#Prodesign
06/19/202006/19/2020 Yulia Kovtunova
If a leather substitute is used as upholstery for upholstered furniture, then we can safely say that it is much less capricious to use and care for than its natural counterparts. However, this does not mean that you don’t need to take care of such material at all; on the contrary, there are a lot of recommendations and subtleties, knowledge of which allows you to ensure the durability and attractive appearance of armchairs and sofas. By the way, there is a large selection in the MiK store https://www.mikspb.ru/.
First of all, you should understand once and for all that stains on the upholstery of such furniture remain in any case and it is recommended to wash off any liquids immediately, before their coloring components have time to be absorbed into the surface. You can solve the problem quickly and efficiently with a weak soap solution.
Even when choosing a suitable cleaning product for leatherette upholstery, you need to be extremely careful, since even what is sold in the store and is positioned as highly effective may not be suitable, and therefore, before using such a composition, it is better to first test it on that area material that is hidden from view. There is also no need to rub anything onto the surface of the leatherette; a cloth or soft sponge is used for this purpose. Before purchasing this or that product, it would be a good idea to look at its composition - it should not contain any acids, abrasive particles or chlorine; this can only damage the top layer of the material.
What is leatherette used for furniture upholstery?
The basis of this material is polyester or cotton fabric. The second option is preferable due to its higher quality. If the leatherette is made on a cotton basis, then caring for such furniture will be easier. From such an artificial surface, even using various cleaning products, it will be possible to remove almost any stain, the main thing is to do it on time, since stains are difficult to remove when they are old.
Related article: What you can save a lot on when decorating a room [reducing the cost of finishing]
Oddly enough, caring for leatherette furniture begins with its purchase. Initially, it is important to place the furniture correctly, so that nothing can damage it. Thus, leather substitute does not welcome elevated temperatures, and therefore such furniture should not be placed near fireplaces, heaters and radiators. Also, leatherette should not be exposed to direct sunlight, since the coating under such influence can become brittle over time and will not last long.
Humidification of the space is another parameter to pay attention to. Leatherette coverings do not like open moisture, but are very tolerant of moisture, and therefore if there is an opportunity to place a chair or sofa in close proximity to a fountain or an aquarium, you should take advantage of it.
Much also depends on the quality of the assembly - this criterion has a direct impact on the reliability and durability of any product, including when it comes to furniture with leatherette upholstery. During operation, such interior items should be handled with care; leather substitutes do not like mechanical damage at all. General cleaning should be carried out monthly, and additionally every week, treat the surfaces with a damp cloth, making sure that water does not get into the seams.
Faux leather is cracking - what to do
Modern artificial leather is a high quality material. It not only looks beautiful, but also has good performance characteristics. But if the leatherette is cracked, what should you do in this case? Is it possible to somehow solve the problem on my own or will I have to turn to professionals?
Much depends on how severely the faux leather is damaged. If there are many cracks, or they are large and continue to expand, it is better to replace them. And you can try to fix isolated minor defects yourself.
What and how to restore artificial leather?
So, for a single crack or scratch, you will need special products that you can buy in the store. This can be a dye, so-called “liquid leather”, as well as a special kit for repairing leatherette. Such kits, in particular, are sold in car stores and are intended for repairing car seats, but they are also suitable for eliminating defects on home furniture.
Before you begin restoring the upholstery, be sure to clean it. It is also worth degreasing the surface you are going to treat.
Dye is a good option if the leatherette is not very damaged. It makes it easy to deal with minor scratches and other similar damage.
You just need:
choose a color that matches the upholstery of your sofa;
carefully, using a brush or cotton swab, apply the product to the damaged area;
wait until it dries.
This product is applied to artificial leather in several layers. It is well absorbed into the upholstery, and after drying it is almost impossible to notice that there was once a defect there.
The dye may be in the form of an aerosol. In this case, it must be applied to the upholstery of a sofa or chair especially carefully so that unsightly drips do not occur when sprayed.
Some dyes and other similar products may come with additional useful items. For example, lining fabric and embossed paper that can convincingly imitate a leather surface. Thanks to them, you can easily cope with the task ahead of you, and the result is guaranteed to be excellent.
If the leatherette is cracked, but the defect is small, you can simply sew the edges of the cut or crack. But the edges of serious breaks are difficult to pull together and connect with each other. You'll need a patch here. In this case, the car seat repair kit discussed above will come in handy. But, again, it is important to choose the material to match the color of the main upholstery so that the repaired area does not catch the eye. Most manufacturers of such products produce sets of seven jars, which contain only the primary colors.
If the leather on the sofa is so cracked that many damages of various sizes have formed, it is unlikely that you will be able to cope with the problem on your own. A professional is needed here. And you may need to completely reupholster the leatherette. This work is performed in special studios engaged in furniture repair.
How to protect artificial leather from damage?
Many problems could be avoided if prevention was addressed in advance. What causes even the most durable leatherette on furniture to crack? Firstly, four-legged pets sometimes sharpen their claws on the upholstery. Secondly, sitting people, especially small children, often fidget on the surface, and this also leads to abrasion and, ultimately, to the appearance of tears. Thirdly, many damages occur due to carelessness.
Therefore, it is worth considering not using sharp objects, including cutlery, when you sit on furniture with artificial leather upholstery, offering a different place for your child to play, and giving your cat something else to sharpen on. his claws. This will help extend the life of the furniture and avoid upholstery repairs.
How to properly care for artificial leather
A leather substitute is a material that does not contain dangerous or toxic substances; in all respects it complies with sanitary and environmental standards, which cannot but please allergy sufferers. After an impressive period of time, the external characteristics of furniture upholstered with such material remain as relevant as on the day of purchase, of course, provided that proper care is provided.
Why is it recommended to wipe leatherette with a damp sponge or rag?
In fact, the essence of this process is not only the elimination of dust from the surface. The plasticity of leatherette is ensured by the fatty substances included in the composition, which tend to gradually dry out. Naturally, this does not happen soon; only after several years of intensive use can you notice that the covering of a chair or sofa has lost its former elasticity, as a result of which the front layer begins to gradually crack. In order to avoid this, it is recommended not only to regularly wipe the leatherette with a damp cloth, but also to lubricate it with a special stearic lubricant a couple of times a year.
Eleven tips for caring for leatherette shoes
Artificial leather differs in structure from natural leather. Accordingly, care has its own characteristics. Even if all recommendations are followed, shoes or boots can become thoroughly wet and dirty during a walk. Therefore, after coming home, you have to follow a simple algorithm of actions - remove the bulk of the dirt from the surface with a dry cloth, and also:
- Use a medium-soft brush to remove dried dirt.
- Clean with a slightly damp cloth immediately after arriving home.
- Use a soapy solution to thoroughly clean the product.
- Avoid abrasive sponges and powders.
- Dry each time after use.
- Use a special dryer. It will allow you to maintain its shape and reliably dry any model.
- Periodically polish the surface of the substitute with a flannel cloth using 1-2 drops of glycerin.
- Dry the product away from heating devices and heaters.
- After drying, use special deodorants to care for the inside of the product.
- Apply impregnation for artificial materials to the dried product to soften the leather.
- Use anti-drying skin substitute products. For proper use, use the instructions on the package.
General care recommendations
Shoes with leatherette uppers age much faster and lose their elastic and aesthetic properties. Pastes and creams intended for this purpose should be used as preservatives. Pastes must be water-based , prepared without solvents or waxes. It is unacceptable to wash leatherette shoes in a washing machine.
The main thing is to clean the dirt on a regular basis, because if it is not removed, it can lead to discoloration of the material. Very simple and cheap maintenance - just soap and water. Apply a small amount of liquid and wipe gently with a sponge. After rinsing, wipe with a dry cloth or paper towel. For cleaning, do not use hard brushes , hard sponges or rough cloth. Give preference to soft materials.
Restoring suede shoes at home
Using Cleaning Products
It is important to keep in mind that although leatherette is more resistant to chemicals, it is not recommended to use harsh chemicals and detergents containing kerosene, ammonia, alcohol and solvents that contain acetates, cyclohexanone or tetrahydrofuran.
The important issue is consistency. Don't neglect regular maintenance. Any dirt must be removed immediately after it appears. Remember that water-based agents are recommended. What is most important:
- regularity;
- soft sponges/cloths;
- judicious use of chemicals;
- water-based cleaning products.
Good to know:
- First of all, it is necessary to have specialized products for the care of artificial leather. This material is quite different in structure from natural leather and therefore requires appropriate care.
- Regular cleaning is required .
- Like any material, artificial leather also has its own outer shell, which must be protected. For this purpose, special impregnation . To dye shoes, use products intended only for this purpose.
These principles will allow you to keep your shoes in good condition for a long time, and not just for one season.
Tips for cleaning shoes
Leather has excellent hygroscopic properties. When used daily, it can absorb up to 50 ml of water. Therefore, shoes made from it become a favorable environment for the development of bacteria and fungi, accumulate odors, lose elasticity and insulation. Important rules:
- You should always follow the shoe manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.
- Avoid getting wet.
- Spray impregnation not only protects your feet from getting wet, it also protects your skin.
- Use suitable conditioning agents.
How to Clean White Canvas and Leather Sneakers
Any material can lose its original appearance due to mechanical wear. This is a natural process that cannot be prevented. Leather material is very demanding in terms of care. Different types of skin require different care.
Tips for cleaning faux leather shoes:
- Don't rub too hard.
- Avoid abrasive scouring powders or abrasive sponges.
- Do not clean with alcohol, vinegar or chemicals.
- Wash with soapy water.
- To preserve shoes made of different materials, it is better to use a cleaning foam or gel that is suitable for all skin types.
- Do not leave shoes to dry in the sun or near heating devices! It is best to place it in a dry, warm room.
Attention: do not use wax-based products, its content is indicated on the product label.
