Scotchgard is a 3M brand of products, a stain repellent and durable water repellent applied to fabric, furniture, and carpets to protect them from stains. Sales began in 1956, and in 1973 the two chemists received a patent for the formula. Under USEPA pressure, in May 2000 3M announced the phaseout of the production of PFOA, PFOS, and PFOS-related products.