Repel 100 Insect Repellent, Mosquitos, Ticks and Gnats, For Severe Conditions, Protects For Up To 10 Hours, 98% DEET (Pump Spray) 1 fl Ounce

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Sprays give you the most control over the finished product since you’re applying the product yourself, and you can ensure it goes where you need it. Some gear you must spray because the item in question, such as a tent or a pair of hiking boots, can’t go in the washing machine. This roundup was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a lovely pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.

We found that water rolled right off the treated boots and purse when testing—but do note your item won’t be fully waterproof, as nature intended—and another application is necessary after several uses. Some sprays contain perfluorochemicals (PFCs), a group of synthetic chemicals the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns remain in the environment—and in the human body—for years, so you’ll want to be especially careful using any of those, especially around pets and children. (Or just avoid them in general.) And aerosol sprayers, though they work well for consumers, also have a negative environmental impact. If you’re seeking to prevent those issues, choose a non-aerosol spray that doesn’t contain PFCs. Cats don’t need much of a negative outcome to deter them from jumping up on the kitchen counters or clawing furniture. In fact, even a minor inconvenience will usually be quite effective, and most cats will learn after three experiences with a cat deterrent," Nagelschneider told The Spruce Pets. But no one likes soaked shoes, purses, or any other type of leather goods, and too much water can eventually damage these items, causing that dreaded drying out or molding. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Water Protectant No. 3 bills itself as a protectant—creating a water-resistant layer that stops the material from absorbing liquid—and a conditioner. Waxes and wash-ins can be applied indoors—a benefit if it’s raining or snowing or if you don’t have an outdoor workspace where you can apply the products. Wash-ins are easy; they only require using your washing machine, and some can even be done by hand-washing. Wash-ins are especially popular for down items since the waterproofing product is also meant for the feathers inside the item and the outer layer.While people are sometimes intimidated by the products, assuming they can potentially ruin a much-loved item or that the process of application is more complicated than it is, Heidi Allen, vice president of marketing at Nikwax, is working to spread the gospel of re-waterproofing. Before you waterproof an item, any item, an important note is this: Make sure it’s clean first. Dirt and oils leave residue on the surface of your gear, even if you can’t always see it. And use a detergent that won’t leave a residue since that can impede the waterproofing product from working. Most brands sell their own washes in addition to the sprays. Our tester left the rainfly to dry for about 48 hours before testing it, and, voila, the treated item was vastly improved in terms of how well the water beaded off it. We’ll add this product to our toolkit and apply it at least once a season—ideally in the early spring before the first camping trips of the year—to help preserve some of our most expensive items. A great analogy we like to use is you wouldn’t wax a dirty car so you wouldn’t waterproof a dirty item,” Allen explains. “While the waterproofing is the cool part of it all because you can see the beading, people forget that cleaning is the first, most important step in the waterproofing process.” A previous version of this story was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat and two dog companions in her home for the past 35 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on toxicology. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets, their families, and our planet.

From playtime to survival, a cat's claws are their essential multipurpose tools and they instinctually seek out surfaces to claw to keep their nails filed and healthy. It's important to have designated areas, like a scratching post, and interactive toys, so your cat can safely unfurl their claws when the mood strikes. Granger’s Wash + Repel Down is easy to use: You just add the liquid to your washing machine’s soap slot using the bottle’s cap as a measuring device. This product has the added benefit of washing and waterproofing at once; it’s a one-step process that only requires running the machine once. After washing, you machine-dry the item on low heat, and Grangers recommends using dryer balls to help fluff the down inside. The first determination is whether you need an indoor or outdoor product—or one that can be used in both locations. Some products can only be used indoors because they do not hold up to the weather or rely on concentrated odor as a deterrent. Others may need to be plugged into an electric outlet or can only be used outdoors because the smell is unpleasant to humans, or the ingredients are not appropriate for application to furniture and fabrics. The spray acts like a protective layer on top of the fibers for silicone-based products, though they still allow for some breathability. Before you choose a spray for technical gear, you'll want to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions for waterproofing that item; some recommend against certain types of products. We tried the wash on a down blanket, which before testing, allowed water to slip through the outer shell immediately, leading to a few damp, chilly nights while camping, and we found the water resistance of that outer layer much improved after its wash and dry cycle. The blanket was nice and fluffy after testing, and there was no change to the color or texture of the exterior. It’s still not a fully waterproof item—it wasn’t designed to be—and we’ll do our best not to soak it intentionally, but now we're less worried about it accidentally getting a little wet.Many items require at least 24 to 48 hours of time to dry before you can use them again, so planning ahead before a big trip is crucial. Whether you decide to use a waterproofing spray, wash-in, or wax comes down to the product you’re waterproofing and your personal preference. Do not apply sunscreen at the same time. Wait until the sunscreen dries before applying this product. Our tester especially liked that this spray had no detectable smell, and it came at an affordable cost—it really was flawless. You can buy an eco-friendly refill pouch of Performance Repel Plus for your sprayer instead of an entirely new bottle when you run out. Grangers also sells a wash-in version of this spray if you prefer that waterproofing method. In our real-world testing, the Pet MasterMind Claw Withdraw Cat Spray effectively deterred our participating feline from pouncing and clawing at the couch cushions in their home. The liquid spray cat repellent is safe to use on a variety of surfaces including furniture and carpet. We didn't experience any staining or discoloration, but you should always test fabric in an inconspicuous spot to be safe.