Aussie Furniture Care FabricGuard Fabric & Rug Protector

Aussie Furniture Care FabricGuard adds a protective coating that helps reduce water/fluid absorption and soiling, so spills sit on the surface longer and are easier to address before they become stains. That same barrier helps slow down grime and soil build-up that makes upholstery and rugs look “grubby” over time.

FabricGuard is designed to be applied to new or pre-cleaned furniture fabrics, rugs, and soft furnishings. Applying any protector over existing body oils, embedded soil, or old spill residue can “seal in” the problem and reduce bonding to the fibres, which is why the page specifically calls out new or pre-cleaned items.

FabricGuard is not designed or suitable for outdoor furniture, so outdoor cushions and exterior lounges are a no-go. Separately, FabricGuard should be avoided on fabrics you can’t safely dampen (for example, “dry clean only” textiles or trims that bleed dye), because the application method relies on making the fabric lightly damp and over-wetting can cause issues.

When correctly applied, FabricGuard is described as water based, non-toxic and not expected to change the colour or feel of the treated item. The key phrase is “when correctly applied”: uneven coverage or over-application can create visible marks including watermarks, especially on some weaves and pile fabrics. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.

The on-page guidance is to use a small trigger spray bottle or pump sprayer, then spray left-to-right and right-to-left, overlapping each pass for even coverage. Stop at “lightly damp” rather than saturating—over-application is specifically warned against because it can cause water marks.

The product page states that 1 litre is approximately enough for a 3–4 seater lounge suite, depending on how many cushions you have, and recommends allowing a little extra “just in case.” In practice, textured weaves, loose covers, and cushion-heavy settings usually take more product than tight, smooth upholstery because there’s more surface area to coat evenly.

FabricGuard aims to reduce absorption and make cleaning easier—it’s a time-buyer, not an invincibility shield. Spills still need prompt blotting and correct stain removal; leaving liquids to dwell can still drive colourants and oils into fibres, especially on light-coloured upholstery and rugs. Do not use this product on viscose rugs.

Spot marks and minor stains should be dealt with first, because FabricGuard is intended for new or pre-cleaned items and works best on clean fibres. Sealing over a spot can make future stain removal harder by adding a barrier on top of residue.

FabricGuard reduces how quickly fabrics soil and how deeply spills penetrate, which can mean less frequent heavy cleaning and easier day-to-day maintenance. In high-use Australian homes (kids, pets, entertaining), the best results usually come from pairing protection with fast spill response and periodic gentle cleaning rather than waiting for visible darkening or “traffic lanes.”

In professional furniture care, technicians focus on even, controlled dampness rather than “making it wet,” because saturation is what drives tide marks and uneven drying—exactly the risk called out on the page. Professionals also work methodically in overlapping passes to avoid striping, and they treat cushions and arms as separate zones so coverage stays consistent across high-contact areas.

Always test in an inconspicuous area before full application. Results may vary depending on furniture age, fabric type and fabric cleaning instructions provided by the fabric manufacturer. Aussie Furniture Care is not responsible for damage caused by incorrect use.