5 ways to clean faux leather naturally.

Faux leather is an easy way to add a little luxury to your life. It’s become a popular material in everything from fashion to cars and furniture, thanks to its stylish elegance and ability to perfectly mimic the supple softness of genuine leather goods.

As with real leather, knowing how to properly clean and care for faux leather goods is the key to maintaining their quality. Luckily, there are a number of natural and easy ways to keep faux leather goods looking fresh.

Keep reading to find out more about this popular leather alternative and what steps you can take to clean everything from faux leather jackets to sofas.

The word "faux" means artificial or imitation, and that’s exactly what faux leather is: artificial leather.

It is sometimes called vegan leather because it is made without animal products. It also requires less energy, fewer chemicals, and less time to produce than genuine leather.

Because it’s cruelty-free and more environmentally friendly, major brands and designers, like Tesla and Stella McCartney, have started using faux leather in their products. It’s also usually cheaper than genuine leather, so it’s better for your wallet, too.

Polyurethane (PU) is the most common material used to make faux leather. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is also sometimes used, but PU leather contains fewer harsh chemicals, like chlorine, so it can be more sustainably produced than PVC. You may have also heard of these types of faux leather referred to as “pleather,” as in plastic leather.

Though leather alternatives are more environmentally friendly than genuine leather, plastic still isn’t biodegradable. In an effort to move away from plastic, many brands are seeking even more sustainable materials to use in the production of faux leather.

Some other popular vegan leather materials include:

• Cork oak
• Pineapple leaves
• Fruit skins
• Recycled plastic
• Cactus leaves

Faux leather is designed to be tough and long-lasting. It is possible for it to peel, crack, and wrinkle if subjected to too much heat or light. If properly cleaned and cared for, faux leather products can last for several years.

You might feel intimidated by the idea of cleaning your faux leather goods, but the cleaning process is easier than you might expect.

Most products can be cleaned with water and natural ingredients, mild soap, or detergent. Always check your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to be sure you’re using approved products.

5 essential supplies for cleaning faux leather

1. Microfiber cloths
2. Gentle stain remover
3. Natural detergent
4. Coconut oil
5. Baking soda

Spot-cleaning is the easiest way to get stains off of vegan leather.

To treat basic stains:

1. Wet a microfiber cloth with cool or warm water. Never use hot water as it can warp or even melt faux leather.
2. Squeeze out excess water until the cloth is only damp.
3. Wipe or lightly scrub the stain.

For tough stains, you might need to go deeper into your natural cleaning arsenal. Try adding a small amount of gentle stain remover to the damp cloth before lightly scrubbing.

You can also make your own detergent mixture to remove tough stains using the following steps:

1. Add a tablespoon of gentle detergent to a spray bottle filled with water.
2. Shake well, and spray the mixture onto a microfiber cloth.
3. Gently scrub to remove stains.

There are two main ways to clean pleather clothing: by hand-washing or in the washing machine.

Occasionally, faux leather pieces are dry-clean only, so double check your tags before you decide on a cleaning method.

Before you wash faux leather garments, spot-treat any visible stains using the stain removal methods above.

Faux leather shoes can typically be cleaned by hand using only a few simple household ingredients.

1. Mix a tablespoon of natural detergent with several cups of water.
2. Moisten a cloth with the detergent mixture, and wipe the length of the shoe.
3. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any excess moisture.
4. Let the shoe air dry.
5. Dip a clean, white cloth into a teaspoon of melted coconut oil and rub the shoe to condition the faux leather.

Faux leather can sometimes hang onto smells, like body odor, cigarette smoke, or scents from cooking. To get rid of these unpleasant smells, try baking soda in the process below.

1. Sprinkle baking soda on faux leather furniture, in the linings of clothing, or inside of shoes.
2. Place garments or shoes in a sealable bag or container. Let furniture sit.
3. Wait several hours to one day.
4. Brush, wipe, or vacuum away the baking soda.

Repeat these steps as needed to keep your faux leather looking (and smelling) as if it were brand new.