Waterproofing Wax for Leather vs Activewear Spray: which is safer?
The Laundress Activewear Spray is the clear pick. Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Nikwax
Waterproofing Wax for Leather
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleRespiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application
ReportedPFAS in water repellency treatment
Our pick
The Laundress
Activewear Spray
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleSkin irritation from residual surfactant
PossibleResidual moisture and mildew risk if improperly dried
PossibleFragrance allergen exposure
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Respiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application and PFAS in water repellency treatment on the Nikwax and not on the The Laundress.
- We flag Skin irritation from residual surfactant, Residual moisture and mildew risk if improperly dried and Fragrance allergen exposure on the The Laundress and not on the Nikwax.
- The Nikwax is wax-based waterproofing where the The Laundress is Aqueous cleaning concentrate (surfactants, water-based), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More fabric stain guard sprays: see the full ranking