Is Scotchgard safe? It’s a question asked more and more frequently, given the increased awareness surrounding toxic ingredients in fabric protectors. While the safety of Scotchgard and its fellow brands remains (literally) up in the air, new and improved methods of fabric protection are gaining popularity.
A number of ingredients found in Scotchgard can pose potential health risks to humans and animals. Knowing and understanding these harmful ingredients is the first step towards living a toxic-free lifestyle! We’ll identify which ingredients you need to look out for, why they’re a potential threat to your health and provide a safe alternative to Scotchgard that actually works.
The truth behind traditional fabric protectors
Several years ago, a worldwide health alert was issued stating that the main ingredients in Scotchgard were potentially toxic chemicals. These ingredients were found in human tissue, wildlife and the environment. A worldwide study found that the only human samples in which there were no traces of the chemicals was in Korean War soldiers, gathered before Scotchgard was invented.
What is in Scotchgard?
The dreaded ingredient causing the uproar is a fluorocarbon called PFOS. It’s among one of the most persistent synthetic chemicals on the planet. Constant exposure to these chemicals can create a build up in our bodies, which can lead to some pretty scary health defects including weakened immunity, hormonal imbalances, reduced fertility and an increased risk of cancer.