For example, ecological leather is 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 in many ways surpasses its predecessors - leather substitutes: dermatin, tarpaulin, vinyl leather or stretch skin. All imitations of this material have one manufacturing principle: a layer of polymer film is applied over the fabric. Until recently, it was a PVC film, which was later successfully replaced with a more advanced polyurethane material.
PVC
The advantage of this material was ease of care and resistance to chemicals.
Cons of the coating - it was not able to pass air and moisture. Despite this, it is successfully used now, for example, for furniture upholstery in public buildings and transport.
Polyurethane
Just 50 years ago, the United States invented a new type of leatherette based on polyurethane. It differed from its predecessor in its porous structure, which was even higher than that of a natural one. In Russia they began to call it “ecological skin”. Ecoskin has found wide application in the manufacture of upholstery for upholstered furniture, clothes, shoes, bags, car covers.
This modern leatherette exists in various thicknesses, textures and colors. Ecoskin has become so popular among buyers that unscrupulous sellers sometimes give out for it various fakes with low performance. What is so good about this material?
Advantages and disadvantages of eco-leather
Pros:
- Leaks moisture and air.
- Does not get wet.
- Cheaper than genuine leather.
- Outwardly, it is almost indistinguishable from its natural counterpart.
- It has many textures and shades.
- Elastic.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Durable and wear resistant.
- Resistant to fading.
- In the cold it does not become harsh.
- It is odorless.
Minuses:
- When heated, releases toxic substances into the air.
- Caring for it is a bit more complicated than for PVC.
- Faux leather is afraid of any cuts and scratches.
- The cost is higher than that of PVC leather.
It is not difficult to distinguish artificial leather from natural - on the reverse side it will have fabric.
Varieties
Perforated
Self adhesive
Self-adhesive eco-leather is used where it is convenient to stick the skin without using glue. At the same time, the adhesive base makes it more rigid.
Rules for the care of eco-leather:
- Dust must be wiped with a dry cloth.
- It is easy to wash off pollution with a damp sponge. The use of brushes is not allowed.
- Traces of markers are easy to clean with soapy water.
- Remove stubborn stains with a mixture of water and ammonia (in a 1: 1 ratio) or with special chemicals used for genuine leather.
- Ecological skin cannot be washed.
- It is forbidden to use bleaching and abrasive products in the care of it.
- On products made of eco-leather, as a rule, there is a “PU” mark.
Leather furniture in an apartment or office is always solid, stylish and prestigious. But it’s 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.
