Everything you need to know about fabric protection spray

Fabric protections should become part of our lifestyle. We all know how busy life can be with kids, pets, and entertainment. Many people may be afraid to choose a beautiful fabric to upholster their furniture for fear that it will be ruined. What many people don't know is that there are several easy and affordable ways to take care of your upholstery. One such way is to apply a fabric protection to your upholstery. The neat upholstery means you can still enjoy your furniture without shrinking when an accident happens. Choosing upholstery can be an investment that should see you through the years, and it can only do so if it is properly cared for. Read on to find important information about fabric protection spray.

What is Fabric Protection Spray?

A fabric protection spray provides a protective layer on the fabric of your sofa. This helps protect the furniture from stains due to dirt and spills that get soaked in the fabric.

Once applied, fabric protection helps repel liquids and block stains without changing the appearance of the fabric. That means you can clean the surface before the clutter sinks in to ensure beautiful, long-lasting wear.

Is a fabric protection permanent?

Unfortunately, most consumers are under the impression that once they spray a fabric protector on their upholstery, they don't need to do it again. This is not the case. A fabric protector is only a semi-permanent measure. It should be reapplied, depending on how much use your furniture has. The best way to control this is to splash a few drops of water on the upholstered seat. If the water pills and is not absorbed by the sofa, then the application is still effective. If the upholstery absorbs the liquid, then you know it's time for another spray application.

Once your sofa has been treated with a fabric protection, you will need to begin regular maintenance to remove dust, crumbs, and pet hair. It is recommended to vacuum the sofa on a weekly to monthly basis depending on the level of use.

Is it expensive to apply a fabric protection?

In general, there are two ways to protect your fabric, either by a professional or by yourself. Going through a specialized professional will, of course, be more expensive; however, they are likely to be more complete and have commercial equipment to spray your fabric so that your furniture gets maximum protection.

Doing it yourself will naturally be cheaper, but it may take some time to apply. It is worth noting that there are many excellent products offered on the market that provide stain and UV resistance (especially ideal for sunny areas in your home). Either way, it's important to wear a fabric protector before you start using your furniture to make sure your upholstery looks fresh for as long as possible.

Can you apply a fabric protection to an old piece of furniture?

If such furniture is in good condition and you have not thought about reupholstering the item, then yes. It is important to wash the fabric first to remove any stains. Review the washing instructions to see how to care for your fabrics. Even if you can wash the fabric in a washing machine, it would be a good idea to contact a professional upholstery/dry cleaner. Often, they have the appropriate chemicals to remove stains. Once your fabric has dried, a protector can be applied for future use.

The fabric protector is more effective than a protective spray because the individual fibers of the fabric are treated. Still, the fabric guard's effectiveness needs to be tested once for a very few months just to make sure your upholstery continues to serve you well for years to come.

Teacher-turned online blogger, Shirley is a full-time backyard homesteader based in Virginia. When she doesn't have her face buried in a book or striding in her garden, she's busy blogging about simple life hacks of the daily life.