Faux leather is a more durable and cheaper alternative to genuine leather. This material is widely used in furniture, car seats, clothing, belts, handbags, and so on. Faux leather is made in various types, such as polyurethane (polyurethane), vinyl (vinyl) or microsuede. Each of the methods described here can be used to clean leatherette in relatively similar ways, although there are some important differences.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Caring for Polyurethane Skin
Step 1. Dip a cloth or sponge in water and wipe the leather surface
We recommend that you use warm water. This will remove dust, dirt, and other debris. Polyurethane is easier to clean than genuine leather, and this treatment is sufficient as a daily maintenance and to remove a small amount of dirt on the surface.
Step 2. Use a bar of soap to remove stubborn dirt
If you're dealing with dirt or stains that won't go away with scrubbing, don't just use water. Use an unscented soap so that there are no chemicals or residues that can have an adverse effect on the skin. Rub bar soap on stubborn dirt.
To perform this step, you can also use dish soap and liquid soap
Step 3. Wipe the soap stuck to the skin using a damp cloth
Wipe thoroughly until the surface is clean of soap. The skin can be damaged if there is still soap left.
Step 4. Let the soap surface dry
If the cleaned leather is in the form of clothes, you can hang it to dry. If you clean leather on furniture, don't let anyone sit or touch it until the leather is completely dry.
To speed up drying, you can wipe the surface of the leather with a dry cloth
Method 2 of 3: Caring for Vinyl Leather (PVC)
Step 1. Vacuum the surface of the skin with an additional tool attached to the end of the upholstery attachment
The vacuum cleaner can clean pet dander, dirt, dust and crumbs. This keeps furniture and clothes looking new for a longer time.
Step 2. Spray the vinyl cleaner onto the surface of the leather
These products can be purchased online or at home improvement stores. Some products are specifically designed to clean boat seats, jackets, or car seats. Make sure you have selected a product that matches the item you want to clean. Spray lightly over the entire surface of the skin.
After spraying, let the cleaning product sit on the skin for about 1 minute
Step 3. Use a soft brush to scrub the vinyl surface
After the cleanser is attached to the skin, use a brush to remove any dirt or dust that has stuck to the surface of the leather. Do it in a circular motion while applying a little pressure. Let the cleaning products do the work, not your muscles.
If the surface being cleaned is divided into sections, or has crevices and arches, you will need to brush each section separately
Step 4. Wipe off any dirt or dust using a towel
The use of cleansers and brushes will remove dirt and dust from the surface of the skin. You can easily clean the dirt with a towel.
Step 5. Spray the vinyl shield onto the leather surface
This product helps to repel dirt and dust that will stick to it, so you don't have to clean it too often. This product usually can also protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. After spraying the cleanser on the skin, wipe the surface with a towel
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Microsuede Skin
Step 1. Vacuum the microsuede leather weekly to remove dust, lint, dirt, and pet dander
Smaller particles can get trapped in the hairy areas of the leather, and they can wear out quickly. Pay special attention to the seams (seam folds) because a lot of dirt collects in this place.
Microsuede is made to mimic real suede leather with a feathery, raised surface. This product is not as waterproof as vinyl faux leather, and must be handled with care to care for it
Step 2. Keep the microsuede out of direct sunlight
The dye on microsuede fades easily. This is especially important if you have furniture and clothing made of microsuede leather.
Step 3. Clean up spills immediately with a lint-free cloth
Microsuede is a non-watering material so the faster you clean up any spilled liquid, the less likely it is to seep and stain your skin. Do not rub the spill because it can stick to the surface of the skin. Wipe up spills with a cloth until the liquid is gone.
Step 4. Clean the stain immediately using a mixture of warm water and liquid soap
Dish soap is specially designed to remove oil and water based stains. Wet a cloth with this mixture and rub it on the stain until it is clean.
Use as little water as possible when cleaning microsuede. Water can seep into the lining or pads if the skin is moistened for a long time
Step 5. Clean the stain with water
Use a clean sponge dipped in water to clean the stain. After the stain is removed, dry the skin with a hairdryer set on a cold setting to prevent stains from forming from adhering water marks.
Step 6. Gently brush the microsuede with a nylon brush after you clean it
This will restore the hair that is on the surface of the skin. You may need to clean microsuede with an upholstery cleaner every few months because microsuede leather is prone to staining and damage.
Step 7. Clean the microsuede using a professional upholstery cleaner regularly
You can find this spray product on the internet, supermarkets, or home supply stores. Check the packaging to see if it's safe to use on microsuede leather before you use it.
Tips
- Always check the care instructions before you attempt to clean the leatherette. There may be additional steps that need to be taken to protect the dye, coating, and thread.
- Do not eat sitting on microsuede furniture. Dropped food particles can easily get caught in the fur.
Warning
- Do not use abrasive scourers to clean leatherette. Steel wool and abrasive brushes can damage the leather's surface.
- Do not use soap flakes (soap in the form of flakes) on vinyl leather. Flakes can stick to the surface of the skin.
- Keep all types of faux leather away from high heat and open flames. Faux leather is made of plastic and is highly flammable.
