How to Care for Faux Leather and Keep It Protected
Understanding how to care for faux leather is important if you want the maximum use of synthetic leather items.
The most important thing to know about how to maintain faux leather is that you cannot use the same products as you would for real leather. This is because most stains won’t penetrate faux leather because it’s a non-porous surface.
However, this also allows you to wash fake leather with water and gentle cleaners easily.
How To Care For Faux Leather
What is Fake Leather?
Faux-fake – leather is an imitation material made of synthetic ingredients to feel and look like genuine leather. This material has a synthetic plastic layer backed by fabric and embossed with an imitation-leather grain.
However, fake leather, whether PU – polyurethane – or PVC – polyvinyl chloride – is less durable and long-lasting. Polyamide microfibre is another form of faux leather.
PU is known as plastic leather – pleather. PVC is also a thermoplastic, but it has chemicals that can concern your health. PU offers better breathability and is more environmentally friendly. All faux leather is also called vegan leather.
Because faux leather contains plastic, you can clean it with water and soap. You can even put smaller items made of fake leather in the washing machine for easy, fast cleaning. But be careful not to let synthetic leather dry out. Otherwise, it will crack and peel.
The plastic components also make fake leather non-porous, meaning stains sit on the material’s surface rather than soaking into the threads.
How Long Does Faux Leather Last?
Faux leather does not have the same lifespan as authentic leather.
Faux leather can last four to six years with the proper care and optimal conditions.
Once faux leather starts to damage, there is no way to repair it or stop future issues, such as peeling or tearing of the material.
The first signs of fake leather wearing down are cracks and the top laminated surface peeling.
Some DIY quick, temporary fixes include adding matching tape to the peeling. Or sand the peeling patches off and paint the smoothed area with matching paint.
Prepping for Faux Leather Cleaning
Although cleaning faux leather is different than the real deal, you should use the same level of care.
The first step for how to clean fake leather is spot cleaning and wiping down the material to eliminate dust, dirt, and other particles. You should never wipe wet on faux leather that you have not cleaned of debris.
Steps To Clean Faux Leather
Faux leather can do well with daily wipe-downs from a soft, dry microfiber cloth or other non-abrasive material.
You can also use a cloth dampened with water for cleaning when you don’t or can’t use the washing machine.
You want to avoid using harsh soaps and detergents on faux leather. Instead, mild dish soap or natural detergent can clean the synthetic material without damage.
If you can put the item into a machine for washing, set the cycle to Delicate. And you want to use cold to warm water and a low spin.
Air dry the material flat or hanging up. Or you can speed up the drying process by wiping dry with an absorbent microfiber cloth. But faux leather should never be steam-cleaned.
Cleaning Stains Off Faux Leather
You can lift the soil with a wet cloth if your faux leather gets stained. But for heavy stains, you can treat them with rubbing alcohol, baking soda, or vinegar.
You can also use a soft foam dipped in clean water to rub baby shampoo or an unscented liquid soap onto heavy stains. But don’t leave soap on the surface, as it can cause damage. Instead, you must use a clean wet foam or cloth to rinse the soap off immediately.
The method of stain removal will depend on the type of faux leather – PU or PVC.
How to Maintain Fake Leather
Another part of how to care for vegan leather is keeping the material moisturized. Part of how to protect faux leather is by using a suitable softening and protection product.
How do you keep fake leather from peeling? Regular conditioning. But, unfortunately, if your faux leather has already started to peel, there is no way to stop it.
So, what can you put on faux leather to protect it? First, do not use products made for the protection and conditioning of genuine leather. The non-porous surface of synthetic leather does not have the same conditioning needs.
Instead, the product you use applies a thin layer of protection that makes the material easier to clean.
Keeping Vegan Leather from Peeling
The biggest concern generally had about vegan leather is damage to the surface.
Once the material gets damaged, there’s no way to stop the peeling from occurring across the surface.
Oils are the main source of protection for keeping faux leather in good condition. A few protectants to use on pleather are baby, olive, and coconut oil. Vaseline or petroleum jelly are other nourishing topicals that can add a protective layer over your faux leather and give it a nice shiny look.
Tips for Protecting Faux Leather
Here are some tips to help you know what stuff do I need to protect faux leather from getting damaged.
- Stay Away from Sunlight
Faux leather cannot tolerate sunlight. Direct exposure can cause faux leather to dry out and become brittle. It can lead to fake leather peeling, cracking, and tearing.
- Do a Test Sample
Before you use any products over an entire fake leather surface, you should start with a test patch in an inconspicuous area. After putting the product on the surface, let the section dry. Then check the piece for its reaction.
- Clean Stains Immediately
Stains – especially indigo and strong color dye transfers onto light materials – can be impossible to eliminate once they set in. However, wiping the fabric with a baby wipe can remove simple stains.
- Use Soft Fabrics for Cleaning
When wiping faux leather, avoid rough, abrasive materials. Soft, microfiber cloths work best, worked over the material in slow, repeated circles. And don’t scrub, which causes cracks.
Caring for Faux Leather FAQs
Can I Use Leather Conditioner on Faux Leather?
One of the most common questions is whether can you use leather cleaner on faux leather, which isn’t possible. Therefore, it’s best to look for conditioners designed for faux leather.
Can I Use Baby Oil on Fake Leather?
How do you moisturize faux leather? A common thread is can you use baby oil on faux leather. Baby oil is one of the best products to apply to faux leather to add a protective coating and keep the material soft and moisturized.
How Long Will Faux Leather Last?
It varies on how long faux leather will last, depending on its care. The material can generally last three to five years, with some pieces potentially lasting seven.
Caring for Faux Leather Keeps It Protected for Years
With the right care and protection, fake synthetic leather can give you the look and texture of genuine leather. However, faux leather is more affordable, eco-friendly, and easier to clean with water. The main downside is that synthetic leather has a shorter lifespan than authentic leather.
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