Modern eco-leather can look very similar to natural leather. Eco-leather during production and during operation is more environmentally friendly than natural and PVC leather (vinyl), which is why it is called eco-leather. It is made by coating fabric (cotton) with an elastic polymer, polyurethane (PU). Eco-leather remains soft and elastic for the entire period of its operation.
Eco-leather or PU leather (polyurethane) consists of a cotton backing and a thin layer of polyurethane.
Eco-leather is very wear-resistant and can last a long time with proper use and care.
In this short article we will look at how to properly care for eco-leather.
No. 1 We use it correctly
The cotton-based polyurethane coating, which is hidden behind the word eco-leather, is a fairly unpretentious material. It is easy to clean with available products and retains its elegant appearance for a long time.
However, remember - eco-leather does not like sharp piercing and cutting objects.
Be careful if there are zippers or fasteners on the back pockets of your trousers. Over time, they leave deep scratches or cuts.
During active driving, eco-leather tends to wear out, especially if the upholstery is light-colored.
Do not allow it to become heavily soiled - it will be more difficult to clean later. Otherwise there are no special problems with it.
With proper care, the covers will easily serve for 3-4 years.
Prohibited eco-leather care products
- Do not use gasoline or solvents; they damage and corrode products;
- It is prohibited to use brushes, scrapers, knives and various sharp objects that can tear or cut the skin;
- It is contraindicated to dry products on radiators or with a hairdryer;
- It is not recommended to heat or iron with a hot iron.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to use chlorine-containing products for cleaning. For all products there is one rule for care - you cannot rub, press, stretch too much, you need to clean gently and carefully.
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No. 2 Cleaning traces of spilled liquids
What you will need:
Water, clean napkin or cloth.
Eco-leather has a porous structure and allows air to pass through well, allowing the seats to breathe. At the same time, unlike auto fabric, it does not allow moisture to pass through. True, this rule applies to eco-leather without perforation.
Situation - juice, mineral water or coffee has already been spilled: what to do?
First of all, blot it with any available means, such as a napkin or clean cloth. Next, wipe again with a cloth moistened with clean water.
The main thing is not to use abrasive powders, pastes or cleaning bleaches with chlorine. They can leave micro-scratches on the outer layer of eco-leather.
Regular water is enough. After wet cleaning, let the covers dry naturally, preferably not in direct sunlight.
Conclusion
Based on all of the above, the conclusion suggests itself that shoes made from eco-leather have both pros and cons. The main advantage over leather is its affordable price. A competent approach to care, storage and selection of protective equipment will ensure its safety for a long time. Regular treatment for preventive purposes will help keep shoes fresh and save on purchasing a new pair.
As Coco Chanel said: “You can get used to an ugly appearance, but never to negligence.”
Beautiful makeup and hairstyle will not have the desired effect if the shoes look unkempt. Well-groomed and polished shoes are the finishing touch to a person’s overall appearance.
No. 3 Cleaning dry dirt
What you will need:
Soft sponge, cloth, soap or 40% alcohol-water solution.
We sorted out wet cleaning - nothing difficult. Now the task is more difficult. Clean eco-leather covers from dried food or dirt from feet.
A soft sponge or cloth soaked in a regular soap solution will help us here. Let us remind you that eco-leather is not afraid of moisture and easily tolerates water treatments.
The main thing is that after cleaning, the cleaning area must be carefully wiped dry.
This is important because Remaining moisture may eventually damage the polymer protective film on the material.
When cleaning even heavy dirt, we do not recommend using a bristle brush. It may leave minor scratches. But a 40% alcohol-water solution will definitely help.
How to clean eco-leather from a ballpoint pen?
Another substance that is indispensable not only for making delicious pies, but also for removing any dirt, including ink:
- Take 1 tsp. soda
- Dilute in 0.5 cups of warm water.
- Dampen a sponge or rag with the solution.
- Rub the surface.
- Wash off with soapy water.
- Wipe dry.
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No. 4 Cleaning scuffs on eco-leather
What you will need:
ATAS PLAK, Turtle Wax and other polishes.
With active use, abrasions may appear on eco-leather. Let's remember the leather or rubberized steering wheel of a used car. Also on the covers. The shiny parts are not particularly pleasing to the eye.
Therefore, we arm ourselves with a special liquid product for the care of products made of artificial and natural leather, a soft cloth and begin cleaning.
Such cleaning is usually carried out once every few months to prevent further contamination or as needed.
Proper operation is the key to long service life
Most importantly, no loads with sharp corners, protruding nails or cutting objects. Do not sit on the seat wearing jeans or shorts with zippers on the back pockets or iron decorative details; abrasions and even tears may appear.
If you have a pet with large claws and prefers to travel with you, then transport it either in special carriers or wear soft pads if possible, otherwise your seats will be covered with continuous scratches. If the material has anti-scratch microfiber, the likelihood of damage is reduced.
It is necessary to keep a pack of wet and dry wipes in the glove compartment; they can come in handy at any time. Having a car vacuum cleaner is also welcome; it won’t hurt to go over the seats at least once a month, and brushes will help you get out debris in hard-to-reach places.
Spilled liquid? Blot immediately with tissues or dry microfiber, do not try to scrub with a hard brush or use a lot of force. You can carry with you special products for cleaning leather products that form foam and work instantly. Can be found at any auto store.
The time interval between repetitions of care procedures for eco-leather covers depends on how often you use them and how quickly their surface becomes dirty. With normal use, you can get by with one or two cleanings every few months. It is not advisable to delay this, since the dirt will penetrate into the skin as much as possible, and it will be much more difficult to get rid of it.
There are special means for different types of contaminants, which will be described in more detail below. Artificial leather will withstand any wet cleaning, the main thing is not to overuse cleaning substances.
Any cleaning using chemicals should be carried out in a dark place; eco-leather heats up quickly, which can affect the processes in the composition of the products used. The skin may subsequently become stained, change color, and these are not all the unpleasant surprises that may await you in the end.
No. 5 Cleaning covers made of bright and colored eco-leather
What you will need:
Eco Drop, ZOLLEX and other conditioners.
Snow-white, lemon, bright blue certainly looks fresh and unusual in the car interior. But will this color remain the same after a couple of months of driving?
Practice shows that this is far from a fact... Dye from new denim or sheepskin coats sometimes transfers to light areas of eco-leather. In this case, we will again need a chemical agent for soft cleaning.
Also, after treating and cleaning the surface, we recommend additionally treating the covers with a special water- and dirt-repellent spray. In the future, cleaning will have to be done less frequently.
Advice when choosing chemicals for artificial leather: carefully read the instructions for use.
Some products are not suitable for eco-leather care. They are usually marked not to be used on polyurethane surfaces. It is important!
Strict restrictions
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Reading people's reviews, I noticed that many people damaged eco-leather with their own hands because they did not know about the important warnings.
In general, the manufacturer should write about this in the instructions. And sellers are also obliged to warn buyers.
Of the most important restrictions, I would like to highlight the following:
- Do not use brushes or similar tools for cleaning or maintenance. They leave scratches and easily damage the structure of the decorative layer;
- If oil or greasy dirt gets on the surface, it should be removed with soap solutions. Many people take turpentine oil and even gasoline. This will destroy the upholstery;
- Never dry washed areas after removing dirt. Drying with a hairdryer or other devices deforms the artificial turf;
- Do not use cleaning agents in powder form. This is a strong abrasive that violates the integrity of the surface.
I honestly admit that I somehow decided to wash a stain on the carpet with white. Yes, this is not eco-leather, but I heard enough words of gratitude from my mother. Since then, I have always tried to carefully read the instructions and learn about the features of caring for different materials.
Oh yes, the carpet had to be thrown away. We bought a new one a long time ago. But we still remember this story.
No. 6 Drying car covers correctly
The main rule after wet cleaning of eco-leather covers is to let them dry properly.
It is not advisable to iron the covers, dry them with a hairdryer or expose them to high temperatures using heating devices.
All this can lead to loss of properties of this material, deterioration in appearance and even deformation.
After cleaning the car covers, just wipe them dry with a soft cloth and let them dry a little naturally.
We also do not recommend washing eco-leather covers in a washing machine. Even in delicate mode, the polyurethane layer can be damaged, resulting in spoiled appearance.
Concept of material
Eco-leather, like natural leather, cracks, becomes stained and changes color over time.
To prevent this, you need to know how to care for eco-leather.
Do you even know about this material?
This is a high-tech product. Structurally, it consists of two layers. This is a polyester fabric base and microporous polyurethane coating. The first layer serves as wear protection. The second gives the necessary appearance.
Leading and certified manufacturers use GOST. But there are also those who make eco-leather according to specifications.
