How to Clean a Faux Leather Jacket

Co-authored by Mallika Sharma and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: April 10, 2024 References

Faux leather jackets are trendy and vegan-friendly, but many people aren't totally sure how to clean them. While leather products have more complicated care instructions, faux leather is much easier to clean. With some simple steps, you can keep your faux leather jacket looking and smelling fresh. Check out this guide to restore your jacket and dress to impress every time you slip it on!

1

Clean dust and crust off your jacket with a cloth.

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Check for dust or any spills that might’ve dried over, like those from food or drinks. Gently flake off the residue with your fingernail and wipe away all the particles with a damp microfiber cloth . ^{[1]
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2

Spot-clean your jacket with soapy water.

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Pour about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of mild laundry detergent into a small bowl of water, then stir. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy water. Wring out the cloth so it's barely damp. Run the cloth over your jacket, paying attention to scuffs and stains. Dry off your jacket with a fresh cloth. ^{[2]
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3

Pre-treat heavy stains on your jacket before you wash it.

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To tackle oil-based stains, fill a spray bottle with 1/2 cup (118.29 mL) of lukewarm water and 1 cup (236.59 mL) of distilled white vinegar . Spritz it on the stains, then rub the solution in with a microfiber cloth. ^{[3]
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Research source} For water-based stains like ink, dampen a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol . Apply the rubbing alcohol to an inconspicuous area on your jacket. If the rubbing alcohol doesn't discolor the jacket, massage the water-based stains with the damp microcloth. ^{[4]
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4

Throw a machine-washable jacket in the washer.

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The “delicates” cycle with a low spin setting gently washes your jacket. Before you put your jacket in the laundry machine, make sure that tag says that it’s machine-washable. If your jacket is, then turn it inside out and place it in a mesh garment bag. ^{[5]
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Research source} Since you're washing a very small load that includes just one garment, use no more than 1/4 cup (59.14 mL) of a mild laundry detergent . ^{[6]
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- Faux leather is a delicate material that's prone to cracking when it's washed, so a delicate cycle is best to make sure your jacket doesn't overheat or get knocked around too much.
- When you use cold water, you'll avoid exposing your jacket to too much heat.

5

Allow your jacket to air dry.

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Lay your jacket out or put it on a hanger. Faux leather is easily damaged by heat, so lay out your jacket to let it air dry. You can also try line drying your jacket as long as you gently drape it over a hanger so that it doesn’t stretch. ^{[7]
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- If you hang your jacket, make sure that the hanger isn’t too big and doesn’t dig into or stretch out your jacket.

6

Apply a conditioner to your jacket.

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A conditioner will help you keep your jacket from getting too dry. Use a commercial faux leather conditioner . Apply a small amount of conditioner to an inconspicuous area of your jacket. Wait 1 hour. If the conditioner and it looks like a good match for your jacket, apply a dime-sized amount of conditioner to a fresh microcloth. Rub the conditioner into your jacket using small, circular motions. ^{[8]
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- Though faux leather is a different material than regular leather, it’s still absorbent and more likely to crack due to dryness. Just like animal skin, faux leather also benefits from a good conditioner.

7

Iron out any wrinkles in your jacket.

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Use an iron on its coolest setting to remove wrinkles. For extra protection, place a towel on top of your faux leather jacket. Make sure your iron is programmed on its lowest heat setting. Then, carefully run it over any wrinkles. ^{[9]
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- Avoid letting the iron sit on the towel, and make sure that the iron’s metal never comes in contact with the jacket so your garment doesn’t overheat.
- You can also steam your faux leather jacket to remove wrinkles. ^{[10]
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8

Deodorize your jacket with baking soda.

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Remove any lingering scents on your garment with baking soda. Drizzle enough baking soda to lightly coat the inner lining, including the sleeves, of your faux leather garment. Lay out your jacket flat so that the baking soda stays in place. Allow your jacket to sit overnight. Use a handheld vacuum to remove the baking soda from the jacket⁠—make sure to clean out baking soda from the sleeves, too. ^{[11]
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- When you sprinkle some baking soda inside the sleeves of your jacket, you remove odors from sweat that can gather in these areas.
- Pets and children can become sick if they ingest baking soda, so it’s extra important that they don’t pick up your faux leather jacket.
- If you notice any unpleasant scents, repeat your process—sprinkle baking soda on the inner lining and in the sleeves of your jacket, leave the jacket out to dry overnight, and vacuum away the baking soda.

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The inner lining of my faux leather jacket sleeves is white, and now it's stained. How do I fix it?

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In order to restore the inner lining of your faux leather jacket's sleeves so it's sparkling white again, mix 3 cups (709.77 mL) of warm water with 1 tablespoon (14.77 mL) of mild detergent in a bowl. Turn your jacket inside out. Dip a clean cloth in the bowl and wring out any excess water. Wipe down the inner lining of the sleeves, paying special attention to the stains. Allow your jacke to air dry overnight, then hang your jacket.

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Can I wash a vegan leather coat?

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You absolutely can! You may need to hand wash a vegan leather coat by wiping it down with a fresh cloth and spot cleaning it with warm water and a mild detergent. However, if you have a more modern vegan leather coat, you can probably just put it in the washing machine on the delicates cycle. Just make sure you check the care instructions on the tag first!

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How much laundry detergent do I put in the washing machine when I clean my faux leather jacket?

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Since you're washing a very small load that includes just one garment, use no more than 1/4 cup (59.14 mL) of a mild laundry detergent.

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How to Clean a Faux Leather Jacket

Steps

Clean dust and crust off your jacket with a cloth.

Spot-clean your jacket with soapy water.

Pre-treat heavy stains on your jacket before you wash it.

Throw a machine-washable jacket in the washer.

Allow your jacket to air dry.

Apply a conditioner to your jacket.

Iron out any wrinkles in your jacket.

Deodorize your jacket with baking soda.

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