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Allen notes you can even waterproof items you might not have imagined. Nikwax and other manufacturers sell waterproofing products for cotton, fleece, and softshells, and you can use them on everything from your jeans to your Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. The first thing we noted while applying the product to a pair of leather boots, which is simple with the included cotton terry applicator pad, is how soft and shiny it makes the leather. And there’s no chemical smell; this product can be applied inside since there are no fumes to worry about, and it doesn’t require spraying. After allowing the leather to dry, our tester buffed off any extra protectant left on the surface and let it sit overnight. Our tester especially liked that this spray had no detectable smell, and it came at an affordable cost—it really was flawless. You can buy an eco-friendly refill pouch of Performance Repel Plus for your sprayer instead of an entirely new bottle when you run out. Grangers also sells a wash-in version of this spray if you prefer that waterproofing method. A previous version of this story was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat and two dog companions in her home for the past 35 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on toxicology. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets, their families, and our planet.
The spray acts like a protective layer on top of the fibers for silicone-based products, though they still allow for some breathability. Before you choose a spray for technical gear, you'll want to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions for waterproofing that item; some recommend against certain types of products. Fabric Guard for Outdoor Fabrics: This was one of the best-performing sprays we used. But it was also the most expensive. And it didn’t perform that much better than others to justify adding it to our list above. Still, if you’re looking to get a little spendy or want something specific for outdoor furniture, we highly recommend the 303 Fabric Guard for Outdoor Fabrics. The tape is intended to help you train your cat to direct their clawing elsewhere, such as a scratching post placed nearby. You can encourage your cat's better behaviors by giving them treats when they use the proper surfaces, instead of your furniture.
The verdict: Mosquito repellent
A wax will require application by hand and then heating (by iron, hairdryer, or campfire) the product to seal it. Waxes are generally only used on canvas, denim, and some cotton materials, so they’re not helpful for most technical gear. Sprays give you the most control over the finished product since you’re applying the product yourself, and you can ensure it goes where you need it. Some gear you must spray because the item in question, such as a tent or a pair of hiking boots, can’t go in the washing machine. We tried the wash on a down blanket, which before testing, allowed water to slip through the outer shell immediately, leading to a few damp, chilly nights while camping, and we found the water resistance of that outer layer much improved after its wash and dry cycle. The blanket was nice and fluffy after testing, and there was no change to the color or texture of the exterior. It’s still not a fully waterproof item—it wasn’t designed to be—and we’ll do our best not to soak it intentionally, but now we're less worried about it accidentally getting a little wet.
Some sprays contain perfluorochemicals (PFCs), a group of synthetic chemicals the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns remain in the environment—and in the human body—for years, so you’ll want to be especially careful using any of those, especially around pets and children. (Or just avoid them in general.) And aerosol sprayers, though they work well for consumers, also have a negative environmental impact. If you’re seeking to prevent those issues, choose a non-aerosol spray that doesn’t contain PFCs. Even with its lower price, this is one of the most effective waterproofing sprays we tested, and no amount of water applied to the boots used for testing was enough to penetrate its shield, yet the boots felt as breathable as before. It didn’t take much product for a thorough double coating—recommended about four hours apart—making this an even more cost-effective product. The final results were impressive: Even a complete soaking had no impact on the material; it was ready to defend itself against all levels of wetting, and the breathability felt as good as new when hiking afterward. They actually kind of adhere to the individual fibers, like an old-fashioned telephone cord—they wrap around the fibers," says Heidi Allen, the vice president of marketing at Nikwax. "They have a little stretchiness to them."All items were tested before waterproofing products were applied and then again afterward to assess their effectiveness, with copious notes taken on all aspects of the products. We also consulted the following experts when choosing the best waterproofing sprays: Some plants are not safe for cats to play with, and while cats are drawn to plants and like to dig in their dirt, they need to be taught to stay away. A scat mat is an effective way to keep your cat from disturbing the plants inside and outside your home. Our tester left the rainfly to dry for about 48 hours before testing it, and, voila, the treated item was vastly improved in terms of how well the water beaded off it. We’ll add this product to our toolkit and apply it at least once a season—ideally in the early spring before the first camping trips of the year—to help preserve some of our most expensive items.
Many people buy waterproof or water-resistant gear and assume it’ll be that way forever, but the reality is that DWR (durable water-repellent) coatings wear down over time, and they start doing what industry experts call “wetting out”—when the surface of the item starts absorbing water rather than repelling it. (The surfaces will get splotchy when wet instead of beading raindrops.) Even Gore-Tex products will eventually wet out; though they’re not as likely to let water in as other fabrics when that process occurs. They do, however, become heavier when wet and less breathable since the moisture from the inside can no longer escape.
Cats don’t need much of a negative outcome to deter them from jumping up on the kitchen counters or clawing furniture. In fact, even a minor inconvenience will usually be quite effective, and most cats will learn after three experiences with a cat deterrent," Nagelschneider told The Spruce Pets. Waxes and wash-ins can be applied indoors—a benefit if it’s raining or snowing or if you don’t have an outdoor workspace where you can apply the products. Wash-ins are easy; they only require using your washing machine, and some can even be done by hand-washing. Wash-ins are especially popular for down items since the waterproofing product is also meant for the feathers inside the item and the outer layer. A great analogy we like to use is you wouldn’t wax a dirty car so you wouldn’t waterproof a dirty item,” Allen explains. “While the waterproofing is the cool part of it all because you can see the beading, people forget that cleaning is the first, most important step in the waterproofing process.” The Safer Brand Critter Ridder Animal Repellent is designed for outdoor use. We found it to be effective for up to three days. During our real world testing trial we applied this spray to a front door entryway and outdoor stoop—a favorite escape route for a curious cat. Their escapades came to an immediate halt with the introduction of the spray, and our former escape artist now spends their days safely at home, and far away from the treated area. We found the spray to have a strong chemical scent during application but it dissipated soon after. Many items require at least 24 to 48 hours of time to dry before you can use them again, so planning ahead before a big trip is crucial.
If you find yourself in need of cat repellent, cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider of The Cat Behavior Clinic strongly advises selecting a product in accordance with the pet training principal of "LIMA," an acronym meaning "Least Invasive and Minimally Aversive." The first determination is whether you need an indoor or outdoor product—or one that can be used in both locations. Some products can only be used indoors because they do not hold up to the weather or rely on concentrated odor as a deterrent. Others may need to be plugged into an electric outlet or can only be used outdoors because the smell is unpleasant to humans, or the ingredients are not appropriate for application to furniture and fabrics. Lastly, we considered the cost and environmental issues like aerosol and PFCs. We wanted to ensure we tested and considered sprays in a range of costs and included sprays that are easy on the planet and people using the product. The sprayer works well, so application is easy. After washing the pants, we sprayed them while they were still wet, blotted off areas where the excess product had pooled with a damp towel, and then threw them in the machine dryer on low, though you can also let your items air-dry if needed. When trying the pants again, water beaded off them instead of soaking through in the spots where it was previously wetting out, and the breathability was again excellent. Whether you decide to use a waterproofing spray, wash-in, or wax comes down to the product you’re waterproofing and your personal preference.
The formula is made with an herbal blend of astragalus and rosemary. The formula is also free of parabens—chemical preservatives connected to endocrine disruption in mammals. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ But no one likes soaked shoes, purses, or any other type of leather goods, and too much water can eventually damage these items, causing that dreaded drying out or molding. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Water Protectant No. 3 bills itself as a protectant—creating a water-resistant layer that stops the material from absorbing liquid—and a conditioner. Consider how much space you’re trying to protect and whether you’ll need to treat the area just once, daily or weekly. Are you trying to keep feral cats from using your flowerbed as a litter box or just trying to keep your tenacious kitty off your grandmother’s antique chair? Some cat repellents are designed to cover small areas—a few feet, at most—while others can cover up to 3,000 square feet or more. Some can be applied just once (thoroughly) while others require multiple, consistent applications to truly break the habit.
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