How to Iron Faux Leather Without Melting It

You can iron faux leather, but never directly: turn it inside out, cover it with a thin cotton cloth, and press briefly on the low or synthetic setting with the steam off. Faux leather is a fabric backing with a plastic coating of PU or PVC, and heat can make that coating bubble, warp, melt or discolor. A steamer or shower steam is often the safer first try.

This answer is part of our guide to shaping leather and removing wrinkles. Real leather follows different rules; see can you iron leather?

Why faux leather needs less heat than leather

Real leather is collagen, and it shrinks when wet heat passes its shrinkage temperature. Faux leather behaves like a plastic. Thermoplastics soften and can turn to a viscous liquid when heated. Rigid PVC begins to distort at around 140°F (60°C), though no source we found gives a figure for the flexible PVC used in faux leather. Some polyurethanes soften with heat, while most harden for good and don't melt.

So whichever plastic your item uses, treat it as heat-sensitive.

How to iron faux leather in 5 steps

1. Turn it inside out if you can, and lay it flat.
2. Cover the wrinkle with a thin towel or cotton cloth.
3. Set the iron to low or synthetic, steam off.
4. Test a hidden spot, such as an inside seam allowance. One retailer warns that even low heat can warp unprotected plastic.
5. Press briefly and lift. Don't let the iron rest; lift the cloth, check, and move on.

Steam options

• Garment steamer: one cleaning company calls it the best option for faux leather wrinkles. A clothing retailer holds it 2-3 in (5-8 cm) away and keeps it moving.
• Shower steam: hang it in a closed bathroom with a hot shower for 15-20 minutes, then smooth by hand. It may not shift deep creases.

For the full method, see how to remove wrinkles from faux leather.

FAQ

What ruins faux leather?

Direct heat is the main risk: an iron on the surface, heaters, tumble dryers and hot cars. The same retailer says to air-dry it and never use a dryer.

Can you steam wrinkles out of pleather?

Yes. Pleather is a plastic-coated faux leather, so the steamer and shower methods above apply.

How do you flatten faux leather?

Hang it on a padded hanger, or put tissue between the folds if it has to be folded. For a heavier fix on real leather, see how to remove dents from leather.

If you also own real leather pieces, Leather Collection's care advice for genuine leather covers ironing through brown paper.