Caring for Faux Leather
Faux leather is a polyurethane or PVC coating over a fabric backing, not real hide. It wipes clean and resists spills better than fabric, but heat, direct sun and solvent cleaners degrade the coating faster than ordinary use ever does.
What faux leather is
A woven or knitted fabric backing with a polyurethane or PVC coating bonded to the surface, textured and finished to resemble leather grain. The coating is what gives faux leather its wipeable surface and its resistance to soaking up a spill - properties the backing fabric on its own would not have.
Routine cleaning
A damp cloth with mild soap handles most marks. Wipe rather than scrub, and dry the surface afterwards rather than leaving it damp - standing moisture can work into seams and stitching even though the coating itself is not absorbent.
What actually damages it
Direct sun and heat are the main long-term threats: UV and heat both dry out the coating, which is what produces cracking and peeling over years rather than a single event. Solvent cleaners, alcohol wipes and anything not specifically sold for faux leather can soften or strip the coating outright. A sharp object - a zip, a belt buckle, a claw - can cut the coating in a way that does not heal like a scuff on real leather; there is no oil to work into a scratch, because there is no hide underneath it.
Where it wins over fabric, and where it does not
Faux leather beats fabric decisively on spills and easy cleaning, and it does not trap odours or hold moisture the way an absorbent fabric can. It loses on temperature comfort - it runs cooler in a cold room and can feel warm and slightly tacky in a hot one - and it does not breathe, which matters more for a piece used for long stretches. See fabric or faux leather for the direct comparison against the range's fabric-finished set.
Questions
Can faux leather be cleaned with baby wipes or alcohol wipes?
Not repeatedly. Alcohol-based wipes can soften or strip the coating over time. A damp cloth with mild soap is the safer routine choice.
Why does faux leather crack after a few years?
Usually sun and heat exposure drying out the polyurethane or PVC coating, rather than ordinary sitting wear. Keeping the piece out of direct sun slows this.
Is faux leather waterproof?
The surface resists spills and wipes clean, but seams and stitching are not sealed, so standing liquid can still work through at those points.
Is faux leather warmer or cooler to sit on than fabric?
Cooler in a cold room, because it does not breathe. It can also feel slightly warm and tacky in a hot room for the same reason.