Scotchgard vs. iClean: Which Fabric Protection is Best for Your Furniture?

Est. Reading Time: 7 Mins

When you invest in new furniture, you want it to stay looking beautiful for as long as possible. Unfortunately, everyday life has other plans. Whether it is a glass of red wine at a dinner party or a child’s juice box mishap during family movie night, spills are bound to happen. If those spills turn into stains, your furniture can quickly lose its appeal.

The good news is that stain protection solutions can help. Two of the most popular options are Scotchgard™ by 3M and iClean™ by La-Z-Boy. While both are designed to repel spills and make cleaning easier, they work in very different ways.

 In this article, we will compare Scotchgard vs. iClean in terms of price, convenience, effectiveness, and warranty considerations so that you can decide which one is best for your home.

Key Takeaways:

• Scotchgard™ is a spray-on protector that can be applied to many types of fabric items. iClean™ is a built-in fabric treatment available only on La-Z-Boy furniture.
• Scotchgard™ is very affordable, usually costing between $12 and $18 per can, and works on items beyond furniture, such as shoes, bags, and pillows.
• iClean™ adds a higher upfront cost to furniture, often $300 to $600 more for recliners and $500 to $800 more for sofas, but requires no maintenance and provides permanent protection.
• Scotchgard™ needs to be reapplied every six months or after washing, while iClean™ is built into the fabric or leather and does not wear off.
• Applying Scotchgard™ to La-Z-Boy furniture voids the warranty, which is an important factor for buyers to consider.
• The decision often comes down to your budget, the convenience you want, and whether you are buying La-Z-Boy furniture.

In This Article...

1. Brief Description of Each Side
2. Pros and Cons Breakdown Summary
3. Argument One: Cost Differences
4. Argument Two: Convenience and Maintenance
5. Argument Three: Surface Compatibility
6. Argument Four: Warranty Considerations
7. Argument Five: Effectiveness Over Time
8.  Which Fabric Protector is Right For You?

Brief Description of Each Side

Before we take a look at the comparison between Scotchgard and iClean, let’s familiarize ourselves with each of them first.

What is Scotchgard?

Scotchgard™ was developed by 3M in the 1950s and remains one of the most widely used fabric protectors in the world. It comes in an aerosol can and is sprayed onto the fabric surface to create a protective barrier. Once dry, it repels liquids, preventing spills from soaking into the fibres.

One of Scotchgard’s biggest advantages is versatility. It can be used not only on furniture upholstery but also on shoes, backpacks, luggage, decorative pillows, and even clothing. However, it cannot be applied to leather.

To be effective, Scotchgard requires reapplication about every six months or after cleaning. Skipping this step reduces its protective qualities, making furniture more vulnerable to stains over time.

What is iClean?

iClean™ fabrics and leathers are exclusive to La-Z-Boy. Unlike Scotchgard™, which is applied after purchase, iClean™ is built into the fibres during the manufacturing process. This means the protection never needs to be reapplied. Instead, spills bead up on the surface of the fabric and can be wiped away easily.

La-Z-Boy also offers iClean™ leather options, which provide the same protection as fabric but with the luxurious look and feel of leather. Because the treatment is part of the material itself, the convenience factor is much higher. However, not every La-Z-Boy fabric or leather is available with iClean™, which can limit selection.

Pros and Cons Breakdown Summary

Argument One: Cost Differences

Cost is one of the most noticeable differences between the two products. 

Scotchgard™ is widely accessible and very inexpensive, making it appealing for households looking for a budget-friendly solution. For less than $20, you can treat an entire piece of furniture, along with other items around the home.

iClean™, on the other hand, represents a larger upfront investment. Adding iClean™ to La-Z-Boy furniture typically costs $300 to $600 more for a recliner and $500 to $800 more for a sofa. While this seems like a steep price increase, it is important to consider the value. 

With iClean™, the protection is permanent, built in from the start, and comes with warranty coverage. For many homeowners, the higher initial cost pays off in long-term convenience and peace of mind.

To learn more about La-Z-Boy Being Expensive, take a look at this article.

Argument Two: Convenience and Maintenance

Convenience plays a big role in furniture care. 

Scotchgard™ must be reapplied regularly, which requires remembering the last application date, setting aside time for spraying, and waiting for the furniture to dry before using it. For busy households, this ongoing maintenance can become a hassle.

By contrast, iClean™ is built into the fabric or leather itself, which means you do not have to worry about reapplications or drying times. Once your furniture arrives, the protection is always there. For families with children or pets, this maintenance-free approach can make daily life much easier.

Argument Three: Surface Compatibility

Scotchgard™ has the advantage of versatility. You can use it on sofas, dining chairs, backpacks, shoes, clothing, and decorative pillows. This makes it appealing for people who want a single product that works on many items in their home. However, it cannot be used on leather, which is a major limitation.

iClean™, while limited to La-Z-Boy furniture, offers something Scotchgard™ cannot: leather protection. La-Z-Boy’s iClean™ leathers allow customers who prefer leather furniture to enjoy the same spill-resistant technology as fabric buyers. For those investing in premium leather furniture, this option can be a major deciding factor.

Argument Four: Warranty Considerations

Warranty coverage is another key difference. 

Applying Scotchgard™ to La-Z-Boy furniture voids the warranty, since it is considered an aftermarket treatment that could potentially damage the upholstery. If warranty protection is important to you, Scotchgard™ should not be used on La-Z-Boy pieces.

iClean™, by comparison, is a factory-applied option that is fully covered under La-Z-Boy’s warranty. This ensures that customers not only receive stain protection but also maintain warranty security.

Argument Five: Effectiveness Over Time

Scotchgard™ provides good protection when freshly applied, but it wears off over time. If you forget to reapply or do not apply it correctly, your furniture can still become stained. Inconsistent maintenance can reduce the effectiveness of Scotchgard™, leaving fabric vulnerable when you need protection most.

iClean™, by contrast, never wears off because the technology is built into the fibres of the material. This means the protection is always active, giving you confidence that your furniture will remain stain-resistant throughout its lifespan.

Where to Buy (Ottawa/Kingston/Gatineau)

• Scotchgard™ is available at:
  
  • Canadian Tire (Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston locations)
  • Home Depot (Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston locations)
  • Amazon.ca

• La-Z-Boy iClean™ Fabrics and Leathers are available exclusively at:
  
  • La-Z-Boy Cyrville: 1750 Cyrville Rd.
  • La-Z-Boy Hunt Club: 290 West Hunt Club Rd.
  • La-Z-Boy Kanata: 8231-1 Campeau Dr.
  • La-Z-Boy Kingston: 770 Gardiners Road
  • La-Z-Boy Gatineau: 920 Maloney Blvd.
    
    

Which Fabric Protector is Right For You?

The choice between Scotchgard™ and iClean™ depends on your needs, your budget, and the type of furniture you want to protect.

Choose Scotchgard™ if you want an affordable, do-it-yourself option that works across many types of fabric items in your home. It is a flexible choice for families who want to protect not only furniture but also shoes, bags, and décor. However, keep in mind that Scotchgard™ requires ongoing maintenance and cannot be used on leather.

Choose iClean™ if you are purchasing La-Z-Boy furniture and want a long-term, maintenance-free solution that will keep your investment looking its best. Although it costs more upfront, iClean™ offers permanent stain resistance, is available in both fabric and leather, and does not void your warranty. 

For families with children or pets, or for anyone who entertains often, the convenience and peace of mind may be worth the additional cost.

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, Gatineau & 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. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Upholstery Fabrics and Leather Selections, take a look at these comprehensive buyer’s guides.

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