As we are big fans of faux leather here at Italian Living Style, we thought we’d share some great tips and tricks with you so you can properly care for your faux leather furniture. Not only is this material soft, stylish, and durable, but by taking a few simple steps, you can maintain its quality for a long time. Care for faux leather furniture to look new and beautiful for a long time.
Since faux leather is an important part of our product range, we have extensive experience in its care. In this post, we will provide you with the basics of faux leather so that you can take better care of it. Also, we will give you various useful tips that you can use to care for Faux Leather dining chairs or a bench from damage caused by daily use.
The two most important things you should remember about faux leather are:
- It is a non-porous, closed-surface material, so most stains remain on its surface.
- Do not let it dry too much. If it gets too dry, it may crack.
With a few simple precautions, you can maintain the beauty and durability of faux leather for years.
What is Faux Leather?
All faux leather consists of a layer of synthetic material (a type of plastic) embossed with a leather-like grain and backed with fabric. However, it comes in many types and qualities – the most common types include PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Polyurethane, and Polyamide Microfibre.
There are many types available in the market, but we only use polyurethane, which we commonly call PU. We prefer PU because it is easy to maintain and better for the environment than PVC.
This is important because although PU is a more breathable material than PVC, it is still considered non-porous, meaning that stains or marks usually remain on the surface. However, because it is breathable, the stain can penetrate in the form of heat and humidity – if the conditions are suitable (or unsuitable!).
Top Tip: Protection is key
Although genuine leather and PU faux leather may look similar, they are very different. However, some of the principles of caring for real leather can be applied to faux leather as well.
A protective coating or protective treatment for faux leather is a good preventative measure, but the effect varies. It does not absorb moisture like real leather, but rather creates a thin protective layer on the surface of the faux leather, making it easier to clean.
If the stains come off easily at first, there’s no need to use harsh and abrasive cleaners, and it is never advisable to let the faux leather dry.
Read more: Leather Sofas vs Faux Leather Sofas: Which Italian Sofa to Choose?
Top Tip: Do a Regular, very Mild Clean
Whether you have brown faux leather dining chairs, black faux leather dining chairs, or gray faux leather bar stools, it is important to always use gentle and gentle methods when cleaning. Harsh chemicals or detergents can dry out faux leather and damage it. It’s best to clean the surface regularly to prevent the build-up of light stains from daily use.
We recommend adding a little washing up liquid to lukewarm water and cleaning with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Wring the cloth well so that the water does not drip, then wipe the surface with it. Then dry with a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth.
This process not only makes everyday cleaning of faux leather easier, but also protects against normal wear and tear, leaving your furniture looking clean and new.
7 Things to Keep in Mind When Maintaining faux Leather:
Sunlight
Direct sunlight can dry out faux leathers. If your dining table is in a sunny spot, maybe try and rotate the chairs once a month so that the same ones are not fully in the midday sun all the time.
Colour Transference
Clothes that are indigo dyed (like jeans) or strong colours can transfer onto light colours. Be sure to give this a wipe as soon as you notice it, as it’s the kind of stain that will penetrate if left. A quick wipe down with a baby wipe after use should keep this at bay. It’s the kind of stain that only becomes obvious once it’s been there a while, and by then it’s generally too late. The regular once-over will also help this.
Test First
Anything you put on your faux leather, try on a hidden part first, just to check that there is no adverse reaction. Test it, let it dry, and then try on the visible parts.
What product?
Always Specific cleaner for Faux leather. Mild soap and water are best for general cleaning, but you may need a stronger cleaner for deeper stains.
Never Reach for the Bleach
Whatever the stain, don’t use bleach. Bleach is the most drying product you can put on faux leather, and it will affect the structure of the fabric, and it will become more susceptible to future marking. A small mark is probably easier to deal with and less noticeable than a bit of a patch that has been affected by bleach treatment. Even if it does remove the stain, that area is then more prone to cracking, plus the surface could be compromised such that future marks sink in more.
Soft Nonabrasive Cloths
Never try to scrub the surface or clean it with a rough cloth or sponge. Frequent cleaning with a soft cloth and mild detergent is sufficient. Rubbing will not stain, but will cause cracks in the faux leather.
Clean After Cleaning
Whatever stain remover you use, whether it’s effective or not, always rinse with a mild detergent after cleaning. Cleaners do their job, but it’s not advisable to leave them on the surface for too long.
Recap on What We’ve Pinpointed:
Treat faux leather as you would your skin. Avoid over-drying, and don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach.
If you pre-preserve the surface of the faux leather, cleaning is not only easier but also effective. Since stains usually sit on the surface, cleaning them is relatively easy and friction-free if you’ve applied a protective coating.
To clean larger stains, don’t do the entire area at once, but start with a small area. Clean one area first in the form of a patch, and if the result is good, try the same method on the rest of the areas.
So here’s an Italian living style guide to best practices for caring for and protecting faux leather!
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