How to Clean Faux Leather: A Step-by-Step Method That Won't Strip the Finish

To clean faux leather, wipe it with a cloth dampened in mild soap and water, rinse off the soap residue with a plain-water cloth, and let it air dry. Keep it out of the dryer and away from hot water. Stronger products such as rubbing alcohol or bleach are only safe on faux leathers whose maker allows them, so check the label first.

This tutorial is part of our leather care and cleaning guide.

Key takeaways- Soap, water, rinse, air dry: that is the routine faux leather makers give.- PU faux leather is washable; PVC is harder to clean.- What a maker allows varies, from alcohol cleaners to bleach solutions, so read your item's label.- No dryer, no hot water.

What faux leather is, and why it cleans differently

Faux leather is sold as pleather, leatherette, vegan leather or PU leather. It is a plastic layer, usually polyurethane (PU) or PVC, over a fabric base. You are cleaning a coating, not a hide.

PU types are washable, while PVC types are not easily cleaned. The surface of some faux leathers can also rub and wear off over time.

If peeling is what you want to avoid, start with the gentlest method that works.

Tools and materials

How to clean faux leather in 7 steps

Step 1: Check the label

Look for the maker's care tag or cleaning guidelines and follow them first. On clothing, the care label also tells you whether the lining can go in the machine.

Step 2: Brush out loose dirt

Brush or vacuum crumbs and dust out of seams and creases before any water goes on, so you are not wiping grit across the surface.

Step 3: Spot test

Dab your soapy cloth on a hidden area, such as under a cushion or inside a hem. Let it dry and check for color change or dullness before you clean the rest.

Step 4: Wipe with soapy water

Wring the cloth until it is damp, not dripping. Wipe one section at a time with soap and water. Deal with fresh spills as soon as they happen.

Step 5: Rinse off the soap

Go over the same section with the second cloth, dampened in plain water. Makers say to rinse all cleaning residue off with clean water.

Step 6: Dry it

Towel off with a cotton cloth, then let it air dry. Never put faux leather in the dryer. Our page on whether you can put leather in the dryer explains why heat is the enemy.

Step 7: Treat stubborn stains, only if your maker allows it

One PU maker, Ultrafabrics, says to wipe stubborn stains off with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol as soon as possible, then rinse. Do this only if your item's maker allows it. Our page on whether rubbing alcohol is safe on leather covers the risks on real leather.

Act fast: not every ink stain comes out, and permanent ink may not come out at all.

What different makers allow

Faux leathers are not all the same, and neither are their cleaning rules. Here is what two makers say about their own products.

These rules apply to those makers' products only. Never put bleach on real leather. If your item has no maker guidance, stick to soap and water.

Couches, bags, car seats and clothing

• Couches and chairs: follow the 7 steps one cushion at a time. Check the furniture maker's guidelines too.
• Bags: wipe the outside with the same method; brush out the lining first.
• Car seats: use the same method, and check the vehicle maker's care guidance before using any spray.
• Jackets, pants and skirts: many can be washed if the care tag allows it; use cool to warm water, never hot, and see how to wash faux leather pants.

In this Insider Art video, cleaner Auri Katariina lifts coffee, denim-dye and ink stains off a white faux leather couch with diluted dish soap and microfiber cloths. Watch for two differences from this page: she also works ink marks with a mildly abrasive cleaning paste, which goes beyond the soap-and-water routine makers give, and she advises against bleach, which one PU maker does allow on its own products.

Common mistakes

To keep the surface in good shape between cleans, see how to protect faux leather, and learn the symbols in our faux leather care label guide.

Faux leather or the real thing?

Real leather needs a different routine: blot spills and wipe with a damp cloth, and no soaking. If you are weighing faux against real leather for your next jacket, leatherguide.org compares them. For genuine cowhide pieces, browse Leather Collection.

Quick answers

Can I use Dawn dish soap on faux leather?

Faux leather makers recommend soap and water for routine cleaning. They do not name a brand. Use a few drops of a mild soap and rinse the residue off with clean water.

Can I use Clorox wipes on pleather?

It depends on the maker. Ultrafabrics lists bleach-solution, hydrogen-peroxide and quaternary disinfectants for its PU products, while Yarwood says it depends on the range. Check your label, then rinse and dry after disinfecting.

What is the best cleaner for faux leather chairs?

Soap and water, rinsed off and air dried, is the routine makers give for faux leather upholstery. Check the chair maker's guidelines before using anything stronger.

How can I clean faux leather bags?

Brush out the inside, then wipe the outside with a damp, soapy cloth, rinse with a plain-water cloth, and air dry.