More about leather information

There are different types of products known as "Leather", but do you know the difference between Real leather and PU Leather (Polyurethane Leather)? Let us explain it to you.

It's clear genuine leather is a preferable material for a wide range of products. It's known for its sturdiness and its attractive appearance. There are many inexpensive knock-offs that are meant to mimic the genuine offer in look just. These goods are made from cheap materials that can't endure the test of time. As a buyer, it is essential to comprehend the difference between genuine leather and imitation products-- especially PU leather.

What is Top Grain Leather?

Top grain leather is the second highest quality of leather available. It is made from the outermost layer of an animal hide that has had the top few millimeters sanded or buffed away. This process removes natural blemishes, making the leather look uniform and feel incredibly soft.

How It’s Made
When an animal hide is too thick to use, it is split into layers. The very top layer, which holds the toughest and tightest fibers, is called the top grain. To create a pristine and uniform finish, tanners sand away the outermost crust (where the animal's natural scars, pores, or bug bites once were). Finally, a protective topcoat or imitation grain is applied to give it a consistent color and stain resistance.

What is Genuine or Real Leather?

"Real leather" is any material made from processed animal hide. "Genuine leather" is a specific marketing term that usually refers to the lowest quality grade of real leather. It is made from split cow leather.
The maintenance of leather is a little more complicated than that of PU leather. You can clean leather with soap or water over using a damp cloth, but if it gets stained with oil or sweat you will need a special leather cleaner. Genuine leather may need a leather conditioner applied from time to time to keep it supple, or it will become stiff or brittle. This is because the natural oils in leather dry out over time.

What is Split Cow Leather?

Split cow leather refers to the lower, inner layer of a cowhide that remains after the top, stronger layer (top grain) has been sliced off. Because it lacks a natural outer surface, it is often coated with synthetic materials or brushed to create suede. 

A single thick cowhide is often sliced into multiple layers during the tanning process to achieve a more uniform, workable thickness.

How It’s Made & Used
Creation: A heavy blade machine ("splitter") separates the hide. The top layer (top grain) retains the animal's natural pores and toughness, while the bottom layers (splits) are fibrous.
Suede: If the split layer is buffed or sanded, it becomes the soft, fuzzy material known as suede.
Coated/Finished Split: The fibrous interior has no natural pattern, so manufacturers coat the surface with polyurethane (PU) and emboss a fake "grain" pattern onto it to make it look smooth.

What is Epsom Leather?

Epsom leather is a premium, heat-pressed calfskin popularized by luxury fashion houses like Her. Unlike natural, unblemished leathers, it features a distinctive cross-hatched, embossed grain on its surface. It is celebrated for its incredible durability, vibrant color absorption, and ability to hold a structured shape over

Core Characteristics Scratch & Water-Resistant: The pressed surface creates a rigid, protective outer layer, making it highly resistant to everyday wear, scuffs, and moisture.
Vibrant Colors: Epsom absorbs dyes exceptionally well, ensuring a bright, even tone across the entire hide.
No Natural Patina: Because of its pressed finish, it does not age or patina over time, keeping items looking pristine and brand new for years.

What is Swift Leather?

Swift leather is a highly prized, full-grain calfskin best known for its buttery-soft feel, semi-smooth fine grain, and unmatched ability to absorb bold, vibrant colors. It is exceptionally luxurious but requires careful handling. 

Key Characteristics
Vibrant Color: Swift leather holds dyes incredibly well. It is highly sought after for bright, saturated tones and soft pastels because it gives the pigment a rich, luminous glow.
Texture & Softness: It features a fine, delicate grain and a smooth, slightly glossy finish. The leather has a relaxed, pliable drape that softens beautifully over time.

Durability & Scratching: While the dense calf fibers make it structurally strong, its soft nature makes it prone to surface scratches and marks. Fortunately, many light scratches can be easily buffed out using just the warmth and natural oils of your fingers.

What are the Benefits of Genuine Leather?

Is it really worth the additional money to acquire an authentic product over the numerous counterfeit options out there? Exactly what are the advantages of purchasing real products? Besides their remarkable sturdiness, here are a few of the reasons many people choose the real deal over more affordable faux choices:

• Genuine Leather is water-resistant.
• It has breathability to it.
• The timeless nature of the look of real leather will never go out of style.
• Genuine Leather is much more durable as a material and will stand the test of time.
• Gentle scrubbing can be applied to more serious stains.
• Genuine leather ages beautifully.

How to Clean Real Leather?

To properly clean real leather, start by dusting with a dry cloth. Next, gently wipe the surface using a microfiber cloth dampened with a mix of distilled water and mild, natural soap (like Castile). Remove soap residue with a damp cloth, towel-dry immediately, and always apply a leather conditioner to maintain its suppleness. 

1. Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Prep: Vacuum loose debris or wipe the leather with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent scratching it with dirt during the cleaning process.
Mix: In a bowl, combine distilled water with a few drops of mild, natural soap (e.g., Castile soap or baby shampoo).
Dampen: Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and wring it out completely. The cloth should only be slightly damp, never dripping wet.
Wipe: Gently wipe the leather in soft, circular motions. Work in small sections at a time.
Rinse: Take a second clean cloth, dampen it with plain distilled water, and wipe down the area to remove any remaining soap residue.
Dry: Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to pat the leather dry. Allow it to fully air-dry in a cool, shaded area away from direct heat sources (like hair dryers or radiators). 

2. What to Avoid
Never soak the leather: Over-saturating the material can cause water stains, mildew, and rot.
Avoid harsh cleaners: Do not use bleach, ammonia, strong dish soaps, or petroleum-based solvents. These strip away the leather’s natural protective oils.
Avoid stiff brushes: Use only soft-bristled brushes (such as a horsehair brush) to avoid scratching the surface. 

3. Always Condition After Cleaning
Cleaning strips away the moisture that keeps the hide soft. Once the leather is completely dry, apply a high-quality leather conditioner using a clean, soft cloth in circular motions. Let it absorb for a few minutes, then buff it out with a dry cloth.

 

PU leather, also known as synthetic leather, it's an imitation of the real leather created from polyurethane, a plastic with a similar feel and aspect to the leather, but without involving animals. 100% PU leather is an artificial material or artificial leather that does not involve animals. PU leather is considered Vegan Leather.

The most common way to create PU leather is using a cover of plastic polyurethane or a polyurethane coating and apply it to a base made of fiber (generally polyester). The PU leather can be combined with real leather to make something called "double-cast" leather. The "double-cast" leather can use a base of divided real leather which later is covered by PVC or PU layer.

The PU leather generally has the same texture as the animal skin (real leather), but in most cases, it's lighter, and at the same time it is not as durable as real leather and tends to tear easily. It is also more resistant to sunlight, and this is why it is frequently used to cover car seats and faux leather furniture.

As opposed to genuine leather, PU leather is not as breathable. However, it is more breathable than other types of synthetic leather, such as PVC. While genuine leather tends to become more attractive and softer overtime, this is not the case with PU leather, which will maintain a uniform look and feel throughout its life. And finally, PU leather tends to be substantially cheaper than genuine leather.

How can you identify PU Leather?

Depending upon whether you are searching for PU leather or authentic leather, it is best to understand how to discriminate between them. Say you are buying a leather bag, the simplest method to discriminate is by looking at the tag or description. In some cases, products might not have a tag, so being able to know the distinctions will be useful.

The primary difference you will find is the expense. PU leather will normally be less expensive than genuine leather since it is simpler to produce and a much cheaper material.

Artificial Leather

Artificial leather is known under many names, including "leatherette", "faux leather", "vegan leather", "PU leather" and "pleather"

What is Faux Leather?

Faux leather is one of several names given to artificial or synthetic leather. These names are often used to describe specific end uses of synthetic leather products such as faux leather (sofa, chair and headboard upholstery), leatherette (auto upholstery, clothing), and koskin (consumer goods). There are two primary types of faux leather construction: polyurethane ("PU"), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Is PU Leather the same as Synthetic Leather?

The short answer is, yes. PU leather, also known as synthetic leather, is a synthetic version of real leather. It looks like real leather and has the same feel and appearance but it doesn't hurt animals in any way. However, it does not last nearly as long as real leather and will begin to crack over time.

Pros & Cons of PU Leather

When it comes to purchasing a leather product, there are a lot of considerations to make. The most basic question of course is what type of leather do you want? There is of course genuine leather, but there are also synthetic materials like pleather that are made to look like leather; and there is PU leather, which is not technically leather at all.

PU Leather Pros:

• PU Leather is cheaper to produce, therefore cheaper to purchase
• Since PU Leather is made of plastic, it tends to be easy to clean

PU Leather Cons:

• PU leather will not last very long
• It does not bend well
• PU Leather will crack and peel over time
• PU Leather does not develop a patina

Does PU Leather Peel?

Real leather does not peel, chip or flake. While it may just be an unstable finish or after-market paint that is flaking away, more often, peeling leather is actually a cheap polyurethane (PU) synthetic called faux leather.

How do you prevent PU Leather from cracking

In such areas, the PU leather starts cracking and becomes sticky. Therefore, regular cleaning and maintenance is very important. When required, PU leather should be dusted with a dry or slightly damp lint-free cloth.

Is PU Leather as good as real leather?

PU leather is made from synthetic polymers, which are created by adding plasticizers, colorants, and oils to a polymer resin.
There is no question that real leather is better than PU leather. Real leather not only looks better, but it is also more durable. Real leather is also full of character and will age beautifully. PU leather, on the other hand, is not as durable and will crack and peel over time.
The main advantages that people see with PU leather are lower cost, ease of maintenance, and the ability to have the leather look and feel of various types of animals. The biggest downside of PU leather is that it won't last as long as real leather, because it is not made from natural animal hide. It will also likely have much less of a vintage look, which is a big part of the reason people are buying leather, to begin with.