Fake leather jackets (also known as Faux leather jackets) have grown in popularity due to their low cost and ability to match the elegance of the real deal.
Despite their resemblance, they are entirely different, meaning they have to be washed in different ways, especially as faux leather is more delicate than genuine leather.
This article will show just how best to wash your fake leather jacket to preserve its quality for a long time.
How to Wash Your Fake Leather Jacket
You can wash your faux leather by spot cleaning, hand washing, or using a washing machine.
The method you choose will depend on the severity of the stain on the jacket and the instructions on the fabric care label.
As a general rule of thumb, the fewer laundry products you use on the fabric, the better for the faux leather.
How to Spot Clean Your Fake Leather Jacket
Before you decide on spot cleaning, ensure that you check the instructions on the fabric care label.
Some faux leather only requires spot cleaning stains while avoiding hand washing or using a machine as much as possible.
Also, some stains are not severe enough to warrant hand washing or the use of a washer. Hence, you can spot clean them.
Materials needed to spot clean faux leather include:
- A sizeable bowl
- Two soft white clothes
- A mild laundry detergent
- A leather conditioner
Follow the steps below to spot clean your faux leather the right way:
Step One: Remove All Crusty Stains on the Jacket
Check the jacket for any dried spills or stains that may be on the jacket. Carefully scrape off the stains from the jacket before proceeding with spot cleaning.
Step Two: Mix the Laundry Detergent in Warm Water
Fill three-quarters of the small bowl with warm water and add a tablespoon of mild detergent. Mix both detergent and water thoroughly until there is an even solution.
You can also use a commercial faux leather cleaner for additional safety.
Step Three: Dampen the First Soft Cloth in the Soapy Solution
Soak the first soft cloth in the warm soapy mixture and squeeze out all excess water until it is merely damp.
Step Four: Wipe Down the Stained Parts of the Jacket
Use the damp cloth to wipe down the jacket. Concentrate on stained parts of the jacket. If there are no visible stains, focus on the jacket’s scuffs, armpits, and other stain-prone parts.
Step Five: Remove Excess Soap With the Second Cloth
Wet the second cloth in plain water and wring out excess water. Use the damp cloth to wipe excess soap off the jacket.
Rinse out the cloth at regular intervals during this process. Ensure that there are no soap residues on the jacket as this would cause cracking.
Step Six: Apply a Conditioner and Air Dry Your Jacket
Place the jacket on a sturdy hanger in a well-ventilated part of your apartment. Please do not put it under direct sunlight.
Cleaning your jacket tends to dry it out and crack. Apply a conditioner or olive oil to prevent this from happening.
How to Hand Wash Your Fake Leather Jacket
Although you cannot soak natural leather in water, some faux leather allows this. Read the fabric care instructions to make sure.
You will need the following materials:
- A sizeable sink or tub
- A mild laundry detergent
- A conditioner or Oils (olive oil, baby, or coconut oil).
You can hand wash your faux leather by following the steps below closely:
Step One: Inspect the Jacket for Stains
Check the jackets for stains; this would give you a clue where to concentrate during the washing process.
Tip: You can treat ink or dye transfer stains with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) using a cotton swab or soft cloth.
Step Two: Add the Detergent to Cold or Warm Water
Add the detergent to the water. Make sure you use either cold or warm water. Hot water can cause the faux leather to crack and even melt.
Swish the water about until the detergent and the water is evenly mixed into an even solution.
Step Three: Turn the Jacket Inside Out Before Washing
Turning the jacket inside out serves a dual purpose and it protects the jacket from damage and allows the detergent to access the inside of the jacket, where most stains are concentrated.
Step Four: Soak the Jacket in Detergent Solution and Use Gentle Strokes
Immerse the jacket in the soapy solution and soak for about five minutes. After that, begin swishing the jacket through the water using gentle agitation.
After washing the jacket, you can remove all soap suds by rinsing them with cold water. Remember, soap residues left on the jacket will cause it to stiffen and crack.
Step Five: Air Dry and Condition the Faux Leather
Don’t ever put faux leather in a dryer. The high temperature of dryers can cause the jacket to lose shape or even melt. Instead, air-dry the jacket on a hanger on an airing rack.
You can also dry them on absorbent towels. Drying your faux leather can take up to 24 hours, but you can speed up this process by wiping it with a soft, absorbent microfiber cloth.
Once the leather is dry, apply a conditioner or a tiny amount of olive, baby, or coconut oil to your jacket, preventing it from getting too dry and cracking.
How to Wash Your Fake Leather Jacket Using a Washing Machine
To decide if you should use a washing machine to wash your faux leather jacket, check the fabric care instructions on the jacket.
The materials generally needed in this method are:
- A washing machine (preferably without a central agitator).
- A mesh bag
- A mild laundry detergent
- A conditioner or oils (olive, coconut, or baby oils).
- A sturdy hanger or Air dryer.
Follow the steps below to wash your faux leather without any damage:
Step One: Turn the Jacket Inside Out and Place it in a Mesh Bag.
Turn the jacket inside out and place them in a mesh bag before washing. This action protects the jacket from direct contact with the machine agitator and allows the detergent to access the inside of the jacket, which is usually the most soiled part.
If you can’t access mesh bags, try using a pillowcase tied at the top.
Step Two: Set the Washing Machine to its Gentlest Setting
If possible, use a machine without a center agitator as they are gentler on the fabric.
Select the delicate cycle on the machine and reduce the spin speed of the final cycle. Wash and rinse the jacket with cold water.
Step Three: Air Dry and Condition The Jacket
As mentioned earlier, always air dry the jacket as excessive heat is bad for it. Place the jacket on a hanger and keep it in an airy space.
Once the jacket is completely dry, apply a conditioner or a small portion of coconut or olive oil to prevent it from drying and cracking.
Removing Odors From the Inner Part of Your Fake Leather Jacket
As you wear your jacket, it will likely develop smells, especially on the inside fabric, due to build-up in oils from your skin and the jacket.
Not to worry, you can easily fix this. Here are the steps to curb odor from your jacket in between washes.
Step One: Place the Jacket on a Flat Surface
Lay the jacket on a flat surface and open up the zips of the jacket. It should be in a place where it would be undisturbed by pets or children.
Step Two: Sprinkle Baking Soda Inside the Jacket
Sprinkle a generous helping of baking soda inside the jacket, focusing on places like the sleeves where sweat build-up is more likely.
Baking soda neutralizes any odor from your jacket without destroying its fabric.
Step Three: Leave the Jacket to Sit Overnight
Baking soda is more efficient if allowed to sit overnight, or at least eight hours, to absorb the smell efficiently.
Step Four: Vacuum the Jacket
Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the baking soda from the jacket. Follow this up by shaking the jacket repeatedly until you remove all baking soda from the jacket.
Smell the jacket to see if it works. All awful smells should be gone, but if there are any left, repeat the process.