How to Waterproof Fabric & Clothes: Step by Step Guide

Do you worried about the damage that water spills can cause to fabric?. Did You know that you can waterproof your fabric to save your fabric?.

This is the right place for you if you want to protect your sofa fabric, clothes, shoes to extend their laster and lifespan.

Today we’re going to talking about how to waterproof fabric. In this article, I’ll show you how to waterproof clothes and fabrics at home.

There’s a lot of stuff that you can waterproof, like outdoor cushions, fabric boots, All of your furniture fabric, your clothes.

I’ll show you a couple of different ways to make your fabric waterproof. So, stay tuned to find out more

Learn How to Waterproof Fabric & Clothes: 5 Ways

1. Waterproof Your Fabric With Waterproofing Spray:

When you want to make your fabric furniture, cloth fabrics waterproof with fabric waterproof spray you don’t need too much stuff, you’ll need only four/five stuff to go on.

In this method, we’ll use waterproofing spray and seam sealer, waterproofing sprays, and seam sealers will work great on canvas, nylons, and lather. Here’s the list of what you’ll need:

Things You’ll Need:

• An item that you want to waterproof (could be fabric sofa, Chair, Clothes, Etc.)
• Fabric waterproofing spray.
• Cardboard (Scrap cardboard).
• Seam Sealer
• Goggles and gloves (if needed)

Step Number One

Purchase waterproofing spray and seam sealer, you can find them at the camping supply store, any fabric stores, or at an outdoor store.

If you want to waterproof your fabric with waterproofing spray and seam sealer, at first purchase waterproofing spray and seam sealer.

Just keep in your mind when you buy waterproofing spray. If the fabric you want to make is waterproof that stays outside or in the sun a lot the buy a spray that has UV protection as well.

Step Number Two

Pick a sunny and windless day, You have to work with spray-on sealers which are sensitive to humidity.

Also, there’s another thing, if you work outside and it’s windy, your fabric might get some dust.

Step Number Three

Clean your fabric if it’s needed. If you have fabric that’s dirty but can’t be washed, then clean it with a vacuum cleaner.

Step Number Four

Once you’ve cleaned your fabric, Dry it 100%. Before you start to spray, make sure that the fabric is dry because if your fabric is in any way wet the spray and sealer not going to stick.

Step Number Five

Place your fabric in a well-ventilated area, If you want to waterproof your clothing like a jacket, shirt you can hang it.

You must try to work outside if it’s possible, but if you can’t work outside, just open the windows.

Step Number Six

Prepare yourself, if you think or if you have sensitive skin or allergies, you can wear safety goggles and gloves.

Step Number Seven

Take your waterproofing spray can and hold it 7 to 9 inches away from the surface of your fabric and then spray the sealer in light or even layer, must be sure to slightly overlap each stroke.

Step Number Eight

Dry your fabric, Wait for the spray to dry, Most of the waterproofing sprays take about 4 hours to dry.

Once your fabric dried, apply a second coat. Before you use your fabric again, make sure your fabric dried completely.

Step Number Nine

It’s the last step, apply the seam sealer to all seams, Seam sealers usually come in a small bottle and with an applicator on top.

All you have to do is, simply roll your seam sealer over the seam while squeezing gently on the bottle, It will make the seams extra durable and ensure that no water gets inside.

2. Using Laundry Detergent & Alum to Make Fabric Waterproof:

You can try this method to make your clothing waterproof like you can waterproof your jacket, shirts, etc.

Things You’ll Need:

• An item that you want to waterproof
• Laundry detergent
• Alum
• 2 large container
• Hot water

Step Number One

Before you get started, wash the fabric that you want to waterproof. Because if your fabric is dirty and you try to make it waterproof, it’s not going to work.

If you’ve dusty or lightly soiled fabrics that can’t be washed “just” use a vacuum or a brush to clean them. Also, for a heavily soiled fabric use a specially formulated fabric cleaner.

Step Number Two

Purchase laundry detergent and alum, You can visit your local grocery store to buy them, but if you don’t have time, you can buy them online.

Step Number Three

Pick a day for your work, pick a sunny and windless day.

You can do the job inside the room but you have to air-dry your fabric that’s why pick a sunny day.

Step Number Four

Make 9-liters hot water, half-boiled water is fine. Once you’ve made hot water, mix 500g laundry detergent with 8 liters of hot water in a large enough container and then mix it well.

Step Number Five

Take your fabric and soak the fabric in the mixture until your fabric gets completely saturated.

If you see any parts of your fabric keep floating to the top, take a glass jar or a bottle and weigh them down.

Step Number Six

Just Take your fabric off the mixture, and hang it in the sun to air dry. Make sure you don’t fold the fabric over a hanger or two sides stick to each other.

You must clip the top of your fabric piece to a hanger if your fabric is too big for the hanger, then you can stretch a long piece of string between two poles or trees, and then clip your fabric to that.

Dry your fabric completely.

Step Number Seven

It’s time to make an alum powder solution. Now take your second container, put 8 liters of hot water and 0.25 kg alum into the container, and mix it well.

Step Number Eight

Once again you have to soak your fabric but this time in alum powder solution. Soak your fabric in alum powder solution for at last two and half hours.

Here also if you see your fabric floats to the top, weigh it down with a glass jar or bottle.

Step Number Nine

Almost you’ve done, this is the last step. You have to dry your fabric completely.

Hang your fabric in the sun to dry it completely, make sure that your fabric is hanging freely.

This is how you have to make your fabric waterproof with laundry detergent and alum.

3. Make Your Fabric Waterproof with Wax:

This method is good for canvas shoes and bags. Before you get started, gather these tools and materials which are listed below:

Things You’ll Need:

• Beeswax (natural)
• Fabric that you want to waterproof
• Hairdryer or Clothes dryer

Step Number One

At first, Purchase one bar of natural beeswax. Make sure that you purchase natural beeswax.

May other wax contain harmful chemicals. You can buy beeswax online.

Step Number Two

Wash and dry your fabric. Your fabric that you want to waterproof if that is dirty wash it and dry it completely.

Step Number Three

Prepare your fabric and beeswax. You have to boil your beeswax a little bit and warm the fabric.

You can use a hairdryer or leave them in the hot sun for a few minutes, this will make the wax easier to apply.

Make sure you do not make your fabric too hot and do not make your wax melted.

Step Number Four

Now you have to rub the beeswax across the fabric in both directions.

Take the wax and rub it side to side and up and down, this will help the wax get into the weave of the fabric.

If you’re waterproofing a piece of clothing or a bag, so use the corners of the wax for small seams and spaces.

Also, spread the wax out with your finger to make it move, You have to gently rub the wax into the small, tight areas, corners, and pockets, and seams.

The item you’re covering if it has buttons, just make sure you wipe the wax off.

Step Number Five

Once again heat your fabric (item) hair dyer for five to six minutes.

This heat will allow the wax to melt into the fabric. After you heat, you’ll see your fabric become a little darker.

Step Number Six

After you’ve heated if necessary, smooth the item (fabric) with fingers.

If you see there are any pools or puddles of wax in your fabric, just run your fingers across the fabric in curricular motions to smooth it.

If you do this, it will give your piece a nice finish.

Step Number Seven

Last and final step, You have to set your fabric ( item ) to cure in a warm and dry place. when you have set your item in a warm and dry place leave it for at last 24 hours.

After 24 hours, your item will be ready to use. Maybe you’ll notice that your fabric is a little stiffer and darker.

It’s normal, your fabric will soften with time but it won’t get lighter again like before.

4. Waterproof Your Fabric with Soybean Oil and Turpentine:

You have to understand that this may cause your fabric to darken. So this is something that you have to keep on your mind.

Things You’ll Need:

Here’s the list what you’ll need for this method:

A. Your fabric that you want to waterproof

B. Soybean Oil

C. Turpentine

D. One Spray bottle

E. One wide bristle paint-brush

Step Number One

You must start with a clean piece of fabric, So if your fabric is dirty wash it and dry it completely.

If you have a fabric that cannot be washed and it’s only a little dusty or dirty then use a vacuum or a brush to clean it.

But if the fabric you have that cannot be washed, and it’s heavily soiled then use a specially formulated fabric cleaner to clean it. After that, allow your fabric to dry completely.

Step Number Two

Place your fabric in a well-ventilated area, you must try to work outside if it’s possible. If it’s not possible to work outside, then keep open your windows.

Step Number Three

Mix up soybean oil and turpentine, Take 250 ml soybean oil and 125 ml turpentine and put it into a spray bottle, and then mix it up.

If you want to work on a big piece of fabric or big stuff, then take a plastic container and pour everything into the container and stir it with a wooden paint stirrer.

Step Number Four

Now spread your fabric out onto a flat surface. Soybean oil and turpentine both can stain porous surfaces such as concrete and wood.

If you are worried about it, you can protect your work surface with a plastic tablecloth.

Step Number Five

Take your bristle paintbrush and paint the mixture with it. Simply dip your paintbrush into the mixture, and then wipe the excess mixture off on the rim of your container.

Now brush your mixture onto the fabric, keep on brushing the fabric until everything is covered.

Step Number Six

This is the last step, Now lay your fabric flat to dry completely.

It will take anywhere from few hours to few days. After you dry your fabric, It will be ready to use.

5. Using Linseed Oil to Make Fabric Waterproof:

Things You’ll Need:

• Fabric (item) that you want to waterproof
• Two oil paint-brush
• Two large cup
• Oil paint
• Linseed Oil
• Open-Back frame

Step Number One

If you want to use linseed oil to make your fabric waterproof.

At first purchase linseed oil, 2 oil paint-brush, Oil paint, and one open back frame. You can use a picture frame.

Step Number Two

Same as the first, second, and third methods, start with a clean fabric. If your fabric is dirty, wash it and make it dry completely.

Step Number Three

Pick a windless and sunny day, Try to work outside or work in a well-ventilated area. Linseed oil might get pungent, the extra ventilation might help to keep you from feeling lightheaded.

Make sure you pick a sunny and windless day otherwise you’ll finish up with dust. But if you can not work outside, open all windows.

Step Number Four

Now Stretch your fabric over an open back frame and use clips to secure it.

You can use a picture frame If your fabric is too big for the frame so you have to work on it in parts.

Step Number Five

Take your linseed oil and put it into a cup and start applying the oil onto your fabric in a thick layer with an oil paint brush.

Don’t worry if you feel you’re using too much oil, because you’ll wipe the excess oil off.

Step Number Six

You must wait for 30 to 35 minutes before wiping any oil residue off with a clean rag.

This period will give the oil enough time to soak into the fabric and saturate it.

After 30 minutes you may notice some residue on the surface of your fabric, then use a clean and dry towel or cloth to wipe it off.

Step Number Seven

Now let your fabric dry for 24 hours and once again use the linseed oil. When your fabric gets dried, Take out your linseed and apply it.

Once again wait for 30 to 35 minutes, and then wipe the excess linseed oil off with a clean rag. If you want you can add one or two more layers.

Step Number Eight

Just consider painting the fabric with oil paint between layers of linseed oil. Take your second oil paintbrush and apply the oil paint.

A short video on Making fabric & Clothes Waterproof

Final Words:

I hope, info article will help you to make your fabric waterproof.

When you want to waterproof a piece of fabric, choose a method and do it step by step.

Read how to remove wax from fabric