Synthetic leather, leather or eco-leather – regardless of the term, it is a material that is becoming an increasingly common replacement for natural leather. First of all, it is influenced by the concern for animal welfare on the part of consumers and the fact that it is cheaper to produce. Thanks to this, eco-leather is available at attractive prices. It is for these reasons, among others, that the eco leather tkanina is slowly displacing natural material from the market. We explain what eco-leather actually is and whether it is worth choosing it.

Eco-leather – what is it?

Eco-leather is primarily an alternative to natural leather. It is made of synthetic material, most often polyester. It has many advantages, hence the growing interest of consumers. It is most often called eco, artificial or synthetic leather - it is gaining more and more popularity among people who value the appearance and texture of real leather. It is very often used in the upholstery industry, especially in the production of upholstery for sofas, corners or armchairs. We present the pros and cons of eco-leather.

Advantages of eco-leather

In addition to the lower price, eco-leather is also valued for its other features. Here are some highlights:

• convenience and flexibility,
• easy to maintain – it is much easier to clean eco-leather than natural leather,
• resistance to any deformation and mechanical damage,
• resistance to weather conditions – rain or sun will not significantly affect the condition of the skin,
• omnironability and durability.

By deciding on eco-leather, we save not only money, but also the suffering of animals. It is easier to care for and waterproof, which makes it an ideal upholstery material.

Disadvantages of eco-leather

Unfortunately, like any thing, eco-leather also has several disadvantages. The most problematic is the lack of breathability. Synthetic leather hinders proper air circulation because it does not have natural pores. This results in a higher risk of heating up the material and retaining moisture near the skin. This can lead to excessive sweating or skin irritation. Eco-leather also happens to crack – but with proper maintenance, this is not a big problem.

Does eco-leather have the same properties as natural leather?

Natural leather is a material valued for centuries primarily due to its high susceptibility to formation and availability. Currently, the ethics of obtaining natural leather is problematic – huge farms exist only to obtain skin.

Speaking about the tendency of eco-leather to crack, it should be remembered that the natural one also has this inconvenience. In both cases, proper care can prevent cracks, so that clothes, furniture and accessories will retain a beautiful appearance for a long time. The main difference when it comes to properties is air permeability. Natural skin adapts to the body and does not react with heating to high temperatures. Synthetic skin, on the other hand, despite its waterproofness, can irritate the skin during sunny weather.

How to care for eco-leather?

Unlike natural material, eco-leather does not require complicated care treatments. Loose dirt such as sand or crumbs should be vacuumed or simply swept away. It is also worth wiping furniture made of ecological leather with a wet cloth to get rid of unsightly dust. To deal with more serious stains, a small amount of detergent intended for ecological leather will work. Soaked eco-leather should be dried at room temperature, or wiped with a dry towel. It is worth remembering that any material subjected to improper care will deteriorate and age – first of all, you should pay attention to the manufacturer's tags and recommendations.

Summary

Leather is a material that has not gone out of fashion for years. So you can count on it to be present in the everyday life of each of us for a long time – natural or artificial. The advantages and disadvantages of eco-leather should be subjected to your own judgment and decide for yourself whether it will be the right choice. A lot depends, of course, on the application. It may not be a good material for gloves, but it will work great as an insulated, waterproof autumn jacket. Our fabric wholesaler in Poznan offers a wide selection of materials of the highest quality - order samples and convince yourself of our excellent products.