A home appliance (100), such as a laundry appliance, includes a component assembly (150) with a sensor and a sensor-controlled component for operating the appliance (100), and a cover (170) for housing the component assembly (150) therein. The cover (170) has an outer surface (175) and an inner surface. The cover (170) includes a functionalized superhydrophobic multi-layer coating on at least one of the outer surface (175) and inner surface. The functionalized superhydrophobic coating prevents moisture from entering the component assembly (150) and attacking sensors housed therein, and has a water contact angle thereon of at least 145 degrees.