Faux-leather couches can provide the look of expensive leather for a fraction of the cost, but they do require different care than true leather. The upholstery material is sometimes called pleather, which means plastic leather and can refer to a variety of different man-made fabrics. Most pleather does contain some plastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl. Chemical cleaners can damage pleather or make it stiff, so it’s vital to care properly for the couch upholstery to keep it looking and feeling its best.
- Vacuum the couch weekly or as needed with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Vacuum inside any cracks or crevices to remove all dirt particles, removing the cushions if possible to vacuum beneath them. Abrasive dirt particles can scratch pleather, but regular vacuuming prevents abrasion.
- Combine a mild household detergent or liquid dish soap with warm water. Use about 2 tablespoons of detergent per gallon of water.
- Wipe the pleather down with a clean rag dampened with the detergent solution as needed to remove surface residue and dirt. Avoid chemical cleaners or those that contain bleach, because this can discolor the pleather or remove the surface plasticizer coating, resulting in stiffness.
- Rinse the rag in clear water and wring it out. Wipe down the pleather a second time to remove the detergent residue. Wipe up the excess moisture with a dry cloth.
- Dip a cotton ball in a vinyl stain remover or rubbing alcohol to remove stains. Dab the stain with the remover until it’s gone, then immediately flush the area with clear water to prevent permanent damage to the pleather. Only use stain-remover solvents when regular cleaning methods don’t work, because solvents can easily damage the upholstery.
- Vacuum with brush attachment
- Mild detergent
- Rags
- Vinyl stain remover or rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls
