Eco-leather sofas: what kind of material is this, pros and cons, reviews

Leather furniture in the interior always indicates the high status of the owner and his impeccable taste. It looks really stylish and will delight you for many years. However, despite all the positive aspects, products made from genuine leather are expensive, and not everyone can afford it.

Today on the furniture upholstery market there is a cheaper, but no less high-quality analogue - eco-leather. Cost is one of the main differences between leather and eco-leather. In the range of available products, you can choose eco-leather for furniture, the appearance and performance properties of which are no worse than natural material. Professionals cannot always distinguish soft leatherette to the touch.

Advantages of a sofa made of eco-leather

• In a furniture store, the palette of upholstery samples for such sofas immediately captivates any buyer; this is an indicator in which even natural leather cannot compete with eco-leather. Every year, designers introduce new palettes of colors and textures to the market. You can find crocodile leather substitutes that are absolutely identical to the original and materials of the most fantastic shades. Many luxury cafes and clubs prefer eco-leather sofas not for reasons of economy, but to have greater opportunities in choosing a design solution.
• The cotton base of eco-leather makes it very tear-resistant . If you don’t forcefully stick sharp objects into the sofa, then holes through which the foam rubber is visible will appear in it after many years.
• The eco-material prefix is ​​not only for reasons of marketing benefits; many buyers prefer eco-leather because of its safety for health . Cotton base, polyurethanes and additives to them belong to the class of environmentally friendly hypoallergenic materials.
• almost identical to natural leather to the touch : soft, smooth or slightly rough, depending on the design solution
• Eco-leather, pleasant to the touch, however, is not prone to forming elongated places where people will most often sit. Such defects will appear on furniture after quite a long period of time.
• Many buyers are concerned about whether they will sweat excessively if they use an eco-leather sofa as a sleeping place. Answer: no, because the material has many micropores , it can be called “breathable”.
• Of all classes of polymers, polyurethane is the most wear-resistant material . It is, of course, inferior to natural leather, but experts assess its abrasion ability as high. Products upholstered in eco-leather are often installed in the reception area of ​​commercial organizations, in waiting rooms and theater foyers.
• In cold weather, an eco-leather sofa on the veranda will not become stiff , although it will feel icy to the touch, unlike, for example, a sofa upholstered in fleecy fabric. However, it cannot be compared with products upholstered in PVC, which easily burst at sub-zero temperatures.
• Unlike PVC, eco-leather does not heat up so much and does not soften with a deterioration in wear-resistant properties.
• One of the undoubted advantages of such a sofa is its relatively low cost with a very impressive and expensive appearance.
• Those who like to change the interior for modest money can be advised to reupholster a tired sofa with another material, that is, call a master from a furniture restoration company to remove the boring upholstery and cover the sofa with new one. Eco-leather is sold in a wide range in stores selling furniture fabrics.
• A sofa made of eco-leather is easy to clean from almost all household contaminants , including greasy stains and writing with felt-tip pens. Such a sofa can be treated with all non-abrasive and non-aggressive detergents without fear of spoiling it. In it, unlike a fleecy sofa, dust does not accumulate and solutes are not diluted. This furniture is recommended for people with dust allergies and families with small children.

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Nuances of choice

In the process of choosing pieces of furniture with eco-leather, you need to take into account several factors: color, cost, functionality, quality of materials, assembly. In terms of color compatibility between the interior decoration of a room and furniture, there are 2 trends:

• the furniture is in harmony with the design of the walls and floor. In this case, the interior turns out to be cozy, calm, and relaxing. The sofa, armchairs, chairs can be darker or lighter than the color of the walls. If there is a large pattern on the wallpaper, then the furniture should be without a pattern. With plain walls, it is possible to choose furniture with decorative embossing, mother-of-pearl tint, varnish or glossy sheen;
• the furniture upholstery does not match the interior decor. This option is used in design, when a piece of furniture becomes the main accent of the interior. For example, a bright blue or red sofa can be placed against the background of milky walls and a light floor.

Depending on the place where the furniture will be installed, you should prefer products of different textures and colors:

• For children's rooms, choose furniture with pastel upholstery; if blue, green, or pink colors are used, then the shades should be muted and matte. Excessive brightness and shine contributes to overexcitement of the child;
• Products with beige and brown upholstery are most often installed in the kitchen, hallway, and dining room. The interior of these rooms has a lot of wooden furniture, so brown eco-leather will fit optimally and will not be too tacky. Modern technology for manufacturing eco-leather doors allows you to create interesting built-in or cabinet cabinets for the corridor. They look stylish and are very practical;
• When decorating a living room or bedroom, the choice of colors and textures is much wider. Here you can use both bright shiny products and models of noble shades with embossing. If the rooms are spacious, then the sofa upholstery can be dark gray or black. In small rooms, light colors are preferred.

The price factor is no less important when choosing furniture finished with eco-leather. You need to purchase such products from trusted and reliable suppliers. They have the necessary certificates of conformity and a passport confirming the safety of use.

High-quality furniture is offered in the middle price segment. Cheap products will not last long as they have low elasticity and comfort levels. The widest selection of furniture with eco-leather is offered in specialized showrooms. If possible, first study customer reviews for the chosen brand.

High-quality fittings and reliable fasteners determine the long service life of the furniture. The selected product must be checked for the quality of fixation of connecting elements, handles, and the operation of the transformation mechanism. Eco-leather upholstery should not have folds, uneven or weak seams. The surface of the material is preferably uniform, without snags, holes or scratches.

Furniture finished with eco-leather is practical, safe and easily fits into any interior. Products in light colors will help to visually expand the space and emphasize the refined taste of the owners. Bright or dark products act as the main accent of the interior decor. High-quality pieces of furniture from well-known manufacturers will be soft, comfortable, and wear-resistant. With proper care, such products will last for many years.

Is it worth buying a sofa made of eco-leather?

An eco-leather sofa purchased from a trustworthy manufacturer will last up to 10 years and often more . And in order for the product not to lose its operational and aesthetic properties, it will be enough to follow the operating rules.

One of the most important things is to avoid damaging the upholstery with sharp objects. Pet owners will find it difficult to protect eco-leather furniture from scratches.

Don’t be mistaken about how easy it is to care for such furniture. Most stains can be easily wiped off with a wet, soapy cloth, but do not forget that not everything can be washed. Otherwise, such a purchase will definitely please the owner.

What is eco leather?

Some medical and housing and communal institutions still have couches and benches covered with leatherette. Over time, the polyvinyl chloride coating cracks, comes off the base, and rough tissue is visible in the gaps.

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

The shreds of the top layer resemble the film that covers cheap bags and wallets. This material does not allow air to pass through and can emit harmful compounds, so it is not advisable to use it in residential areas.

Technologies have improved, and now new material has replaced harmful upholstery. Buyers of furniture stores do not always know what eco-leather is and are afraid to buy such items.

And completely in vain! There are no harmful components in the composition: the base is made of cotton fabric, the coating is made of polyurethane. This is a porous material that conducts air well and absorbs moisture.

Stable chemical compounds neither at the very beginning nor during long-term operation decompose and do not emit harmful substances. You don’t have to ventilate purchased eco-leather furniture, but immediately place it in the room; it does not emit unpleasant odors.

There are several brands of this material.

• Oregon is the most popular option, consisting of 70% cotton and 30% synthetic cover. In appearance it is difficult to distinguish it from genuine leather.
• Alba is a durable material with good resistance to external influences.
• Companion is a polyurethane film applied to foam with a pile backing.
• Dollaro is the highest quality type, resembling natural leather in appearance.

The material is made taking into account the convenience of consumers. It is pleasant to sit on such furniture.

Thanks to its characteristics, it does not heat up much from the sun's rays and does not become cold if the temperature in the house is low. You can safely sit in short shorts in an eco-leather chair without fear of having to squeal and jump up from the touch of hot or icy upholstery.

Sometimes, to give decorative effects, eco-leather upholstery is covered with a special film. You can update your interior without much expense if you replace the old fabric upholstery of upholstered furniture with eco-leather.

Contact a good specialist, he will replace the covering of sofas and armchairs, and cover wooden surfaces with a fresh layer of varnish. Even if these items do not belong to one set, but were purchased separately, after restoration they will form a single ensemble.

Make a rearrangement, move the furniture to other places, and the design of the room will change; everyone you know will think that you have purchased a new set.

Kinds

There are several types of material available on the market:

Perforated

For manufacturing, many holes are specially made on the canvas. This creates a certain pattern and achieves greater breathability;

Quilted

Decorative stitching is done like a quilt. The technique is used in the design of sofas, armchairs and other furniture;

Smooth

The surface does not have any irregularities characteristic of leather.

Nappa

In appearance it perfectly duplicates natural leather;

According to the type of base, eco-leather is:

• on cotton.
• on microfiber.

By ability to shine:

• glossy.
• matte.

Advantages and disadvantages of furniture upholstered in eco-leather

Natural upholstery is not available to every family; its price is too high. In addition, it does not always make sense to purchase furniture covered with animal skin. This material also has its drawbacks, which eco-leather does not have:

• uneven thickness;
• different texture and colors;
• scars, marks from ulcers and other minor defects.

The pleasant qualities of eco-leather for furniture are strength and durability. Small cuts and punctures become invisible due to the ability of the material to tighten the damaged area.

Only a specialist can distinguish artificial turf from natural leather by eye. The porous texture creates the visual effect of natural leather.

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

Polyurethane is available in different colors, you can buy material that imitates natural shades, and coating in the boldest colors: emerald, scarlet.

Artificial material also has disadvantages. If you invite someone who knows about expensive things to visit, he will immediately understand that the upholstery is not genuine leather, but imitation.

To avoid getting into an awkward position, it is better not to deceive visitors. Cat's claws can tear through upholstery down to the fabric base so much that the polyurethane cannot repair the damage done to it.

Eco-leather is used not only in furniture production. Car and airplane seats, which are pleasant to sit on, are also made of this material.

A leather raincoat is very expensive, but its imitation is affordable for anyone. However, it is worth remembering that all the described advantages belong only to high-quality products produced by companies specializing in the production of upholstery materials.

Cheap eco-leather, produced somewhere unknown, can emit harmful compounds and quickly become unusable. This upholstery cools the body and does not heat up for a long time.

In a cool room, you will have to cover sofas and armchairs with covers to make them comfortable to sit on.

Characteristic

Eco-leather: a little fabric and chemistry
To produce eco-leather, you don’t need to spend huge resources on specially raising and keeping animals - you only need fabric and a little chemistry. This material does not harm the environment and is affordable. It can be produced in unlimited quantities, of absolutely any color, type, shape and thickness. Other advantages of eco-leather include:

• strength and elasticity;
• wear resistance, resistance to abrasion and tearing;
• Any design of the canvas is possible (color, texture);
• hypoallergenic - the material is suitable for people with allergies to fur and natural leather;
• breathability;
• dimensional stability (does not stretch, does not rub on bends);
• easy to maintain (does not absorb dirt and water);
• hygroscopicity of the inside (the fabric cannot be used as a terry towel, but moisture will not remain on the body and there will be no sauna effect);
• the material successfully withstands the effects of low temperatures and does not harden in the cold;
• fabric is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation;
• ease of processing - you can cut and sew eco-leather even at home.

Flaws:

• can get very hot in the sun;
• quickly becomes unusable if the material is scratched by pets;
• cannot be repaired - if the polyurethane layer is damaged or knocked down, it cannot be restored with “liquid skin” (which is used to repair natural products) or simply painted over.

Eco-leather is a high-tech modern fabric, which in its characteristics is in no way inferior to natural leather.

Where is furniture upholstered with artificial materials used?

Eco-leather is used in the production of various interior items. You can purchase a sofa of any shape; it will be comfortable both to sit and sleep on.

If the room area is small, choose a folding model; when folded, it will not take up much space. For an office, you can buy a sofa that combines eco-leather with velor and wooden details.

If you have a non-standard room layout, place an order for furniture according to a special project, and they will make you a set of any configuration.

For those who like to constantly change the decor of the room, a modular sofa made of eco-leather is suitable. Today it has an angular shape, the next day you can rearrange several blocks and get a straight version.

Durable upholstery does not rub at corners, polyurethane does not peel off from the fabric and does not fade. You can change the configuration of the furniture many times, the appearance will not suffer.

When purchasing ready-made furniture, check not only the quality of the materials, but also the convenience of the design. Sit on the sofa, lie down on it.

If the seller starts making comments, leave this store. A good trading company respects customers and does not interfere with checking the quality of goods by any reasonable means.

Remember that for sleeping, the filler must be hard enough so as not to cause spinal deformities. For the living room, soft upholstery is allowed, on which it will be comfortable to sit for a long time.

For a children's room, you should buy furniture only from high-quality materials. Good eco-leather does not emit harmful fumes; such a sofa can serve as a playground for a child during the day and a sleeping place at night.

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

Children need enough space to sleep; the best option would be a folding sofa or sofa. If the child can already straighten the bed on his own, choose furniture with a simple folding system so that the child can handle it.

For a children's room you can buy not only a sofa, but also eco-leather-covered armchairs and ottomans. It should be taken into account that the child constantly stains all objects with food, plasticine, and drawing materials, so it is advisable not to buy furniture that is too light for the children's room.

The material is easy to clean, but marks from felt-tip pens can be absorbed into the porous surface. To ensure that all items retain their attractive appearance for a long time, cover them with bedspreads or covers with a beautiful pattern.

Tips for choosing

In addition to color and design, the buyer should pay attention to the quality of the upholstery.

If an interested person is considering the option of eco-leather, then when choosing furniture it is advisable to pay attention to the following nuances:

• The PU designation indicates the thickness of the inner layer of the fabric. The larger it is, the denser and stronger the material. When choosing between PU 70% and 40, preference should be given to the first option;

• uniformity of the layer , absence of visible defects;
• price . Too low a price indicates not only the low quality of the furniture itself, but also the upholstery. It is necessary to approach issues of price-quality ratio wisely.

Expert opinion

Korzhavin Daniil Dmitrievich

Designer of stylish home furniture

The surface of the material should be checked by touch; it should be smooth and pleasant, moderately soft. There should be no pungent, chemical smell. There should be no deep wrinkles or creases at the corners and seams.

Caring for eco-leather upholstery

Furniture eco-leather is very easy to care for. If you spill something or otherwise stain the sofa, wash off the stain with a wet rag, and then wipe it off, and no traces will remain.

This quality is very important when there are small children in the family who can paint all surfaces with paints or crayons. If the living room has furniture with light upholstery, treat it with a special spray and the upholstery will stay clean longer.

There are impregnations on sale that prevent dirt from penetrating into the pores. All stains will remain on top and can be easily removed with a damp cloth.

When purchasing furniture or upholstery material, ask the seller to show a quality certificate. Even in a showroom you can buy a model created by an unknown company, which will fall apart or burst on the second day. Ask for a photocopy or write down all the data from the document. This will help you file a claim if the material turns out to be defective.

If the dirt is not washed off with plain water, apply a soap solution. Or buy a special product for caring for upholstered furniture.

Use a soft sponge to gently scrub the stain. If you have had guests get your sofa dirty, start cleaning the upholstery immediately after your guests leave.

Old stains are very difficult to clean - the sooner you take action, the better the result will be. If soap and water cannot remove dirt, use alcohol or special products approved for polyurethane.

Sofas and armchairs upholstered in genuine leather give the interior a rich, solid look. If it is not possible to purchase expensive furniture, buy a set upholstered in eco-leather.

The stain-resistant and body-friendly material does not need to be covered with capes; cleaning fresh stains from the upholstery will not be difficult. Eco-leather is appropriate in the office, bedroom, and nursery.

You will sleep comfortably on a bed upholstered in imitation natural leather; you can sit in a chair for hours - your body will not feel any discomfort. Children can jump and play on the sofa as much as they want, the durable material will withstand the load.

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

If you doubt the merits of the new material, first buy at least an inexpensive ottoman, and you will be convinced that eco-leather should be in every home.

Combination with printing

It is worth noting that the use of eco-leather can be combined with printing. Due to the wide range of colors, numerous interesting textures, and excellent temperature sensitivity, unique, durable and very comfortable designs are made.

Today, eco-leather is offered wholesale and retail at an affordable price, so we recommend buying it. And if you are also an animal advocate, then you simply have no other choice!

Pros and cons of eco-leather sofas

Pros and cons of eco-leather sofas

Eco-leather sofas are perfect for furnishing a residential or office space. There are a lot of them in Moscow, they are all different colors, sizes and are sold at different prices.

A straight or corner sofa made of eco-leather can be bought inexpensively. To do this you need to wait for a sale.

If you want to choose a white eco-leather sofa, then its cost will be a little higher. It's all about the colors.

White always has a harder time coloring anything. Therefore, this process takes much more time, effort and money.

In Moscow you can find white leatherette, but it will definitely cost more. In this case, cost is a disadvantage, but this only applies to snow-white models of upholstered furniture.

But the price compared to genuine leather is significantly lower. A straight eco-leather sofa will be inexpensive, regardless of the sales season.

You can compare prices yourself and make sure that such a purchase will not hit your home budget. A large number of reviews will allow you to see how easy a leatherette sofa is to clean.

The upholstery does not absorb water, does not accumulate dust, and does not accumulate hair on it if there are pets in the house. Eco-leather sofas do not require expensive special detergents or cleaning products to maintain.

Therefore, you can save on cleaning costs. And even the most difficult stains can be removed from the surface of an eco-leather sofa at home.

You also save on dry cleaning, which is also a plus.

Another big advantage over other materials is the presence of micropores on the surface of the upholstery of leatherette sofas. They allow air to pass through perfectly, creating all the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay.

Eco-leather sofas do not allow moisture to accumulate inside or retain moisture. This has a positive effect on the service life of a straight or corner sofa.

Soft filler layers will not deteriorate due to the presence of stagnant moisture. Dust mites, fungi or mold will never grow inside.

Therefore, such furniture is suitable even for installation in rooms with high humidity. It can be placed in the corridor or in the reception area.

An office sofa made of eco-leather, even if it stands right next to the entrance, will not lose its quality. There are many office spaces in Moscow that have long been using eco-leather sofas, rather than the usual, familiar chairs for visitors.

Returning to the benefits of eco-leather, we note that it refers to synthetic materials. The upholstery is a completely environmentally friendly product.

It does not cause allergic reactions in users, as evidenced by their positive reviews. It will never cause irritation or discomfort from itching on the skin.

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

Even though eco-leather sofas are so inexpensive, they are amazingly comfortable. The tactile sensations that this material evokes are incomparable.

The soft, smooth surface quickly takes on the ambient temperature. Therefore, you can buy a sofa bed made of eco-leather even for daily sleep.

High-quality rest will provide a pleasant sensation from contact with the upholstery. It will absolutely not lose its attractive appearance over time, continuing to delight you with its novelty and rich colors.

Speaking about colors, it should be noted that the color palette of such products is incredibly large. You can choose exactly the color that will perfectly complement any interior.

And don’t be afraid to experiment not only with color, but also with the shape of upholstered furniture. Even an ordinary corner sofa can have different configurations.

Take your purchase seriously and then you will definitely fully experience all the benefits of leatherette

History and production

Eco-leather is a material that consists of two layers. The base is woven fabric. A layer of polymer is applied on top, painted in the desired color and given a characteristic texture. Polymers are a substance consisting of many molecules, organic and inorganic. Cellulose, proteins, rubber and polyethylene are all polymers.

In 1963, eco-leather was first produced in America, and a year later Japan independently presented its own developments in this area.

Polyurethane, a very durable rubber substitute, is used as a “leather-like” coating. This material is used to create sealants, adhesives, paints and varnishes, and artificial decorative stones. Shoe soles and car tires are made from polyurethane - it is truly a very durable, wear-resistant substance that surpasses even metal in terms of durability. Eco-leather made of polyurethane is safe, non-toxic and does not emit strong odors. Under a microscope, the coating is a porous structure that allows air to pass through perfectly.

The following is used as a basis:

• cotton is a natural fabric, the fibers of which are obtained from a plant called cotton;
• polyester is a synthetic polyester fabric that resembles wool or cotton depending on how the fibers are produced.

Thanks to the woven base and porous polyurethane, eco-leather has excellent air permeability - better than its natural counterpart. If the layer of polymer coating is increased, the fabric becomes stronger, but also more rigid. Eco-leather receives its characteristic surface pattern and texture, similar to natural in every way, after pressure treatment.

It is very simple to distinguish artificial material from natural one: the fabric is clearly visible on the back of eco-leather.

Eco-leather and leather: what to choose for sofa upholstery?

Manufacturers of upholstered furniture use a wide range of materials for upholstery: from almost natural fabrics and leather to artificial polymers. There is no ideal option suitable for all situations in life: each of them has both advantages and disadvantages.

As a rule, cheap materials have several more disadvantages, but this is not a dogma - in some cases, the use of inexpensive upholstery is justified.

As an example, we will consider two popular upholstery materials: genuine leather and eco-leather. Which sofa is better: made from natural chevro or its synthetic substitute?

What to choose in the end?

Each option is good in its own way. Choose based on your needs and the purpose of the sofa. A more practical and solid option is eco-leather, a more cozy and comfortable option is a fabric sofa. If you can’t decide what is more important, take a closer look at the combined option.

Advantages of genuine leather

In the production of Pinskdrev sofas, only high-quality, well-made leather is used. This means that a leather sofa from a Belarusian manufacturer:

• perfectly environmentally friendly (does not emit toxic substances, has a microporous surface that promotes natural ventilation);
• strong and durable (leather is little susceptible to fading and deformation during use, has sufficient resistance to mechanical stress and temperature changes);
• presentable (the aristocracy and solidity of natural chevro are truly premium; it speaks without words about the refined taste and respectable status of the owners).

A leather sofa can truly serve for decades with minimal care - it is enough to periodically treat the surface with a special compound and not subject it to too serious tests such as cat claws and exposure to water.

A little about eco-leather

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

Even an expert cannot visually distinguish modern eco-leather from its natural counterpart. The answer to all questions is hidden from the inside: the knitted base is visible there.

It is coated in a special way with polyurethane, which has micro-holes that promote ventilation. Eco-leather can be called leatherette, but it is of very high quality, strikingly different from cheap PVC materials.

A sofa made of eco-leather does not “smell” of chemicals, has breathable upholstery of sufficient strength, is elegant and practical. But it is significantly inferior to its natural counterpart in terms of strength in terms of mechanical stress (even a small damage quickly grows into a large hole), moisture and heat resistance.

However, it is worth keeping the “eco-leather” sofa away from radiators, playful children’s hands and pets - and it will delight you with its pristine appearance for many years.

Both upholstery materials are good in quality, so in this case the question of choice comes down to price: genuine leather is more expensive than the highest quality synthetic analogue. Well, questions of the consumer’s own beliefs are also important: it is unlikely that an ardent animal rights activist will feel comfortable on a sofa made of genuine leather.

Fabric and its features

Textiles are among the most popular upholstery materials. A variety of colors and textures allows you to turn almost any idea into reality, complementing the interior with a sofa that fits perfectly into the design. All upholstery fabrics are divided into:

Many people prefer natural fabrics, especially if there are children in the house, because they are distinguished by their hygiene, ability to breathe and, in fact, naturalness. However, natural materials in their pure form are rarely found and the fabric is still subject to bleaching, dyeing and other processing.

Therefore, you should not dismiss mixed and artificial options, because their threads can immediately be given the desired properties.

Advantages and disadvantages of fabric

When choosing what is best for upholstery - fabric or eco-leather, it is worth comparing the pros and cons of the materials. Among the main advantages of textiles are:

• Tactile properties. The fabric surface of the sofa is very pleasant to the touch. In addition, you are unlikely to be able to slide on it.
• Good option for sleeping. The upholstery is highly breathable, ensuring air circulation and ensuring a comfortable sleep.
• Thermoregulation. The fabric maintains its temperature at a comfortable level regardless of the time of year or the weather outside the window.
• Resistance to mechanical damage. It is much more difficult to damage fabric with a sharp object, especially when compared to leather.
• Affordable price. The prices of textile sofas are much lower than products upholstered with artificial leather and leather. Of course, there are some exceptions, including expensive fabrics - jacquard, thermoflock or the like.
• Easy to care for. Most fabrics can be cleaned at home using ordinary soapy water, a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. In addition, there are removable covers that can be thrown into the washing machine.
• Cosiness. A room with soft fabric sofas looks more homely.

Of course, any material has disadvantages and textiles are no exception:

• Dust. Many synthetic fabrics are quite actively capable of accumulating dust, which becomes electrified and gives a noticeable static charge.
• Operational period. The durability of fabrics varies, and after only 7–10 years of active use, upholstery may lose its quality - stretch, become less bright, or simply wear out.
• Care. For the most part, textiles are quite easy to clean, but there are exceptions, so sometimes dry cleaning is inevitable.

Peculiarities

The service life with proper care and operation is about 10 years.

This material consists of cotton coated with polyurethane. This means that no animal skin is used in its production. In today's realities, this feature is one of the key.

Other characteristics of eco-leather:

• smooth to the touch;
• elastic;
• wear-resistant;

• dense;
• looks similar to genuine leather.

Unlike leatherette, which was used before, it is highly wear-resistant and does not contain toxic chemicals.

Features of eco leather

Increasingly, natural leather for furniture upholstery is being replaced by a cheaper synthetic option called eco-leather. Modern technologies make it possible to make it almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

The advantages of eco-leather sofas are reminiscent of the advantages of fabric, because they also have a rich color and texture palette and are considered a relatively inexpensive option. In addition, for little money, owners receive a solid and beautiful product.

Eco-leather looks great on models for home and office use, giving the interior impressiveness, grace and importance.

Artificial leather must have a base, which can be:

During production, the fabric is coated with several layers of polymer materials. To give the finished upholstery a matte or pearlescent effect, it is coated with varnish, and an interesting texture is added using embossing.

Advantages and disadvantages of eco-leather

Among the main advantages of artificial leather are:

• Price. It is much cheaper than the natural version, but its appearance is almost the same.
• Strength. Since eco-leather has a fabric base, it is much stronger compared to the natural version. The material is resistant to bending and friction, and stretches well.
• Easy care. To provide the necessary care for artificial leather, it is enough to simply wipe the sofa with a damp sponge and periodically polish it with specialized compounds that add shine to the surface.
• Environmental friendliness and ventilation. Eco-leather is more vapor-permeable than the natural version, is frost-resistant and does not contain harmful toxic substances.
• Durability. The material retains its color during operation and does not accumulate dust.

However, even such a durable and interesting material has several disadvantages. It does not allow air to pass through well, and also has low thermoregulation rates, so it is not the best option for relaxing in the heat. In addition, the upholstery can become deformed under the influence of direct sunlight and constant exposure to moisture.

How to properly care

Thanks to proper care and strict adherence to the manufacturer's recommendations, eco-leather products will last longer.

• To remove dust and small dirt, it is recommended to use microfiber cloths, previously soaked in water and wrung out thoroughly. After this, the surface is wiped dry.
• It is not recommended to use hard brushes for cleaning, because they can damage the outer, decorative layer.
• Eco-leather should not be kept in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
• After getting wet, wipe dry and dry naturally.

Important! Eco-leather is afraid of products containing chlorine.

• The same care products and creams are suitable as for natural leather. Excess product is removed from the surface with a soft cloth, because it has no absorbent properties.
• Eco-leather should be washed with cool water, but only with baby or laundry soap.
• To clean and remove stains, it is allowed to use ammonia, lemon, hydrogen peroxide for light-colored items and products for natural leather. You can use a solution of medical alcohol diluted to a concentration of 50%.
• Drops of drugs that get on eco-leather must be blotted immediately. Treat sticky compounds with a damp cloth until they disappear. Finally wipe with a dry cloth.
• It is recommended to protect furniture upholstery and shoes made of eco-leather with impregnations for natural leather. This will allow you to maintain its original appearance and cleanliness longer.
• The product can be dry cleaned.