First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Vacuum loose dust and sand off first, using a soft attachment.
- Wipe with a clean soft cloth and a mild soap and water solution.
- Rinse with clean water, then dry with a soft lint-free cloth.
Dirt and everyday marks on faux leather get harder to clean the longer they sit, and they can leave stains or discoloration behind. Ink needs the most care, because solvents and bleach are off the table for this material. Fresh marks lift with a light touch, but a set-in mark that won't budge needs patience rather than a stronger product.
Removing stains from faux leather starts with a barely damp cloth, and you should stop rubbing as soon as a mark lifts. If a fishy smell hangs on after the stain is gone, the source is still there, so a wipe-down won't finish the job. Figure out the source first, because how to get rid of faux leather smell and how to get fishy smell out of faux leather both start there.
Before you start
What this material can take
Use with care1
- Water
Avoid6
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
7 items
What you'll need
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- Vacuum with a soft attachmentLifts dust and sand before any liquid touches the stain.
- Clean soft clothsFor wiping on the soap solution and drying the surface. (opens Amazon)
- Mild liquid detergentMakes the soap solution for the first wipe.
- A bowl of clean waterFor rinsing the soap off the surface.
- Soft lint-free clothDries the area without leaving fibers or moisture behind. (opens Amazon)
- Non-abrasive cleaner the maker approvesFor tougher marks, applied with a soft cloth or damp sponge. (opens Amazon)
- Cellulose sponge (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Vacuum off dust and sand
Run the vacuum with its soft attachment over the whole area, including the seams and stitching where grit collects. Loose sand and dust rub into the surface when you wipe, so clear them before any liquid goes near the stain.
Tip. Take your time along the seams, where most grit hides.
Step 2 of 7
Test on a hidden spot
Choose a small area that won't show, such as the underside of a cushion or the back of a seat. Apply the cleaner you plan to use, let it dry, and check for any change in color or finish before you treat the stain.
Tip. Do this for the approved cleaner too, not just the soap solution.
Step 3 of 7
Wipe with mild soapy water
Mix a solution of about 5% mild detergent in water. Dampen a clean soft cloth in it and wipe the stain in light, even strokes until the dirt lifts.
Tip. Wring the cloth out until it is barely damp.
Careful. Use water sparingly; the cloth should be damp, never wet.
Step 4 of 7
Rinse the soap away
Dampen a clean cloth with clean water and wring it out well. Wipe the area once to lift the soap film, and go over it again if you still feel residue.
Step 5 of 7
Dry it fully
Pat the area dry with a soft lint-free cloth, then let it air dry. Check the seams and stitching too, since moisture hides there.
Careful. Keep the surface away from heaters while it dries.
Step 6 of 7
Lift tougher stains with an approved cleaner
Use a non-abrasive cleaner the maker approves on a soft cloth or damp sponge. Work it gently into the stain, then rinse with fresh water and dry the area again.
Tip. Work from the edge of the stain toward the middle so it doesn't spread.
Careful. Greasy household cleaners leave residue on imitation leather, so skip them.
Step 7 of 7
Stop and call a pro
If the stain is still there after the approved cleaner, stop rather than reaching for a stronger product. At that point a professional is the right next step.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best stain removers for faux leather & vinyl
Choose a non-abrasive cleaner made for vinyl or imitation leather that is free of solvents and bleach. Read the label and avoid anything sold as a degreaser or a heavy-duty household product.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on faux leather & vinyl, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The stain is lifting when the cloth picks up the color and the surface looks even again. If the area looks dull, feels tacky, or has a patch where the finish looks thin, stop and let it dry.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your faux leather & vinyl
Pleather jacket
Pleather is the same material, so the steps above work on a jacket too. Lay the jacket flat, vacuum the outside, then wipe in light strokes so you don't wet the lining or seams.
Treat the sleeves and collar separately, since they get dirty fastest and show marks the most. Let the jacket dry fully on a hanger, away from heat, before you wear it again.
Ink on pleather
There's no ink-specific treatment for this material, so start with the gentle steps above and test on a hidden spot first. Use only the approved non-abrasive cleaner, and keep solvents and alcohol off the area because they strip the coating.
Dab at the ink rather than rubbing, so it doesn't spread across the surface. If the ink doesn't move after a few gentle passes, stop rather than pushing harder.
Fishy smell
Odor is a cleaning problem first, so the steps above matter more than any deodorizer. Clean the whole area, not just the spot you can smell, and rinse it with clean water so nothing is left behind.
Dry it completely, since moisture is what keeps odors going. If the smell remains after the area is dry, a professional is a safer choice than trying stronger products.
Faux leather odor
A general odor on faux leather usually comes from dirt, sweat or moisture that has built up in the material. Clean the surface with the mild solution, rinse it, and dry it well to remove what's causing it.
Air the room while the material dries, and keep it away from heaters, which it doesn't handle well. Skip scented sprays that cover the smell without cleaning, because they leave the source in place.
Everyday stains
Most stains on faux leather are everyday marks like dirt, smudges and fresh spills, and the steps above handle them. Work from the lightest method up: vacuum, then the mild soap solution, then the approved cleaner only if the mark stays.
The main thing that changes the outcome is timing, since a stain that sits gets harder to lift. Treat it the same day you see it, and the gentle approach is usually enough.
Leatherette car seats
Car seats take the same mild solution and light touch as a sofa. Work in small sections so the cloth never gets wet enough to soak into the seams.
Pay attention to the stitching, where dirt collects, and use a soft brush there if the stain is stubborn. Let the seat dry fully before anyone sits on it, and keep the doors open while it dries.
Pleather furniture
Cushions and armrests follow the same steps, and each section should get only a light wipe. Pay attention to the seams and the gap where the cushion meets the frame.
Work in sections and dry each one as you go. Keep the piece away from heaters while it dries, since the material doesn't handle heat well.
Vinyl seats
Vinyl seats are cleaned the same way: vacuum, wipe with the mild soap solution, rinse with clean water, and dry. White vinyl shows marks clearly, so switch to a clean section of cloth often to avoid spreading the stain.
For a stubborn mark, use only the approved non-abrasive cleaner, and test it first on a hidden spot. Dry the seat thoroughly once the mark is gone.
Dog urine on vinyl seats
Act quickly, because urine left in the seat is harder to clean the longer it stays. Start with the vacuum, then wipe with the mild solution and rinse with clean water, using only a light touch.
If the smell is still there after the seat has dried, don't reach for bleach or solvents, since both are off-limits on this material. A professional is the safer next step at that point.
Old, dried or set-in stains
An old stain has usually been in the material long enough to dull the surface, so the approach changes a little. Give the approved cleaner step more time and patience rather than reaching for a stronger product. Work it in gently, then rinse and dry before deciding what comes next.
A stain that has dried on needs repeated light passes rather than harder scrubbing. Keep the cloth just damp, and avoid soaking the area to loosen it. Follow each pass with a rinse and a full dry, so you can see what has changed.
Realistically, an old mark may lighten without disappearing completely. If it's still there after several careful rounds, a professional is the realistic end point.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on faux leather & vinyl?
Plenty of home remedies circulate for stains, but many of them don't suit this material. Only mild soap and water fits this material, and the others are too harsh for it.
Skip2Avoid5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't wait on a stain
A stain left in place gets harder to clean, and it can stain or discolor the material. Act as soon as you notice it, even if the only thing you can do right now is a quick vacuum.
Don't soak the material
Soaking or leaving the surface wet causes problems here, even when the cleaner itself is gentle. Keep the cloth damp, and dry the area as soon as the stain is gone.
Don't reach for solvents or bleach
Dry cleaning fluids, lacquer solvents, kerosene, gasoline and acetone remove the pattern, gloss and protective top coat. Bleach, including chlorine bleach, is also off the list because it can cause discoloration.
Don't scrub with abrasives
Abrasive powders and steel wool scratch the surface and dull the finish. A soft cloth or a medium-soft brush does the job without the damage.
Don't use silicone protectants
Silicone products pull the plasticizer out of the vinyl, leaving it hard and brittle until it cracks. Stick to the cleaning steps here and skip any shine or protective spray.
Don't use a power washer
Power washers are too much for vinyl upholstery and can damage the surface. A soft cloth and a damp sponge handle the job without that risk.
Don't put wax or polish on car seats
Wax, polish and alcohol-based products can cause discoloration, stains, cracks or peeling of the coating in a car. Keep them off the seats.
When to call a professional
If the stain is still there after the approved cleaner, a professional is the next step rather than a stronger product. Check the maker's warranty before you try anything more, since improper cleaners may void it.
Questions
How do I clean the whole faux leather sofa?
Stain marks get their own method first, since treating a mark and cleaning the whole sofa call for different steps. The full deep clean has its own guide on how to clean faux leather.
How long can a stain sit before it gets hard to remove?
There's no exact cutoff, but a stain gets harder to lift the longer it sits. Act as soon as you notice it, and the gentle steps usually lift a fresh mark.
Will a fishy or musty smell go away on its own?
Not usually, because the smell comes from something left in the material. Clean the area with the mild solution, rinse it, and dry it fully so there's nothing left to smell.
Can ink be removed from pleather?
Sometimes, but there's no ink-specific treatment for this material. Test a hidden spot first, use only the approved non-abrasive cleaner, and stop if the ink doesn't move.
What if a stain still won't come out?
Stop there and don't move on to stronger products like solvents or bleach. A professional is the right call, and check the maker's warranty first, because improper cleaners may void it.
Can I use vinegar on pleather?
No. Vinegar is an acid, and acidic cleaners are on the do-not-use list for this material. The mild soap solution and a clean water rinse do the job instead.
Do leatherette car seats need different cleaning?
No, they follow the same steps as a sofa. Work in small sections, keep the cloth damp, and let the seat dry fully before sitting on it.
What should I do about dog urine on vinyl seats?
Act quickly and start with the vacuum and the mild soap solution, rinsing with clean water afterward. If the smell stays once the seat has dried, a professional is the safer next step, not a stronger product.
Related
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.