your new furniture to aid its longevity while making it easier to maintain by controlling spillages.

Can you Personally Scotchgard a Couch?

It is very easy to Scotchgard a couch or any other upholstery furniture in your home. all you need is the right Scotchgard for the type of fabric you have and about an hour of your time.

How Long Does the Scotchgard take to Dry?

Scotchgard dries almost immediately depending on the state of the weather. It dries even faster if you apply thin coats at least twice. That way, by the time you are done spraying the first coat, it will be dry when you start on the second coat.

How Often Do you Have to Scotchgard a Couch?

Scotchgard lasts on a sofa for about 6 months. So, you should Scotchgard your sofa at least after every 6 months. However, if you happen to clean your couch before the 6 months elapsed, then you will need to Scotchgard it again so you can keep it protected throughout.

Does Scotchgard Prevent Stains?

Scotchgard does not prevent stains from happening but it does prevent your couch or furniture upholstery from staining further. For instance, if you happen to spill wine on your couch, it will not penetrate into the cushion stuffing hence giving you some time to get a damp towel and spot dry it.

However, the best way to prevent your couch from getting in contact with stains is by using couch covers which according to krostrade are easier to install and very easy to wash.

Conclusion

Buying any type of furniture for example a couch is considered an investment since you need good money for that. Therefore, deriving ways of protecting it from any harm that will halt its durability is very important. And what other better upholstery protectant to use than Scotchgard?

Although Scotchgard doesn’t prevent stains from happening, it does prevent your furniture upholstery from staining further. Plus, it makes it easier to eliminate both mild and tough stains, whether it is a water stain or ink stain.

Lastly, although Scotchgard helps in minimizing stains, couch covers stand to be the best and offer maximum protection against any form of dirt on your couch including pet hairs, dust, and pet scratches. Plus, couch covers are easy to install, and most importantly very easy to clean, just a toss to the washer, and boom! It is dry in the next minute and ready for use. they are also available in different colors, whether, you want a blue couch cover or a slipcover you will definitely find one.