Types of eco-leather

Often the cost of genuine leather “bites” for the consumer. Artificial analogues are much cheaper, and in many properties they are not inferior to natural skin today.

For example, ecological leather - a modern material that has found application in many industries. It is no less durable, but at the same time hygienic and safe, as its name indicates.

Eco-leather is in many ways superior to its predecessors - leather substitutes: leatherette, tarpaulin, vinyl artificial leather or stretch leather. All imitations of this material have the same manufacturing principle: a layer of polymer film is applied on top of the fabric. Until recently, it was PVC film, which was later successfully replaced by a more advanced polyurethane material.

PVC

PVC-based leatherette appeared a long time ago. PVC film could be of various colors and textures.

Plus This material was easy to maintain and resistant to chemicals.

Minuses coating - it was not capable of allowing air and moisture to pass through.Despite this, it is still successfully used today, for example, for upholstering furniture in public spaces and transport.

Polyurethane

Just 50 years ago, a new type of leatherette based on polyurethane was invented in the USA. It differed from its predecessor in its porous structure, which was even higher than that of the natural one. In Russia they began to call it “ecological leather”. Eco-leather has found wide application in the manufacture of upholstery of upholstered furniture, clothing, shoes, bags, and car covers.

This modern leatherette comes in a variety of thicknesses, textures and colors. Eco-leather has become so popular among buyers that unscrupulous sellers sometimes pass off various fakes with low performance qualities as it. What's good about this material?

Advantages and disadvantages of eco-leather

Pros:

• Permits moisture and air.
• Doesn't get wet.
• Cheaper than genuine leather.
• Outwardly, it is almost indistinguishable from its natural counterpart.
• Has many textures and shades.
• Elastic.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Durable and wear-resistant.
• Resistant to fading.
• Doesn't get stiff in the cold.
• Has no smell.

Minuses:

• When heated, it releases toxic substances into the air.
• Caring for it is a little more difficult than PVC.
• Eco-leather is resistant to any cuts and scratches.
• The cost is higher than PVC leather.

It is not difficult to distinguish artificial leather from natural leather - it will have fabric on the reverse side.

Varieties

Perforated

One type of eco-leather is perforated polyurethane leather, containing many small holes. It is indispensable where good breathability of the material is required.

Self-adhesive

Self-adhesive eco-leather is used where it is convenient to stick the skin on without using glue. At the same time, the adhesive base makes it more rigid.

Eco-leather care rules:

• Dust must be wiped off with a dry cloth.
• Dirt can be easily washed off with a damp sponge. The use of brushes is not allowed.
• Markers from markers can be easily removed with soapy water.
• Remove stubborn stains with a mixture of water and ammonia (in a 1:1 ratio) or with special chemicals used for natural leather.
• Ecological leather cannot be washed.
• It is prohibited to use bleaching and abrasive agents to care for it.
• Eco-leather products usually bear the “PU” mark.

Leather furniture in an apartment or office is always solid, stylish and prestigious. But it is not at all necessary to spend a lot of money on buying a sofa made of natural material; ecological leather looks no worse, but at the same time you significantly save your budget.