Selection

• While vinyl is a low-cost alternative to leather, it doesn't have to look or feel cheap. Choose a thinner, smoother style vinyl that's soft to the touch for household furnishings and a thicker, sturdier vinyl for seats in vehicles and watercraft. Select vinyl with a light-to-moderate coating to protect this man-made material from spills, scratches and scrapes. Many people choose furniture made with this fire-resistant, stain-repellent material for family, recreation and kid's rooms.
  
  

Cleaning

• Sticky fingers and liquid spills take their toll on fabric upholstery, but not on vinyl. Use warm water mixed with a mild detergent to clean vinyl. Dip your rag into the water, wring it out and wipe down the material. Use a toothbrush or soft scrub brush for stubborn stains.Remove ballpoint ink stains by applying hairspray to the stain, letting it soak a minute and then rubbing it with a soft cloth. Use mineral spirits on a soft rag to safely remove most other stains from vinyl.
  
  

Care

• The most critical aspect regarding the care and upkeep of vinyl upholstery is moisture. Harsh detergents and cleaners dry vinyl out and leave it susceptible to cracking. Protect automobile seats -- exposed to direct sun for prolonged periods -- and watercraft upholstery -- subject to sun and salt water -- by applying a spray-on vinyl upholstery product designed to treat and protect your material and buffing it with a soft cloth on a regular basis.
  
  

Restoration

• When your vinyl upholstery appears to have seen its better days, all is not lost. Faded vinyl can be restored to like-new condition by using a spray-on vinyl dye. Some require no treatment past the spraying, while it's necessary to buff others with a lint-free cloth. Choose a liquid leather repair product to quickly restore vinyl that contains rips, tears, scrapes or burns. For jobs too big for home repair, choose an auto-body shop that restores and repairs vinyl.