How to clean faux leather starts with the gentlest method: dust first, then wipe the chair with a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a little mild soap, and dry it straight away with a clean cloth. Avoid soaking the surface, scrubbing hard, or using bleach, alcohol, solvent sprays, abrasive pads, or strong polish, because those are the steps most likely to dull, crack, or lift the finish on faux leather.
On this page
- Choose the right cleaning method for the chair you actually own
- How to clean faux leather safely, step by step
- The decisive criteria: what prevents damage
- A quick comparison of current chair and furniture categories
- What it costs and what delivery involves
- Common mistakes that damage faux leather chairs
- Frequently asked questions
That simple routine is the right one for everyday PU-upholstered dining chairs such as the Set of Two Eames DSW Chairs Replica PU Leather Black at €90, 47 x 53 x 83 cm (W x L x H), and the Set of Four Eames DSW Chairs Replica PU Leather Black at €150, 47 x 53 x 83 cm (W x L x H). PU leather wipes clean, and the shop’s general care rule for leather surfaces is equally cautious: use a dry or barely damp cloth and never abrasive or solvent cleaners.
Choose the right cleaning method for the chair you actually own
The first step is to confirm the upholstery type. Faux leather chairs are usually PU-covered rather than full leather, so they should be cleaned as wipe-clean surfaces, not treated with heavy leather creams or oils. In this shop, the black PU dining-chair sets above are faux leather, and the tan brown D266 office chair is also PU leather and wipes clean.
That matters because not every chair sold here is faux leather. Lounge chair and ottoman versions in the Eames Lounge Chairs category are upholstered in 100% aniline leather on every part, so they need a different care routine. The same distinction matters in the Eames Office Chairs category, where leather office chairs have genuine leather on the seat and the front of the backrest, with a matching leather on the underside and outer back, while mesh models are not leather chairs at all.
If your chair is genuine leather rather than PU, read the separate guides on How to Clean & Care for a Leather Eames Lounge Chair, How to Clean White Leather Chairs Safely at Home and Aniline Leather: What It Is and How to Care for It. For design background only, the Museum of Modern Art is a neutral source on modern furniture history.
How to clean faux leather safely, step by step
1. Remove loose dust first. Use a dry microfibre cloth to lift dust, crumbs, and grit from the seat, back, and seams. This matters because rubbing dirt into a damp surface is what turns a light clean into unnecessary wear.
2. Mix a mild cleaning solution. Add a small amount of mild soap to lukewarm water. You want a lightly soapy solution, not foam-heavy water. Dip a soft cloth in it, then wring the cloth out well so it is damp, not wet.
3. Wipe gently, section by section. Clean the seat, then the backrest, then the edges and sides. Use light pressure. If the chair has stitched panels, wipe along them rather than scrubbing across them. For kitchen or dining use, this is usually enough to remove fingerprints, food marks, and daily grime.
4. Rinse with a second cloth. Take another clean cloth dampened with plain water and wipe away any soap residue. Left-behind soap can attract fresh dirt and leave the finish looking cloudy.
5. Dry immediately. Buff the chair dry with a soft towel or dry microfibre cloth. Faux leather should not be left wet, especially around seams, piping, and the underside of the seat.
6. Let it air fully before use. Once dry to the touch, give the chair a little time before stacking anything on it or covering it. That helps prevent trapped moisture.
This routine suits wipe-clean dining chairs in the Dining Chairs collection, which has 17 models priced from €90 to €249, with an example size of 47x53x83 cm. It also fits everyday family spaces where practical surfaces matter, such as the chairs discussed in Easy-Clean Kitchen Chairs for Everyday Living.
The decisive criteria: what prevents damage
Moisture control. The biggest difference between safe cleaning and damaging cleaning is how wet the cloth is. Damp is safe; soaked is risky. Excess water can sit in seams and under edges and shorten the life of the covering.
Cleaner strength. Mild soap is enough for ordinary dirt. Strong degreasers, bleach sprays, alcohol, acetone, and solvent cleaners can dry the surface, strip the finish, or make the material feel tacky.
Cloth choice. Soft microfibre or another lint-free soft cloth is the safe option. Scouring pads, stiff brushes, and rough sponges can leave the topcoat dull or scratched.
Drying method. Always dry by hand with a clean cloth. Do not use a hot hairdryer or place the chair next to a heater to speed it up. Heat can make faux leather stiff over time.
Surface type nearby. Many chairs combine upholstery with wood, chrome, or aluminium. Keep the upholstery cleaner simple and separate from frame care. If you need frame advice, use How to Clean Chrome on Chairs and Furniture for chrome parts rather than applying metal cleaner to the seat.
Sun exposure. Direct sun ages both faux leather and real leather faster. The shop specifically warns that aniline leather should be kept out of direct sun, especially white leather, and that same caution is sensible for PU surfaces too.
A quick comparison of current chair and furniture categories
| Category | Models | Price range | Example size | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designer Lighting | 4 | €190–€479 | 50x50x20 cm | Designer Lighting |
| Le Corbusier | 8 | €639–€849 | 56x160x69 cm | Le Corbusier |
| Dining Chairs | 17 | €90–€249 | 47x53x83 cm | Dining Chairs |
| Eames Lounge Chairs | 39 | €275–€1199 | 84x85x89 cm | Eames Lounge Chairs |
| Eames Office Chairs | 38 | €179–€409 | 59x61x90 cm | Eames Office Chairs |
| Rocking Chairs | 3 | €149–€149 | 63x81x76 cm | Rocking Chairs |
| Accessories | 6 | €139–€479 | 50x50x20 cm | Accessories |
| Special Offers | 13 | €90–€849 | 72x70x91 cm | Special Offers |
For faux leather specifically, the clearest examples in the current range are the black PU dining-chair sets at €90 and €150. If you are choosing between wipe-clean seating and real leather seating, the key question is not style first but care routine first.
What it costs and what delivery involves
For faux leather dining seating, the current entry prices are clear: the Set of Two Eames DSW Chairs Replica PU Leather Black costs €90 and the Set of Four Eames DSW Chairs Replica PU Leather Black costs €150. Each chair measures 47 x 53 x 83 cm (W x L x H). Dining chairs need minor assembly, for example four screws per chair, with an Allen key supplied and instructions in the box.
Delivery is free, with no minimum order value, to the 25 countries available at checkout: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The price shown is the price paid, with no extra charge added at checkout and no customs or handling charge collected on delivery in these countries.
Orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days of confirmation and are delivered by DPD, fully tracked. The shipping policy states delivery typically arrives within 6–9 working days door to door, and tracking details are emailed as soon as the order is dispatched. The shop publishes one delivery window for all categories, and weekend delivery is not part of the standard service.
Most single-product orders ship in one package. Larger items may arrive in several boxes; for example, a lounge chair and ottoman set typically ships in two packages. Multi-item orders may be split across deliveries but are dispatched together. Each piece is inspected before it is boxed for dispatch.
Returns can be requested within 14 days from delivery, as long as items are unused and in their original packaging, and nothing may be sent back without a return authorisation from support@decomica.com. For a change of mind, the refund is made minus a €40 return fee that covers the DPD collection. If an item arrives faulty, damaged in transit or wrong, the return is free and can lead to a replacement or full refund if reported within 14 days with photos.
Common mistakes that damage faux leather chairs
Using too much water. A dripping cloth is one of the quickest ways to push moisture into seams and under the cover.
Spraying cleaner directly onto the chair. Put cleaner on the cloth, not straight on the upholstery. Direct spray is harder to control and can leave tide marks.
Choosing harsh household products. Bleach, window spray, solvent wipes, and abrasive cream cleaners are not safe shortcuts.
Ignoring residue. Soap left on the surface can turn sticky and attract fresh dirt. A plain-water wipe after cleaning matters.
Scrubbing one mark too hard. Repeated rubbing in one spot can make the finish look shiny or uneven. For a stubborn mark, repeat a gentle clean rather than increasing force.
Confusing faux leather with real leather. Real leather lounge pieces, such as the Classic Charles Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica Tan Brown Leather – Walnut Wood Normal Base at €859, 87 x 85 x 84 cm (W x L x H), or the Tall Version Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica – White – Rose Wood at €949, 84 x 85 x 89 cm (W x L x H), should not be cleaned as PU.
The same goes for the Eames office chair EA 217 Light Grey Leather – Replica – Soft pad Low back at €339, 59 x 61 x 90 cm (W x L x H), which uses genuine leather on the contact areas.
Forgetting the frame. If the upholstery is clean but the base is marked, clean each material separately. Dining chair shells and PU seats wipe clean, while metal parts need the right method for their finish.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use baby wipes on a faux leather chair?
It is safer not to rely on them as your main cleaner. Some contain ingredients that leave residue or are stronger than they seem. A soft cloth with lukewarm water and a little mild soap is the safer default, followed by a plain-water wipe and immediate drying.
What should I do with a sticky faux leather seat?
First remove any cleaner residue with a cloth dampened in plain water, then dry the chair fully. If the surface stays sticky after a careful rinse and dry, the finish may already be breaking down. In that case, further scrubbing usually makes it worse.
How often should I clean faux leather chairs?
Light, regular cleaning is better than occasional heavy cleaning. Dusting and prompt wipe-downs after spills reduce the need for stronger effort later. Dining chairs in busy use may need quick weekly attention, but the right frequency depends on how often the chairs are used.
Are faux leather dining chairs easier to maintain than aniline leather lounge chairs?
Yes. PU dining chairs are designed as wipe-clean seating, while aniline leather needs gentler care and more attention to light, moisture, and cleaner choice. That is why it helps to separate faux leather care from real leather care rather than using one routine for everything.
Decomica sells reproductions inspired by mid-century designs, identified as such on every product page; they are not made, licensed or endorsed by the original manufacturers or licence holders. The D-series office chairs are Decomica’s own designs.
Last checked: 24 October 2026
Author: Decomica Editorial
