There is a misconception that eco-leather is inferior in quality to natural leather and is ordinary leatherette, but this is absolutely not true. Several factors contributed to the appearance of this analogue: the expensive price and the complex procedure for making genuine leather. Many people mistakenly believe that eco-leather is inferior to its natural counterpart, but it is not only not inferior, but in some areas superior to real leather. What is eco-leather, what is it made of and what is better than leather and leatherette? First things first.
What is eco leather? Composition and its application
Eco-leather is an artificially produced material. It is created by applying a polyurethane film to a fabric base, usually cotton, but there are other options. The thickness of the film may vary, but it is this that affects the quality and performance characteristics of the item. A thick coating ensures long-lasting wear of the product, but it will feel harder to the touch. In the production of eco-leather, no plasticizers are used, which is why it received the prefix “eco” in its name.
When making eco-leather, the fabric and polyurethane layers are subjected to hard embossing, which is why the final result appears in a pattern identical to that of natural leather. It can be distinguished from the original only by looking at the back of the product.
Due to its similarity to natural material, eco-leather is widely and successfully used by designers.Bags and shoes are made from it, interior items are decorated, and various clothes are sewn. In the furniture industry, eco-leather is used to cover products, such as soft sofas and armchairs. A large number of car covers are also made of eco-leather.
History of creation
The history of the development of leatherwork began before our era. Primitive people used the skins of killed animals as clothing; later, a wide variety of things were made from the skins: dishes, bags, shields, shoes and drums. But time does not stand still, and to preserve the environment and animal life, experiments were carried out to replace natural leather.
One of the successful results is leatherette, or, in simple terms, leatherette. However, it was much inferior in quality to its ancestor, which is why it earned a bad reputation among consumers. In 1963, eco-leather was invented in the USA - a material similar in environmental characteristics to natural leather. It was made from synthetic fiber, the use of which reduced environmental pollution and reduced the number of animal killings, which, of course, greatly pleased animal activists.
Varieties
This material has two varieties:
- perforated;
- self-adhesive eco-leather.
Perforated polyurethane leather contains many holes, which ensures the material is airtight. It is mainly used for sewing car covers, upholstery and haberdashery items. Self-adhesive eco-leather is used for making products where the use of glue is not recommended. This type of leather has higher rigidity.
Advantages and disadvantages
Eco-leather has gained everyone’s trust due to its ecological origin and affordable price, however, this is not its only advantage. It is frost-resistant and does not emit toxic or harmful substances. Eco-leather is easy to care for, it is elastic and pleasant to the touch, has long performance characteristics, does not react to direct sunlight, and is capable of self-recovery after minor surface deformation. There are different color variations of eco-leather - it can be easily painted without losing its presentability. This material does not have a specific odor, uneven thickness or color defects, unlike genuine leather. With proper care, an eco-leather item can last more than ten years. Among the advantages, it is also worth noting hypoallergenicity, ventilation, and safety.
However, every thing has its downsides. They may not be as numerous as the advantages, but they are worth paying attention to. Eco-leather can crack and scratch if not properly cared for and used. You need to be especially careful when cleaning furniture products - they can easily be damaged by a brush, and unsightly scratches can be left from the claws of pets. If this does happen, then it is unlikely that the product will be “repaired” - the polyurethane layer cannot be restored. Eco-leather also tends to get very hot when exposed to the sun for a long time.
How to distinguish eco-leather from leatherette, vinyl and other analogues
Not all sellers and manufacturers are squeaky clean, so if you have any doubts about the quality of the material, there are ways to check it. First, touch the material with your hand - it should be soft, tender and warm from your touch. Leatherette will remain cool and will feel much rougher to the touch. If your suspicions are not dispelled, you can check the composition of the product with vegetable oil, if conditions allow. Place a couple of drops on the item you want to check and leave for a day. If the next day you find a dent and the leather has become rough, then you have leatherette. Smell also plays an important role: eco-leather has virtually no odor, while leatherette has a sharp, specific aroma.
Eco leather care
In order for a thing to retain its original appearance and serve you for many years, it must be looked after. Small stains from dirt, dust and liquids can be easily removed with a damp cloth. Do not use hard brushes or powders for cleaning - they can leave scratches and abrasions. At the end of wet cleaning, it is necessary to wipe the product with a dry cloth, since artificial leather absorbs moisture very quickly. If the stain is old and cannot be wiped off in the usual way, then you can use alcohol diluted with water. Salt will help with red wine stains, and a vinegar solution will help with coffee and chocolate stains. Fresh orange peel will help restore shine and color saturation. Just rub the product with it and it will regain its original shine.
The stores offer a wide range of special cleaning products for eco-leather products. Before purchasing, carefully read the instructions for use, because some gels and stain removers are not suitable for the care of eco-leather. Attention: it is necessary to wash the product made of this material only by hand, at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees, since machine washing is strictly prohibited.
Eco-leather has firmly won the trust of consumers who value humanity and a reverent attitude to the environment. It has a huge number of advantages, which distinguishes it from other artificial analogues, it also has practically no differences from natural leather, and even to some extent surpasses it in terms of useful properties. An important role is played by the low cost of this product, which cannot be said about its natural analogue. Low pricing policy ensures the availability of eco-leather products to almost everyone, and will delight the owner with its quality and aesthetic appearance for a long time. I like
