Leather falls within the 10% of fabrics that cannot be washed, but its cheaper and more convenient counterpart - faux leather - is able to be cleaned the green, nontoxic way! In fact, dry cleaning chemicals may actually damage or destroy any plastic film used in the manufacturing process. Learn how to wash everything from faux leather legging to jackets with these easy steps.

If your item is missing its garment label, look for inconsistencies in the fabric. Real leather will have a less uniform look while faux leather will have a fairly clean appearance. Faux leather is also nonporous, so you'll feel the heat and need to remedy a sticky situation with a quick wash after each wear. 

Often made of polyurethane or polyvinylchloride with a polyester backing, faux leather leggings and jackets call for the care of our Delicate Wash, a specialty formula that's gentle on delicate fabrics but tough on dirt and odor. And with this faux leather being nonporous, chances are you'll feel the heat and will need to remedy a sweaty situation.

Turn your faux leather item inside out and place it into a Mesh Washing Bag to prevent it from snags and tears. Set your machine to the delicates cycle and make sure to set the water temperature to cold and the spin to low. Add a capful of the Delicate Wash to your washing machine.

Lay your faux leather item in its natural shape on a drying rack or hang to dry. Be sure to position the item properly on a hanger to prevent stretching. Never put faux leather items in the dryer!

For the ultimate finish, steam to remove wrinkles and freshen you faux leather between washes with the Delicate Spray.

Wrinkle-Free: Steam to remove wrinkles after washing or to freshen the garment between washing and wearing. Don't have a steamer handy? Use an iron set to the steam setting, hovering over the item - do not make contact.

Freshen: Freshen between washes by spritzing with Delicate Spray. This versatile formula has antibacterial properties that adds scent while removing odor.

Unlike Woolite, The Laundress Delicate Wash contains special enzymes that remove perspiration, oil, and buildup, while remaining safe on silks. Specifically formulated with cleaning enhancers and color guard, it maintains the cleanliness and color saturation of your favorite garments. Cleaning a faux leather jacket or pants doesn’t have to be daunting. To learn more laundry and cleaning tips, check out the Clean Talk Blog, where Gwen and Lindsey dish the dirty on getting clean.