What is ProCare? The Complete Guide to ProCare Fabrics
What ProCare Is and What Problem It Solves
ProCare is AKAS Tex's food-safe waterproof fabric line, engineered for products requiring both FDA-certified food contact safety and complete liquid barrier protection in a single material. ProCare addresses a gap of food safety & waterproofing; delivering both.
Key Concept: ProCare is a vinyl-polyester laminate certified under FDA 21 CFR 177.1680 and 21 CFR 175.300 for repeated food storage use. It combines complete waterproof barrier protection with validated food contact safety across temperature extremes — frozen storage at -20°C to heat sterilization above 212°F — and all food types including acidic, fatty, and liquid. FDA certification applies to BOTH sides of the fabric.
ProCare replaces standard retail PUL and imported food-safe materials with documented 2–3x longer durability (300+ wash cycles), full machine wash and dry capability, and comprehensive chemical safety certifications. Customers who've tested multiple sources describe retail fabric store PUL as inadequate by comparison — switching exclusively to ProCare for their commercial product lines. Manufactured in Canada under CPSIA compliance with Forever Chemicals-Free verification.
ProCare is a focused, single-product brand. There is one ProCare fabric available in three widths — everything in this article applies to all three.
The ProCare Product: Specs, Widths, and What You're Working With
The three widths serve different cutting efficiency needs: 36" for small-format products (snack bags, bowl covers), 65" for medium products (bibs, lunch bags), and 72" for large-format cutting layouts (changing pads, tablecloths, bed pads).
First-time buyers are often surprised by the fabric's weight and substance — it feels heavier and more substantial than visual appearance suggests. This is intentional. The 245 GSM construction is thicker and more resilient than retail PUL, providing the durability that delivers 300+ wash cycles. Despite this weight, the fabric remains pliable and flexible rather than stiff — important for products like bibs that drape against the body and bags that need to fold.
Which side contacts food? Both sides are FDA-certified for food contact. The textured polyester side and the smooth vinyl (waterproof) side are both validated safe. For most food bag construction, the vinyl side faces outward for waterproofing while the polyester side faces inward toward food — but the FDA certification covers both orientations.
ProCare vs Other Waterproof and Food-Safe Options
Three Wazoodle brands provide barrier or food-contact functionality. The right choice depends on whether you need waterproofing, food safety, or both.
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ProCare (food-safe waterproof): Choose when the product contacts food AND requires liquid barrier. Reusable snack bags, sandwich wraps, bowl covers, lunch bag linings. Vinyl-polyester laminate, 300+ wash cycles, FDA 21 CFR certified.
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ProSoft (Waterproof ECO-PUL): Choose when the product requires waterproof barrier but does NOT contact food. Cloth diaper covers, wet bags, mattress protectors, incontinence products. Polyurethane laminate on woven or knit substrate.
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FoodSAFE (food-contact, non-waterproof): Choose when the product contacts food but does NOT require waterproofing. Food wraps, produce bags, napkins, placemats. Polyester, Organic cotton or bamboo with FDA food-contact certification.
Key distinction: ProCare uses vinyl-polyester laminate; ProSoft uses polyurethane (PUL) laminate. The constructions are fundamentally different. ProCare is heavier, more rigid, and FDA food-contact certified. ProSoft is lighter, more flexible, and optimized for garment-integrated waterproofing. They are not interchangeable.
Working With ProCare: Sewing and Construction Guide
ProCare's vinyl-polyester laminate handles differently from knit or PUL fabrics. The waterproof vinyl surface creates specific machine-feeding challenges that are easily solved once you know the techniques. Customers who've worked through the learning curve report ProCare is easier to sew than other food-safe waterproof alternatives.
Common Applications for ProCare
ProCare serves applications at the intersection of food contact and liquid containment, plus general waterproof barrier use where extreme durability matters.
ProCare Care: Protecting the Waterproof Barrier
ProCare delivers 300+ wash cycle durability — but only when care rules are followed. Heat and chemical damage are irreversible.
Three things that permanently destroy ProCare:
(1) Heat above 180°F/80°C — Vinyl softens above 180°F and melts above 250°F, creating pinholes or delamination at creases. Never exceed medium dryer heat. Always include a cool-down cycle to prevent heated vinyl from fusing to itself at fold-overs.
(2) Chlorine bleach — Residue causes brittleness and cracking under dryer heat. Irreversible once started.
(3) Fabric softeners and solvents — Coating damages the vinyl barrier. Solvents cause shrinkage, polyester fiber damage, and delamination.
Wash at medium temperature with mild detergents only. Dry at medium heat (never high). Wipe clean with sanitizer between uses for routine hygiene. Customers report 3+ years of continuous commercial use when these care rules are followed consistently.
Certifications and Safety Standards
ProCare carries the most comprehensive food-contact certification suite in the Wazoodle ecosystem, validated across multiple international regulatory frameworks.
Made in Canada: ProCare is manufactured in Canada — the only Wazoodle brand not produced at AKAS Tex's USA facilities. Canadian manufacturing operates under Health Canada and CFIA food safety oversight. All chemical safety and FDA certifications are independently verified regardless of manufacturing origin.
Fabric vs. Finished Product: FDA food-contact certification of the fabric component does not automatically certify your finished product. Additional materials (thread, binding, elastic, zippers) and construction methods may require separate evaluation for food-contact compliance.
Where ProCare Fits in the Wazoodle Ecosystem
ProCare serves a single, focused function: FDA-certified food-safe waterproof barrier. It is the only Wazoodle brand that delivers both food contact safety and complete liquid impermeability in one material.
Brand Routing: Choose ProCare when your product contacts food AND requires waterproof barrier. Choose ProSoft for waterproof PUL in non-food applications (diapers, wet bags, mattress protectors). Choose FoodSAFE for food-contact fabrics that do not need waterproofing (wraps, napkins, produce bags). Choose Zorb for absorbent cores. Choose ProCool for moisture wicking. Most food storage products pair ProCare waterproof barrier with ProECO or ProCool lining fabrics.