How do I wash an imitation leather jacket?

It's easy to keep your faux or synthetic leather items clean. You can easily wash them with mild soap and lukewarm water after repeated use or when they become stained. A small amount of mild soap and water is all that's needed to remove stains. Leatherette garments with lining can also be cleaned at home. However, it's important to check the care label first, as some linings cannot be machine-washed.

To wash imitation leather garments such as jackets and pants, it's best to use a mild detergent and cold or lukewarm water. Whether you choose to wash them by hand or on a delicate cycle, avoid using hot water, as this can cause shrinkage. Also, avoid using a tumble dryer at high temperatures, as this can cause the leatherette material to separate. Finally, avoid aggressive cleaning chemicals, as they can damage the material. To dry the garment, wipe off any excess water, then leave to air dry.

If you want to wash your leatherette items at home, such as jackets, pants, shoes, handbags or boots, follow these tips.

 

Cleaning a leatherette jacket: Step by step

Hand or machine wash?

If you own a faux-leather jacket, leggings or skirt, you can usually clean them by hand or with your washing machine. The secret to ensuring their longevity is to wash them with water at the right temperature, detergent and gentle agitation.

To prevent damage to your garments, it's important to follow the instructions on the care label if it says "hand wash only". By doing so, you can ensure that your garment remains in good condition.

To protect your garment during machine washing, we recommend enclosing it in a mesh laundry bag. This extra layer of protection will help prevent any damage that may occur during the washing process. It is also advisable to reduce the speed of the final spin cycle when using a machine to minimize the appearance of unwanted wrinkles.

Use cold or lukewarm water

When cleaning faux leather, it is essential to use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water should be avoided at all costs, as it can deform or melt the material. Fill a sink with water or set the washing machine to the appropriate setting before proceeding with the cleaning process.

Choose a mild detergent

When it comes to cleaning faux leather, a mild detergent is recommended. If hand-washing is preferred, the detergent should be added to the water and agitated by hand to ensure even distribution.

Return the garment

As a general rule, the inside of an imitation leather garment is more prone to dirt accumulation due to body oils. To clean the garment effectively, we recommend washing it either by hand or in a mesh bag in the washing machine. In both cases, however, it's important to turn the garment inside out to ensure that the soap-and-water solution can completely penetrate the inner surface.

Shake gently

When washing clothes by hand, gently rotate the garment in the water and apply gentle pressure. Leave the garment to soak in the water for five minutes.

To ensure safe machine washing, opt for the delicate cycle setting on your washing machine. We also recommend lowering the spin speed on the final cycle to prevent damage to your clothes.

Rinse with cold water

To ensure that all soap residues are removed from hand-washed garments, rinse with cold water until no suds are visible. Excessive use of detergent on imitation leather can lead to cracking and hardening, so it's important to avoid this. Do not attempt to spin the garments. When using a washing machine, always rinse garments in cold water and do not add fabric softener.

Air-drying imitation leather

To avoid damaging faux-leather items, it's important never to put them in the tumble-dryer. Instead, hang jackets inside out on a sturdy hanger and let them air-dry, releasing excess moisture. Skirts and pants can also be hung or laid flat on absorbent towels to dry. It's important to note that drying time can take up to 24 hours.

We recommend regular flattening of dehydrated objects to ensure optimum results.

To speed up the drying process, use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe the garment and absorb excess moisture.

Maintenance with oil

Once the garment is completely dry, take a soft cloth and apply a small amount of baby, olive or coconut oil to condition the faux leather. This will keep the material soft and flexible, while preventing the crack formationor wrinkles.

 

What is imitation leather?

Visit synthetic leather or faux leather is an artificial alternative to genuine leather, produced by treating plastic or vinyl with a texture and color to resemble authentic leather. Unlike natural leather, faux leather is not as durable and can only last a few years if not properly cared for before its treated surface begins to peel or crack. In contrast, genuine leather has the potential to last for decades due to its inherent durability.

Faux leather made from vinyl is commonly used as a substitute for genuine leather. Vinyl-based faux leather, while softer, is less breathable than its genuine counterpart. It is mainly used for non-apparel items. To achieve a more realistic leather look, the vinyl used to create faux leather is mixed with other types of plastic.

The majority of garments marketed as leather are actually made from a synthetic material called polyurethane-based faux leather. This type of leather, also known as PU or feather leather, is created by coating a fabric base with a polymeric substance, then treating it to imitate the look and feel of real leather. Unlike genuine leather, it is more breathable thanks to its plastic composition.

How often should I wash a faux-leather jacket?

We recommend washing imitation leather garments only when necessary or after use. If your garments have visible stains or odors following wear, it is prudent to wash them with a gentle touch.

In the same way that imitation leather furniture is cared for, imitation leather bags and accessories can also be washed once a month, or as required. To prevent stains from becoming permanent, it's important to clean these items as soon as they become stained.

Treating stains on a leatherette jacket

If you're dealing with a stain, it's important to know that most of them can be removed quite easily. All you need is a microfiber cloth soaked in lukewarm water. But for stubborn stains that simply won't come out, you may need to take extra measures. In this case, apply a small amount of mild detergent to the cloth and gently rub the stain until it disappears.

If you need to remove ink or dye stains from leatherette, use a soft cloth or cotton bud to dab the affected area with isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol). To avoid spreading the stain, start at the outer edge and work towards the center. Once the stain has been removed, use a cloth soaked in fresh water to clean the area.