If you’re in the market for a new leather jacket, shorts, shirts, pants, or any other leather clothing, you may be considering faux leather. There is a lot of confusion about faux leather. What is it? Is it really leather? How is it different from the real thing?
Faux leather is often used in place of a genuine leather because it is less expensive and easier to maintain. But what are the pros and cons of using faux leather? And how do you tell the difference between genuine leather and fake leather? In this blog post, we will answer all of your questions about faux leather!
What is Faux Leather?
Faux leather, also known as PU leather, is a synthetic material that is made to look and feel like real leather. It is made from a polyurethane film that is applied to a fabric backing. Faux leather is cheaper than genuine leather, and it does not require the same level of care.
Artificial or synthetic leather is known by several names, and one of them is faux leather. So,what is faux leather exactly? The construction of faux leather primarily falls into two categories that include Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC-Vinyl) and Polyurethane (PU). It is primarily used in leather clothes, sofas, upholstery, and chair covers.
Faux leather jackets are a great alternative to genuine leather. These are made using artificial materials that are treated with chemicals to give the texture, color, and feel of real leather. There are different styles and designs of faux leather jackets available for both men and women. Due to the way these faux leather jackets are designed, they have a somewhat uniform pattern and are more water-resistant than genuine leather. However, they might not be as hard to wear as genuine leather jackets.
There are two types of faux leather:
- PU Leather: This type of faux leather is made from a polyurethane film that is applied to a fabric backing. It is the most common type of faux leather on the market.
- PVC Leather: This type of faux leather is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film that is applied to a fabric backing. It is less common than PU leather, but it is more durable and has a longer lifespan.
What is Genuine Leather? How to Tell the Difference between Real Leather vs. Faux Leather
Genuine leather is made from the hide of an animal, usually a cow. The hide is tanned and then dyed to create the finished product. Genuine leather is more expensive than faux leather because it takes longer to produce and it is a natural material.
You can tell the difference between genuine leather and faux leather by looking at the grain pattern. Genuine leather has a natural grain pattern that is created by the animal’s skin. Faux leather has a uniform grain pattern that is created by the manufacturing process.
When you touch genuine leather, you should feel some texture. The surface of genuine leather should also be slightly porous, which allows it to breathe. Faux leather will feel smooth and plastic-like.
Another way to tell the difference between genuine leather and faux leather is to look at the edges. The edges of genuine leather clothing are usually left unfinished, while the edges of faux leather clothing are usually sealed with a binding agent.
Finally, you can always look for a label that says “100% Leather” or “Genuine Leather.” If the label does not say this, then it is most likely faux leather.
Pros and Cons of PU Leather
PU leather is the most common type of faux leather on the market. There are a few reasons for this.
Pros:
- Cheaper than genuine leather
- Easy to care for
- Does not require special cleaning products or treatments
- Available in a wide variety of colors and styles
Cons:
- Not as durable as genuine leather or PVC faux leather
- Can feel stiff, plastic-like, and cheap
Advantages and Disadvantages of Faux Leather
Advantages of Faux Leathers:
- Faux leather is typically much cheaper and more affordable compared to real leather.
- Faux leather is highly versatile, and it can be polished to have a high gloss or matt finish as per requirements.
- Compared to real leather, faux leather requires very little maintenance.
- Faux leather doesn’t crack easily and is stain-resistant.
- Faux leather doesn’t fade easily and is also UV resistant.
- Faux leather is easy to work with when it comes to manufacturing and can be seamlessly stitched.
Disadvantages of Faux Leather:
- Faux leather, especially the PVC faux leather, is not breathable.
- Faux leather doesn’t retain its luster for a long time.
- Faux leather material is vulnerable to puncture and tear.
- While faux leather has been highly modified over time to be durable, it does crack or tear easily compared to real leather.
- It is not hypo-allergenic as compared to real leather.
- Faux leather processing creates a substantial amount of environmental waste.
Also read: How to tell the difference between Real and Faux Leather
How to Clean Faux Leather?
Faux leather materialis usually stain-resistant and can be easily cleaned with just a wipe from a non-abrasive cloth soaked in lukewarm water. However, if the stain is more persistent, it is recommended to use water and washing liquid mixture to remove the stain. Cleaning should be done softly, and the cloth must be wrung before cleaning to eliminate extra solution. Let the faux leather air dry after being wiped gently with a dry soft fiber cloth. Ensure that soap is removed completely from the surface before letting it air dry.
Maintenance of Faux Leather
Faux leather is typically easy to maintain. Wiping with a soft fiber cloth soaked in a solution of water and mild detergent or liquid soap thoroughly once in a while is sufficient. It helps remove grime, dirt, and build-up of debris on the surface of faux leather.
How to Repair Faux Leather?
Repairing faux leather is not always easy, but it is possible with little effort. Faux leather repair kits are available that have all the tools along with the instructions onhow to repair faux leather. Ideally, it includes using an abrasive pad or sandpaper to smoothen the area that needs repairing. Once smoothened, the damaged area is repaired using leather paint, a marker of the same color as faux leather, or faux leather of the same color. Tweezers can be used to flatten the surface, and faux leather polish can be used afterward to give it a finished and even look.
Faux leather vs. Real Leather Jacket
Here’s a little in-depth information onfaux leather vs. real leather jacket–
- Faux leather jackets are more affordable compared to leather jackets.
- Faux leather jackets are highly durable, but real leather, when maintained properly, can last for decades.
- Faux leather jackets are available in different colors, styles, patterns, and designs as they are comparatively more manufacturer-friendly than real leather jackets.
- Real leather jackets don’t get worn out easily as compared to faux leather jackets.
- Real leather jackets look chic and classy compared to faux leather.
Also read: Genuine vs Faux Leather Jacket: Which should I choose?
Faux Leather vs. Bonded Leather
Here’s a rundown on Faux Leather vs. Bonded Leather –
- Faux leather doesn’t contain any real leather, but bonded leather contains about 10 to 30 percent real leather.
- Bonded leather is made using leftovers and scraps of real leather. It is the least durable of all leather types.
- Bonded leather is the cheapest of all leather types.
- Bonded leather doesn’t look as appealing as real leather or PU leather. Even though bonded leather is versatile, it is very thin and looks synthetic.
- Faux leather is relatively easier to clean and maintain. Bonded leather cannot be cleaned and is highly susceptible to wear and tear. The common ways used to clean real or faux leather cannot be used on bonded leather as it may tear, peel, or get stained easily.
- Both bonded and faux leather have a synthetic and chemical-like smell.
Also read: Bonded vs Genuine Leather: What’s the difference?
How to Clean Faux Leather?
Cleaning faux leather is easy! You can use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt and dust. For tougher stains, you can use a mild soap and water solution. Be sure to test the soap on a small area of the faux leather first to make sure it does not damage the material.
Once you have cleaned the faux leather, you can protect it with a sealant or conditioner. This will help to prevent cracks and keep the material looking new.
Conclusion
Faux leather is a good choice for clothing, upholstery, and other items as it is durable, affordable, and versatile in its characteristics. It offers complete value for money to end-users and, when maintained well, can last a long time. faux leather is a great alternative to genuine leather if you are looking for something that is cheaper and easier to care for. However, it is important to know that faux leather is not as durable as genuine leather or PVC faux leather. If you are looking for a material that will last for many years, then genuine leather or PVC faux leather would be a better choice. Thanks for reading! We hope this blog post was helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Faux Leather of Good Quality?
When it comes to types of leather, nothing beats the quality and durability of real leather. Faux leather is a common choice mostly due to its affordability and viability in terms of daily use, colors and designs available, and low maintenance.
2. What is Faux Leather Made of?
Faux leather is primarily made of plastic and processed further using various color dyes, wax, polyvinyl chloride, or polyurethane.
3. What is the Difference Between Leather and Faux Leather?
- Genuine leather is made of animal hide, whereas faux leather is made of synthetic materials.
- Real leather is a little expensive compared to faux leather.
- When maintained properly, real leather can last for decades, unlike faux leather.
- Real leather is more environment-friendly.
