How To Make Cotton Fabric Waterproof? [Procedure & Cost]
Cotton is the best material among the other natural fabrics; it is also comfortable, breathable and natural. But cotton may not be the perfect choice for resisting moisture.
Cotton is also considered hydrophilic, i.e. it absorbs the water and allows the moisture to get soaked in its fibers. Though it is not suitable for protecting against water, you can treat your cotton fabrics with appropriate waterproofing methods to hold better in wet conditions.
Cotton canvas/ waterproofed cotton fabrics can help resist the water and provide the necessary protection. But you need to choose effective waterproofing methods for your cotton fabric.
Do not be concerned, as I will cover the best waterproofing methods for cotton fabric in this article.
Can Cotton Be Made Waterproof?
Although cotton does not possess water-resistant properties on its own, it can be made waterproof by following the below waterproofing methods.
By treating the cotton fabric with wax, water repellant sprays, you can create a water-resistant barrier on the fabric surface. So it does not allow the moisture to penetrate through it.
But choosing the right product and careful application process is crucial. Leaving some gaps in the fabric during waterproofing can lead the cotton fibers to soak.
Also, you could not find many options in the market labeled as waterproofed cotton clothing. And you might want to spend more money to purchase waterproofed fabrics.
By following the below waterproofing methods, you can easily achieve the desired results. So, let’s check out the detailed procedure for each method.
How To Make Cotton Fabric Waterproof?
Cotton fabrics can be made waterproof by following the below-mentioned four effective waterproofing methods.
- Paraffin Wax method
- Linseed oil and Mineral Spirits method
- Kiwi camp dry method
- Granger waterproofing method
1. How to Make Cotton Fabric Waterproof Using Paraffin Wax?
If you are a beginner, follow this method since it has easy procedures to follow. Paraffin wax has excellent water-resistant properties and can be applied to cotton to make it 100% waterproof.
Apart from its water repellent abilities, it can also add a nice finish to your fabric by maintaining breathability.
Paraffin wax helps prevent any damage or corrosion on the surface. It helps seal the moisture by creating a protective layer on the surface.
Also, it is non-toxic which makes it an ideal waterproofing agent to be used for various ranges of products.
Required Items
- Paraffin wax
- Container
- Small bristle brush
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Clean and dry the fabric
Before you begin waterproofing the cotton fabric, make sure it is completely cleaned and dried.
You can use a mild fabric cleaner if the cotton fabric is extremely dirty or cannot be laundered.
2. Melt the paraffin wax
Take the paraffin wax; you can prefer buying the wax in pellets to save your time.
Add the wax pellets to the container and melt the wax using a double boiler method.
3. Apply wax
Once the wax gets completely melted, apply the wax on the entire cotton fabric without leaving any gaps using a bristle brush.
Leave the fabric to dry for 1-2 hours, and you will get perfectly waterproofed cotton fabric.
Precautions
Always choose an outdoor for waterproofing your fabric to avoid a waxy smell indoors.
Time
The preparation and the application process take a minimum time of 20 minutes, and it also depends on the size of the cotton fabric. And the overall drying process takes up to 2 hours.
The total processing time is around 3 hours.
Cost
Approximate cost of required Items:
- Paraffin wax- $ 35
- Small bristle brush – $7
Total estimated cost: $42.
2. How to Make Cotton Fabric Waterproof Using Linseed Oil & Mineral Spirits?
This waterproofing method provides high-quality results since linseed oil has excellent water-resistant properties.
This method uses Linseed oil, mineral spirits to waterproof the cotton fabric to achieve seamless benefits. Also, the linseed oil penetrates the surface and seals the cracks and gaps of the cotton fabric.
Linseed oil has a water repellent nature and protects the surface from water damage. The mineral spirits blend with the linseed oil act as an extra waterproofing layer, and it can also help maintain the fabric quality.
Required Items
- Linseed oil
- Mineral spirits
- Paintbrush
- Containers
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Clean and dry the fabric
Before you begin waterproofing the cotton fabric, make sure it is completely cleaned and dried.
You can use a mild fabric cleaner if the cotton fabric is extremely dirty or cannot be laundered.
2. Prepare the ingredients
Make sure the fabric is completely dry without any dirt.
Take a container and mix the mineral spirits and linseed oil (1:1 ratio).
3. Apply linseed oil
Using a brush apply the linseed oil and mineral spirits mixture all over the cotton fabric.
Then allow the fabric to dry for 3-5 days, and the linseed oil smell will disappear in a week.
Precautions
Linseed oil is extremely flammable and can cause immediate combustion, so perform this method in a dry place and under moderate weather conditions.
Store the linseed oil in the original container in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
Do not fold the fabric that has been soaked in mineral spirits and linseed oil mixture until they are completely dry.
Finally, hang the fabric to dry for several days outside in a well-ventilated place. After 1-2 weeks, the odor will fade.
Time
While the application process takes up to 30 minutes, the overall drying process can take up to 3 days.
The total processing time is around 3-5 days.
Cost
Approximate cost of required Items:
- Linseed oil- $16
- Mineral spirits – $14
- Paintbrush – $6
Total estimated cost: $36
3. Kiwi Camp Dry Method to Waterproof Cotton Fabric
Kiwi camp dry heavy water repellent spray acts as the best waterproofing product for your cotton fabrics. Kiwi water repellent spray can block the moisture from the exterior and protects your cotton fabric.
This spray contains silicone that can easily bond to natural fibers such as cotton and create a water barrier on the surface.
By providing complete water protection, the kiwi water repellent spray can withstand extreme temperatures.
Also, the odor of the spray gets disappeared soon after drying, so you do want to wait for more time. You can extend the durability of your cotton fabric by waterproofing using this method.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Clean and dry the fabric
You do not want any stains on your cotton fabric, so clean your fabric thoroughly before waterproofing them.
Also, dry the fabric completely before treating it with any waterproofing method.
2. Apply Kiwi water repellent
Once the cotton fabric is free from dust and completely dried, give a gentle coating of Kiwi water repellent spray on them.
Leave it to dry for 10 minutes then, apply a second coating of spray all over the cotton fabric.
3. Dry it
Allow the cotton fabric to dry for 1-2 hours. You will get ideal waterproofed cotton fabric after drying.
Precautions
Store the sprayer in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Kiwi water repellant spray is extremely flammable, so choose a nice ventilated place while waterproofing your cotton fabric.
Time
While the application process takes a minimum time of 10-15 minutes, the overall drying process can take up to 1 hour.
The total processing time is around 3 hours.
Cost
Approximate cost of required Items:
- Kiwi camp dry – $23
Total estimated cost: $23.
4. Granger Waterproofing Method to Make Cotton Fabric Waterproof
The Granger waterproofing method can help you achieve the perfect waterproofed cotton fabric. Another big advantage of this product, you can maintain the breathability of the fabric as well.
This method provides a superior water repellency product to your cotton fabric. By using the Granger performance wash you can remove the dirt and any hard grime. So it helps you to perform the waterproofing on the clean cotton fabric.
And the product can be used for any clothing and outerwear to achieve impeccable waterproofing results.
It does not add any new odor to the fabric making it the perfect product for waterproofing your cotton fabric. Also, the granger repels spray is VOC free.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Clean and dry the fabric
You do not want any stains on your cotton fabric, so clean your fabric thoroughly before waterproofing them.
Wash the fabric using the Granger performance repel wash and allow the cotton fabric to dry completely
2. Apply Granger repel spray
Once the cotton fabric is free from dust and completely dried, give a gentle coating of Granger repel spray on them.
Leave it to dry for 10 minutes then, apply a second coating of Granger repel spray all over the cotton fabric.
3. Dry it
Allow the cotton fabric to dry for 1-2 hours.
Precautions
Store the sprayer in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Also, choose a nice ventilated place while waterproofing using Granger repel spray. Prefer a less windy day to perform waterproofing using spray sealers.
Time
While the application process takes a minimum time of 10-15 minutes, the overall drying process can take up to 1 hour.
The total processing time is around 3 hours.
Cost
Approximate cost of required Items:
- Granger repel kit – $28
Total estimated cost: $28.
Final Words:
Cotton fabrics are the ideal choice when it comes to natural fibers, but it does not have a water-repellent nature. So you need to treat the cotton fabrics with any efficient waterproofing methods to make them durable.
Waterproofed cotton fabrics are easy to maintain since you do not want to worry about spills and stains anymore. Also, waterproofed cotton fabric is more durable than untreated fabric.
Why choose waterproofed cotton fabrics if you have the option to waterproof your fabric on your own? Also, by treating the fabric with a waterproofing method, you can save your money and time. And you also you can enjoy odor free chemically treated fabrics.
