While you usually see it called vegan leather, PU leather is becoming more common in the fashion world. Even high-end designers recognize the desire to provide cruelty-free, high-quality products to customers who want to avoid animal products like leather. Fortunately, PU leather has come a long way since its early days, and it can be difficult to distinguish from genuine leather. Here's everything you need to know.
Even though leather is right there in the name, PU leather contains 0% leather. Instead, it's an imitation leather made from polyurethane (plastic). During the production process, PU leather is given the same kind of texture found in leather, although it tends to be a lot more uniform than the naturally occurring patterns found in leather. PU leather is considered a synthetic leather. The only exception is a PU leather made of bicast leather.
Related: How to Tell Something Is Real Leather: An Easy Guide
Need to KnowBicast leather is the only PU leather that is not vegan. If something is made of bicast leather, it actually uses genuine leather in the process. Genuine leather is used to emboss the PU so the pattern appears more natural. If you are seeking vegan leather, avoid bicast leather.
If the PU leather you are considering is 100% PU leather, then it is classified as vegan. Since no animal is used in any part of the creation of the PU leather, it qualifies as being vegan.
When compared to leather, PU leather won't last as long. PU leather doesn't retain moisture. The lack of moisture means the PU leather will be susceptible to cracking and tearing, unlike leather.
PU leather isn't breathable, whereas leather is very breathable. So it doesn't absorb water or stains — if you get a PU leather item wet or dirty, you can usually wipe the stain away without any residual. On the other hand, leather stains easily, even with water.
If the PU leather uses plasticizers in its processes, it will most likely not peel. Not all PU leathers are going to be the same quality, just as all leathers aren't the same quality, so a lower quality, poorly made PU leather may crack and peel, but high-quality, well-made PU leathers are much less likely to do so.
PU leather is vegan and made with natural plant chemicals, so it isn't considered a toxic leather like PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) leather. PVC is made from chemicals and can have some off-gassing. These chemicals are considered toxic in large amounts.
The PU leather base is made of polyurethane while the faux leather base is made of fabric. The faux leather fabric is given a textured leather finish. The textured finish is created by using one or more methods, such as dyeing, waxing, PU coating, and even PVC coating. Some faux leather bags are also made of bicast leather. PU leather is often called a type of faux leather, but is recognized in the handbag industry and listed as PU leather instead of faux leather.
Most PU leathers are more durable than faux leather. PU leather doesn't peel or crack as easily as faux leather. It's also more flexible. Faux leathers are easier to pierce or tear, although PU leather can suffer damage from perforation or tearing. You must take into account the quality of the PU leather and faux leather when comparing durability.
Over time, real leather develops a desirable patina, and it tends to get softer and more pliable, which many people feel is highly desirable. This doesn't happen with PU leather — it will never develop a patina finish.
Real leather will have a definite leather smell. PU leather often has a chemical smell. The PU leather has a uniform grain texture finish, while the leather grain is random and natural looking.
If you want the style of genuine leather but don't want to pay as much for it as genuine leather costs, PU leather is a good alternative. It tends to be much more affordable than genuine leather while still looking great.
Depending on what your goals are, PU leather can be a good alternative to natural leather — especially if you're looking for a good quality vegan leather piece. It's definitely worth trying a piece or two to see how well it holds up to your lifestyle.
© LoveToKnow Media. All rights reserved.In the days of sustainability and the affordability of which influence the consumer's choice, PU leather (polyurethane leather) has been established as a substitute that is in fact as good as the traditional animal leather. Indeed, this synthetic material that can be used for office chairs or handbags combines practical and ethical aspects.
But have you ever wondered what the difference to genuine leather is and what are its pros and cons and, of course, how you make it last long…
Throughout this guide, we will take a closer look at PU leather’s composition, uses, and care tips, and we will also feature Boulies’ Ultraflex PU top-selling office chairs.
Polyurethane (PU) leather, also known as synthetic leather, is a manmade material that looks and feels like real leather but doesn’t use any animal bones. Unlike PVC leather (polyvinyl chloride) which is based on plastic polymers and harmful chlorides, PU leather uses a fabric base coated with a thin layer of polyurethane. So it’s a vegan leather option that’s lightweight, water resistant, and has no animal parts.
Key Features:
PU leather can be made by understanding the process of how it’s engineered.
Clean a fabric which is woven or non woven (e.g polyester) and implemented to ensure the fabric sticks to the polyurethane.
The liquid based polyurethane is applied to the fabric, forming a flexible grain-like pattern on the surface. Advanced techniques like embossing can mimic the natural grain of animal hide.
The cloth has been treated with UV protectants, color dyes, and anticorrosive coatings to make it wear and tear resistant.
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Environmental Impact: Besides saving animals, PU leather doesn’t save the world from fossil fuel pollution (it contributes 14.5% of global greenhouse gases); it’s an environmental issue. A study revealed that other brands like Boulies use Ultraflex PU, which is harmless during production.
PU leather is for those who want something like the real deal but at a lower price.
1. Cost-Effective: PU leather is 50 to 70% cheaper than real leather, so you can get it. Tinctures are made by dipping the fabric in a protein material extracted from the brewing waste of the poultry and the roots of hemp seed into tannins.
2. Easy Maintenance: Cleaning PU leather is a breeze—just wipe it down with a damp cloth or soapy water. Unlike real leather, no special conditioners or treatments are needed.
3. Durable & Resilient: PU leather with Boulies’ Ultraflex PU is high quality and can resist scratches, fading, and peeling for 2-5 years if taken care of properly.
4. Versatile Design: PU leather comes in different styles and colors so you can use it to look like other expensive materials like suede and crocodile, which is perfect for furniture, fashion, and automotive interiors.
5. Eco-Friendly & Vegan: The eco-friendly side of PU leather is that it’s made without animal products, so it’s more environmentally friendly than traditional leather production, so you get a cruelty-free product with minimal effect on the environment.
PU leather is a synthetic material, while genuine leather is made from animal hide. PU leather is also known as faux leather or vegan leather.
It's an advantage that you can easily clean PU leather since it is a non-porous material. Because of this fact, it does not absorb liquids like real leather does, leading to it being low-maintenance in general. However, regular cleaning is still necessary to avoid accumulating dirt, getting stained, and wearing out.
Even so, PU leather, while being a strong material, can suffer from the impacts of heat, humidity, and harsh chemicals that may reduce its lifetime. The best way to maintain those items will be to place them out of the reach of these elements.
Regular maintenance is the only way to keep PU leather looking attractive and free from premature destruction. Regularly scheduled small efforts will ensure that items remain top-notch for years.
The Boulies Master is a fan favorite for its balance of support and style.Gets you Ultraflex PU upholstery, a water-resistant, scratch-proof surface that feels like real leather. The chair has 4D adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and mesh back for users who spend 8+ hours a day at their desk. 300 lbs weight capacity and tested to 100,000+ abrasion cycles (ASTM D standards) makes it a durable, budget-friendly option for remote workers and gamers.
It has all the features of the Boulies Master Rex: a reinforced steel frame and 165-degree recline – perfect for quick naps or reading. The chair comes with a footrest and upgraded memory foam seat cushion to reduce pressure on your hips during long sessions. Like all Boulies chairs, the Master Rex has Ultraflex PU, free of harmful chemicals (OEKO-TEX® certified), so it’s safe and eco-friendly for families and pet owners.
The Boulies Elite Series is our top of the line for those who want luxury and ergonomics. Ultraflex PU upholstery has a matte finish and is spill and fade-resistant, even in sunny rooms. The S-shaped backrest follows the natural curve of the spine, with a waterfall seat edge to promote leg circulation. With a 360-degree swivel, adjustable headrest, and silent casters, the Elite is perfect for execs, streamers, or anyone who wants a chair that looks professional and feels great all day.
PU leather is a biodegradable alternative to genuine leather that is a great conscious choice for those who care about the environment as well as one's choice for a person who would rather not stand up to style or comfort. The comfort of PU leather is applicable to both the home office when Boulies' chairs are used and the shopping for a vegan handbag.
Ready to Upgrade Your Workspace? Check out the Ultraflex PU Collection of Boulies today, which is now available at a non-premium price tag, and try one out now!
PU leather has been turned into a vegan leather when it is exclusively created via synthetic materials hence, it is not considered to involve any animal products.
PU leather is developed by coating polyurethane to a fabric backing, which can be made from cotton or other synthetic materials.
Sometimes, PU leather products, especially when new, may have only a little good for a few days with the paint you have eaten, but this disappears after a while.
PU leather is a new kind of material and is eco-friendly; this makes PU leather considered a sustainable alternative to genuine leather since it is not a byproduct of animals. On the contrary, it is often a byproduct of oil.
PU leather, being made of synthetic materials, is likewise water resistant but only to a certain degree. It can withstand light spills, but prolonged water contact may lead to damage.
One of the benefits of using PU leather is that it can still peel and crack even if it is old and has been exposed to a lot of heat and humidity or has been cared for in the wrong way. With regular cleaning and proper protection, the material will not be damaged.
Real leather has a natural smell, with genuine leather being more odorous, while the plastic scent characterizes the unattainable smell of PU leather. Thereby, you may easily tell the two synthetic products apart. If you recognize a strong plastic smell, the item is, for sure, PU leather as the only kind that smells like plastic or chemicals, not natural, is PU leather.
PU leather can last up to 3 to 5 years with the correct care, but actually, it can last for many more years. High-quality PU leather will last longer than poor-quality leather.
Are you interested in learning more about PU Artificial Leather? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!