Genuine leather is made from animal skins, while artificial leather is made from synthetic materials such as PVC or polyurethane.
Compared to leather, artificial leather is less prone to stains and easier to clean. It is durable and suitable for a wide range of applications.
What is the structure of artificial leather?
The backing layer is usually made of a textile material such as polyester or cotton. This layer serves as a base and stabilizer for the other layers and gives the artificial leather a certain stability.
The coating, made of materials such as polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylic, is applied to the carrier layer and forms the surface of the artificial leather – thus giving it its texture and color. The surface is protected by special varnishes, thus a certain abrasion resistance and stain protection is achieved and the artificial leather remains supple.
There is also a possibility of additional lamination with foam to give the leatherette extra padding and is usually added to welded / stitched artificial leather.
If the artificial leather is to have special properties such as moisture resistance (against urine, salt water, etc.) or flame retardancy, additional layers such as a moisture barrier or a flame retardant finish can be integrated into the structure. “Sanitized” finish causes bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms do not adhere to the surface.
The quality and durability of the artificial leather always depends on the quality of the materials used (high quality pigments, varnish and coating) to ensure long durability and aesthetics.
The care of artificial leather
Care of artificial leather is relatively simple and does not require special cleaning products. For daily cleaning, use a mild soapy water solution and a soft cloth or hand brush.
- Carefully clean soiled areas with a soft brush and ph-neutral soap and then rinse with clear water. Difficult stains such as those from pens, wine, coffee, ketchup, mustard, grease, etc. must be removed as soon as they occur as previously described to prevent permanent absorption into the surface.
- For regular cleaning and stain removal, commercially available artificial leather cleaners can also be used. The manufacturer’s instructions must always be observed.
- When cleaning, you should always perform a spot check on a non-visible area first.
Upon request, we will also be happy to advise you on questions regarding the disinfectant resistance of artificial leather from the Giofex range.
availability
Artificial leathers from Giofex Germany from the “Ensemble”, “Trend” or “Salus” lines as well as individual artificial leathers for special purposes such as motorcycle saddles etc. are basically available from Giofex in a large selection of colors and embossings from stock and in small quantities.
Various types of quilting / stitching are possible from a reasonable minimum order quantity directly from production so that the desired articles are available within a reasonable time!
For special applications (e.g. aircraft/railway sector – where specific tests and certificates are required), we also work with other designated partners.
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