Frequently Asked Questions

When stored properly, at temperatures below 120° and safe from punctures, a can of Scotchgard™ Protector can last up to three years.

Visit the specific page for your Scotchgard™ Product on this site to find a list of stores.

To dispose of Scotchgard™ aerosol products (anything that comes in a spray can, like Fabric, Carpet, Auto, or Suede and Nubuck Protectors), check to see what your city or county recommends for disposal of waste chemicals and aerosol cans. If your city requires you to empty the cans first for regular disposal (recycling or trash pickup), you’ll have to find a hazardous waste disposal site in your community instead. Most cities or counties have a hazardous waste dumpsite where you’ll be able to dispose of partially full cans.

Scotchgard™ OXY Cleaners can be poured down a sink or tub drain to empty the bottles, and the bottles themselves are recyclable (recycling number 2).

Do not use Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield on suede – instead, use Scotchgard™ Suede & Nubuck Protector.

Once the Scotchgard™ Product you’ve applied is dry, your item or fabric is safe for children and pets. Scotchgard™ Products comply with all applicable laws and regulations and are safe for their intended uses.

Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield shouldn’t be applied over any ink – like an autograph or sketch in marker or pen – because the ink may not remain colorfast and could bleed.

For upholstery or similar fabrics, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield every six months or after every professional or water extraction cleaning.

For fabrics that you launder, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield every time you wash or dry clean your item.

One can protects one average-sized sofa, two chairs, or five jackets. Coverage varies with size, fabric type, and the amount of product you apply.

Use Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield on embroidery, knitting, fabric bags, sewing, quilting, needlecraft, silk flowers, fabric wreaths, table linens, and other fabric items.

At about average room temperature (70 degrees F, 50% Humidity), your fabric should dry overnight, but make sure to check before you start using treated surfaces again. When it’s colder or more humid, it might take longer for your surfaces to dry. Ventilating the area by opening windows or using a fan will help Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shielddry faster. If you’re just drying between coats, 2 – 4 hours is usually sufficient.

In general, Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shieldcan be used on cotton, polyester, silk, wool, acrylic, nylon, and most other washable fabrics. Do not use on “X” coded fabric (fabric that cannot be cleaned with water or solvents). You can find this code on the tag sewn into your fabric item. It is always best to test on a small, out-of-the-way spot first to make sure your fabric will stay colorfast.

Do not use Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield on leather; it could damage leather surfaces.

Do not use Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield on suede – instead, use Scotchgard™ Suede & Nubuck Protector.

Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield shouldn’t be applied over any ink – like an autograph or sketch in marker or pen – because the ink may not remain colorfast and could bleed.

For upholstery or similar fabrics, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield every six months or after every professional or water extraction cleaning.

For fabrics that you launder, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield every time you wash or dry clean your item.

One can protects one average-sized sofa, two chairs, or five jackets. Coverage varies with size, fabric type and the amount of product you apply.

Apply Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield to fabric seats, floor mats, car seats, carpets, trunks, and carpeted cargo space. Do not use on leather or plastic.

At about average room temperature (70 degrees F, 50% Humidity), your car fabric and upholstery should dry overnight, but make sure to check before you start using treated surfaces again. When it’s colder or more humid, it might take longer for your surfaces to dry. Ventilating your car by opening windows will help Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield dry faster. If you’re just drying between coats, 2 – 4 hours is usually sufficient.

Do not use Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield on leather – it’s great for fabric and carpet, but could damage leather surfaces.

Reapply Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield every time you clean your car’s interior with a water or solvent-based cleaner, or every six months, whichever comes first.

We do not recommend it.

Once the Scotchgard™ Auto Water Shield you’ve applied is dry, your item or fabric is safe for children and pets. However, you should keep children and pets out of the area where you’re applying Scotchgard™ Products until the product is thoroughly dry.

Scotchgard™ Products comply with all applicable laws and regulations and are safe for their intended uses.

For upholstery or similar fabrics, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield every six months or after every professional or water extraction cleaning.

For fabrics that you launder, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Crafts Water Shield every time you wash or dry clean your item.

One can protects an approximately 7’ x 5’ area. Coverage varies with size, fabric, carpet type, and the amount of product you apply.

Scotchgard™ Rug & Carpet Protector can be used to protect carpeting in high traffic areas, stair carpeting or rugs, auto mats and flooring, and other rugs and carpets.

Drying time varies based on temperature and humidity but should take about 2 – 6 hours. After 6 hours, vacuum up any white residue left behind. If you apply Scotchgard™ Rug & Carpet Protector while your carpet is still wet, it will take longer to dry, and its drying time will depend on how wet the carpet was when it was applied.

In general, Scotchgard™ Rug & Carpet Protector can be used on polyester, polyolefin, polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, and colored wool carpets and rugs. It is not recommended for Oriental rugs or white wool.

Scotchgard™ Rug & Carpet Protector shouldn’t be used on fabric – instead, use Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield, which is designed specifically to protect fabric and upholstery.

Reapply Scotchgard™ Rug & Carpet Protector every time you have your carpet professionally cleaned, or every six months, whichever comes first. In high traffic areas, you may need to reapply Scotchgard™ Rug & Carpet Protector more often.

Use Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield on fabric patio furniture, sporting gear, boat covers, backpacks, tents, outerwear, and leather.

At about average room temperature (70 degrees F, 50% Humidity), your fabric should dry overnight, but make sure to check before you start using treated surfaces again. When it’s colder or more humid, it might take longer for your surfaces to dry. Ventilating the area by opening windows, using a fan, or applying the product outdoors will help Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield dry faster. If you’re just drying between coats, 2 – 4 hours is usually sufficient.

In general, Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield can be used on cotton, cotton blends, leather, suede, nylon, canvas, and polyester.

If in doubt, test a small, out-of-the-way spot first to make sure your fabric will stay colorfast.

If you use Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield to treat outdoor gear with white rubber soles, the soles may turn yellow – if that happens, clean the affected area as soon as possible with rubbing alcohol.

Reapply Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield seasonally or as needed to maintain repellency.

In general, Scotchgard™ OXY Spot & Stain Remover for Auto can be used on most auto carpets and fabrics, but not on leather interiors. If in doubt, test a small, out-of-the-way spot first to make sure your fabric will stay colorfast.

Scotchgard™ OXY Spot & Stain Remover for Auto contains hydrogen peroxide, which has a light bleaching effect on skin. Your skin will go back to normal within a day or so. You can avoid the effect, if you prefer, by wearing gloves while cleaning.

Scotchgard™ Premium Countertop Cleaner can be used on most stone, tile, glass, laminate, and concrete countertops. It’s safe for granite, marble, quartz, glass, grout, tile, concrete, tile, and laminate. For other types of countertops, spot test a small, out-of-the-way area to make sure there’s no discoloration before using.

Scotchgard™ Fabric & Carpet Cleaner is intended for use on washable fabrics and fabrics approved by the manufacturer for water-based cleaning or protection products. These fabrics are generally marked “W” or “WS,” but check the manufacturer’s cleaning care and warranty information to make sure.

Do not use on “S” coded fabrics, silk, wool, velvet, leather, imitation suede, or “dry clean only” fabrics.

Fabric codes can be found on the tag sewn into the item by the manufacturer.

Use Scotchgard™ Tarni-Shield™ Silver Polish whenever your silver is dull or tarnished.

Scotchgard™ Tarni-Shield™ Silver Polish can be used on jewelry, silver, copper, brass, and other metals.