Stain repellent explained

A stain repellent is a product added to fabric in order to prevent stains.^[1]

Stains

Stains on fabrics are classified into three types: water-based stains and oil-based stains or a mix of both.^[2]

Stain repellant fabrics

Fabrics are finished with certain finishes that do not allow unwanted stains or that will wash out in simple laundry.

Chemicals

Mostly larger PFCAs such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are used in stain repellancy. It is also known colloquially as C8. PFOA is a product of health concern and subject to regulatory action and voluntary industrial phase-outs.^[3]

Alternative chemistry

There are chemicals which are based on C8 free chemistry that may be used as an alternative to PFOA, but those are less durable.^[4]

See also

• Fluorosurfactant
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
• Scotchgard

Notes and References

1. Web site: Stain Resistance . Textile Information Knowledge Platform . Textile Centre of Excellence. . 2020 . June 19, 2021.
2. Book: Jackman. Dianne Rose. The Guide to Textiles for Interior Designers. Dixon. Mary Katherine. 1983. Peguis Publishers Limited. 978-0-919566-95-8. 143. en.
3. Web site: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Teflon, and Related Chemicals. 2021-06-20. www.cancer.org. en.
4. Web site: Huntsman Drives Sustainable Growth in Vietnam's Textile Industry. 2021-06-20. Huntsman Corporation. en.