Treatments to make fabric water resistant fall into two categories: the more complex factory finishes and the fairly straight forward, easy to apply at home finish.
1. Fabric treated with oil, wax or a chemical to resist the absorption of water, in a finish that does not affect the feel of the texture; this makes it suitable for all furnishings, especially for outdoor areas, such as awnings, chair seating, table covers ..
2.Liquid repellent spray finishes can be applied to floorings and furnishings that have already been made up. These don’t affect the surface feel, are very effective, inexpensive and easy to use at home, though generally need to be re-applied after laundering. Pale coloured carpets and upholstery fabrics survive much longer and with less care when they have been treated. Such waterproofing treatments allow drinks to be spilled with no penetration, as the liquid forms into droplets and rolls off.
3. Fabric treated with oil, wax or a chemical that does affect the feel and look of the surface–for example oil cloths used for kitchen table clothes, aprons, the underside of picnic blankets and carrying bags, traditional flooring canvas that can be painted to make removable floor rugs, waxed cloths with a definite sheen, shine and texture that can be used anywhere, for the look.