How to clean fake leather chairs
Our Top Tips On How To Care For Faux Leather
As we are big fans of faux leather here at Danetti, we thought we would share our top tips with you on how to properly care for it! Not only is it soft, stylish, and extremely durable, but with some useful tricks and tips you can help maintain the materials quality which will keep your furniture looking good for longer. Faux Leather is a big part of our product range, so we have first-hand experience on how best to look after it.
In this post, we’ll talk about the basics of faux leather, so you get a better understanding of how best to care for it. We’ll discuss a whole host of tips on caring for the material and the best means of protection from future wear and tear, so your faux leather dining room chairs or faux leather dining bench stays in top shape.
Firstly, there are 2 main points to remember when dealing with Faux leather:
- It’s a non-porous surface so most stains will sit on the top
- Don’t let it get too dry.
If the material is allowed to become over dry then it can crack.
All faux leathers are essentially a layer of synthetic material (a type of plastic) that’s embossed with a leather like grain and is backed with fabric. However, there are a range of different types and qualities – the most common being PVC (poly vinyl chloride), Polyurethane and Polyamide microfibre.
There’s a huge variation on the market but we only use Polyurethanes, which we often refer to as PU. We prefer Polyurethanes as they are easier to care for and better for the environment than PVC. The reason this is relevant when looking after material is that although PU is more breathable than PVC, it is still classed as non-porous so marks will generally sit on the surface. That said, it is breathable so heat and moisture means that a stain can penetrate the material if the conditions are right (or wrong!) for you.
Top Tip: Protection is key…Although leather and PU can look the same, they are very different! Having said that, some of the principles of caring for leather can be applied to faux leather.
A protective treatment is a great precaution but with a different effect: unlike with real leather, a protective treatment won’t penetrate and moisturise the faux leather, but rather will add a thin protective layer so that the surface is easier to clean. If marks are easier to clean to start with, there is less need for the harsher cleaners which will lead to drying – a big no no with faux leather.
Here are some links to the products we have been told have been useful for the protection of faux leather (please note though that we don’t endorse these products and can’t be held responsible for the usage or results):
- Leather Care & Repair
- Faux Leather Clean & Condition Kit
- Faux Leather Care Products
Regardless of whether you have brown faux leather dining chairs, black faux leather dining chairs, or grey faux leather bar stools, mild is the order of the day when cleaning faux leather! Harsh detergents will cause drying.
It’s a good idea to give the surface a regular once over to keep on top of general little marks that just build up with use. We recommend warm water with some washing up liquid and a non-abrasive cloth. Wring the cloth out so that it’s not dripping wet and wipe over. Follow up by drying off with a soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth. This stops general wear and tear and everyday marks from building up and making the surface look grubby.
Sunlight
Direct sunlight can dry out faux leathers. If your dining table is in a sunny spot maybe try and rotate the chairs once a month so that the same ones are not fully in the mid-day sun all the time.
Colour transference
Clothes that are indigo dyed (like jeans) or strong colours can transfer onto light colours. Be sure to give this a wipe as soon as you notice it, as it’s the kind of stain that will penetrate if left.
A quick wipe down with a baby wipe after use should keep this at bay. It’s the kind of stain that only becomes obvious once it’s been there a while and by then it’s generally too late. The regular once over will also help this.
Test first
Anything you put on your faux leather, try on a hidden part first just to check that there is no adverse reaction. Test it, let it dry and then try on the visible parts.
What product?
When choosing a cleaning product, it’s best to ask yourself ‘would I put it on my skin / body’? If not, chances are it’s too harsh for your faux leather.
Never reach for the bleach
Whatever the stain, don’t use bleach. Bleach is the most drying product you can put on faux leather and it will affect the structure of the fabric and it will become more susceptible to future marking. A small mark is probably easier to deal with and less noticeable than a bit patch that has been affected by bleach treatment.
Even if it does remove the stain, that area is then more prone to cracking, plus the surface could be compromised such that future marks actually sink in more.
Soft nonabrasive cloths
Never be tempted to rub / scrub the surface or use any kind of abrasive cloth or sponge. Soft cloths and repeated circular motions are all you need. Scrubbing will crack the faux leather, not remove the mark.
Clean after cleaning
Whatever you use to clean a mark, whether it works or not, always give it a wipe afterward with mild detergent. The cleaners will do the job but they are not meant to be left on the surface for long periods of time.
So, to recap on what we’ve pinpointed:- Treat faux leather like your skin – avoid letting it get too dry and don’t use anything too harsh like bleach.
- Protecting the surface makes it easier and more effective to clean.
Stains will sit on the top so protecting the surface will make cleaning an easier, less abrasive process. Approach larger stains in parts. Patch clean one bit and then when you have a successful result, repeat on the other areas.
There you have it, Danetti’s own run down of the best ways to care for and to protect faux leather. Reckon we’ve missed anything? or do you have your own remedy for cleaning that you’re willing to share with the world! We’d love to hear some of your own hints and tips, including your opinions and experiences with faux leather furniture. Be sure to post your responses in the comments
How to Clean Fake Leather Furniture » Housewife How-Tos
ByKatie Berry Updated on:
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure page.
Keep your artificial leather sofa and chairs clean and stain-free for years.
Artificial or faux leather furniture features the same elegant look and supple feel as real leather.
Thanks to manufacturing improvements, “pleather” — as it’s sometimes called — is often indistinguishable from the real stuff. For those who avoid animal products, this cruelty-free “vegan leather” is an excellent substitute. It’s also far easier to clean and keep in like-new condition.
Before You Begin
It takes about ten to fifteen minutes a week to clean an artificial leather sofa and removing stains is almost as fast, which is why this material is ideal for those with kids or pets. You’ll want to set aside enough time to vacuum, wipe and dry every surface. If you need to disinfect it, add additional time.
Equipment and Materials
- Vacuum with crevice and soft brush attachment
- Baking soda (optional)
- Clean microfiber cloths
- Mild liquid soap (Castile is great)
- Water
- A bowl
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or distilled white vinegar
- Faux leather conditioner or coconut/olive oil (optional)
Step 1.
Vacuum weeklyDirt, dust, and other debris can scratch the finish of fake leather. Once a week, use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean it from top to bottom. Be sure to lift cushions and clean beneath them, too. Switch to the crevice attachment and go over any seams or tufted areas. If you want to deodorize your faux leather, sprinkle it all over with a layer of baking soda a half-hour before vacuuming.
Step 2. Wipe as Needed
Use mild soap and warm water to clean faux leather, then go over what you’ve cleaned with a microfiber cloth dampened only with water so you aren’t leaving a soapy film. Be sure you choose a soap that doesn’t contain anti-bacterial or degreasing agents, which can dry out fake leather. This is a great use for Castile soap. Although water won’t damage artificial leather surfaces, you should still dry it with a fresh cloth to avoid water spots.
Step 3. Remove Stains
A little rubbing alcohol on a lint-free cloth removes ink, crayon, and food stains from fake leather.
But note, stains due to dye transfer (from sitting on your pleather sofa in new jeans, for instance) can become permanent. If rubbing alcohol doesn’t remove a stain, wipe the area clean with water then go over it with straight white vinegar on a cloth. You may need to repeat this several times to remove the stain completely. Once it’s gone, wipe the area with water and buff it dry.
Step 4. Disinfect if Necessary
Unlike genuine leather, disinfecting vinyl furniture or faux leather is straightforward. Mix a solution of roughly 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water and use a damp cloth or spray bottle to apply enough to get the surface visibly damp. Wait 5 minutes for disinfection, then wipe it with another cloth damped in plain water. Buff dry.
5. Keep it Moisturized
If neglected, faux leather will dry out and crack. You should protect all furniture from direct sunlight, but artificial leather also needs moisturizing to prevent cracks. Twice a year, or more often in dry climates, apply an artificial leather conditioning product.
You can try coconut or olive oil on a soft cloth if you’d rather but spot-test a hidden area first since these oils are likely to darken the color of your faux leather.
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How to clean a leatherette sofa at home
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Modern leatherette is a little like dermantin from the times of our great-grandmothers. Then the new material was used for upholstery of entrance doors and seats in public transport. The development of innovative technologies in chemical production has significantly expanded the range of imitation leather (artificial leather).
Now it looks like high-quality genuine leather:
- smooth or embossed;
- matt or glossy;
- white, cream, milky, natural, black and other colors.
Do you want to calculate the cost of dry cleaning sofas? Up to 30% off for you now!
Why leatherette is good
Furniture manufacturers are perhaps the largest consumer of artificial leather. Models of sofas, armchairs, corners with such upholstery are in great demand. This is due to the fact that visually materials (eco-leather, apatek, vinyl-leather) are indistinguishable from genuine leather at a much lower cost. And leather never goes out of style.
Muscovites are in favor of large folding white sofas for spacious bright living rooms and halls in the style of minimalism or light classics. There is a high demand for stylish black models with a laconic design, with branded stitching, with legs or with drawers for things at the base.
What are the advantages of the material:
- Leatherette with innovative finishes is widely used in author's interiors in futurism and high-tech styles.
- Furniture looks and works great in apartments and nightclubs, boutiques and beauty salons, restaurants and clinics.
- Leatherette lasts a long time, especially if it is properly cleaned, do not use prohibited chemicals, harsh abrasives, brushes.
- The material is unpretentious, does not absorb moisture and grease. Spilled liquids, oil, blood do not penetrate into the structure of the material. It is enough to blot dirt with a paper towel, wash with soapy water, wipe dry. Most of the substances that radically damage textiles and natural leather do not even leave traces on leatherette.
IMPORTANT! To care for the coating, you do not need to buy expensive chemicals based on beeswax, as for leather. Wet cleaning is acceptable, which greatly simplifies the life of the hostess.
Water does not penetrate into the thickness of the seat, backrest, sofa cushions. In the depths of the furniture, there are no colonies of fungus and mold caused by dampness after an amateur wet cleaning of the sofa.
To avoid this, it is always better to turn to professionals specializing in dry cleaning of upholstered furniture.
Preparation for cleaning leatherette sofa
Remove carpets, cover them with oilcloth. Wipe the sofa with a dry cloth to remove dust, wool, dirt. To detect stains, traces of a felt-tip pen, nail polish, the cleaning area should be well lit. When caring for artificial leather, avoid the use of:
- acetone;
- concentrated ethyl alcohol;
- cleaning products containing chlorine;
- abrasive cleaning pastes;
- hard brushes.
In the list of products that may be useful for the maintenance of leatherette coating:
- stain remover for leatherette;
- glass cleaners;
- wet wipes impregnated with a special cleaner for artificial leather;
- clear shoe polish;
- nail polish remover;
- lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide.
For work, buy clean sponges, microfiber cloths, a container for cleaning solution, and for personal protection, gloves and a respirator.
Cleaning a sofa made of artificial leather (eco-leather)
We offer you a choice of several cleaning technologies:
- Wet a soft cloth with a solution of laundry soap or detergent (dishes). It wipes all surfaces upholstered with eco-leather. Remove any detergent residue with a clean, damp cloth. Wipe dry with a cotton cloth.
- Leatherette can be cleaned with shaving foam. It is applied to the upholstery, carefully wipe all surfaces with a soft cloth. Leave the foam on stains and dirty places for 10 minutes. Then rinse with a damp cloth, dry with paper towels.
- Coffee and tea stains are removed from leatherette with 10% ammonia diluted with cool water (1:1). Wipe the upholstery with a cloth soaked in the solution. Remove traces of ammonia with a damp cloth. Wipe the sofa with a dry cloth.
We hope that the advice of CLEAN ALL experts will help you dry-clean your sofa.
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Eco-leather is an artificial material made of polyurethane that imitates natural leather. Modern technologies have changed the appearance of artificial leather beyond recognition, making it diverse, spectacular, respectable, fashionable.
The covering looks good in stylish upholstered furniture of modern design. It is less demanding to care and features of operation than genuine leather. Strength, durability, unpretentiousness of the material are especially noticeable and delight in sofas of white, milky tone. In natural leather, these are the most delicate and whimsical furniture design options that require special care.
Eco leather sofa:
- easy to care for;
- looks stylish and solid;
- has a long service life.
It is often covered with luxury furniture for wealthy people who do not accept the killing of animals for the sake of obtaining skin, meat, wool.
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Features of eco-leather
Artificial leather in a modern version is a durable beautiful inexpensive analogue of natural material:
- The chemical composition of eco-leather guarantees environmental friendliness - the absence of components and fumes harmful to humans.
- Hypoallergenic and pleasant to the touch.
- With good hygroscopicity and air permeability.
- Easy to care for, does not require expensive specialized household chemicals, as for natural leather.
Considering the long service life, low cost, beautiful appearance, durability of eco-leather, it can successfully compete with natural analogues and even surpass it. The advantages of eco-leather will become especially obvious if you decide to buy white or very light pieces of furniture. Genuine leather upholstery is too capricious. With eco-leather furniture it will be much easier and cheaper.
What you need to care for upholstered furniture made of eco-leather
Buying a sofa upholstered in eco-leather does not require replenishing the arsenal for cleaning the house with something special. You will need:
- soft non-abrasive sponges;
- container for laundry soap solution or dishwashing detergent foam;
- protective gloves;
- lemon juice, aqueous 20-50% alcohol solution (vodka), hydrogen peroxide, ammonia solution (5%).
See which of the car interior care products can be used for professional dry cleaning of an eco-leather sofa. Pay attention to active foams, stain remover sprays, universal detergents with a dispenser.
IMPORTANT! Do not use chlorine or acid cleaners, hard brushes, scrapers or sponges. It is forbidden to use bleach, organic solvents, furniture varnishes, drying oil, oils.
How to clean eco leather sofa
For regular cleaning, use a damp microfiber cloth to gently remove dust, small debris, pet hair from eco-leather.
A weak solution of toilet, laundry soap, foam from dish detergent will help to refresh the coating. Diluted lemon juice will help remove simple stains (1 teaspoon per glass of water).
IMPORTANT! When buying a sofa made of eco-leather, ask the furniture store how to care for it. Then you do not have to look for effective and simple cleaning technology by trial and error.
Urine, juice, coffee from eco-leather remove the battle. Blot the stain with paper towels. Do not rub moisture on the surface. On the contrary, try to reduce the area of the spot. Remove liquid with movements from the edges to the center. Examine the area where the fluid has been exposed. If there is a trace, wipe it with a soft cloth with soap or foam for sofas. Do not take a sponge with an abrasive side, so as not to scratch the top layer of eco-leather. Scratches and defects caused by hard cleaning cannot be removed.
When cleaning regularly, wipe down all surfaces to ensure furniture is evenly cared for and moistened.
