You might be wondering what fabric protectors are? You will be familiar with cleaning your car’s interior and going thoroughly over each seat. Overtime when people naturally sit in them, body oils, sweat, or possibly other spillages from drinks and such, will absorb into your car’s seats.
Naturally therefore, car seats can be quite tricky to clean properly. Compared to leather which can be cleaned and wiped more easily, fabric seats requires lots more elbow grease and lung exercises to achieve optimum cleanliness.
This is where fabric protectors come in. Essentially, they leave a subtle layer of hydrophobic coating that helps repel spillages and other things off your fabric seats, making them much easier to clean than before where those same elements were likely to absorb deep into the fabrics. They serve a slightly different purpose than interior dressings, but both contribute to making your car’s cabin a little bit nicer to be in.
The best fabric protectors tested 2024 at a glance:
The best fabric protector: Gtechniq Smart Fabric – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Furniture Clinic Carpet and upholstery Protector – buy from Amazon
The best value fabric protector: Dodo Juice Fabricadabra – buy from Amazon
They help extend the life and condition of your fabric seats, and in many ways, they’re ideal for families. Children are likely to make a mess from food or drink in your vehicle, so a fabric-protected seat would be a great help when it comes to cleaning it again with upholstery cleaner.
How we tested the fabric protectors
We used my Mercedes 230E as the test bed. It had the fabric seats ticked over the slightly posher leather option when new. For the different products, we took a section of interior each for the individual product to be tested on.
This way, we can measure the results clearly by directly comparing the effect of one product to another on this car’s seat and texture at the same time, temperature, and conditions. Some of the products tested instruct you to not use under direct sunlight, an since that was affecting the test somewhat, we made an effort to shade over a section during for the test to ensure fair results.
Furthermore, the car is kept under an all-weather cover, so when the products were left to dry (some require up to 12-hours), they were able to do so without any sunlight.
What we look for in fabric protectors
Primarily, we want to know how good they are at repelling elements that need to be cleaned off fabric once in a while. This can include light dirt, dust, or even drink spillages, so effectiveness is key. We can’t truly get a tried and tested longevity result straight away, but this is something to keep in mind when buying the product and budgeting for how long it’ll last per application.
Value for money is another thing we think about closely. But rather than favour the cheapest product, we look at whether the product – for its capability – is worth the asking price and comparing how well it does compared to lower or higher priced competitors.
Ease of use is the final aspect. We ideally want a fabric protector that is easy to apply and doesn’t require am arms length of effort to buff into the upholstery.
The best fabric protectors tested 2024
The best fabric protector
The first thing I noticed is that it kind-of doubles as a cleaner as well as a protector. I found that some dust and dirt on the surface and even within the car's upholstery was easily cleared as I applied the product onto it. I had of course, vacuumed the seat before trying as that's what you should do before applying fabric protector, but the bits left behind were easily dealt with.
Secondly, while it did feel slick on initial impressions, it dried out and almost enhanced the upholstery both in look and feel. It didn't feel quite as natural as what the Furniture Clinic product left, but the Smart Fabric came pretty close. However, the feel was enhanced in such a way that you noticed there was some protection applied without it feeling too slick like the Autoglym product left. I was impressed to say the least, and what's more, it can be used to protect convertible soft tops as well to protect them from rain, snow, and other outside elements. It's the priciest of the lot, but you are paying for what I believe is quite an extraordinary protector.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- The texture and feel of the upholstery wasn't affected, and it felt enhanced if anything
- You don't need to spray a great amount to achieve optimum protection
- Suitable for convertible roof tops, making it very versatile
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value as the others by quite a margin
- You have to be quite thorough when applying it
| Volume | 500ml |
| Purpose | For cars |
| Bottle type | Spray |
| Lasting period | 6-12 months |
Editor's pick
The result? Well, there was no slick feeling after the product dried, meaning the texture has retained its original, '80s feel. However, any bits of dirt, dust, or even a drop from my water bottle was so easily cleared. I found it hard to tell whether you could feel a hydrophobic layer, but given how clean it managed to stay over a weekend including a trip to Go Outdoors, I was impressed at the subtle effectiveness of this protector.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Helped my upholstery retain its natural, original texture
- It works wonders against natural dust, dirt and other elements
- I found the bottle to be the most comfortable out of the products tested
Cons
- Quantity isn't as generous as some others at 500ml
| Volume | 500ml |
| Purpose | Cars and home |
| Bottle type | Spray |
| Lasting period | Up to 2-years |
Best fabric protector for quantity
However, you have to remember these results are very minimal to each other, and you really have to concentrate to gather these results. For its own right, the Fabricadabra did very well, and I would recommend it on the basis of value alone at just under £19 for a whole litre of product. I applied it to the base of the passenger seat and even though it required a lot of application and buffing to embed it into the upholstery, it did leave one of the strongest impressions on this test.
After drying, it felt natural, yet getting any quick bits of dirt or dust off was noticeably easier than before.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Offers really good value for money at just under £19 for 1-litre of protectant
- Leaves a natural feel to the texture of the upholstery, while also making it much easier to clean
- Has the nicest scent - a flavoury apple type
Cons
- Isn't quite as strong as the Smart Fabric on initial impressions, albeit this is reflected in the price difference
| Volume | 1L |
| Purpose | For cars |
| Bottle type | Spray |
| Lasting period | 3-12 months |
Best fabric sealant
It requires a long drying time of around 12-hours, but I found that it was one of the easiest of the tested products to apply. My applicator blended with the product very well when covering the tested section of the interior. It felt slick at first, but after a bit of time, it managed to cure to a nice, natural feeling texture that didn't take away from the car's factory feel. After carrying some things on the passenger seat, I found that my handheld vacuum cleaner lifted dirt off quite a bit more easily than before.
At just under £13, it represents the lower end of the price range, but I believe it performed very well compared to the others.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Easy to apply and spread over a car's fabric seat with a cloth or applicator
- Good value for money at just under £13 for 500ml
- Doesn't affect the natural texture after drying
Cons
- I don't think it's quite as strong as a couple of others on test
| Volume | 500ml |
| Purpose | For cars |
| Bottle type | Spray |
| Lasting period | N/A |
Best all-purpose interior cleaner
After spraying it on the section of seat and wiping it in thoroughly, the initial impression was that it left the seat feeling slightly damper than the others. But I let it dry and after closer examination, I noticed that section of seat felt slightly slicker than the others, and a little bit less natural of how the material usually feels. It's difficult to tell how effective it is as a protectant, but it did make cleaning away bits of dirt and dust very straightforward.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- A great, versatile product if you want to clean all of your interior in one go
- Can be used on exterior surfaces as well if you're looking for a quick clean
- Good value for money at under £16 for one litre of product
Cons
- Isn't strictly designed as a fabric protector, meaning it won't work as thoroughly
- It did leave my fabric feeling quite slick, which wasn't entirely natural
| Volume | 1L |
| Purpose | For cars (cleaning) |
| Bottle type | Spray |
| Lasting period | N/A |
Best pre-cleaner to fabric protectors
Rrp: $26.95
Rrp: $26.95
For starters, it dries out a lot more easily, so you're left with a natural-feeling fabric in less time than the Smart Fabric as well as the ability to clean up dirt and light stains with ease. In terms of protection, it's not going to be as hydrophobic, but it serves as a very useful and quick cleaner to use before you add on the final layer of hydrophobic protection.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Quite a bit more efficient to apply than Smart Fabric and other protectors
- Does an amazing job at cleaning the upholstery to enrich freshness
- Keeps the fabric feeling natural and to its original texture
Cons
- Doesn't offer the protective qualities that Smart Fabric does
- Isn't strictly designed as a protector, rather a pre-cleaner to it
| Volume | 500ml |
| Purpose | For cars (cleaning) |
| Bottle type | Spray |
| Lasting period | N/A |
FAQs and things to remember with fabric protectors
What can a fabric protector be used on?
As per the name, they can be used on pretty much anything and everything made of fabric that is likely to get a lot of use. Some manufacturers label a wide range of compatible surfaces, from vehicle upholstery only to some being suitable for clothing and home furniture as well.
It’s always worth checking the label before using, but for cars, you should be fine if said product is designed for vehicle upholstery. Some even double up as convertible roof sealants, which makes things all the more useful if you want water repellence on your soft top.
Are fabric protectors safe for all fabrics?
Again, it’s largely product-dependent. Some fabric protectors can contain slightly toxic chemicals that shouldn’t be breathed in and can affect your skin if misused. These tend to be for cars only and require application in a well-ventilated environment as well as drying for a prolonged period of time.
A product will always make things clear when they can be used on clothing or home textiles as well as the car, such as HG’s aerosol sprays. But like Gtechniq’s Smart Fabric and others, if the product is labelled that it’s designed for cars, you don’t want to be using that stuff on your clothes or in your home.
How long does fabric protection last?
Good fabric protective layers can last anywhere between six-months to two-years, depending on the product. This can depend on a number of factors including how clean the fabric surface is already as well as what condition it’s in.
Fabric protectors will last longer on upholstery that’s regularly cleaned and isn’t worn-out. So, before applying the product(s), it’s always worth giving your interior a deep clean beforehand in order to get the best results. Items required may include a handheld vacuum cleaner and possibly some upholstery cleaner.
Can you wash a fabric that has protector on it?
Yes, one of the main purposes of fabric protectors for cars is that when you deep-clean it again, getting all of the dirt and elements off is much easier than before, as the hydrophobic layer simply repels things.
This will become evident when you vacuum your car seats and possibly apply some interior shampoo or a spot cleaner. If you’re ever in doubt, you can add another layer to maintain that sense of protection and cleanliness once you’re finished.
Who tested the fabric protectors?
The fabric protectors – as well as the two cleaners – were tested by Commercial Content Writer, Aaron Hussain. As an owner of a Mercedes with the lower-spec fabric seat option, he was the ideal person at Parkers to try out the fabric cleaners and put them to the ultimate test. He does a lot of motorway miles, so keeping the cabin fresh is essential, hence the need for some interior protectant. You can learn more about how we test products here.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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