Keeping fabric from pleather clothing and furniture appearing sleek is no easy task, but it can be with the right techniques. Pleather is an engineered fabric, not a true leather material, and is normally made by attaching a plastic coating to a synthetic base. This make requires special care to avoid breakage, peeling and darkened. If you’re rocking your pleather jacket, or donning some stylish pleather pants, or sitting in your modern pleather couch improper cleaning is a leading cause of early deterioration.
This comprehensive guide from Zeppelin Cleaner will demystify the process, providing a professional, step-by-step methodology for how to wash pleather and other crucial leather care techniques. We’ll learn about how many types of pleather, safe cleaning and techniques help in removing stains from your synthetic leather garments and items so you can maintain its condition for years. To our Northridge and Sherman Oaks residents who need hands off expertise, our professional cleaning services offer the ultimate care for your valued pieces.
Understanding What are The Different Types of Pleather
Before you even start to consider what cleaning method to try, it’s imperative that you first figure out what it is. Pleather is a rather generic term and different types of pleather have slightly different characteristics. Primarily, you’ll encounter:
- Polyurethane (PU) Leather: The most popular and reliable Faux Leather. It’s more breathable, pliable and eco-friendly than PVC. PU pleather is easier to clean and less prone to cracking.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Leather: For a more firm and not as breathable finishing look for PVC leather, it’s plastic covering fabric. It has more of a possibility to crack at lower temperatures and may require for you to be more gentle with how you clean it so you don’t damage the plastic coating.
- Bonded or Recycled Leather: A mixture of leathers fibers, and urethane. It’s got real leather particulates in it, but tends to act more like pleather – don’t treat it like leather.
Pro tip: Always check the manufacturer’s care label first. This is your most reliable guide. If the label is missing, the techniques outlined below, applied with caution, will serve you well.
How To Perform Pre-Cleaning Inspection & Spot Testing
The most critical step in the best way to clean pleather is what you do before any cleaner touches the surface.
Dust and Dry Clean: You may simply dust with a clean, soft, dry, lint-free slub-less cloth. This prevents abrasion during the wet cleaning process.
The Inconspicuous Area Test: This is non-negotiable. To test your cleaner of choice, we recommend a drop of gentle soap in warm water, on an inconspicuous spot, inside a seam, on the back panel, or under a cushion. Allow it to dry fully. Look for yellowing, changing of the texture or cracking. If there is damage, do not use that method.
Step-by-Step Guide For Best Way To Clean Pleather
Follow this structured process for safe and effective cleaning.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
Abrasive or chemical cleaners can damage screen surface. They will strip the finish. Instead, create a gentle solution:
- Combine a few drops of a mild detergent such as dish or castile soap with warm water in a bowl. Don’t use hot water, since it may hurt the plastic coating.
- For tougher stains, spot treat after testing with a solution of 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent cold water.
Step 2: Gentle Washing & Scrubbing
- Dampen a microfiber with your solution, and wring it out well. The fabric should be moist but not sopping.
- Clean the pleather surface by rubbing in gentle, circular motions. Focus on a little bit at a time.
- For textured pleather or dirt deep in the grain, use a soft bristle brush dipped into to help agitate the area. Never scrub aggressively.
Step 3: Tackling Stains
- Oil-Based Stains: Dab at once with an absorbent, dry cloth. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain to soak up the oil, let it sit for an hour, then brush off and clean with your mild soapy solution.
- Ink or Dye Stains: Dabbing of a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol here can help, but it is high-stakes. Test thoroughly in a inconspicuous area first, as the pleather coating can be dissolved by alcohol.
- General Stains: Soapsuds now on the quick-draw with your mild diluted soap solution should work like a charm for most meals and eats, plus, you can apply quickly. Always blot, don’t rub.
Step 4: Thorough Rinsing & Drying
- Rinse microfiber cloth in clean cold water, wring out well and wipe over the cleaned area to remove any remaining soapy film. The soap residue will only attract more dirt.
- Immediately dry the area thoroughly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- The key is then not to speed up the drying process with a direct heat source such as radiators, hairdryers or sun, let the item air dry naturally. If you’re trying to get wrinkles out of a pleather jacket or from pleather pants, hang them over a padded hanger in a well-ventilated room.
Specialized Care for Different Pleather Items
- How to Clean a Pleather Jacket or Pants: Follow the hand-washing steps above. After air drying a water based non-oily pleather, conditioner it to keep it flexible. Store on padded hangers, not wire ones.
- How to Clean Pleather Couch: Start by vacuuming the sofa with a soft bristle brush attachment. Clean in sections with the mild soap solution and a microfiber cloth. Use a soft bristle brush to focus more on the seams/hinges and crevices. Do an annual conditioning to help prevent material from drying and cracking in high traffic areas.
Understanding When to Call in The Professionals
DIY methods are great for maintenance, when you need professional help! Zeppelin Cleaners offers specialized fabric care to Northridge, Sherman Oaks and the surrounding Los Angeles area. Contact us for:
- Durable pleather items like high-value or costly, fashionable ones where risk is not acceptable.
- Widespread staining or spotting that home treatments can’t eradicate.
- Big furniture pieces, like pleather couches that need an even, thorough cleaning.
- If you do not know type of material or if previous cleaning has failed.
Our professional grade, material specific solution and techniques clean, condition and refresh your pleather investments to help restore that like new look.
Proactive Maintenance & Long-Term Leather Care
Normal Dusting: Once a week, dust with a clean dry cloth to prevent dirt buildup.
Conditioning: Apply a synthetic leather-specific conditioner every 6-12 months. It restores plasticizers to help retard cracking.
Guard Against Extremes: Pleather will take a lot, but not direct sunlight, nor high heat and sharp things. Keep off of damp or excessively dry areas.
Immediate Attention: Clean spills immediately to prevent staining.
Trust Zeppelin Cleaner for Expert Fabric Care
Knowing how to clean pleather jackets and pants allows you to keep your faux leather pieces looking their best with confidence. With respect for leather’s limits, low-impact interventions and a little bit of prevention, you can trust the look of leather without fearing high-maintenance problems.
For residents of Northridge and Sherman Oaks and the neighboring areas, Zeppelin Cleaner is right here when leather look items require more than regular treatment. Our knowledge and experience leads to a deep clean, thorough stain removal, and maintaining for all your synthetic materials. Contact Zeppelin Cleaner today for a consultation and let us help you guard your stylish investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can you wash pleather with soap and water?
Yes, use a mix of mild detergent and warm water to clean pleather. Always make sure to wring out your cloth really well and ensure the surface is 100% dry.
Q2: How do you clean pleather that is sticky or has a worn-out coating?
The sticking is frequently caused by the plasticizers leeching to the surface. Wipe lightly with a soft cloth moistened in tepid vinegar-water. Some of the severely damaged coatings may need professional touch-up.
Q3: What’s the difference between cleaning genuine leather and pleather?
Genuine leather is also porous and must be conditioned and cleaned with the proper pH-balanced cleaner and oil-based condition to maintain it. Pleather is not porous so do not use oils or leather conditioners on the costume as it can rip. Always use products that are intended for synthetic fabrics.
Q4: Can I use baby wipes to clean pleather?
Occasionally, some alcohol-free baby wipes work well for quick spot cleaning. But read the ingredients list and test it first, as some products might have chemicals that dry out the material over time.
Q5: How can I make my pleather look new again?
Cleaning with a relatively mild detergent and water solution with good drying afterwards as well as occasional applying some sort of water-base pleather protector to keep them looking nice. Use a suitable product to restore sheen to matte pleather.
