How to protect a new sofa from stains?

July 15, 2009 7:38 AM

Just bought a new very light beige color sofa and would like to protect it from spills and stains. Any advice?
I've read good reviews about "scotchguard". Any tips on that?
posted by WizKid to home & garden (7 comments total)

Um, use it? Scotchgard is great!
posted by Fifi Firefox at 7:51 AM on July 15

Yep. Scotchguard has protected many a pair of fabric and suede boots on my feet over my life. Definitely use it.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 8:08 AM on July 15

We have a five year old. Scotchguard has saved our sofa many times.
posted by musofire at 8:31 AM on July 15

Fourthing Scotchguard. It's the mutts, beez, etc...
posted by benzo8 at 8:37 AM on July 15

If your sofa fabric is very light, be sure to check for discoloration by first applying Scotchguard to an inconspicuous area. Scotchguard can change the color or sheen of fabrics a bit, and can be differentially absorbed by brocaded fabrics like polished cotton, or synthetic blends. You can also have the sofa Scotchguard treated professionally, where they take the piece away to a large spray booth, overspray it with a couple of coats of protectant, blot any excess, and than dry it under IR lamps. The formulation of Scotchguard used in this process has a different solvent base than the stuff you get in the do-it-yourself spray cans, and will work on some fabric blends/constructions that the home stuff won't (velveteen, corduroy, knapped fabrics, brocades, etc.).
posted by paulsc at 9:03 AM on July 15

If you do it yourself, make sure that the room is VERY well ventilated. You don't want to breathe the stuff.

Once it's dry, it's awesome!
posted by Citrus at 10:36 AM on July 15

I have a beige sofa, which I paid to have professionally scotchguard-ed in 1999. At least five times over the past ten years I have (or a guest has) spilled an *entire glass* of red wine onto the couch, and it has come off completely with a quick blot of a paper towel. That stuff is freaking magic. Best $75 I've ever spent.
posted by eileen at 7:29 PM on July 15