Household appliances / Washing machines / How to wash
Leatherette jackets have long been widely used because they are considered comfortable and look quite beautiful and elegant. However, such products require careful care, so many people wonder whether such a jacket can be washed in a washing machine. Usually, possible manipulations with any item are indicated on the label, which indicates how to wash or care for the clothing. But in order for the item to last longer, you need to know some subtleties.
How do you know if a jacket can be washed?
Before you decide to wash your jacket, you need to make sure that it is really necessary. Sometimes it is enough to remove small stains and not subject the product to a full wash. If, nevertheless, the decision to wash is made, you must first try on a small area how the item may react to such influences.
To do this, a piece of tissue is moistened with water; it is advisable to do this in the most inconspicuous place, for example, the armpit. After about 15-20 minutes, you can check whether such wetting has damaged the leatherette. If the fabric has not changed color, is not warped, or wrinkled, then you can safely start washing.
Washing in a washing machine
Before washing, you should still pay attention to the label. If the use of a washing machine is allowed, then the leatherette product still needs to be prepared first. Pay attention to the packaging of the selected detergent. If it contains chlorine bleaches, then you should immediately discard such powder. To wash items made of leatherette, it is better to use gentle, delicate products. Powders or gels designed for washing woolen or silk items are suitable.
Important! When washing leatherette jackets, you must strictly observe the temperature regime. It is worth installing programs on the machine that provide fairly cool water, no more than 30 degrees.
When loading a jacket into the drum of a washing machine, you should not set intensive washing modes; a program for delicate items is best suited. It is also necessary to turn off the spin cycle, since at high speeds clothes made from such material can simply deteriorate.
Machine washable
The symbol on the clothing label will give information about whether the leatherette can be washed in a washing machine or not. If there is no permitting designation, washing it in it will definitely ruin the item. Therefore, cleaning must be done by hand or use dry cleaning services. The label on items is usually located on the seam of the lining.
When washing, it is very important to set the correct temperature. As a rule, the procedure is performed at 30°C. It is also necessary to set the machine to a delicate mode, while the spin function must be turned off.
If an incorrect program is set on the machine during washing, the jacket may lose its original visual appeal. It is also possible that the artificial leather will stretch and become rougher. Glycerin can help soften the material. To do this, you need to wipe the surface with a cotton swab previously soaked in the solution. In addition, iron the jacket with care using thick fabric.
Handwash
You can wash a leatherette jacket by hand. This will require quite a lot of effort, but the item will look good. For hand washing, do not use strong washing powders. When washing leatherette, it is better to use delicate products.
Before work, you need to prepare a container with warm water and place the entire outerwear there. You can add a small amount of vinegar or simple dishwashing detergent. This measure will allow you to better remove greasy stains and greasy places. Carefully walk over the surface of the jacket with a sponge, then rinse with plenty of water. You can hang it up after lightly squeezing it with your hands without twisting it.
Important! If, after drying, the leatherette becomes hard and rough, especially after washing in a washing machine, it should be wiped with regular glycerin. This approach will return the product to its former softness.
How to properly clean faux leather clothes at home
Leather substitute clothing is gaining rapid popularity today, especially jackets, dresses and trousers. Artificial material perfectly replaces natural leather - it is practically no different from it in appearance, and it costs several times less.
In order for your favorite item to last longer, you need to properly care for it. Not only coats made of different fabrics require special care, but leatherette also requires delicate attention. In addition, cleaning clothes made from artificial leather is significantly different from caring for things made from natural leather.
The easiest way is to take the item to the dry cleaner and forget about cleaning it for a long time. But why spend a significant amount on these services if you can clean your favorite item at home, easily, quickly and cheaply.
Before you start cleaning your faux leather item, follow a few conditions. The label on any item tells not only about the manufacturer, but also about the method of caring for the fabric. Therefore, please read it carefully and follow all instructions.
You should not wash the item completely if there is a small stain on it. It will be enough to treat the stained area.
If you still decide to wash things completely, then do a test to see how the fabric reacts to water. To do this, drop some liquid in an inconspicuous place (preferably on the underside) and leave for a while. If the material has not deteriorated, then you can wash the entire item at once. This procedure should be done with any cleanser so as not to spoil the clothes.
The surface of the leatherette should not be rubbed too hard - strong processing may cause the fabric to stretch.
Another little secret! If artificial leather has become rough during wear or cleaning, glycerin can restore it to its original appearance. Soak a cotton pad with a small amount of glycerin and lightly wipe the rough area. After a few minutes, remove the product and rub the surface well with a clean, soft cloth.
Most often, things get dirty on the collar and cuffs, as well as the places where the leatherette comes into contact with our skin and rubs against any surface. And from rain and any moisture, stains may appear on things. To remove these stains and return your clothes to a neat appearance, you don’t have to wash them.
Wipe the surface where there is such dirt with dry soda and wipe it off with a soft cloth. In order to completely remove any remaining baking soda, treat these areas with a slice of lemon and leave to dry. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
Almost every leatherette garment has a lining, which gets dirty much faster. To clean it, you don't have to wash the entire item.
Carpet detergents work well to remove stains on the lining. They have dense foam that perfectly removes dirt. To wash the lining in an unusual way, dissolve the product in warm water and beat it into foam. Turn the garment inside out, hang it on a hanger, or place it on a flat surface.
Then, apply only the foam to the liner material. Leave for 20 minutes. After this, blot the lining well with a terry towel and leave until completely dry.
You can do without washing if you frequently clean the artificial leather of any contaminants, i.e., “carry out preventive maintenance.”
For this cleaning method, prepare warm water, liquid detergent, and alcohol. Dilute a small amount of the product in water, moisten a cotton pad with it and wipe the entire surface of the item. Then, in the same way, treat the material with clean water and blot with a soft cloth.
Instead of detergent, you can use pure alcohol. Dilute alcohol one to one in water and wipe the artificial leather, then immediately wipe dry.
If you still decide to wash leatherette clothes, then you need to do it correctly.
You can use a washing machine to clean leatherette products if permitted by the manufacturer! For washing, use liquid detergents for delicate cleaning of silk or wool. Laundry capsules are great, just use them correctly!
Not only colored fabric, but also artificial leather material is afraid of chlorine and bleaches. Therefore, in order not to spoil your clothes, do not use them when washing. In the washing machine, use the delicate cycle at the lowest temperature and turn off the spin cycle.
Before washing, clothes must be turned inside out and fastened with all buttons, snaps and zippers. After washing, let the water drain from the item and “wrap” it in a clean, thick cloth. Leave the clothes to dry in this condition.
But not all leatherette items can be “sent” to the washing machine. To thoroughly clean clothes, use hand wash.
Prepare a large container that will accommodate the entire item. Pour warm water into it halfway, add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to it. Instead of powder, use dishwashing detergent. Immerse your clothing completely in water and lightly scrub the most contaminated areas with a foam sponge.
Rinse well in clean, cool water. Hang clothes on hangers rather than on a line with clothespins. Let the water drain and blot the residue with a dry towel. Leave clothes on hangers until completely dry.
If you follow these simple rules for cleaning faux leather clothes, they will not only look fresh, but will also save you money on dry cleaning!
How often can you wash a leatherette jacket?
As you know, artificial materials are not as wear-resistant as natural ones. The same applies to skin. A faux leather jacket can quickly deteriorate if it is washed frequently. To prevent this from happening, you need to use some tips:
- if necessary, wipe the jacket with a damp cloth or sponge, then you will not need to wash the product often;
- heavily soiled areas can be wiped with alcohol diluted by half;
- After washing, the product should be dried in natural conditions with virtually no spinning.
The most vulnerable places
Like other materials, leatherette has some vulnerabilities, so there are reasons to wear and care for such items carefully.
Cuffs and collar
The main problem areas are the cuffs and, of course, the collar.
This is especially noticeable on light-colored products. You can return them to a neat appearance using baking soda:
- Take any unwanted rag and dampen it until it is damp.
- Sprinkle a little baking soda on a cloth and wipe the stain for 10 minutes.
- After this, remove excess soda with a wet cloth and wait for your jacket to dry.
Important!
Since the stains on the sleeves and collar are quite persistent, we recommend carrying out this treatment as often as possible, even if after that you plan to wash the product completely.
Lining
When worn, the lining of the jacket is in direct contact with everyday clothing, which becomes saturated with your sweat, dust, and is exposed to various contaminants.
All this eventually affects the appearance and smell of the lining, so it needs to be cleaned periodically, even if your leatherette jacket still looks decent on the outside.
You can do this as follows:
- To begin, turn your jacket inside out and hang it on a hanger.
- Use any product you use to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
- Make a solution by mixing water with the product. A dense column of foam should form on the surface.
- After & apply this particular foam to the lining using a sponge, leave it like that for 20-25 minutes.
- Finally, rinse off the foam with a sponge and wipe your product with a dry cloth or rag.
