Last Updated on 4 weeks by Ollie Barker
We all want to protect our car seats from water and stains. Scotchgard Carpet protector is a liquid that you spray on the fabric of the seat, but the question is, ” Should I scotchguard my car?“. Many still wonder about its effectiveness. Thus, in this blog, I’ll give you a brief review of this upholstery protector.
The short answer:
If you find yourself in situations where you live in a humid region, frequently carry cargo, or have children in your car, it’s best you scotchguard your car. It can protect your car seats and carpets from water & stains. It’s a great product that can repel water.
What Is Upholstery Sealant & Protectant?
An upholstery sealant and protector is a product that protects the surface of the car fabric from spills and stains. It seals the textile fibers, providing a hydrophobic layer against dirt and other contaminants. Scotchgard Carpet protector is such a product for cars.
What Is Scotchguard?
Scotchguard is a product line of 3M. Scotchgard is a brand name for many upholstery sealants and protectants. The name has been registered with the Patent office. It’s a registered trademark owned by the Scotchgard Company, Inc.
It is a stain and durable water-repellent that is used to protect fabric, furniture, and carpets from stains. Petroleum distillate solvents and organofluorine compounds serve as the major active ingredient in Scotchgard products.

Who Uses It?
Scotchguard Protectant is a standard product used in the U.S. and Canada. However, a lot of other countries have their own branded version of this product. In the United Kingdom, it’s known as “Scotchgard’. In Australia, it’s called “Scotcoc,” and in New Zealand, it’s called “Scotchgard.” In Pakistan, it’s known as ‘Saman.’
Scotchguard can protect outside furniture, shoes, and especially the car interior.
Should I Scotchguard My Car?
The answer is Yes. Why? The reason is obvious. It works perfectly fine on car upholstery. If you don’t use it, your car seat fabric will be damaged, ruined & ruined by water & stains. So, you need to Scotchguard the car seat with this product so that it can keep its valuable shape and quality. You can use this product on any fabric, including suede, faux leather, linen, vinyl, and more.
This is perfect for protecting you from small spills and stains. This is especially useful for people who use their car seats every day.
However, don’t expect it to be the perfect protector, as there is still some percentage of the liquid that can soak into the fabric if you spill a big cup.

For the price of less than $10/can, I think it’s a great investment that can save your car seats for about six months.
How to Apply Scotchguard on Car’s Seats
Step 1. Prepare the area
Avoid over spraying nearby non-fabric materials. If you overspray, wipe it off as soon as it appears.
Step 2. Shake
Well-shake the can.
Step 3. Ventilate
For ventilation, open every window and door in your car.
Step 4. Test on a small area first
You should check the color stability by spraying it on a concealed area until it is damp, then use a white absorbent towel to scrub briskly. DO NOT USE if the color rubs off.
Step 5. Spray
Hold the can 6 inches or 15 cm away from the fabric. Using a leisurely, sweeping motion, overlap the spray. It’s better to apply two light coatings rather than one heavy coat.
Step 6. Dry
Dry completely in between coats.
Step 7. Reapply
To retain protection, you should use it after each cleaning or every three months. Wear affects how long the protective layer lasts.

Tips to Use This Upholstery Protector
- Do not overspray the product. 2 layers are enough.
- Do not spray the surface with a circular motion; it’s better to spray in wide strokes.
- For fabric that has high water content, like suede, you may need to clean off the excess liquid by vacuuming it off.
- For fabric that has a higher oil content, like vinyl or leather, you may need to let the protectant sit for a while before applying it to prevent streaking and bubbles on the fabric.
FAQs
How many Scotchgard cans are required for my car?
It is appropriate to use two cans of Scotchguard on a midsize automobile or SUV.
Is Scotchgard on a car worth the money?
Compared to alternative services like dealer fabric protection, purchasing two cans of Scotchgard and spending less than 30 minutes are very much worth your time and money. By the way, experts recommend skipping the dealer’s fabric protection. Whatever you decide, the upholstery in your automobile is shielded against moisture and stains for months. Scotchgard is good product to consider.
How often should I apply Scotchgard on my car?
Scotchgard can be reapplied every three to six months. Reapplication makes sure that the car interior fabrics are protected best.
What shouldn’t we Scotchgard?
Scotchgard Fabric Water Shield can be applied to various materials, including cotton, polyester, acrylic, nylon, and most other washable fabrics. On fabrics that cannot be washed with water or chemicals, do not use them.
I can see that this restriction has no impact on cleaning our cars’ interiors because the materials used to make them are washable.
Final Words
The above review will give you a brief idea of the effectiveness of Scotchgard Protectant. It’s a great investment as it does an amazing job at an affordable price. However, it does not guarantee protection on every type of fabric or for every spill.
Further Reading:

Hi, My name is Ollie Barker.
With 25 years working in repair and detailing shops. I’d love to share my tips & tricks to all car lovers. Also, give my recommendations on which products are the best to have on the market.
Thanks for visiting CarDetailingArt! Hope you enjoy your time on my little blog!