Leather Care & Cleaning
How to Read a Faux Leather Care Label: Material Line, Symbols and What to Do Without One
Read the material line first (PU washes, PVC mostly wipes), then the symbols and care words. What each means, and what to do if there is no label.
A faux leather care label tells you two things: what the coating is made of, and which cleaning methods the maker allows. Read the material line first, because polyurethane (PU) faux leather is washable while PVC types are not easily cleaned. Then read the symbols: a crossed-out symbol means "don't". If the label allows machine washing, follow it exactly; if it doesn't, wipe-clean only.
This guide is part of our leather care and cleaning guide. Shoes, gloves and hats often have no care label at all, because US care-label rules exempt them.
Step 1: Find the material line
Faux leather is a textile base with a PVC or polyurethane coating on top. It is sold under many names, including leatherette, PU leather, vegan leather and pleather.
The US Leather Guides that set these disclosure words cover bags, wallets, belts and footwear; garments are not in their scope list. For real leather labels, leatherguide.org explains how to read a leather care label.
| What the label says | What it usually means for cleaning | Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane, PU | Washable type of faux leather; follow the label's method | – |
| PVC, vinyl, vinyl coated fabric | Not easily cleaned; wipe only unless the label says otherwise | – |
| Not leather, imitation leather, simulated leather, plastic | Disclosure words for non-leather that looks like leather on bags, wallets, belts and shoes | – |
| Upper of manmade materials | Footwear wording for a mostly non-leather upper | – |
| Only a base fabric listed (e.g. polyester) | Coated fabrics need no fiber disclosure unless the maker makes a fiber claim, so the coating may not be named | – |
Step 2: Read the care symbols
US labels may use ASTM symbols instead of words. The five shapes are the same family worldwide (ISO 3758 and ASTM D5489).
Bars under a symbol always mean a gentler version of that process.
| Symbol | Meaning | Common faux leather version | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washtub | Washing; dots set the maximum temperature (1 dot 86°F/30°C, 2 dots 104°F/40°C) | Tub with 1 dot and 1-2 bars: cold, gentle cycle | – |
| Hand in tub | Hand wash, at or below 104°F (40°C) | Hand wash only | – |
| Crossed tub | Do not wash | Wipe-clean only | – |
| Triangle | Bleach; crossed means no bleach | Crossed triangle | – |
| Square with circle | Tumble dry; dots set heat; crossed means no tumble drying | Crossed: air dry | – |
| Square with lines | Natural drying: line, drip or flat | Hang or lay flat | – |
| Iron | Dots set temperature (1 dot 230°F/110°C); crossed means no ironing | Crossed iron | – |
| Circle | Professional cleaning; letters name the process; crossed means none | Crossed circle | – |
Step 3: Read the care words
US care labels on clothing must give a washing or a drycleaning instruction, and warnings use "Do not", "No" or "Only". The maker must have a reasonable basis for what the label says.
- "Machine wash cold, inside out, gentle." Use a mesh bag, the delicate cycle, cold water and the lowest spin. Turning it inside out protects the coating.
- "Do not tumble dry." Air dry on a rack or hanger; dryer heat can make faux leather come apart.
- "Do not iron." Use a steamer for wrinkles, or hover a steam iron without touching the surface.
- "Do not dryclean." Dry cleaning can damage the plastic coating.
- "Do not wash - Do not dryclean." The item can be neither washed nor drycleaned; wipe-clean only, as in how to clean faux leather.
- "Dryclean only." Allowed only if washing would damage the garment.
Check the lining line too. Some linings may not be machine washable even when the shell is.
Step 4: If there is no label, or it has worn off
Labels must be permanent and legible for the product's useful life, but shoes, gloves, hats and belts fall outside the rule.
When there is no label, use the most cautious method: spot test, wipe with mild soapy water, rinse with a damp cloth and air dry. Never put it in the dryer.
What the label usually won't tell you
- Lotions and skin oils. Residues from creams and lotions can damage the plasticizer in the coating, making it brittle.
- Dye transfer. Dyes from clothing can transfer to light faux leather and may be irreversible.
- Protection. Some faux leather protectors are applied in one thin layer after cleaning; see how to protect faux leather.
For washing faux leather pants step by step, see how to wash faux leather pants.
Quick answers
How do I care for faux leather?
Follow the label. Without one, wipe with soap and water, rinse the residue and air dry.
Can I use Dawn dish soap to wash leather?
For faux leather, mild soap and water is a common maker-approved method; the full method is in how to clean faux leather.
Can I use Clorox wipes on pleather?
Some PU makers allow disinfectants on their own products, but makers differ. Check your label, then see how to disinfect leather safely.
Can I put leather conditioner on synthetic leather?
Vegan leather does not absorb conditioner the way real leather does, and some conditioner makers say their product is not for faux leather or vinyl.
If you'd rather own a jacket with a real leather label, Leather Collection makes custom leather jackets in your choice of leather.
hosob Editorial Team
hosob articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.