Eco-leather furniture: compare the advantages and disadvantages, consider the features

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 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 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.

Peculiarities

The service life with proper care and operation is about 10 years.

This material consists of cotton coated with polyurethane. This means that no animal skin is used in its production. In today's realities, this feature is one of the key.

Other characteristics of eco-leather:

• smooth to the touch;
• elastic;
• wear-resistant;

• dense;
• looks similar to genuine leather.

Unlike leatherette, which was used before, it is highly wear-resistant and does not contain toxic chemicals.

Origin of eco-leather.

Eco-leather is a material of the 20th century. For the first time, the idea of ​​​​making eco-leather crept into the minds of humanity when the issue of preserving the animal world became acute. Many wildlife activists have protested the killing of animals for leather production. At first, leatherette was used as an analogue, which could not be compared with natural fabric. Therefore, research continued until scientists from the USA and Japan introduced the whole world to a new substitute for natural leather - eco-leather. In terms of its appearance, it was difficult to distinguish eco-leather from natural leather, so it became firmly established in everyday life. After launching the production process, it was possible to significantly reduce the number of animals killed. This breakthrough in obtaining eco-leather had a positive impact on the environment, since leather production generated a lot of waste.

Kinds

There are several types of material available on the market:

Perforated

For manufacturing, many holes are specially made on the canvas. This creates a certain pattern and achieves greater breathability;

Quilted

Decorative stitching is done like a quilt. The technique is used in the design of sofas, armchairs and other furniture;

Smooth

The surface does not have any irregularities characteristic of leather.

Nappa

In appearance it perfectly duplicates natural leather;

According to the type of base, eco-leather is:

• on cotton.
• on microfiber.

By ability to shine:

• glossy.
• matte.

Polaris Pro

The canvas has a thickness of 1.1 mm, with a density of 700 g/sq. m. Abrasion resistance at the level of 100,000 thousand cycles. Does not burn. The Polaris Pro material is used both in the automotive sector and in the water, railway, and aviation industries.

The material is not afraid of prolonged exposure to bright sunlight and is moisture resistant. It is actively used for upholstery of car interiors of all classes - from economical small cars to SUVs.

If you want to explore the line of materials from this company, visit the website https://ecokoja.ru/. There are many different models presented there, with different properties, colors, reliefs.

Material advantages

When choosing upholstery for furniture, it is important to understand the advantages of eco-leather.

If the consumer is in doubt when making a decision, you should pay attention to the advantages:

• full similarity with natural material. There are no problems with painting eco-leather in any color. The manufacturer is not limited in the ability to apply different textures. In addition, eco-leather does not have natural irregularities or thin areas that are inherent in natural leather. It can be made more dense, which increases reliability;
• resistant to stretching and friction that occurs during use. Small and shallow damage will not be visible on the surface;
• low dust holding capacity. Unlike other upholstery materials, eco-leather does not allow dust to pass through. If it settles on the surface, it can be easily removed. Almost no dust gets inside;

• Due to the polyurethane layer, the fabric does not allow water to pass through. Liquid spilled on the surface of the furniture will not be absorbed if it is quickly wiped off. This not only preserves the furniture longer, but also protects against stains and streaks. A related benefit is the savings on furniture cleaning;
• does not become covered with pellets, does not collect wool, hair, etc. on the surface;
• has no unpleasant odor;
• the price is several times lower than for genuine leather;
• hypoallergenic.

The combination of advantages often allows you to choose this type of upholstery.

Caring for eco-leather upholstery

Furniture eco-leather is very easy to care for. If you spill something or otherwise stain the sofa, wash off the stain with a wet rag, and then wipe it off, and no traces will remain. This quality is very important when there are small children in the family who can paint all surfaces with paints or crayons. If the living room has furniture with light upholstery, treat it with a special spray and the upholstery will stay clean longer. There are impregnations on sale that prevent dirt from penetrating into the pores. All stains will remain on top and can be easily removed with a damp cloth.

Advice

When purchasing furniture or upholstery material, ask the seller to show a quality certificate. Even in a showroom you can buy a model created by an unknown company, which will fall apart or burst on the second day. Ask for a photocopy or write down all the data from the document. This will help you file a claim if the material turns out to be defective.

If the dirt is not washed off with plain water, apply a soap solution. Or buy a special product for caring for upholstered furniture. Use a soft sponge to gently scrub the stain. If you have had guests get your sofa dirty, start cleaning the upholstery immediately after your guests leave. Old stains are very difficult to clean - the sooner you take action, the better the result will be. If soap and water cannot remove dirt, use alcohol or special products approved for polyurethane.

Sofas and armchairs upholstered in genuine leather give the interior a rich, solid look. If it is not possible to purchase expensive furniture, buy a set upholstered in eco-leather. The stain-resistant and body-friendly material does not need to be covered with capes; cleaning fresh stains from the upholstery will not be difficult. Eco-leather is appropriate in the office, bedroom, and nursery. You will sleep comfortably on a bed upholstered in imitation natural leather; you can sit in a chair for hours - your body will not feel any discomfort. Children can jump and play on the sofa as much as they want, the durable material will withstand the load. If you doubt the merits of the new material, first buy at least an inexpensive ottoman, and you will be convinced that eco-leather should be in every home.

Flaws

Despite the obvious advantages, eco-leather has a number of disadvantages:

• If there are pets in the house, then claw marks, scratches, and cuts will appear on the furniture. It will be impossible to remove or hide defects, especially if the top layer is damaged and comes out

  
  cotton. The only option would be to completely reupholster the furniture;

• fading or cracking when exposed to direct sunlight. We are talking about lower quality material. Today there are varieties of eco-leather that are significantly resistant to environmental influences;
• ability to quickly heat up and cool down. Eco-leather cools quickly in a cold room, which creates an unpleasant sensation if you sit or lie on its surface. The situation is similar with heat. If a person lies on an eco-leather sofa in hot weather, the surface will quickly heat up. Upon contact with human skin, a sticking effect occurs, which is also unpleasant;
• problems with removing complex stains: ink, felt-tip pens, nail polish, etc. The main difficulty is that the material cannot be washed and cleaned with all means. Aggressive detergents are prohibited, which complicates the cleaning process.

Expert opinion

Korzhavin Daniil Dmitrievich

Designer of stylish home furniture

The degree to which these shortcomings manifest themselves directly depends on the quality of the material. Low-quality eco-leather is cheaper, but will show imperfections in all their glory. Higher quality material will last longer and be more reliable.

So how to choose eco-leather?

The basis

• Artificial leather on a non-woven basis is used for decorative and solid furniture elements - armrests, bottom of the base, back wall, legs.
• Leatherette on a woven basis is suitable for covering soft elements - seats, headboards of sofas and armchairs. The woven base does not burst under load.

Compound

The main advantage of PVC leather is strength. The material can be placed on all parts of upholstered furniture. Vinyl leather is almost not vulnerable to tears and stretching, but can become deformed when exposed to the sun for a long time, because ultraviolet light evaporates the polymer. When choosing, take into account the thickness of the PVC layer and the quality of the warp threads, since the reliability of the product depends on this.

Polyurethane leathers are not as durable as PVC leathers. Therefore, despite the presence of a woven base, PU leather has limitations in applicability. If it is difficult to determine which eco-leather to choose, look at its thickness. For load-bearing parts, a material with a thickness of 0.9-1.0 mm is suitable. Thin PU leather (less than 0.9 mm) is also acceptable for load-bearing parts, but the seams will have to be reinforced with thermal fabric.

Polymer

The quality of the polymer directly affects the adhesion strength of the base and coating. The more impurities in a composite, the cheaper it is, but at the same time, adhesion decreases with the price. That is why leatherettes from different manufacturers, even with the same base and the same thickness, can differ radically in price.

Comparison with other materials

Many materials are used in furniture upholstery. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. Some are similar in appearance and name, but have different characteristics. Making the right choice in a particular situation is possible only by comparing them.

The choice of material for furniture depends on the financial capabilities of the customer. However, Alcantara, similar to natural suede, and eco-leather are the most popular today. If genuine leather is expensive and leatherette has the worst characteristics, these two materials occupy a middle ground.

Eco-leather or artificial leather – which is better?

Many people, of course, prefer natural ones, but such material is difficult to manufacture, it is not cheap, and therefore not every person has the opportunity to purchase high-quality items.
In such a situation, you can choose products at lower prices, made from cheaper materials, the properties of which are close to genuine leather. In modern times, a lot of synthetic materials have appeared that are used for the production of furniture, clothing, bags, etc., it is very difficult to choose a truly high-quality item from the whole variety of products so that the price-quality ratio coincides with the desires of consumers.

Let's try to figure out which material is better - eco-leather or artificial material. Faux leather is made from polyvinyl chloride. A layer of PVC is applied to the fabric. To make the product softer, more elastic and wear-resistant, chemicals are used in the production process.

Important! Plasticizers and stabilizers used for the production of artificial leather are not harmless to human health; it is because of them that the leatherette emits an unpleasant odor.

In modern times, artificial material is especially popular, because the scope of its application is vast, and it costs much less than natural material. Leatherette is used to make clothing, shoes, bags, gloves and many other accessories.

Often furniture upholstery consists of artificial leather; leatherette is also perfect for finishing rooms, for example, for insulating and improving the appearance of doors. In addition, leatherette can be chosen in any color, which provides additional opportunities for the flight of imagination of room designers or the most daring decisions in tailoring. Artificial leather is often used for upholstery of personal car interiors or for public transport.

Reference! Leatherette has high strength, resistance to adverse environmental influences and combustion.

Eco-leather consists of a layer of polyurethane on a fabric base made of 100% cotton. The process of its manufacture resembles the same as in the production of artificial material, but there is still a significant difference.

Eco-leather does not contain any substances harmful to health; it is made from environmentally friendly raw materials, which is why it deserves its name. At the end of eco-leather production, the output is a soft, plastic and fairly durable material that can be purchased at an attractive price.

Important! Eco-leather is absolutely safe for health and is an excellent substitute for natural leather if a person suffers from allergic reactions to materials of natural origin.

Eco-leather is very difficult to distinguish from genuine leather, so the demand for such products is growing every day. High-quality materials have always been in demand on the market, and eco-friendly material has all the beneficial properties of a material of natural origin, and even to some extent surpasses a product made from natural raw materials.

For example, eco-leather “breathes” better than natural leather that has undergone acrylic treatment. It is used for sewing clothes, making shoes, furniture, car upholstery, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages

Eco-leather has many advantages:

• Thanks to many micropores , eco-leather allows air to pass through well, which allows the epidermis to breathe.
• Low price for eco-leather products compared to genuine leather.

Important! The pristine appearance of products made from eco-leather is almost no different from products in the production of which natural materials were used, but you can buy them much cheaper.

• Only environmentally friendly raw materials without toxic substances are used. Constant wearing of eco-leather clothing cannot cause any harm to human health. In addition, unlike leatherette, ecological leather does not have such an unpleasant odor, because no harmful chemicals are used in its production.
• Eco-leather is capable of self-recovery after surface deformation. Naturally, if the product breaks or undergoes mechanical damage resulting in a cut, nothing will happen on its own without human intervention.
• Eco-leather is often chosen by consumers who value humanity and human generosity towards “our little brothers.” Compared to natural leather, the production of eco-leather does not require killing animals for personal gain, which is a fundamental factor when choosing quality products of synthetic origin.
• Limitless possibilities for designers in choosing colors. Nowadays you can find eco-leather products in various shades.
• Easy to care for. To keep things in perfect condition, expensive products and additional effort are not required. To remove stains, you can use an ordinary soap solution, and to wipe off dust, any damp cloth will do.
• Although eco-leather breathes well, it does not allow moisture to pass through. Its micropores are too small for water to get inside.
• Ecological leather can withstand sub-zero temperatures without losing its shape. In hot sunny weather, a product made from eco-leather does not overheat; it is comfortable to wear such clothes, despite any weather conditions.
• This material is flexible when cutting and sewing , and eco-leather is very pleasant to work with.
• Does not cause allergic reactions.
• Upholstered furniture upholstered in eco-leather can be placed anywhere ; compared to leatherette, it is not afraid of overheating from heating appliances or other heat sources.

With all its advantages, eco-leather also has some disadvantages:

• Ecological leather is not suitable for people who want to show their high position in society with chic, expensive things. A rich person is unlikely to look for a replacement for natural leather and use eco-leather in clothing or furniture, since it is generally accepted that the more expensive the material, the better the quality.
• Even the highest quality eco-leather cannot compare in wear resistance with genuine leather. Of course, a product made from ecological leather can last quite a long time, but over time the appearance ceases to please the consumer. Therefore, if a person plans to buy something for permanent use and for many years, then preference should be given to natural materials.

Important! Eco-leather is an excellent alternative to natural leather, since it contains almost all the signs and properties of products of natural origin, but most importantly, it is humane towards animals and is in the middle price category, accessible to people with any financial situation.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial leather

Faux leather has a large list of disadvantages compared to eco-leather:

1. It practically does not allow air to pass through.
2. Leatherette does not retain heat well in cold weather and does not provide a feeling of comfort in hot weather.
3. Although artificial leather has some strength, just like eco-leather, it is subject to deformation and is not highly wear-resistant.
4. Faux leather is not as pleasant to the touch as natural or eco-leather.
5. It is not recommended to place artificial leather near heating devices, because during the heating process it begins to release toxic elements that are dangerous to human health.
6. Unpleasant smell.

Despite the disadvantages, leatherette plays an important role in the production of furniture, clothing and other products, since in addition to the disadvantages, this material also has many advantages:

1. Low price. Faux leather is really very cheap, and can last for several years in its original form with proper care and careful use.
2. Faux leather can be found in various colors. Bright, rich shades, play of colors - all this is available with leatherette.
3. Does not allow moisture to pass through.
4. This material is very simple and easy to care for.
5. When cutting, leatherette does not create much trouble for craftsmen.
6. Attractive appearance.

Important! Of course, the competition between artificial leather and genuine leather occurs on unequal terms. But, it has the main main advantage - an excellent parody of real leather at a low price.

Tips for choosing

In addition to color and design, the buyer should pay attention to the quality of the upholstery.

If an interested person is considering the option of eco-leather, then when choosing furniture it is advisable to pay attention to the following nuances:

• The PU designation indicates the thickness of the inner layer of the fabric. The larger it is, the denser and stronger the material. When choosing between PU 70% and 40, preference should be given to the first option;

• uniformity of the layer , absence of visible defects;
• price . Too low a price indicates not only the low quality of the furniture itself, but also the upholstery. It is necessary to approach issues of price-quality ratio wisely.

Expert opinion

Korzhavin Daniil Dmitrievich

Designer of stylish home furniture

The surface of the material should be checked by touch; it should be smooth and pleasant, moderately soft. There should be no pungent, chemical smell. There should be no deep wrinkles or creases at the corners and seams.

Let's sum it up

Of course, eco-leather is much better than leatherette and surpasses it in many properties. However, you should not retire leatherette; due to its low cost, this material will remain relevant for a long time and will be in demand on the market.

For example, a person very often changes bags or some items of clothing. In this case, leatherette is ideal - why spend a huge amount of money every season if next season you want to change your look, and for this you are going to completely change your wardrobe. Although you shouldn’t follow fashion so blindly - quality things have always remained a priority and have always been fashion trends in any season.

Each reader will decide for himself what is better for him - artificial or ecological leather. We hope that this article will help you make the right choice so that you enjoy not only the optimal purchase price, but also unsurpassed quality.

Types of eco-leather

What is better: Alcantara or eco-leather?

Tips for use

If you have pets with claws at home, then it is advisable to consider purchasing furniture made from good fabric. Eco-leather is not able to cope with serious damage.

Does your home have eco-leather furniture?

Of course not

Otherwise, it is important to follow simple operating rules:

• avoid cuts, punctures, and damage to the surface;
• wipe from dust and dirt with soft cloths, for example, fabric or microfiber;
• For washing, use water, soap solution, alcohol. Aggressive cleaning agents are prohibited;
• avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
• Do not rub excessively when removing tough stains.

When dealing with stains, you should follow the instructions:

1. If the stain is fresh, prepare a weak solution of soap (baby or laundry soap) in advance.
2. Wet a soft cloth and wring it out well.
3. Wipe the stained area with a cloth and wipe dry.

They act similarly when removing old contaminants, using ammonia or ethyl alcohol.

Fabrics

The fabric is widely used for upholstery. There are a huge number of varieties of textiles. They differ in color, texture, materials used, etc.

With the right choice of color and pattern, you can achieve excellent results. This is an imitation of other surfaces, as well as simply unusual and original surfaces.

The tissue under the skin can be:

• natural;
• artificial;
• combined.

Most choose the natural option. Artificial fabric is perceived with caution. Although this is misleading.

Yes, natural textiles are safe, environmentally friendly, as well as hygienic and breathable. But it is rarely used in its pure form. Even natural raw materials are bleached, dyed and subjected to other processing methods.

Artificial and combined fabrics are a universal option. In my opinion, upholstery and upholstery are better made from combined raw materials. It combines the advantages of natural and synthetic fibers.

There is even a special type of textile material. This is lacquer. Real leather-like fabric. It is an artificial product. Externally it looks like patent leather. It would be a good choice for a loft-style sofa, by the way.

Advantages and disadvantages

When thinking about what is better - leather-like fabric or eco-leather for furniture, it is worth comparing their strengths and weaknesses.

High-quality fabric will be matched, as will leather. Unfortunately, many sofas are made from mediocre materials. And in both cases the result is disappointing.

Sofas made from fabrics receive the following advantages:

• pleasant tactile sensations;
• the bed and the person do not slip on the surface;
• good breathability;
• comfortable sleep;
• temperature preservation regardless of the time of year;
• resistance to mechanical damage, which is superior to eco-leather;
• affordable price per 1 meter;
• easy care at home without dry cleaners or specialists;
• cozy atmosphere created in the house.

By the way, regarding care, the site has a wonderful article Vanish for a sofa with detailed instructions

The textile upholstery of the sofa, made with original prints, also has its disadvantages.

The disadvantages are the following:

• Dust accumulation
  . Textiles can be considered a dust collector. Needs to be cleaned regularly. Preferably a vacuum cleaner with good traction;
• Static charge
  . A characteristic feature of furniture made from artificial fabrics;
• Life time
  . Some sofas wear out within 5 years. But there are also those that serve for 10-20 years;
• Care
  . This applies to some materials. Especially expensive ones. It is better to go to dry cleaning for care.

Everything is relative. And it depends on the specific material. Still, textiles are a general concept.

By the way, I have already talked separately about the choice of fabrics for the sofa.

Answers on questions

What to rely on when choosing eco-leather for furniture?

Pay attention to thickness, absence of cracks and price. An option that is too cheap may not last long.

Is it better to choose genuine leather or eco-leather for furniture upholstery?

The first option is more expensive, the second is considered more affordable. High-quality eco-leather can be in no way inferior in characteristics to natural material, so the choice is made depending on the preferences of the consumer.

Can eco-leather come in different colors or is the choice of palette limited?

Manufacturers can paint in any colors and shades. There are no restrictions.

Is it possible to use eco-leather in the upholstery of unusually shaped furniture?

There are elastic types of material that can stretch and not break. That is why furniture of any shape can be covered with it.

Does eco-leather smell strong and release toxins?

High-quality material has no pungent odor at all and is not hazardous to health or the environment.

Eco-leather in the fashion industry, in the production of clothing and footwear

Shoes . Eco-leather has found application in the footwear industry. All qualities of the fabric are ideal for sewing durable, comfortable, breathable and inexpensive shoes. It has virtually no downsides.

Clothes and accessories . Dresses, gloves, and scarves made of leather look great and are combined with other materials - metal, fur. This gives designers unlimited scope for imagination. The properties of eco-leather expand the boundaries of its use in clothing design. Elastic, breathable, durable, stylish clothes that do not cause allergies - a fashionista's dream! It is comfortable in cold and hot weather, there is no deformation during long wear.

Types of eco-leather depending on texture:

• Smooth - I use it to sew clothes, make furniture upholstery and shoes.
• Perforated – the abundance of pores makes the fabric breathable (shoes, car covers).
• Suede leather. Material imitating velvet.
• Nubuck is a softer analogue of suede, used in the shoe industry and for furniture upholstery.
• Eco-leather on an adhesive basis.
• Microfiber is a water-repellent, breathable material.
• PU is a three-layer structure in which genuine leather is applied to the fabric and a thin polyurethane layer is sprayed. High frost resistance.
• PVC is a cheap material obtained by impregnating fabric with a polymer composition.

Combination with printing

It is worth noting that the use of eco-leather can be combined with printing. Due to the wide range of colors, numerous interesting textures, and excellent temperature sensitivity, unique, durable and very comfortable designs are made.

Today, eco-leather is offered wholesale and retail at an affordable price, so we recommend buying it. And if you are also an animal advocate, then you simply have no other choice!