The short answer: wipe a faux leather couch with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap, wipe again with a clean damp cloth, and dry it with a towel. Don’t use bleach, acetone, alcohol-based or abrasive cleaners, which dry out the surface and make it crack and peel.
What is faux leather?
Faux leather, also sold as pleather, vegan leather, PU leather, leatherette or vinyl, is a fabric backing coated with polyurethane (PU) or PVC and embossed to look like leather. It doesn’t absorb liquids the way real leather does, so it wipes clean easily, but its coating can dry out, crack and peel with age, heat and harsh cleaners.
How to clean a faux leather couch, step by step
- Vacuum or dust the couch, including the seams, with a soft brush.
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl of warm water.
- Wipe with a soft cloth that is damp, not dripping, working one panel at a time.
- Rinse by wiping with a second cloth dampened with plain water, so no soap film is left.
- Dry with a soft towel. Don’t leave it wet.
Removing stains from faux leather
| Stain | What to do |
|---|---|
| Food, drink, everyday marks | Mild soap and water, then rinse and dry. |
| Grease | Blot, sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch for 15 minutes, wipe off, then clean with soapy water. |
| Ink | Soapy water first. If that fails, dab only the mark with a cotton swab barely moistened with rubbing alcohol, wipe it off straight away with a damp cloth and dry. Test on a hidden spot first, because alcohol can damage the finish. |
| Dye transfer from jeans | Soapy water, repeated; a cleaner made for vinyl or faux leather if needed. |
| Sticky surface | Wipe with mild soapy water, rinse well and dry. Stickiness that returns can mean the coating is breaking down. |
Getting smells out of faux leather
Wipe every surface with mild soapy water, rinse and dry, then air the room. For musty smells, wipe with a cloth dampened with one part white vinegar to two parts water, then with plain water, and dry. Check under and between the cushions, where spills collect. Baking soda can be sprinkled on fabric parts and vacuumed off.
What not to use on faux leather
- Bleach, ammonia, acetone and solvent cleaners.
- Alcohol-based wipes and sprays for routine cleaning.
- Abrasive pads, stiff brushes and melamine sponges.
- Leather conditioner and oils: faux leather doesn’t absorb them, so they sit on the surface and turn sticky.
- Steam and heat.
Why faux leather peels, and how to slow it down
Peeling happens when the coating separates from the fabric backing. Sunlight, heat, dryness, body oils and harsh cleaners all speed it up. To slow it down, keep the couch out of direct sun and away from radiators and vents, wipe off body oils on the arms and headrests regularly, and clean only with mild soap. Once peeling starts it can’t be reversed; small areas can be patched with a faux leather repair kit, and a throw or cover hides larger ones.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use leather cleaner on faux leather?
A gentle leather cleaner usually won’t harm it, but it isn’t needed: mild soap and water cleans faux leather well. Skip leather conditioner.
How often should you clean a faux leather couch?
Dust it weekly and wipe it with soapy water about once a month, or whenever it looks dull or marked.
Is faux leather the same as bonded leather?
No. Bonded leather is made from leather scraps bonded with polyurethane onto a backing; faux leather contains no leather. Both can peel with age.
Browse faux leather couches, or all leather and faux leather sofas; every listing says which it is. For genuine leather, see how to clean a leather couch.