Scotchgard vs. iClean Fabrics: Which Option is Right for You?

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Wouldn’t it be nice if your furniture could remain clean? When a spill or food mishap occurs, stains will unfortunately be inevitable. And, once we see those stains–no matter how hard we try to clean them–there might be nothing we can do to get rid of it.

So what do you do? Do you give in to the inevitability that your furniture is gonna become a Jackson Pollock painting? Or do you use other measures to ensure your furniture stays clean?

Well, with products like iClean fabrics by La-Z-Boy, you don’t have to worry too much about these issues. These stain-resistant fabrics are great for those who know there will be mishaps around the living room area.

However, we do realize that iClean isn’t for everyone, which is why we look to other alternative options to see which one is right for you.

Scotchgard is another product that helps resist the staining of other products. So, that being said, which product is right for you? And what are the pros and cons of each product?

This article will detail both Scotchgard and iClean and explain the pros and cons of each.

In This Article…

1. Brief Explanation of Both Products
2. Scotchgard: Pros & Cons
3. iClean: Pros & Cons
4. Scotchgard vs. iClean: Pros & Cons Breakdown
5. Which Stain Resistant Product is Right for You?

Brief Explanation of Both Products

Before we get into the comparison, let’s discuss both products individually, to get you familiarized with them.

Scotchgard

Firstly, Scotchgard is a product by 3M that helps keep your fabric protected in a unique way. Instead of having the furniture already bought in this condition, this product uses a spraying method that acts as a repellant from foods and liquids.

This product was first invented by 3M chemists in the 1950s and quickly grew in popularity over the years. Nowadays, many individuals use this product on a multitude of items with fabric surfaces. All you have to do is shake, spray and wait for it to dry–kind of like a bug-repellent spray but for your couch!

iClean by La-Z-Boy

iClean, as you may have already guessed, is different from Scotchgard’s method. These specialty fabrics made exclusively by La-Z-Boy are protective fabrics that use a combination of chemicals and tightly woven fabrics to help repel stains and spills on your furniture.

The materials used within the construction of the fabric act as a layer of protection from some of the toughest stains you could have on your furniture. If you do spill something, substances will stay on top of the furniture and will not seep into the cracks like other fabrics.

What’s more, La-Z-Boy also has newly introduced iClean leathers that also contribute to our selection of iClean products.

To learn more about iClean Fabrics at La-Z-Boy, take a look at this review article.

Scotchgard: Pros & Cons

Now that you’re familiar with both products, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each, starting with Scotchgard. 

Pro: More Affordable

One of the biggest key differences between Scotchgard and iClean is their cost. While one is a premium product exclusive to one company, the other is available in multiple stores at an affordable price.

Scotchgard’s price is significantly lower than iClean’s which makes this easier for those looking for aneasy solution to keeping theirfabric surfaces safe. You can find Scotchgard mainly in stores like Canadian Tire for $15 for one can.

Pro: More Variety

We sort of touched on this briefly in other sections, but unlike iClean, Scotchgard doesn’t just work on furniture, but it works on multiple different surfaces that have fabric. 

According to 3M’s website, Scotchgard can work on mostly any fabric surface it touches! This ranges anywhere from upholstery, purses, decorative pillows, backpacks, luggage and shoes. The only surface it cannot work on is leather.

This is much more surface than what iClean has to offer, which is only furniture upholstery. 

Con: Not as Effective

As much as Scotchgard is an effective tool, there are some downsides to this product, unfortunately. Compared to iClean fabrics, while the spray-on fabric protector works well after drying, some may argue that it isn’t an effective solution.

This is because 3M advises reapplying the spray either after each cleaning or every 6 months, requiring constant attention.

Although 6 months is quite a long time, people might forget how long it’s actually been since they’ve applied the spray. This can leave furniture pieces to be susceptible to stains, which is counter-effective. 

If you are worried about this, a good practice to develop is making note when you first applied your fabric protector on your product, for more accurate protection.

Con: Long Wait Times

Another factor to consider when purchasing Scotchgard is the fact that after the initial spray, you have to wait a certain amount of time before using your product.

3M says an ideal wait time after spraying your furniture is 2-4 hours. With iClean, there is no wait time to use your furniture, and you do not have to worry about reapplying another coat after a couple of months have passed.

iClean: Pros & Cons

Now that we’re aware of what to expect with Scotch Guarding your products, let’s take a look at what iClean has to offer.

Pro: More Convenient

Turning over the other side of the coin, we can see that iClean is considered a more convenient option.

Because it doesn’t need to be reapplied and is made within the construction of the furniture, iClean fabrics are naturally repellent and do not require any maintenance, other than regular furniture care.

Pro: Includes Leather

Another big difference between Scotchgard and iClean is the new introduction to leather products on our list of stain-resistant upholstery. iClean leathers work the same as our line of fabrics do and help maintain the appearance of your furniture, without worrying about stains or spills.

While the range might not be as extensive as our fabric selection, there's still a diverse choice of leather options available. These include various shades of popular leather colours to choose from.

Con: Less Selection

As you may already know, La-Z-Boy has over 800 upholstery covers to choose from, which is great for those looking for a personalized approach to our furniture.

With that being said, however, not all of our fabrics are considered iClean, limiting your selections when coming in-store. As of the publication of this article, out of our entire selection of iClean products, roughly 30% of our fabrics are considered stain resistant.

While the options are restricted to a few hundred, there's a potential drawback of finding a preferred choice that might not be accessible in iClean.

But what if you really love a certain fabric and I decide to purchase my furniture with it and spray on Scotchgard? Even though you are fully capable of making this decision it is important to note that applying Scotchgard to your La-Z-Boy furniture will void the warranty of your product. 

So, remember to be cautious of this, if you decide to go through with your decision.

Con: More Expensive

Lastly, iClean is definitely considered more expensive than Scotchgard by a significant amount. Some may say our furniture products are already more expensive than other furniture stores on the market, which is true.

But, adding an iClean fabric to a furniture piece will increase the price even further. According to our iClean article, the price for recliners increases by $300-$600, while A La-Z-Boy sofa will typically cost about $500-$800 more.

Scotchgard vs. iClean: Pros & Cons Breakdown

If you’re interested in the pros and cons of this list, here is a quick breakdown of each point for an easier understanding.

Which Fabric Protector is Right for You?

After careful consideration, you might already know your decision on which product is right for you. But, here are some last-minute factors to consider, to help you figure out if you should purchase Scotchgard or iClean.

Firstly, one must definitely consider the cost of these products. Taking a look at both, they are definitely on two ends of the buyer’s spectrum.

While iClean is more convenient than Scotchgard because you don’t have to remember to reapply it, it is significantly more costly than the spray-on product.

With that in mind, we at La-Z-Boy are aware that our products are not meant for everyone. But, it is important to remember that when you purchase a La-Z-Boy product, iClean or not, you are investing your money on a long-term piece that will potentially last you a lifetime. 

If you are looking to spend more on your furniture and protect it for a long time, iClean products might be right for you.

When it comes down to Scotch Guarding your furniture or other items, one must remember to keep track of when you spray your things. Because it is not a permanent solution, you’ll want to keep your items protected as much as possible.

It is also important to keep in mind what surfaces you are spraying, as some cases have confirmed that Scotchgard can remove the colour of a certain item if it isn’t considered colourfast. 

So, before applying Scotchgard to an entire piece of furniture, it is recommended to spray it first on a small and unnoticeable spot. If the colour comes off, chances are it is not colourfast and will be ruined by the spray.

What's Next?

With all of that put into consideration, both iClean and Scotchgard are great products for anyone to use. Which one you’ll choose is entirely up to you!

If you are interested in learning more about the comparison of these two products, our la-Z-Boy design consultants might have some of the answers you’re looking for. 

By visiting one of our local La-Z-Boy Ottawa & Kingston locations, you’ll be able to see what our employees have to say on the matter, as well as see what kind of furniture we have in-store.

If you are interested in our furniture selection, take a look at our best-selling articles:

• Best Selling Sofas at La-Z-Boy
• Best Selling Sectionals at La-Z-Boy
• Best Selling Recliners at La-Z-Boy

You can also take advantage of our interior design services to see how our furniture can fit in your home.

Related articles:

Review of La-Z-Boy’s Antimircobial Fabrics

Which Fabrics Are Most Durable at La-Z-Boy?

Review of La-Z-Boy’s Pet-Friendly Fabrics