Faux leather or artificial leather is popular today because it is cheap, tough, and does not involve the use of animal skin. So what is faux leather in the first instance? This blog will describe different categories of faux leather, their materials, and how this material differs from genuine leather.
What Is Faux Leather?
PVC or vinyl is called faux leather, pleather, or leatherette because it is used to imitate leather products. While genuine leather is made from animal skin, faux leather is produced from synthetic materials and therefore is suitable for vegan consumers.
What Is Faux Leather Made Of?
Faux leather is typically made from two primary materials: Its most commonly used materials are polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These materials are then placed on a fabric base which can be either cotton or polyester among others. The layers of synthetic material used are then processed in a manner that makes them emulate the appearance and feel of natural leather.
- PU Leather: Polyurethane leather also known as PU leather is among the most preferred kinds of synthetic leather. For this reason, it is quite flexible and breathable as compared to other synthetic fiber materials making it suitable for use in apparel, furniture, and other related accessories. It is also believed that PU leather is harmless to the environment as compared to PVC leather since it does not contain plasticizers or release dangerous dioxins in the process.
- PVC Leather: The other synthetic leather that is more popular in the market is polyvinyl chloride leather commonly referred to as PVC leather which is extremely hard-wearing but quite less ventilated as compared with PU leather. It’s often applied to outdoor furniture or anything that will have to endure conditions different from your usual ones.
What Is PU Leather?
PU leather, also called polyurethane leather, is a type of artificial leather created by applying a layer of polyurethane on a fabric base such as polyester or cotton. This process is also responsible for the attainment of the smooth and leather-like feel of the fabric. Another major benefit of material pu leather means is that it is softer, and thus more flexible than other types of synthetic leather which makes it suitable for different uses in clothing, upholstery as well as in accessories.
Types of Faux Leather
There are several types of faux leather, each with its own unique properties:
- PU Leather (Polyurethane Leather): Soft, flexible, and often used in fashion and interior design.
- PVC Leather (Polyvinyl Chloride Leather): More rigid and durable, ideal for outdoor use or heavy-duty applications.
- Leatherette: A general term for any type of synthetic artificial leather, commonly found in car interiors and furniture.
- pleather material: A slang term for plastic leather fabric, which typically refers to PU or PVC-based faux leather.
- Vegan Leather: A term used to describe synthetic leather products that are entirely free of animal products.
What Is Fake Leather Made Of?
Fake leather is made from materials such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or any other material that is of plastic origin. It is used to imitate the texture and grain and the feel and appearance of genuine leather. At times, manufacturers may even ‘stamp’ these designs onto the surface, to produce the texture of animal skins.
Is Faux Leather Real Leather?
Define faux leather is a fake leather fabric and this means that it is not a genuine deal. It is a compromise that imitates the appearance of genuine leather yet it does not contain any real animal products at all. Because of this, it is suitable for those who are concerned with animal rights or would rather opt for cheaper food.
The Difference Between Faux Leather and Real Leather
- Material Composition: Genuine leather is obtained from animal skin whereas imitation leather or fake leather is obtained from plastic materials including Polyurethane and PVC.
- Durability: Real leather is more durable than the fake one and you can see that with time it gets a natural shade change; leather can crack or peel if exposed to proper usage for several years.
- Price: Faux leather is cheaper than genuine leather with the price range normally being considerably different.
- Ethical Considerations: Fake leather is vegan and as such it appeals to those people who are sensitive to animal suffering.
- Maintenance: There are different types of fake leather but in general, it is easier to clean and not to maintain as real leather material which needs to be conditioned and cared for.
Vegan Leather Meaning
Vegan leather is another name for fake leather where the word vegan implies that the leather pu material comprises no animal products. It essentially uses the same synthetic materials as conventional leather like Polyurethane or PVC yet vegan leather’s marketing angle usually emphasizes the fact that it does not involve the use of animal material. There are even new-age vegan leathers that are derived from such environmentally friendly sources as cork or pineapple skins.
Common Uses of Faux Leather
Faux leather is used in a wide range of applications, from fashion to furniture:
- Faux Leather Purses and Handbags: Today most luxury car makers have imitation leather variants and people cannot even tell the difference.
- Clothing: Faux leather jackets, pants and skirts have become very popular amongst people because they are fashionable and cheap.
- Furniture: Furniture that has leather-like textiles such as sofas and chairs is common because they look trendy, neat and require minimum maintenance.
- Automotive: Leatherette car seats provide the luxury of leather without the high price tag.
Is Faux Leather Durable?
Although faux synthetic leather is not as durable as the real thing it has quite some durability to it. Among them, PU leather is more preferred as it is resistant to stains and can be easily cleaned when it becomes stained. However, it may not be so effective in the long run especially when used on fabric that receives heavy traffic such as shoes or bags.
What Is the Best Way to Clean Faux Leather?
To clean faux leather, damp a clean cloth in a solution of water and a mild dishwashing soap then wipe the surface. Do not use harsh chemicals or brush the synthetic material vigorously as this will lead to wearing out of the synthetic material. However, for deeper counseling, one may use a specific faux leather cleaner that is on the market. In this case, one has to ensure that the care of the item is by the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Conclusion
Faux leather is flexible, low-cost, and eco-friendly or animal-friendly as compared to real leather. As mentioned before, there are numerous types of faux leathers for example PU Leather and PVC Leather and that means and that means you can get a fake leather purse or genuine furniture based on your preference. Faux leather products should thus be properly cared for to withstand the test of time and remain an ideal investment. While, for some customers, the elastic properties of PU and for others wear-resistant properties of PVC could be decisive, there is no questioning that faux leather offers all the looks of leather without questionable ethics or high price tag.
