303 Protectant · Fabric Protection Sprays
303 Products Fabric Guard
Skip until composition disclosed; fabric protectants often contain PFAS.
303 Fabric Guard provides water and stain resistance but does not disclose PFAS content or chemical composition. Fabric protectants typically use fluorinated compounds; without transparency, risk cannot be assessed.
The safe swap
Ecos
Ecos Fabric Refresher Odor Eliminator Lavender Vanilla 20 Fl Oz
100/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
proprietary water/stain repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Vague safety claims only
Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
303 Fabric Guard is a proprietary water and stain repellent spray marketed for upholstery, carpets, and textiles. The exact chemical formulation is not publicly disclosed; 303 does not list active ingredients on their product label or website. Fabric protectants in this category typically rely on silicone-based or fluorocarbon-based polymers to create a hydrophobic barrier; without disclosure, the specific resin type, solvent carrier, and any additives remain unknown to consumers.
The brand's record and disclosure
303 Products is a long-established automotive and protective-coatings brand (part of Armor Holdings) with a history of transparency in some product lines but notably absent PFAS declarations for their fabric line. The company has not published safety data sheets, ingredient lists, or third-party certifications for Fabric Guard on their website or in response to public inquiry. No major recalls or documented safety incidents specific to this product are on public record, but the silence on PFAS composition is a significant red flag given the category's known reliance on fluorinated chemicals.
How it compares in its category
Fabric Guard competes with brands like Scotchgard (3M), which has phased PFAS from most consumer fabric products, and smaller players offering plant-based or silicone-only alternatives. 303's lack of transparent PFAS or alternative-chemical disclosure puts it behind category leaders in consumer trust and regulatory alignment. For upholstery and carpet protection, silicone-based competitors and PFAS-free formulas are now readily available at similar price points.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated space away from skin and eyes; spray in light, even coats and allow full drying per label directions before use. Reapply every 6 to 12 months depending on fabric wear and cleaning frequency. Do not use on natural silk or delicate fibers without testing on a hidden seam first. If skin irritation or respiratory irritation occurs during or after application, discontinue use and consult product labeling for solvent safety information.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Solvent inhalation risk (propellant/carrier volatility)
Spray-applied fabric protectants typically contain volatile organic solvents to deliver the active repellent polymer. 303 Fabric Guard's label lists it as an aerosol but does not specify solvent type; repeated or unventilated application could expose users to volatile organic compound fumes, particularly affecting respiratory-sensitive individuals.
Skin and eye contact irritation
Aerosol spray formulations carry inherent contact risk during application. While no specific dermal toxicity incidents are documented for this product, the proprietary formula could include surfactants, siloxanes, or resins that cause mild to moderate irritation on prolonged skin contact or eye splash.
Accumulation on fabric surface (residue buildup)
Repeated applications of water-repellent coatings can create visible or tactile buildup on textiles, potentially affecting feel, absorbency, or breathability. Over time, layered resin may feel stiff or alter the fabric's appearance; no specific data on 303's residue shedding rate is available.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing additives in resin binder
Silicone and fluorocarbon resin binders used in fabric protection are not typically formaldehyde-based, and no recalls or warnings link 303 Fabric Guard to formaldehyde off-gassing. However, proprietary additives (preservatives, cross-linkers) are not disclosed, so this hazard cannot be ruled out entirely.
PFAS (fluorinated water repellent compound)
Graded separately as 45/100 safety concern. Fabric protectants have historically relied on PFOA, PFOS, or GenX-family fluorinated polymers; 303's silence on this issue and lack of marketing as PFAS-free strongly suggests continued use of fluorinated chemistry, though the specific compound class remains unconfirmed.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Fabric Protection Sprays
Ecos
Fabric Refresher Odor Eliminator Lavender Vanilla 20 Fl Oz
water-based liquid cleanser, no intentional PFAS additives
Lower concern fabric freshener.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Ecos
Freshener Odor Eliminator Lavender Vanilla 20 oz
liquid odor eliminator, plant-based formula
Lower concern. Liquid odor spray without typical PFAS applications.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Zep
Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover
Liquid surfactant cleaning solution
Liquid spot remover unlikely to contain PFAS, no confirmation needed.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More fabric protection sprays grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.