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Home » Cleaning » Easy Way for How to Properly Clean Faux Leather (Naturally!)

Easy Way for How to Properly Clean Faux Leather (Naturally!)

By Julie

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

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clean faux leather

Find out the easiest way to clean stubborn stains from faux leather products without using harsh chemicals and in just a few simple steps using my quick cleaning process! 

Wiping faux leather seats with a cloth.

A few years ago we bought some faux leather pieces from Costco for the living room. I was a little nervous about buying them. All my other furniture was cloth or wood, and I had never had faux leather furniture. I had no idea how to care for them or if they would last since they weren't genuine leather.

Despite my concerns, they have held up amazingly and are so easy to care for. I have found that it doesn't take a lot of work to clean faux leather items and it's actually very durable when you add it to your regular cleaning schedule.

Cleaning synthetic leather car seats.

What You Need:

  • Dawn Dish Soap
  • Water - it should be lukewarm water, not hot water.
  • Microfiber Cloth - or another type of soft cloth.
  • Leather Conditioner if desired (I like to use this after cleaning my faux leather car seats)

Before getting started, I always recommend you test on an inconspicuous area. This is because if the synthetic material is starting to deteriorate you may not want to use it on the whole thing. 

ingredients to clean synthetic leather

How to Clean Anything Made With Faux Leather Material

  • Dawn Dish Soap
  • Water
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Leather Conditioner if desired (I like to use this after cleaning my faux leather car seats)
spot checking faux leather

STEP 1: Fill a bowl or bucket with the water. For every 5 cups add 1/2 teaspoon of the mild detergent.

A cleaning solution to use on pleather.

STEP 2: Dip the clean cloth into the mild soap solution. Wring out the excess water. 

cleaning faux leather car seats

STEP 3: Wipe gently over the faux leather upholstery. 

STEP 4: Once you have wiped it down completely, empty the dirty water and refill. 

STEP 5: Go over it one more time to make sure there is no soap residue left. 

STEP 6: Allow it to dry completely, usually the drying process takes 1-2 hours. 

Fixing Scratches in Pleather 

If you have any noticeable scratches in the leather you can use this trick to hide them. Apply a small amount of olive oil onto a dry cloth. Then, gently rub the oil into the scratches in the leather.

Once you have applied the oil then use a fresh cloth to wipe away any oil residue. The scratches on the leather will darken and seem to disappear. It can make your it look like new again. I love using this trick for the small scratches from my dogs' nails.

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Follow Up With A Leather Conditioner

If you want after spot cleaning, follow up with an easy-to-use leather conditioner. I like to do this on my synthetic leather car seats because they see so much use. 

You can pick up a bottle fairly inexpensively on Amazon. 

Helpful Tips

  • Whether it's faux leather clothing or a faux leather sofa, you want to avoid direct sunlight. This really dries it out and can make it deteriorate faster. 
  • Even if you have tougher stains, you still want to use a gentle detergent and avoid harsh cleaners. Also, always use a non-abrasive cloth.Gently wipe versus scrubbing in a circular motion.
  • When it comes to faux leather garments, such as your favorite faux leather jacket be sure to check the care label. Sometimes they can go in the washing machine (usually on a gentle cycle and cold water), but if they have already started to flake, I would recommend my cleaning method avoid. 


What is Fake Leather Made Of?

Faux leather, also known as synthetic leather or vegan leather, is typically made from a plastic base coated with a synthetic polymer. The most common materials used to make faux leather are:

  1. Polyurethane (PU): This is the most common material used in faux leather. It’s a flexible polymer that can be made to feel very similar to real leather. PU leather often has a fabric backing, such as polyester, to give it strength and durability.
  2. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Another common material, PVC faux leather is made by applying a plastic coating to a base material, usually polyester. PVC is less flexible than PU and can have a shinier, less leather-like appearance.
how to clean faux leather

More Cleaning Hacks and Tips

  • DIY Upholstery Cleaner
  • Amazingly Easy Car Cleaning Hacks
  • How To Fix Deep Scratches in Wood
« Learn How to Get Rid of Mattress Dust Mites Using DIY Spray
How to Unshrink Clothes in a Few Easy Steps (Laundry Hack) »
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Hi, I'm Julie! Welcome to Frugally Blonde! I love sharing my favorite cleaning tips, decluttering tricks, & household hacks. I am a certified organizational specialist with a love for cleaning!

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