How to clean leatherette

The sofa in the apartment is a universal favorite, for this reason it often gets dirty, stains. What to do if your pet is made of artificial leather and becomes dirty, how to clean leatherette, how to care for the interior to remain clean and beautiful? Our experts will tell you all the secrets of caring for such material.

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What is leatherette?

This is, in other words, artificial leather, vinyl leather, high-quality polymer material that mimics genuine leather. It is durable and easy to handle, but despite this, the surface of the leather can be damaged by anything: high temperature, direct sunlight, and especially household pollution.

But there are also many other materials used in furniture production. A separate post on our website is dedicated to just the topic, which fabric is better for the sofa.

Is your sofa light in color? Unfortunately, the problem arises that it is prone to dyeing from clothes, jeans, bedding. How to deal with this? On this and other questions about cleaning leatherette in this article, we will give you some effective tips.

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What types of leatherette are there?

Before you start cleaning, be sure to specify what type of leatherette you have in common use - apatek, vinyl artificial leather, eco leather. Each of them is suitable for certain detergents, and for each there are some restrictions as to what to use when cleaning is not worth it. So, for example:

• Products from the pharmacy are cleaned with soapy water or products that do not contain chlorine and solvent.
• Vinyl artificial leather - allows products that contain ammonia, but does not tolerate solvents.
• Ecoskin - it is cleaned with a 40% aqueous-alcoholic solution, a varnish remover. But after cleaning, be sure to wipe the surface dry.

If you are interested in knowing what quality your material is or if you plan to buy new upholstered furniture in the future, read a more detailed review about differenttypes of leather and leatherette for sofa.

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How to clean a sofa made of leatherette?

1. Before you start cleaning the sofa, stock up on the necessary cleaning products so that they are at your fingertips.
2. Place a place where you will clean a sofa, cover with a film or remove carpets from a floor.
3. Make sure that the light hits evenly the entire work surface.
4. Do not use batteries or direct sunlight for emergency drying.
5. Do not use chemicals, acetone, chlorine products, 100% alcohol.
6. To avoid damaging the fabric, do not use sharp objects or bristles with coarse bristles

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How to clean leatherette?

To choose the right cleaning product, consider not only the type of artificial leather, but also its color.

A complete list of possible leatherette cleaners includes:

• soft and melamine sponge, cloth napkins;
• wet wipes for skin and leatherette care;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• nail polish remover;
• ammonia;
• Polish for hair;
• lemon juice;
• glass washing liquid;
• vodka;
• dry cleaner “Vinet”;
• colorless cream;
• special stain removers for leatherette.

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How to wash a sofa made of white leatherette?

Even light furniture can be brought into proper form quickly using several methods.Take this into account and choose the option with which you do not have to spend a lot of money and time.

Method 1

If there are stains on the surface of the sofa from contact with clothes or a bed:

1. Make a soap solution from a detergent that is designed for delicate washing of silk and synthetic products.
2. Apply with a soft cloth to a darkened place.
3. Rub lightly.
4. Rinse off any remaining product with a damp cloth.
5. Wipe dry.

Method 2

If a blood stain forms on the surface:

1. Option 1:
   • Take 1 tablespoon of ammonia, half a teaspoon of dishwashing soap in 1 cup of cold water.
   • Soak a solution of contamination.
   • Toothbrush walk on the stain.
   • Soak a rag in water, wipe the rest of the solution.
   • Repeat the procedure depending on the degree of contamination.
2. Option 2:
   • Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide.
   • Apply for a few seconds to the stain.
   • Rub actively.
   • If the stain does not come out, add a few drops of ammonia to the swab, repeat the procedure.
   • Wipe with a damp cloth.
   • Wipe dry.

Method 3

A delicate means for cleaning your skin is shaving foam:

1. Squeeze a small amount of foam onto the stain.
2. Rub gently into the skin.
3. Leave for a while.
4. Wet a rag in water.
5. Rinse off the product.

Method 4

To clean a thing or furniture from dirt and yellowness, use wet wipes to care for leather and leatherette:

1. Gently rub the stain.
2. Apply colorless shoe polish to the cleaned area. It will cover the skin with leatherette and protect it from the negative effects of external factors.

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How to clean leatherette from domestic pollution?

Remove traces of coffee and tea with diluted 10% ammonia:

1. Dilute ammonia in water.
2. Soak a sponge in the solution.
3. Wipe the stain.

Wipe off traces from a ballpoint pen with hairspray or window cleaner:

1. Spray varnish on a rag or directly on dirt.
2. Wipe.
3. If the stain is not removed immediately, repeat the process.

To remove traces of oil paint, use peeled turpentine in this way:

1. Wet a rag in the substance.
2. Wipe the stain until it disappears completely.
3. Make a soapy solution, soak a sponge in it.
4. Wash the cleaned area with soapy foam.
5. Rinse off with water.
6. Dry.

On a note! Stains on furniture can be of different origins, so for each of them use suitable substances that will give the desired result much faster:

• Chocolate stains are easily and quickly rubbed off with glycerin soap.
• Clean the traces of bitumen and tar on the leatherette with a sponge dipped in 90% ethanol or turpentine oil.
• Clean stains from drinks and red wine with a sponge dipped in diluted vinegar or soap suds.
• If the house is an “artist” and traces of the marker have reached the furniture, use a melamine sponge - just rub it with dirt until it comes off.
• You remove the grease stain and grass stain with natural lemon juice. He not only fights pollution, but also gives leatherette shine.

If your furniture is already morally and physically outdated, maybe you should not waste time trying to remove dirt from it. To make the new item look modern, convenient, easy to maintain, use our tips from a separate article on the topic, which sofa to choose for the living room.

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What else and how to clean leatherette?

For all types of leatherette from stains of different origin, resort to the help of household chemicals of universal action - liquid L.O.C. (bleach from Amway). This environmentally friendly product does not destroy the color and material, it can not even be washed off.

To clean stubborn stains, use a dry cleaner. Read the instructions for use carefully.

1. Dilute the concentrate with water 1:10, if strong pollution use less water and more means.
2. Apply the solution with a rag or spray.
3. Leave on for a few minutes.
4. Wipe with a washcloth or suede.

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Useful Tips

• Fresh spots are always easier to remove than old ones.
• Keep away from excessive friction on the surface of faux leather.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners.
• Clean your leatherette furniture regularly.
• To effortlessly give the product shine, use silicone-impregnated sponges - they create a protective film.
• Always test your chosen products on an inconspicuous area of ​​the skin before treating the entire surface.
• If it is possible to use the services of specialists, do not risk it again.

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Stock footage

As you have already seen, all methods of cleaning leatherette are not difficult, and the variety of products allows you to be sure that exactly one of them is at hand at the right time. All this is not difficult to do at home. Use our tips to clean your bag or your favorite jacket. As soon as you have to check their effectiveness in practice, be sure to follow the recommendations of our experts - otherwise, you can get the opposite effect!