The Safer Brand Critter Ridder Animal Repellent is designed for outdoor use. We found it to be effective for up to three days. During our real world testing trial we applied this spray to a front door entryway and outdoor stoop—a favorite escape route for a curious cat. Their escapades came to an immediate halt with the introduction of the spray, and our former escape artist now spends their days safely at home, and far away from the treated area. We found the spray to have a strong chemical scent during application but it dissipated soon after.

The Stelucca Amazing Shields Cat Scratch Deterrent is a highly effective, chemical-free cat deterrent designed to protect upholstered furniture pieces from becoming your cat's manicurists. Since you’re applying to cloth items, you shouldn’t expect an utterly waterproof item. Though the product doesn’t last as long as some others, it was still very effective in our test, causing water to bead up and stream away until it wears off. Once it does, you can simply reapply the wax. Some plants are not safe for cats to play with, and while cats are drawn to plants and like to dig in their dirt, they need to be taught to stay away. A scat mat is an effective way to keep your cat from disturbing the plants inside and outside your home. 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.The perfect waterproofing product makes your gear feel like new—waterproof and breathable again, with no negative changes to the material. That’s precisely what Grangers Performance Repel Plus, a non-aerosol spray from the British brand, did for an older pair of rain pants that were wetting out. In fact, the waterproofing on these pants was better after applying this spray than it was before. Do not apply sunscreen at the same time. Wait until the sunscreen dries before applying this product. The formula is made with an herbal blend of astragalus and rosemary. The formula is also free of parabens—chemical preservatives connected to endocrine disruption in mammals.

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. 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. 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.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.

The Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On, a non-aerosol product, was designed to help your waterproof and breathable outdoor wet-weather gear, including Gore-Tex items, return to a water-resistant state. That’s certainly what it did for our tester's favorite rain shell, which before testing was wetting out—absorbing water in patches, on the sleeves especially, and becoming heavy and clammy—on rainy hikes. 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. This is an aerosol product, and you must take extra care not to breathe in the vapors when spraying (the bottle even recommends you don’t allow children or pets near the spray or wet items). There is also a strong chemical smell. We tested in a well-ventilated breezeway and still had to step away for a few minutes after spraying the boots each time. The scent did linger longer than on some of the other products—even after the recommended 24 to 48 hours of drying time—but it eventually faded with time and wear. Especially if you are applying to a tent, for example, you’ll want to allow some time for the item to air out before use. The company also notes the spray can darken some lighter-colored gear, so spot-testing is recommended. It can also reduce the flame-retardant properties of some fabrics.All items were tested before waterproofing products were applied and then again afterward to assess their effectiveness, with copious notes taken on all aspects of the products. We also consulted the following experts when choosing the best waterproofing sprays:

Consider how much space you’re trying to protect and whether you’ll need to treat the area just once, daily or weekly. Are you trying to keep feral cats from using your flowerbed as a litter box or just trying to keep your tenacious kitty off your grandmother’s antique chair? Some cat repellents are designed to cover small areas—a few feet, at most—while others can cover up to 3,000 square feet or more. Some can be applied just once (thoroughly) while others require multiple, consistent applications to truly break the habit. They actually kind of adhere to the individual fibers, like an old-fashioned telephone cord—they wrap around the fibers," says Heidi Allen, the vice president of marketing at Nikwax. "They have a little stretchiness to them." 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. 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.

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.