What is better - eco leather or artificial leather?

Recently, a lot of new synthetic materials appeared in the modern market, which try to compete with natural leather. So there were products made of a new universal fabric marked "eco", which means ecological material. It is a hybrid of leather on a natural basis and furniture matter. In this article we will consider what is better - eco leather or artificial leather, and how to care for such products.

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What is eco leather, artificial and natural leather?

Before considering what is better - eco leather or artificial leather, one must understand the difference between them, and the difference compared to natural material.

Artificial

Researchers have developed a dermatine, leatherette, PVC-leather, which are synthetic materials. Any variant of artificial leather consists of film polymer coating, based on knitted, woven and non-woven fabric.

Important! Polyvinyl chloride is the most common polymer that forms a film. The top layer of PVC does not allow air to pass through. Very often, vinyl upholstery is used for the seats of trains, buses, trams, cafes, polyclinics.

Natural

For the production of natural leather, it is necessary to treat the animal skin. This process consists of several stages - the procedure of soaking, soling, tanning, staining and chemical treatment.

Most recently, most people preferred to have things made of genuine leather, because they are quite strong material that can withstand large temperature changes. Uncomplicated care of products made of such material maintains a presentable appearance.

Eco-skin

For a long time, genuine leather did not have competitors, and more recently, eco-leather appeared in the modern market. She collected all the advantages of natural and artificial material.

Important! Eco-skin is elastic, it perfectly passes air, does not cause allergic reactions, it does not have a nasty smell of leatherette.

Ecoskin is the newest technological development of artificial skin type. The composition of such a material has a layer of polyurethane on a fabric basis, consisting of 100 percent cotton, and resembles the natural skin.

Important! These materials are very similar, and even specialists can not always find differences.

For eco-leather, polyurethane is used as the film coating. It has a more complex synthesis mechanism than PVC.All desirable properties are formed due to the chemical synthesis of the polymer, and therefore no need to use additional plasticizers. G

Important! The main property of such a material is air permeability, which is achieved by forming a number of micropores penetrating the film. Due to this, air and water vapor are transmitted, and water is not allowed to pass.

In use, the polymer film does not distinguish anything, this is how the name of this material arose - ecological leather.

Important! Artificial leather is divided into several types:

• haberdashery PU leather;
• leather for making clothes;
• shoe material;
• upholstery options;
• leather, which has a technical purpose.

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Advantages and disadvantages of eco-leather

In order to understand what is better - eco leather or artificial leather, let's consider the advantages of using products made of eco-leather:

• is an ideal price-performance ratio;
• drawing imitates natural skin - to match these two fabrics, sometimes you need to turn to the wrong side;
• is available in a wide variety of sizes, which is very handy when making furniture, when a huge whole piece is needed;
• production procedure is less costly, environmentally less dangerous and humane in relation to the animal world;
• a wide range of colors;
• has low hygroscopicity, which improves the performance of finished products made of eco-leather;
• is characterized by excellent elastic properties;
• has a high resistance to sunlight - a black product made of eco-leather can stay in the sun for a long time and does not undergo a burnout process at all;
• has excellent frost resistance - under minus temperature conditions it is perfectly preserved and does not "dube";
• is characterized by a remarkable compliance - when fabricating products, the fabric has no problems with cutting and sewing;
• products from this material are well worn and resistant to abrasion;
• does not cause allergic reactions;
• is a kind of fabric - practical and durable material:
• the presence of micropores allows breathing of matter, unlike dermatine tissue;
• the presence of tissue base - promotes rapid response and elimination of minor deformations;
• easy care for products of this type of skin.

Important! Due to a number of advantageous properties, eco leather is a very popular material.

The use of the newest canvas is obvious, but there are also negative aspects:

• , when the material is cut randomly, its tissue base is seen;
• for many people, genuine leather products symbolize prestige and prosperity, and eco-leather does not deliver such a chic feeling.

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What is better - eco leather or genuine leather?

Consider the distinctive features of the material from eco-leather from the skin on a natural basis to understand what is better than eco leather or genuine leather:

• These materials require different sources of raw materials. So, for a natural skin type, animal treatment is used, and eco-leather is made of polyurethane.
• The use of natural leather in some people causes allergic reactions. Its artificial substitute has hypoallergenic properties, which is absolutely safe for any consumer.
• When you touch the materials, the heat is felt. But if a person is sitting in a chair made of eco-leather, then his open body parts will be less prone to sweating.
• Materials from eco-leather are very pleasant to the touch, unlike leather on a natural basis, which is covered with acrylic emulsions. But if the skin has an aniline finish, then the artificial analogue is inferior to it.
• Eco-skin fabrics have better air permeability than natural materials coated with acrylic emulsions.
• Wear resistance, frost resistance, ability to "self-heal" deformations is also a distinguishing feature of both eco-leather and leather on a natural basis.

Important! Despite the slight differences, both materials require careful and careful care.

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Where is the eco-leather applied?

To understand what is better - eco leather or artificial leather, you need to consider the range of materials. So, eco-leather is widely used in many areas:

• In the furniture industry in the manufacture of coatings for sofas, armchairs and other soft parts.
• In the haberdashery industry in the production of a variety of bags, briefcases, purses, wallets.
• In the light industry when tailoring jackets, pants, skirts, dresses, gloves and shoes. A variant of a combination of pu-skin with other fabrics is possible, which allows creating fashionable variants of stylish clothes.
• When manufacturing seat covers and seats for cars.
• Eco leather is widely used for upholstery doors.

Important! This version of the material is used for interior works. Many designers often use eco-skin elements as decor for a variety of additions to the interior.

Auto leather covers from eco-leather

The owners of expensive and prestigious foreign cars use covers for their cars from artificial suede, leather, Alcantara. Car covers made of eco-leather, more simple, but based on motorists' reviews have a number of positive points:

• Covers from such a fabric do not rub and do not crack.
• With the use of such covers, the interior of the car interior from an aesthetic point of view looks much more comfortable and attractive.
• In hot weather, there is no sticking effect to the car seat.
• It is much nicer to be on seats from this material.

Eco-leather bags

• Since the polyurethane is characterized by excellent wear resistance and frost resistance, pu-leather bags have the same qualities and are in great demand.
• In addition, such products look very presentable, since the cotton base allows to realize the most incredible, crazy ideas of designers.
• Poo-leather is characterized by flexible properties, due to which the fabric perfectly bends and is able to acquire the necessary shapes.
• And the most important is the psychological factor, in which there is no need to destroy the animal, to show off with a prestigious handbag.

Eco-leather shoes

In footwear supermarkets, a huge range of eco-leather shoes is offered:

• The main advantage of these products is the environmental friendliness of the material, because harmful polymers are not used in production.
• PU-leather is able to "breathe" and do not allow moisture, and therefore such shoes contribute to a comfortable state of feet in any weather.
• Shoe care from eco-skin is quite simple and does not require complicated manipulations.

Important! When compared with natural leather, the eco-material is not as warm and frost-resistant. Many fashionistas prefer shoes made of eco-leather, since a significant difference in price contributes to balancing this defect.

Eco-leather for furniture

Modern furniture market is characterized by a wide range of upholstered furniture from pu-leather. In the manufacture of furniture, this material serves to upholstery of both soft and hard elements of the interior. The production of soft furniture elements is more appropriate, since the skin is constantly exposed to external influences, and it must also be soft and elastic.

Important! A variety of textures and a wide range of colors make it possible to easily select a child's sofa and an office chair. The market offers different styles of pieces of furniture made of eco-leather, from Modern to Classics.

Advantages of using eco-leather furniture:

• precise imitation of genuine leather;
• availability of a large color gamut, which contributes to a great design;
• good air permeability;
• simplicity of care for the finished product;
• affordable price factor;
• is good workability, so this material fits perfectly with upholstery;
• ecological compatibility of the fabric promotes the absence of allergic reactions;
• availability of frost resistance;
• high tactile properties of matter - the presence of elasticity, warmth when touching exposed parts of the body;
• resistance to abrasion and tear;
• good water vapor permeability.

Eco-leather furniture has some disadvantages:

• When contaminated, pu-leather fabric can not be treated with water, as stains or stains may remain.
• The material promotes the absorption of paint from the fabric of clothing, so it is preferable to choose a darker shade of armchairs and sofas.
• The surface of upholstered furniture always remains cold, so in winter it is better to cover with a rug.
• Pets can leave traces on an armchair or a sofa, therefore if in an apartment there are favorite animals it will be more reasonable to refuse acquisition of upholstered furniture from пу-skin.

Important! When choosing eco-material, one should take into account the degree of loading on the surface of upholstered furniture. So:

• In office premises where the load is constantly present, it is preferable to use a material with increased strength properties for the production of chairs and chairs.
• When making interior items for household use, such a criterion is not at all necessary, here the comfort index plays a more important role.

Eco-leather garments

What is better - eco leather or genuine leather? Material made of pu-leather is widely used for sewing women's and men's jackets, dresses, skirts, trousers, gloves.

Important! The thickness of the fabric is chosen depending on under what conditions it is planned to use such a fabric.

Also the material is used as an element of decor. When combined with other materials, unique, unique products are created that have a presentable appearance and are sold, as a rule, in single versions.

Characteristics of clothes made of eco-leather:

• Unlike other imitation leather, clothes made of eco-friendly material do not have an unpleasant odor.
• Winter and summer clothes made of eco-material are characterized by a variety of colors and sizes.
• It is very comfortable to wear clothes made of pu-leather, because it has high air permeability. The presence of a large number of micropores in the polyurethane promotes a regular process of air circulation and thus the tissue "breathes".Most of the clothes made of leather on a natural basis do not have this property.
• The clothes are very pleasant to the touch and have elastic properties. When exposed to human skin, no irritation occurs. Such clothing is ideal for people who have sensitive skin and allergic reactions.
• Products made from eco-material have a unique property: in winter such clothes are warm, and summer time is not hot. The presence of a hygroscopic property of the tissue allows you to remove the excess moisture of the body outside, while creating a comfortable microclimate. If moisture has got on the matter, it immediately evaporates.
• Stitched down jackets and jackets made of such synthetic fabric are frost-resistant and do not douche even in the most severe frosts.
• Clothing made of eco-leather, does not deform in the process of wearing, has resistance to damaging external factors, for a long time perfectly retains its unchanging appearance.
• PU-leather is resistant to sunlight, so both winter jackets and down jackets, and summer skirts and dresses do not burn out in the sun.

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How to care for eco-skin?

Care of products made of eco-leather does not cause any difficulties. In the process of operation, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations, the use of which will allow for a long time to keep products from such a fabric in excellent condition:

• If a fresh dirty spot appears, then using a damp cloth, it can be easily eliminated. You can also apply a soft fabric for the skin on a natural basis, moisten it with solutions of special agents.
• In cases where the stain is poorly cleaned, it is possible to wipe the contaminated area with a solution of alcohol and water in a ratio of 1: 1.
• To extend the life of products from this fabric, they must be impregnated with a special composition of water repellent agents.
• After cleaning, this product must be wiped dry with a clean soft cloth.
• If you need to wash, then this process is allowed at a temperature mode of no higher than 30 degrees and is only in the manual version.
• When washing it is not recommended to use powders - it is better to use special gels.
• If the product is heavily contaminated, you can contact a dry cleaning service that will cope with this problem.

Important! To clean products from pu-leather, it is strictly unacceptable to use products that contain chlorine in their composition.

As you can see, in general - eco-leather is definitely better than artificial leather and even surpasses natural material in some ways. And further, on the basis of the information received, it's up to you to decide whether the footwear, furniture, clothes from this material are worthy, so that you give it preference.