So erkennen Sie Lederimitate ganz leicht
Artificial leather, vegan leather, imitation leather - no matter what you call it, today's processing methods often make artificial leather look deceptively real. But it is important to distinguish between them, for example in order to use the right care. After all, we also want to know whether we are holding an organic, natural product or an imitation. To make a distinction, it helps to consider the properties of natural and artificial leather. While real leather is made from natural materials, artificial leather is usually made from artificially produced materials.
So erkennen Sie Lederimitate ganz leicht
What are imitation leather made of?
Fashion items and accessories made of artificial leather are usually made from a textile base material that is coated with a plastic compound such as PVC. Other types of artificial leather are mainly made of polyurethane, polyester or nylon. Plant-based imitation leather is also often coated with a plastic coating. These include eucalyptus leather, apple leather and Piñatex.
HOW DO I RECOGNIZE FAUX LEATHER?
In contrast to real leather, with conventional artificial leather you are not bound to the natural texture and size of the leather. Artificial leather is usually produced by the meter and has a uniform substance. The waste that occurs with leather due to natural irregularities in the material is avoided with artificial leather. This is one of the reasons why products made from imitation leather can often be produced much more cost-effectively. However, very good imitation leather also has its price.
In addition, many types of artificial leather are very easy to care for, dirt and water repellent and can be easily cleaned, sometimes even in the washing machine.
Recognizing imitation leather by its feel
Real leather is an organic natural material made from animal skins. It feels warm and soft and has a pleasant feel. Artificial leather, on the other hand, is usually cool, smooth and more rigid than natural leather.
Recognize imitation leather by the cut edges
The natural, uncoated structure of genuine leather is visible at the cut edges. This is rough, coarse and fibrous. Artificial leather, on the other hand, is easily recognized by its smooth, often plastic-like edges.
Recognizing imitation leather by smell
Leather often has a strong odor, but this can disappear over time. Artificial leather is odorless at best. However, particularly cheap, lower-quality artificial leather can even smell unpleasantly of plastic.
Recognize imitation leather by the structure of its surface
Full-grain leather and top-grain leather have small, natural imperfections that are caused by cuts, insect bites, stretch marks and neck folds on the animal, for example. These "blemishes" are more of a sign of quality, as they verify the authenticity of the leather. Artificial leather is not created naturally, but is machine-made. A natural structure is often imitated. However, the surface of imitation leather is usually more evenly structured and patterned.
Recognize imitation leather by the lack of patina
Because of their naturalness, genuine leather, especially full-grain leather, will develop a beautiful, typical patina over time. Artificial leather usually retains its color or fades slightly. However, this change in the surface looks much less original than the patina of genuine leather.
Recognize imitation leather on the back
Artificial leather usually has a textile back with fine, softer fibers or a woven layer. With real leather, on the other hand, the so-called flesh side of the leather is visible on the back, which has a rather rough and fibrous structure.
Detecting imitation leather through an oil test
Uncoated leather can absorb grease or oils. It is important that you carry out this test in a hidden place, as the grease can change the leather's colour and structure. With artificial leather that has a plastic-sealed surface, the oil simply beads off.
Recognizing imitation leather by price
Since there are now types of artificial leather that are produced with great effort, or you often pay for brand names rather than the quality of a product, the price of a product is not a definitive indication of the quality of the leather. However, real leather is usually much more expensive than artificial leather.
Why is it important to distinguish between real leather and artificial leather?
Anyone who buys new goods can read the material of the product they are buying from its label. For end customers, it is important that companies label their products. First of all, everyone wants to know what they are buying. In addition, classifying a product as "genuine leather" helps us to weigh up whether the price of a product is appropriate or not. Knowing what type of material we are dealing with also helps us to treat and care for it properly. Last but not least, the label protects customers who follow a vegan lifestyle from accidentally buying a product made of genuine leather.
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