More about leather information

There are different types of products known as "Leather", but do you know the difference between PU Leather (Polyurethane Leather) and Real 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.

 

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.

How to Clean PU Leather?

When it comes to most stains, you want to choose a gentle detergent for the fabric first. Some of the stronger cleaners can actually damage the fake leather! For specific spills such as coffee or juice, it's best to clean with a mild detergent and sponge off when you're done.

• In a spray bottle, mix about a tablespoon of detergent with enough water to fill the bottle.
• Shake vigorously.
• Spray the mixture onto a clean towel.
• Wipe up the stain.
• Gentle scrubbing can be applied to more serious stains.

What is Genuine or Real Leather?

The crossbody bag | genuine vintage leather Bag

Real leather is crafted from animal skin, which in our case is cowhide, and must be tanned to avoid decomposition and become usable 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 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.