All You Need To Know About Vegan Leather

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Vegan leather and faux leather are the same thing – essentially a fake 'leather' material that does not use animal skin.

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There is a range of materials that can be used to make vegan leather
including synthetics like plastic and natural materials such as cork. 

The most commonly used materials for synthetic leathers are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), which are plastic based materials. Another term for fake leather is “pleather” which comes from the term plastic leather.

These two commonly used synthetic materials in particular have raised questions about the safety and dangers of vegan leather to the environment. Very few vegan leathers are made from natural materials although it is possible to find more eco friendly products made from materials like cork (check out our new cork collection or learn more about cork here), kelp and even pineapple leaves.

How is Vegan Leather Made?

Synthetic leather is produced with different chemicals and a totally different industrial process to real leather. Bonding together a plastic coating to a fabric backing is the most common way to make faux leather; the types of plastic used in these coatings vary and this is what defines whether or not it is eco friendly.

Although PVC is in much less use than it was in the ’s and 70’s, it can still be found in the composition of some vegan leather. PVC releases dioxins, which are potentially dangerous in confined spaces and especially dangerous if burnt. It also uses plasticisers such as phthalates to make it flexible. Depending on the type of phthalate used, they’re extremely toxic. It has been described by Greenpeace as the “single most environmentally damaging type of plastic”.

The more modern and slightly less damaging plastic is PU, which is constantly being technically developed to reduce its flaws such as the hazardous toxins it releases during manufacturing and the oil based polymers it’s made with which make use of fossil fuels.

What Does Vegan Leather Smell Like?

Vegan/Faux leather that is made with PVC or PU often has a very strange smell from the chemicals. It’s often described as a 'fishy' smell and can often be very hard to get rid especially while trying not to ruin the material. PVC can also outgas dangerous toxins that give off this nasty smell.

What Does Vegan Leather Look Like?

Vegan leather comes in several different forms and qualities, so some are more 'leather-like' than others. Generally speaking, and focusing on good quality vegan leather, there isn’t that much difference to real leather. However, as vegan leather is synthetic, it doesn’t form a patina like real leather does when ageing and it is much less breathable as the pores that are printed onto the surface of pleather are artificial.

Vegan Versus Real Leather: 

The main concern for most people when deciding between vegan and real leather is the impact it has on animals and the environment. However, whilst the term vegan leather might imply an environmentally friendly product, this is not always the case.

Is Vegan Leather Good For The Environment?

 
Faux leather is known as vegan leather because the material used is never from animal skins but although this is a huge benefit for animal activists, the manufacture of synthetic leather is not beneficial to the environment or humans due to the toxins in the plastics used to make them. The manufacture and disposal of PVC-based synthetics let out hazardous dioxins, which can cause developmental and reproductive issues and even cause cancer. The synthetics used in vegan leathers also don’t fully biodegrade, although they can be broken down to a degree, they can also release toxic particles and phthalates, which can affect the health of animals and the environment.

Is Vegan Leather Better Than Real Leather?

Quality and durability are also important things to consider when comparing vegan and real leather. Vegan leather is often a lot thinner than real leather and much more light weight which is great for fashion as it makes it potentially easier to work with, however it also makes it less durable than real leather. A real, good quality leather can last decades when cared for, whereas you might only get a year or so out of a pair of shoes made from good quality faux leather. This is an important factor when deciding between fake leather and real leather as the environmental impact of replacing a fake leather product multiple times is arguably more damaging than the purchase of one real leather item.

Synthetic leathers also wear out very unattractively whereas real leather ages over time and forms a patina, which is considered to add character to leather.

Faux leather, especially PVC based, isn’t breathable either where as real leather has pores through which skin is able to breathe. So for clothing items such as jackets, vegan leather can be uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time.

In addition to environmental factors, faux leather is typically a lot cheaper than real leather products. This is because it’s cheaper to produce synthetic plastic leather than it is to produce real leather. The craftsmanship of leather products is a highly skilled job and bespoke leather products such as sofas, jackets and luggage can be thousands of dollars. Manufacturers are able to command these prices because they are considered both high quality and highly durable.

Maintaining Vegan Leather

As vegan leather is made with a plastic coating, it is already waterproof. This makes it easier to clean by using a mild detergent or just by wiping it with a damp cloth, however it also means that conditioning products can’t penetrate it to stop it from drying up and cracking, which can happen if the fake leather is in the sun a lot and also if it’s a particularly poor quality material. However, you can get certain products, which will cover the surface of the plastic to prevent high temperatures and sun rays from cracking the surface. Such products can also help to soften the material.

How To Repair Vegan Leather

You can replace or patch up the damaged area with a faux leather repair kit that can be bought online - they’re easy to use and suited to different types of faux leather.

Is Vegan Leather Good Quality?

Vegan leather can come in different standards of quality and as with real leather, the higher the quality, the longer it will last. Faux leather is generally a lot cheaper and of a lower quality to real leather, even at a high standard. Vegan leather is ultimately much less durable than real leather and tends to be thinner so it’s not uncommon for it to tear or scuff badly over time.

How To Unwrinkle Vegan Leather

It is important that you do not try to iron wrinkled vegan leather by putting the iron directly onto the material. The method you should use to remove wrinkles depends on the quality of the material – because synthetic 'pleathers' have plastic in them, they do not mix well with heat and it can often ruin the product completely. High quality faux leathers can be steamed to remove wrinkles if protected with a sheet, towel or lining as they are much more forgiving against heat however there still should be a lot of care taken when doing this. It is important that you don’t heat your fake leather for more than 30 seconds.

How to Shrink Vegan Leather

Method:1. Wash the item in your washing machine on warm to clean off the article and prevent any contamination from 'baking' into the plastic material of the pleather.

2. Put the polyurethane item into an old pillowcase and tie off the top with a shoelace or piece of string to prevent it from falling out. Materials like this may get hot enough to stick to the dryer’s drum, damaging the jacket and making a mess, so avoid this happening at all costs.

3. Set the dryer on high. Let the cycle go for about an hour. Allow the jacket to cool off and then test fit it. Repeat the cycle as needed, using progressively shorter drying times until satisfied.

Can You Stretch Vegan Leather

Faux leather does stretch, but not as much as real leather. You need to be careful when trying to stretch fake leather because it increases the risk of it cracking, so it’s best to avoid it all together.

Can You Distress Vegan Leather?

Trying to distress faux leather will more often than not result in damaging the item. Most people tend to create a distressed affect on faux leather using thin layers of acrylic/fabric paints – thick layers can result in the vegan leather cracking and peeling the top layer entirely. Be sure to use paints/dyes suitable for the material, as solvents often eat away at pleather.

Remember to test the paint on a small inconspicuous area of the product first before applying all over.

How to Dye Vegan Leather

Faux leather is not as permeable as real leather, which means the material cannot easily absorb coloured dye. Therefore, even after dyeing your faux leather product you should be aware that the process will most likely need to be repeated throughout the products life span as the colour wears off over time.

Method: 1. Prepare the pleather surface by wiping it down with a clean cloth to remove any dust or dirt particles. For a thorough clean, it’s recommended to wipe the product down with pure alcohol.

2. Once clean and dry your vegan leather product is ready to be dyed with upholstery paint. Please see the instructions on the paint product for the recommended drying time.

Remember to test the paint on a small inconspicuous area of the product first before applying all over.

How to Soften Vegan Leather

Understanding faux leather takes more than a glance. In the decision between genuine leather vs. fake leather, you will find surprising benefits and environmentally impactful truths about the genuine option. The next time you buy a belt, wallet, jacket, or furniture, take the following points into consideration first.

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What Is Fake Leather?

Multiple types of fake leather exist. However, they're all made from manmade and potentially carcinogenic chemicals like polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In other words, the fabric that you might believe is more eco-friendly is actually made from petroleum or plastic.

These non-renewable sources require complex treatments to make them feel and look anything like leather, and they will never break down or biodegrade completely when their usable life is over. The simplest way to answer the question, 'What is imitation leather?' is with a simple answer: toxic chemicals that make a substandard product that cannot be recycled and are bad for people and the earth itself.

What Is Genuine Leather?

This completely natural material comes from animal hides or skins, primarily cows, which are already a huge part of the world's product production in dairy and meat farming. The hides are tanned so they are supple, water-resistant, safe, and comfortable for the wearer. Real leather is a renewable resource that can be recycled in a much more efficient manner than any attempts to reuses PU or PVC options. In fact, some genuine leather items are made from recycled materials to begin with.

What's the Difference Between Leather and Faux Leather?

You already know some of the important points in the artificial leather vs. real leather debate. Now, take a closer look at the specific things that affect your decisions when it comes to buying a new coat, pair of gloves, or other fashion accessory or home décor item.

Durability and Longevity

There's simply no contest when it comes to real leather vs. fake here. A genuine leather jacket will easily last 20 years or more, becoming softer and acquiring a luxurious patina that only adds style. A faux leather jacket will look worn or break down within five years, making it a definite "fast fashion" problem. Instead of looking better, it will crack and fade.

Comfort and Style

While two different details to consider, comfort and style always go hand in hand for fashion. Genuine leather feels better with a rich, natural texture that only gets more supple and unique over time. It's also breathable, which means that air and moisture passes through the natural fibers to help you regulate temperature. Of course, you should treat your leather outerwear and accessories to avoid outright damage.

PVC or other fake leather stands up to the rain, but that's where its comfort benefits end. It will never get softer or mold more comfortably to your body. Instead, it will remain rigid and even crease permanently in some spots. When it comes to style, no one looks good in a stiff, misshapen jacket or a belt that was broken groove marks etched into it.

Impact on the Environment

Responsibly sourced real leather outpaces its chemical counterpart in a big way when it comes to eco-friendly products. It's a byproduct of the meat industry and utilizes hides that would otherwise go to waste. You cannot source polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride in a sustainable manner, and the fact that they exist at all is harmful to the earth.

The short lifespan mentioned above also scores points for the natural product in the real vs. fake leather debate. A jacket that lasts 20 years is obviously more environmentally sound than one you will have to throw out in less than five. You cannot recycle that one either, so into the landfill it goes. It will last virtually forever in some form, introducing harmful chemicals and microplastics to the world.

Health Considerations of Faux Leather vs. Real

Did you know wearing a clothing item made of fake leather could actually affect your health? The chemicals used in production may release harmful compounds such as dioxins and phthalates. While certain ones are not an issue during regular product use, things like excess heat can trigger them. Scientific research has shown that others can affect hormonal health from prolonged skin contact. People with allergies or sensitive skin may have issues with faux leather vs. real leather, too.

Conclusion in the Real vs. Faux Leather Question

In the end, any decisions between real vs. fake leather do not cause much of a debate. The more sustainable, eco-friendly, healthy, comfortable, and durable option stands out. Yes, it is true that the fake materials cost less in the beginning, and are made without any animal products, the synthetic origins, environmental impact of both the creation process and after-use breakdown, and its much shorter lifespan makes it a poor choice for those who care about the world.

Real leather outpaces the competition in all ways. This renewable resource looks, feels, and simply is better for those who value sustainability, comfort, and quality. It's no surprise that the natural material – pure, genuine leather – wins out every time.

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