Here at Mor furniture, we are big faux leather fans, so we want to share with you our best tips on how to care for it properly. It is not only very durable, stylish, and soft, but with a few useful tips and tricks, you can help to maintain the quality of the materials to keep your furniture looking great for a longer period of time. Faux Leather is a major component of our overall product range. That means we have first-hand knowledge and experience on how to care for it the best.
In this article, we will be discussing the fundamentals of faux leather so you can have a better understanding of how to care for it the best. We will be providing you with a wide range of advice on how to care for this material and the best way to protect it against wear and tear in the future. Later in the article, we will be providing you with our 7 things to consider when you are trying to maintain faux leather. However, we recommend that you read the entire article to get a better understanding of faux leather and its characteristics.
First of all, there are 2 major points to keep in mind when you are trying to deal with Faux leather:
It has a non-porous surface which means stains will stay on top.
Do not allow it to get too dry. The material may crack if it gets too dry.
What Exactly is Faux Leather
Essentially all faux leathers are a synthetic material (kind of plastic) layer that is backed with fabric and embossed with a leather-like grain. However, it comes in a range of various qualities and types – with the most common ones being Polyamide microfiber, Polyurethane, and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC).
There is a big variation available in the marketplace, but we use just Polyurethanes. We often call it PU. The reason why we prefer to use Polyurethanes is that they are better for the environment and are easier to care for compared to PVC. This is relevant because when you are caring for materials, although PU is a lot more breathable compared to PVC, it still is classified as being non-porous. Therefore, marks will tend to sit on top of the surface. It is breathable, which means that when there is moisture or heat, a stain may be able to penetrate through the material in the right conditions.
The key is protection
Although PU and leather can look very similar, they are actually quite different! Some of the fundamentals of taking care of leather can also be used with faux leather. A good precaution can be a protective treatment that offers a different effect. A protective treatment, in contrast to real leather, will not moisturize and penetrate faux leather. Instead, a thin protective layer is added so that it is easier to clean the surface. If it is easier to clean marks, to begin with, there is a reduced need to use a harsh cleaner which can result in drying – which for faux leather is a huge no-no.
Do a very Mild Clean on a Regular Basis
Whenever you are cleaning faux leather, mild is key since harsh detergents can cause drying. You should clean the surface on a regular basis to keep up with the small marks that can build up over time as you use it. We recommend that you use warm water and some liquid along with a non-abrasive cloth. Make sure to wring out the cloth so it is not dripping wet and then wipe it down. Then use a soft cloth like a microfiber cloth to dry it off. That will help to prevent regular marks from building up and normal wear and tear which can make the surface look grubby and grimy.
7 things to Consider When You are Caring for Faux Leather
Sunlight
Faux leathers can be dried out by direct sunlight. If you have your dining table in a sunny area you might want to rotate your chairs once per month to make sure that the same ones are not directly exposed to the midday sun every day.
Color Transference
Clothing that is dyed with strong colors or indigo (like jeans) can transfer onto lighter colors. Make sure to wipe it off just as soon as you see it. It is the type of stain that can penetrate if you allow it to stay on. Using a baby wipe to wipe it down quickly should keep it under control. This type of stain becomes obvious only after it has been there for a while. By that time, it is usually too late. You can help to prevent this by giving it a once over on a regular basis.
Test First
If you are going to put anything on faux leather, first test it on a hidden area to make sure there is not an adverse reaction. First, test it, then allow it to dry before trying it on any parts that are visible.
Which Product Should You Use?
When you are trying to decide which cleaning product to use, the best thing to do is ask yourself whether you would place it on your body or skin? If not, then there is a good chance that it is too harsh to use on faux leather.
Never Use Bleach
Do not use bleach, no matter what type of stain you have. Bleach is the most drying out type of product that can be placed on faux leather. It affects the fabric’s structure and will make it more susceptible to marking in the future. It is probably a lot easier to deal with a small mark and it will also be less noticeable compared to a patch affected by bleach. Even when a stain is completely removed by bleach, it will make the area a lot more susceptible to cracking. It will also comprise the surface so that marks in the future will sink in even more.
Use Non-Abrasive, Soft Cloths
Don’t ever scrub or rub the surface or use any type of abrasive sponge or cloth. You just need repeated circular motions and a soft cloth. Scrubbing will not get rid of the mark and can cause faux leather to crack.
Clean up After Your Cleaning
After cleaning a mark, always use a mild detergent to wipe it afterward. The cleaner does the job. However, it is not intended to remain on the surface for a long time.