Our Top Tips on How to Properly Care for Faux Leather

Faux leather is a soft, stylish and notably durable material. But as with any fabric, knowing how to care for it will make sure it lasts – through dinner parties, cocktail nights and, well, life at home.

In this post, we’ll guide you through the basics of faux leather, helping you get a better understanding of how to care for it. We’ve rounded up your frequently asked questions alongside our top cleaning tips to keep your faux leather furniture looking its best for years to come:

• What is faux leather?

• How to protect faux leather against wear and tear

• Is faux leather easy to clean?

• What to use to clean faux leather

• How to treat faux leather furniture

First, what is faux leather?

Faux leather is crafted with a textile backing providing strength and flexibility then layered with a synthetic coating which is  dyed, coated and embossed with a leather-effect grain. 

Also known as vegan leather, pleather and artificial leather, it is often used in clothing fabric, car interiors and, of course, furniture upholstery – from bar stools to dining chairs. It needs less maintenance compared to the real thing, and doesn’t crack or fade easily.

There are different types of faux leather. The most common of these is polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyamide microfibre, with the quality of the fabric varying between each type. Our furniture is upholstered using PU faux leather – a better alternative for the environment than PVC. It’s also easier to care for, being non-porous, so marks will mostly sit on the surface waiting to be wiped away.

How to protect faux leather

Real leather and PU leather look and feel similar – but there are some key differences when it comes to their care. Leather being a natural material can easily stain and mark, faux leather being a synthetic material has a barrier that prevents stains being fully absorbed so they can be wiped away. 

One thing to watch out for is Indigo dyed clothes, like jeans. Although these won’t be a problem on darker faux leathers, they can transfer onto light coloured pieces like our Clover natural faux leather dining chairs. Protect your furniture by wiping any dye away as soon as you notice it, as leaving it too long could penetrate the fabric and cause a stain.

Direct sunlight can also dry out faux leather, so keep this in mind for longevity. If your dining area is in a particularly sunny spot, try to rotate your chairs or bar stools once a month so that the same ones are not constantly in the sun. A suggestion to reduce the sunlight using blinds or curtains is recommended.

Is faux leather easy to clean?

Unlike real leather, faux leather needs minimal upkeep. Its real counterpart needs regular conditioning and cleaning to stop any cracks and dryness from showing. But faux leather can simply be maintained with a regular wipedown using a damp cloth. If you choose to use some soap, make sure to perform a patch test first. Dab a small, unnoticeable area of the furniture with your cleaner, wait for it to dry and then, if you’re happy, clean the full piece.

What to use to clean faux leather

Whether you're maintaining your bar stools or tidying up the wear and tear of a dining chair, using a non-abrasive damp cloth is always the best choice. For any marks, dab with your damp cloth and a small amount of washing up liquid.  

1. Start your clean by brushing off loose dirt and debris with a soft brush.

2. For light cleaning, dampen a soft, non-abrasive cloth with a mixture of warm water and a little washing up liquid. Gently wipe the surface of the material using repeated circular motions, instead of rubbing or scrubbing which can risk cracking the material.

3. Dry with a microfibre cloth, then give your faux leather furniture plenty of time to air dry completely, away from direct sunlight and heat.

If you spot some stubborn stains that just won’t budge, never reach for the bleach. Bleach will dry out the faux leather and will affect the structure of the surface, making it more susceptible to future marking. 

How to treat faux leather

Regular cleans will help you keep on top of little marks that build up with use, keeping your pieces looking new for as long as possible. Always follow any instructions that come with your furniture, for more tailored treatment help.

So remember…

Faux leather is more durable than real leather. It’s strong and non-porous, so most marks that appear can be wiped away. Harsher wear and tear, like fading and staining, can be avoided by placing your furniture out of direct sunlight, and wiping away any clothes dye stains as soon as you spot them. To clean your faux leather furniture, gently brush away dirt, wipe the surface with a warm soapy water solution, and dry with a microfibre cloth. Don’t forget to patch test your solution to make sure it’s the right choice for your faux leather piece. And remember – quick, regular cleans will keep your faux leather pieces as close to perfect as possible, for as long as possible.

Explore our Faux Leather Furniture Collections, including sofas, dining chairs and bar stools.