A faux leather sofa or chair may look a whole lot like leather, offering an inexpensive alternative to the real thing. Just like other kinds of upholstery, faux leather saved in a room that is musty or full of cigarette smoke will pick up those scents. Some fresh air outdoors, followed by a comprehensive cleaning and deodorizing treatment, banishes those funky, stale odors in the faux leather. Keeping the furniture in a non-humid environment prevents the accumulation of musty odors too.
Air It Out
Sometimes, all that is needed to eliminate a stale scent is a small time outdoors to a dry, sunny day. Whether artificial leather is a seat, a throw pillow or a art piece, take it outside to a day with very little if any threat of rain and allow it to sit for at least a couple hours — the more, the better. If the item has removable components, like cushions on a couch or chair, take those off and air them out independently.
A Thorough Cleaning
A solution of half white vinegar, half water makes a cleaner that eliminates many kinds of smells. Dip a sponge along with a white cloth into the mixture and wipe down the entire faux leather surface. If it’s a sofa or chair, remove the cushions and wipe the pillow corners and seams, in addition to the area beneath the cushions, to remove unwanted odors. Allow the faux leather to dry in an area that is not humid.
Internal Odors
When there’s a way to get inside the faux leather object, such as a zipper on a cushion or cushion, deodorizing the inside greatly reduces odors emitted by the piece. Remove the cushion from its artificial leather cap, if possible. Otherwise, that is okay too — just work around it. Stuff the inside with paper for a day or so, together with a sprinkling of baking soda, and place the object outside or in a warm, dry location. Remove the paper, which absorbs smells, and the thing must smell better than before. Wipe the inside down with a half vinegar/half water solution using only enough to produce the piece moist; subsequently allow it to dry completely.
Baking Soda Deodorizer
When there’s still a little bit of odor after you’ve washed and aired out the leather, sprinkle it with baking soda and then allow the baking soda sit for several hours. Vacuum away the wax or wax it off using a moist sponge. Be sure to sprinkle baking soda from all the nooks and crevices, like the places beneath pillows on a couch, as scents have a tendency to build up at the locations that are least exposed to air circulation.
Mildew Maintenance
Sometimes mildew is the underlying cause of a musty or stale scent. Eliminate mildew stains by pouring a bit of rubbing alcohol on a sponge and wiping the stains using the sponge.