SAWYER® WATER FILTERS
SAWYER® WATER Filter accessories
SAWYER® FIRST AID
SAWYER® INSECT REPELLENT
SAWYER® SUNSCREEN

Permethrin Fabric Treatment

18 oz Aerosol

$ 15.49 USD

Odorless after drying, Sawyer Permethrin Fabric Treatment can be used to treat a variety of fabrics like clothing, gear, and tents. A successful application of this insect repellent treatment is effective against mosquitoes and ticks for 6 weeks or 6 washes.

Learn More

This item is not sold publicly. Contact us for details.

Contact Sawyer
Find in Stores
Button Text
Features & Specs
Filter Material:
Longevity:
Permethrin spray bonds to fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings (whichever comes first) .
Liquid Volume:
18 ounces
Height:
11 inches
Width:
2.75 inches
Length:
2.75 inches
Weight:
24 ounces
Shipping & Warranty
Shipping:
2-7 days depending on location. All products ship from Sawyer Headquarters in Safety Harbor, FL.
Returns:
If at any point you are unhappy with a Sawyer product, email us at customer@sawyer.com and we will replace the product or issue a full refund.
Warranty:
10+ years if if stored in a cool, dry location away from direct UV exposure

More About this Product

Full Product Description

For use on clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear, Sawyer Permethrin repels or kills disease-spreading ticks (Lyme disease), mosquitoes (West Nile and Zika viruses) and more than 55 other kinds of insects. Perfect for camping, backpacking, hunting, travel, backyard BBQs, picnics, and more, Permethrin insect and tick repellent adds an odorless layer of protection to shirts, jackets, pants, socks, shoes, sleeping bags, tents, netting, and other outdoor, camping, hunting, and travel gear.

A University of Rhode Island study (2011) found that people wearing Permethrin-treated shoes and socks were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than those wearing untreated footwear. Using it on outdoor gear also helps reduce the mosquito population in your camp and prevents ticks from attaching to you. Permethrin spray bonds to fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks (42 days) of exposure to sun and air or 6 washings.

Specially formulated not to stain or damage your clothing, other fabrics, gear, and equipment, it's odorless after drying and is as effective as 100% DEET. To apply, spray Permethrin directly onto clothing and gear with a slow sweeping motion, keeping the bottle about 6 to 8 inches away, and treating each side of the garment for about 30 seconds.

The EPA recommends using 4.5 ounces of Permethrin to spray each outfit (consisting of shirt, pants, and socks). Maximize protection by pairing with Sawyer Picaridin topical repellent for the skin.

Kit Includes

One 18 oz Aerosol Spray Can

A can of Sawyer Permethrin aerosol spray insect repellent spray

Product Benefits

Ways to Use
Add a layer of protection to your clothing and gear with Permethrin insect and tick repellent spray — perfect for use on shirts, jackets, pants, socks, shoes, boots, sleeping bags, tents, netting, when outdoors, camping, hunting, or on travel.

Bonded to Fabric
Once your treatment of Sawyer Permethrin has fully dried and bonded with your fabric fibers, the amount that can come out via physical contact or water exposure is indeterminately small. It is extended UV exposure or the heavy agitation of a washing machine that degrades the insect repellent treatment much like the dye in a t-shirt.

The EPA recommends using 4.5 ounces of Permethrin to spray each outfit, Treats 4 outfits

Protection from Diseases
Repels mosquitoes which may carry the Zika Virus, Yellow Fever, Dengue, and Chikungunya. Repels and kills ticks which may carry Lyme Disease

Safe for Use on Dogs
Sawyer Permethrin can be applied to dogs to help control fleas and lice for 35 days and against ticks for 6 weeks. Official application instructions for use on dogs can be found at sawyer.com/dogs.

Odorless after Drying
Sawyer Permethrin is 100% odorless after drying. It does not harm any fabrics or finishes and can be applied to fabrics as sensitive as silk.

73.6x Protection
Reduce likelihood of a tick bite by 73.6 times by treating shoes and socks with Permethrin (University of Rhode Island study - 2011).

Frequently Asked Product Questions

What is Permethrin? - Permethrin

Permethrin is a synthetic version of the Chrysanthemum flower’s natural insect repellent pyrethrin. The naturally occurring version breaks down rather quickly in sunlight but Sawyer’s pharmaceutical grade, synthetic Permethrin can last 6 weeks or 6 washings on clothing and other fabrics, making it a fantastic odorless barrier of protection from mosquitoes and ticks.

Is Sawyer Permethrin safe around cats?

Yes once the treatment has fully dried, Sawyer Permethrin treated clothing and gear is completely safe to use wear around cats. Concentrates and agricultural grade formulas pose a much higher threat than our pharmaceutical grade formula.

It is during the application process which cats need to be separated. Do not expose cats to wet permethrin as it affects their central nervous system. This is not true with dogs, horses, or cows. Cats can be around permethrin treated fabrics once the application has dried.

Will Sawyer Permethrin come out when hiking or swimming?

No, the amount of Sawyer Permethrin Fabric Insect Repellent that can come out via physical contact or water contact is indeterminately small once the treatment has fully dried and bonded with the fabric fibers with our pharmaceutical grade formula. This is not the case for other brand concentrates or agricultural grade formulas.


With the Sawyer formula, think of it like the dye in a t-shirt. It will slowly degrade via UV exposure or the heavy agitation of a washing machine but not be immediately noticeable. You can extend the performance of Sawyer Permethrin treatment fabrics by hand washing them or limiting UV exposure between uses.

Will Permethrin ruin my clothes or equipment? - Permethrin

No. Permethrin will not damage clothes or equipment. Unlike DEET, which may harm some fabrics and materials, Permethrin is compatible for use even on fragile fabrics such as silk, plus all synthetics and waterproof membrane fabrics. Permethrin will not affect plastics or finishes. IF IN DOUBT, try a sample on an obscure surface area, especially on delicates and check it after 24 hours of exposure.Sawyer® Permethrin Insect Repellent is odorless, non-greasy and non-staining after it dries. Permethrin can be harmful to aquatic creatures such as fish, so do not spray Permethrin around fish aquariums.

How harmful are Permethrin fumes while treating clothing? - Permethrin

It is recommended that treating clothing with the permethrin aerosol be performed outdoors. If the treatment is accidentally carried out indoors, no adverse health effects are expected based upon calculations of inhaled dose. However, individuals with breathing problems, such as asthma, may be at greater risk. The odor arising from treating fabric with permethrin is mostly from the aerosol propellants rather than from the insect repellent itself.

How much Permethrin comes off the clothing when laundered? - Permethrin

A strong bond is formed between permethrin and most fabrics. In fact, some insect repellency was observed in military uniforms following 50 launderings. However, the uniforms were treated using an absorption method instead of the aerosol can. In studies performed by the U.S. Army, about 20 to 30 percent of the permethrin treatment was removed after the first laundering. Thereafter, about 3 to 5 percent was lost to each cycle through ten launderings.

Can Permethrin cause skin irritation or sensitization from repeated use? - Permethrin

Studies in animals have demonstrated that no skin irritation or sensitization is expected following direct application. In a controlled human study, permethrin did not cause significant skin irritation or sensitization when tested in 200 subjects. No significant skin effects are expected from wearing permethrin-treated clothing.

Will applying permethrin to flame retardant garments reduce their effectiveness? - Permethrin

The pump spray version of our Permethrin Insect Repellent Treatment will not harm flame retardant garments.

Our Trusted Retailers
Find your nearest retailer

Find in Stores

Button Text

Products with Purpose

The protection we make saves people’s lives. Literally. No wonder we’re fanatics about testing and dedicated to creating products no one else can match.

Sawyer Standard
Permethrin Fabric Treatment
Permethrin Fabric Treatment
A woman applies sunscreen to her daughter, who is drinking out of a Sawyer water filter.
Instagram image showing a mom hiking with her baby strapped to her.