Faux leather is the name given to a variety of synthetic products that mimic leather, such as polyurethane and vinyl. Just because it looks like leather doesn’t mean you can treat it in the same way.
Our guide on how to clean a faux leather sofa, jacket and more will show you clever ways to remove all types of stains. So, read on to get your faux fabric looking fabulous again.
If you want to know how to clean actual leather, we’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to the best leather cleaning methods
If you want to know how to clean fake leather, first you need to follow these steps:
- Check the care label.This is especially important with faux leather clothing to see how to safely wash the item.
- Do a patch test.It’s a good idea to first test any new cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area so as to check for any adverse reaction or damage to the material.
- Attend to spills quickly.There’s more chance of a stain damaging the material the longer you leave it.
How to clean a faux leather couch and other items
The following steps work for cleaning faux leather items from sofas to bags and belts to shoes.
For general maintenance, give your sofa a regular wipe down using a cloth dipped in warm water.
- Use a dry cloth to remove any leftover liquid.
- To remove any minor marks or stains, add a small amount of mild washing-up liquid to warm water.
- Dip in a non-abrasive cloth and wring out the excess water.
- Use the cloth to gently wipe over the stain until it disappears.
- Rinse the cloth in fresh water to remove the soap solution.
- Rub the sofa with the cloth to wipe away any remaining residue.
- Finish by drying your couch with a soft microfiber cloth.