Essential Tips on the care of artificial leather accessories.
You might be the biggest fan of your bag, but the situation will be the opposite if the bag lacks cleaning and maintenance. The leather bags are as delicate as our skin, so they require a regime like our skincare. But since faux leather or vegan leather bags have different materials, they need different levels and care methods. And this might not be as religious as in the case of original leather for sure. So, if you give a little attention to your precious piece of vegan leather accessories, they may last a lot longer and always shine like new.
Faux leathers are made out of a layer of synthetic material with a leather-like texture embossed on it and backed with fabric. However, there are various sorts and grades, with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), Polyamide, Polyurethane microfibre being the most popular materials.
Taking care of vegan leather handbags and accessories is far easier than looking after genuine leather. The trick is to clean with a light soap or detergent regularly. Combine a small amount of gentle soap with warm water & wash off the bag with a clean and white cloth after soaking it in the solution. After that, wipe the vegan leather bags with a moistened towel and dry with another soft cloth.
To begin, there are two key factors to keep in mind while working with faux leather:
- Because it’s a non-porous surface, most stains will settle on top.
- Ensure the surface doesn’t get too dry, as it is possible for the material to break if it dries out too much. Also, you may see visible cracks on the surface.
Although faux leather, Real leather, and PU material may appear to be the same while viewing, they are not! However, some common concepts may apply to leather, and they can be equally applied to fake leather. A protective treatment is a tremendous precaution, but it has a different impact than genuine leather. Instead of penetrating and moisturizing the faux leather, it adds a thin protective coating to protect the surface.
If there is regular cleaning of vegan leather bags, there will be less need for stronger cleansers to dry the imitation leather. These cleansers are a significant no-no.
When it comes to PU and faux leather, there are some factors to bear in mind:
Sunlight
Faux leathers may be dried out or get hardened in the sunshine. So, if you are going out for too long, or the sun is too chilly, then it is better to either cover them or avoid taking them out. Also, it is better to take cotton bags if you are going out in the hot sun.
Never look forward to bleaching products.
Bleach should never be used for removing a stain from vegan leather bags. Have you ever reached for the bleach? Indeed, you might have regretted the decision later on, as it either discolors the application part or degrades the quality, owing to the solid chemical content.
Bleach is the fastest drying chemical you can use on leather or faux leather. It can change the fabric’s structure and make it more vulnerable to subsequent spots. A tiny mark is likely to be easier to cope with and less apparent than a vast region that has been bleached.
Even if the stain is removed, the region is more prone to breaking, and the surface may be damaged, allowing subsequent stains to sink in even more profoundly.
Transference of color
Indigo-dyed or strong-colored clothing can transfer to light colors bags. Commonly, many people see these kinds of stains on their vegan leather bags, but they can’t make out the reason. But the reason lies in the color transferring of dyes. If you don’t erase this stain as soon as you see it, it will permeate the fabric. After each usage, a simple wipe down with a soft wipe can keep this unwanted color at bay. It’s the type of stain that doesn’t show up until it’s been there for a long, and by then, it’s usually too late. So, as a better practice, you may try to wipe and clean the bag the same day you use it.
Always use a cleaning cloth that is soft and non-abrasive
Never scrape or scrub the surface or use an abrasive cloth or sponge to clean the surface of vegan leather bags. All you’ll need is some soft towel movements in a circular direction. Scrubbing the faux leather will hardly fracture the structure of the material and not erase the blemish.
Concluding statement:
Treat the artificial and faux leather as if it were your skin or genuine leather. Don’t allow it to become extremely dry, and refrain from using harsh chemicals like bleach.
Cleaning becomes more accessible and more effective when the surface is protected. Because stains will settle on top, covering the character will make cleaning more accessible and less harsh.
With these easy tips and points, you will make an indirect effort towards enhancing the longevity of your vegan leather bags.
Also read - Vegan luxury soap: what is it, and what are the daily benefits of using natural soap?
