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How to Clean Fake Leather Furniture

ByKatie Berry Updated on:

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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

Step 1. Vacuum weekly

Dirt, 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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(Image credit: Furniture Village)

Wondering how to clean faux leather as part of keeping a living room, dining room, kitchen or bedroom hygienic?

The latest faux leathers have a fabulously realistic appearance, but just like with cleaning a leather sofa, they do need a little care so couches, armchairs, dining chairs, bar stools, upholstered beds and more are clean and stay looking their best. The right cleaning solutions are a must, too, and laundry room ideas that include space to stash what’s needed are a sound strategy.

Our guide has the lowdown on how to clean faux leather without compromising its appearance.

How to clean faux leather

Faux leather furniture can both look and feel like genuine leather, but to stay that way it does need cleaning techniques that are appropriate for this type of upholstery material. 

‘For cleaning I would first look at the manufacturer’s suggested care,’ says Wayne Edelman, CEO of high end dry-cleaning service Meurice Garment Care , which specializes in interior and wardrobe cleaning services. ‘While these materials are resilient, they do not like harsh cleaners.’

Here’s how to clean faux leather correctly.

1. Vacuum faux leather

Vacuuming is a good way to clean faux leather, removing any dust, crumbs, pet hair and so on. ‘Use a soft brush attachment on flat surfaces,’ says Wayne Edelman. ‘You can use the crevice attachment in nooks and crannies but be careful not to scratch the material while maneuvering the tool into the cracks.’ 

2. Wipe faux leather

It’s worth vacuuming faux leather furniture weekly as part of cleaning a living room, but you might want to wipe it down from time to time as well. 

‘One area to pay attention to is the top of the couch where your neck/head rests,’ says Wayne Edelman. ‘This area is prone to oil buildup from hair and neck oils. 

‘The next area that needs regular attention is the arm as most people use it as a brace when getting up from the chair or couch.’

Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on how your piece of furniture should be cleaned. ‘A damp cloth is always safest and remember to wipe – do not rub, as you can damage the material,’ says Wayne.

If you want to use anything else, spot test before committing. ‘I always recommend testing anything you are going to use other than water on an inconspicuous area first,’ Wayne advises. ‘If you try a cleaner that is not compatible with the material better have an adverse reaction on an unseen area.’

As for cleaning solutions? ‘A gentle neutral household spray cleaner is best or a diluted solution of dish soap like Dawn can be mixed in a spray bottle,’ Wayne says. ‘The surfactant properties of this soap mixture will help suspend the soil and remove it from the material.’

Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth, then rinse with a damp clean microfiber cloth. ‘Dry the area with a fresh cloth after cleaning,’ says home cleaning expert with Clearsurance Dorothea Hudson.

3. Remove stains from faux leather

If a stain needs to be cleaned from faux leather, don’t panic. ‘I would try a general cleaner first,’ recommends Wayne Edelman. ‘Stains in this type of material usually sit on the surface because the material is nonabsorbent.’  

However, if this doesn’t solve the problem, get a product made for the job. ‘There are commercially available cleaning solutions specifically for faux leather stain removal,’ explains architect and interior design expert Andrei Vasilief of Radiant Home Designs .

‘Apply to a fine cloth, and gently apply to the stained area, cleaning it bit by bit. For really bad or very old stains, speak to a professional sofa cleaner.’

What is the best thing to clean faux leather with?

The best thing to clean faux leather with regularly is a vacuum cleaner plus the soft brush attachment.

After that, check the manufacturer’s recommendations but in general a damp soft cloth used gently can be sufficient, or try a mild dish soap solution or a special faux leather cleaner – we like Leather Honey leather cleaner from Amazon, but do follow the instructions and spot test first.  

Can you use vinegar on faux leather?

You can use vinegar on faux leather, but make up your own cleaner to benefit from its properties. 

‘Vinegar is present in many commercially available cleaners,’ says Wayne Edelman CEO of Meurice Garment Care . ‘A solution of one part soap, one part vinegar and eight parts water can be used as a general cleaner.’

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

All about methods and means of cleaning the surface of leather sofas

November 28, 2017

Furniture care

20 minutes

Any furniture needs care, and leather furniture is no exception. This is a more whimsical and capricious material: it must be regularly wiped from dust, moistened, prevent damage and quickly respond to stains.

Settling dust gradually penetrates into the porous structure of the material, so it becomes more and more difficult to remove it every day. To prevent this from happening, vacuum the sofa once a week and wipe the sofa regularly with a damp calico or flannel cloth. Do not forget about the folds and seams, where a lot of dirt always collects. nine0003

Leather upholstery loses elasticity over time and begins to crack due to the evaporation of natural oils from the surface. To slow down this process, use moisturizers (cream or conditioner) and keep the room at a moderate humidity, around 70%. It is not recommended to place a leather sofa close to heating appliances.

If you are planning to leave for a month or more, throw a special cover made of natural material over the sofa: it will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. nine0003

How to properly clean a leather sofa?

Clean your leather sofa for the first time after purchase. Use a special cleaner and a soft brush for this. After a couple of minutes, remove the remnants of the product with a napkin. When the surface dries, apply a special cream. It is easy to do this with a soft cloth. The cream will create a protective coating, and in the future it will be easier to clean the sofa from dirt.

Follow this sequence for all subsequent cleanings:

An alternative to a vacuum cleaner is a steam cleaner. Walk several times over the entire surface, stopping at the dirtiest areas. Then remove excess moisture with a soft cloth. nine0003

If a stain is noticed, apply the cleaner to the stain and blot with a tissue. Do not rub the dirt on the skin, as this will only increase the size of the stain. And do not rub the surface too long and thoroughly: you can damage the structure of the material by “rubbing” the pores.

Moist skin easily develops fungus or mold, especially in poorly ventilated rooms, so do not forget to wipe the sofa with a dry cloth after cleaning.

Cleaning products

The documents for the sofa must indicate the type of leather used for the upholstery. Many manufacturers write what exactly can and cannot be used to clean a particular model, be guided by this information. Buy a cleaning agent immediately after purchasing the sofa, do not wait for the first stains to appear. nine0003

If no documents can be found, choose a neutral cleaner and test it on an inconspicuous area. Wait until the material dries - sometimes the defect can only appear on a dry surface.

Special cleaners require strict dosing - never pour by eye. For general cleaning, choose soft, gentle products with abundant foam, and apply stain removers pointwise to dirt.

Home remedies

Light dirt can be removed with a soft cloth and soapy water. To prepare it, mix two tablespoons of liquid soap and a spoonful of ammonia in a glass of water. You can use apple cider vinegar instead of soap. Soak a cloth in this solution and wipe the surface, then go over it again with a dry cloth. nine0003

Stain removal

How to deal with dust, we figured out, now let's talk about removing more serious dirt.

Spot type Cleaning method
Grease stains If the stain has just appeared, sprinkle it with salt and leave for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the salt and wipe the skin with a soft cloth. Table soda will cope with old stains: dilute a spoonful of soda in a glass of warm water, mix, and then wipe the stain with this solution until foam forms. Remove the remaining foam with a napkin and repeat the process again. nine0059
Blood Cold soapy water will help clean the sofa of fresh blood. In no case do not use warm water - this way you "fix" the stain on the skin, and it will be ten times more difficult to remove it. An aspirin tablet dissolved in a glass of water will help against dried blood stains.
Paints or markers Marker or pen stains can be treated with an alcohol solution. Moisten a cotton pad and gently remove the stain. Alcohol helps the oils evaporate, so be sure to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner or cream after cleansing. Do not use acetone for cleaning, it can damage the leather. nine0059
Drink marks To remove tea or coffee stains, first wipe the skin with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture, and then sprinkle with salt. After a couple of minutes, brush off the salt and go over the stain with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol. Red wine stains are the hardest to get out, so don't delay the process: the sooner you clean the sofa, the more likely you'll be able to save it.
Wax or gum In this case, ordinary ice will help. Wrap it in cellophane or a thin rag and apply it to the stain. Wait 10-15 seconds, and then remove the stain with the blunt side of the knife.

Mold and Mildew Removal

Fungus or mold on leather furniture is caused by high humidity in the home or excess moisture on the surface. To combat them, use specialized tools that are easy to find in a furniture store.

Vinegar solution is suitable for home remedies: mix it at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 100 ml of water, moisten a cotton pad, wipe the infected surface, and remove the residue with a dry cloth before the solution is absorbed into the skin. Periodically check the sofa for mold - the longer it "lives" on the skin, the more difficult it will be to remove. nine0003

How to clean a white leather sofa?

The white sofa looks more impressive than its black "brother", but it is much more difficult to care for it. If you prefer home remedies, use a mixture of beaten egg white and half a glass of milk for cleaning. Soak a cloth in it and wipe the surface of the sofa. With fresh greasy stains, heated milk, ammonia or vinegar in a weak concentration will cope. Toothpaste will help against simple dirt: apply a little paste on a soft-bristled brush and gently wipe the stain. After cleaning, do not forget to apply a moisturizer - it will not allow the skin to dry out and protect it from dust and high temperatures. nine0003

What must not be used for maintenance?

When choosing a cleaning agent, immediately exclude ordinary stain removers, washing powders with abrasive particles, grease-removing dish gels, chlorine products and hard brushes from the list. In no case do not use sharp objects: the skin is easy to damage and scratch, and to eliminate traces you will have to buy a special tool.

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How to clean a leather sofa at home

Contents:

Leather sofa looks spectacular in the interior, with careful proper operation it will decorate the room for many years. In order not to ruin expensive leather upholstery, you should use gentle proven methods for cleaning the sofa at home. Preventive self-care will prevent the appearance of obvious contamination and help keep the leather covering in a clean and good condition for a long time. For this, specialized store cleaners or some homemade tools are suitable. If there are extensive greasy areas or complex specific stains on leather furniture, then it is more reliable to order dry cleaning of a leather sofa from a cleaning company. nine0003

Usually, the manufacturer attaches a passport, instructions, insert to the furniture. This document will be the main guide in choosing a method and means for cleaning a leather sofa. Look at the label for the type of leather and impregnation used for the upholstery, the correct care instructions will be given there. According to the general rules, leather products should not be treated with aggressive solutions , rubbed with metal or hard brushes, subjected to excessive moisture, friction, it is also not recommended to use a hair dryer or place heaters near. Consider a universal algorithm for cleaning leather sofas, consisting of several steps. nine0003

Dry clean

To prevent dust from clogging the porous structure of the material, it is necessary to vacuum the sofa once a week, preferably when unfolded. For this, a household vacuum cleaner, slit-like and soft nozzles are suitable. Vacuum the entire surface and elements of the sofa with a soft brush attachment. Most of all, dust, small debris, hair accumulate in bends, folds, depressions, seams. Vacuum these areas thoroughly with a flat crevice tool.

Wet

For routine wet cleaning of leather upholstery, prepare a household soap solution. Add a few drops of liquid soap to a liter of barely warm water. Dampen a soft cloth in the product, wring it out and wipe the entire sofa, paying attention to the joints and seams. When finished, blot the remaining foam with a clean, damp cloth and then with a paper towel. It is not necessary to wet the upholstery abundantly, so as not to damage the material. Soapy water treatment is a preventative way to keep leather upholstery clean. If there are specific stains or pronounced dirt on the coating, especially in the area of ​​​​armrests, seats, then it is better to use specialized products for cleaning leather furniture or call a professional dry cleaner at home. nine0003

Finishing

Special polishes are applied to the leather to give it a shine and a well-groomed appearance. In addition to aesthetic characteristics, such products also create an additional protective film, soften the material, and prevent drying and cracking. Such a caring balm, skin conditioner or aerosol wax is sold in the departments of household chemicals. Glycerin is a homemade alternative.

For cleaning leather sofas at home, there are all kinds of special cleaners on sale in different forms of release. The compositions of the products are purposefully designed for the delicate treatment of leather upholstery and are focused on solving several problems at the same time - cleaning dirt, removing specific stains, eliminating unpleasant odors, creating a protective layer. It remains only to choose the right cleaner, study the instructions on the package and follow the recommendations. nine0003

Popular commercial leather cleaners:

In addition, it is useful to have moist cleaning wipes for leather furniture on hand. They add shine and quickly remove fresh dirt. For example, you can use napkins from the brands Home Queen, Presto Clean, Tarrago, House lux and others. nine0003

Folk remedies for cleaning a leather sofa should be used with extreme caution, there is a risk of completely spoiling the material as a result of the experiment. Still, it is better to give preference to the above store products or resort to professional dry cleaning services.

The most versatile and safest home remedy is a soapy water solution.

In extreme cases, the following may be useful:

It is believed that some stains can be removed with acetone, alcohol, gasoline, ammonia, milk, onion, egg white and other unthinkable means. Such folk methods are more likely to do more harm than good. Thinner and alcohol can peel off the paint or stain, so a sensible approach is needed. It’s not even worth commenting about the listed food products - not only will you not clean anything with them, but you will create even more problems, dirty stains combined with unpleasant odors. nine0003

To clean the white leather sofa, you can use Lucky Bee Light Leather and Artificial Leather Cleaner or Tri-Bio. They are easy to use and delicately help to bring white furniture in order without unnecessary effort and unpredictable damage. First, test your chosen product on a small, inconspicuous product.

If these products are not available, then treat the sofa with soapy water. Fill a basin with warm water and add baby or liquid soap without coloring ingredients. It is not necessary to pour water on the upholstery. Dip a sponge into the foam and gently scrub the finish without rubbing too much. Then pick up any remaining dirt and grout with a clean, damp cloth and blot with paper towels. If, after cleaning, the contaminated areas are not completely washed out, then it is better to call specialists with on-site dry cleaning. nine0003

Leather is susceptible to excessive wetting, and from active friction, the material becomes thinner and cracks over time. To avoid deformation, it is advisable to clean the leather upholstery with a gentle method - manually using professional detergents. First, dry cleaning is performed with a vacuum cleaner to collect surface dirt, dust, wool, and hair. Then the detergent is distributed over the surface from the sprayer and with the help of a brush or sponge, all the elements of the sofa are manually cleaned with light, gentle movements. Dirt will fall away before your eyes. As small areas are processed, the dirt is then wiped off with a clean cloth. At the end of the process, the skin must be treated with a special conditioner, protective cream or impregnation and left to dry completely naturally. nine0003

Leather sofa cleaning professionals can use vacuum cleaner-extractors, polishers and other equipment in their work. But the use of specialized equipment requires knowledge of a clear algorithm and sequence, therefore it is risky to do dry cleaning on your own, it is better to entrust this process to the masters.

This option is possible, but usually rarely used, given the quality of the leather and the nature of the contamination. If you decide to experiment, you will need a quality professional steam cleaner with adjustable steam level , and you should work at the lowest setting and carefully, using a special soft nozzle. Of course, modern technology significantly speeds up the processing of the sofa, compared to the manual method, but for leather upholstery this is not the safest option. The fact is that the skin can wrinkle, warp, deform and stretch during exposure to steam. Restoration will then be too expensive.

Fresh drops of blood are very easy to remove with ordinary cold water. Moisten the tissue and wipe off the blood, usually this is enough. Old stains are much more difficult to remove, in this case, try to remove the mark with a store cleaner, which were mentioned above. nine0003

In fact, traces from a marker, felt-tip pen, ballpoint pen are difficult to remove. The components are absorbed into the structure and literally dry out. Many use alcohol or nail polish remover without acetone. But this method does not guarantee an effective result, although it can help. The use of such liquids often contributes to an even greater increase in the ink stain or provokes peeling of the paint. There is another way - hairspray. Spray it on the mark and after 5-10 seconds wipe off with a damp sponge. nine0003

If you catch yourself in hot pursuit, then no stain will remain on the leather trim. Absorb liquid from freshly spilled tea or coffee immediately to the maximum with paper towels.

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