Do you know?

Faux & Real Leather
The fundamental difference between real leather and faux (simulated) leather is their origin. Real leather is made from animal hides, including cattle, buffalo, oxen, sheep, goat, pig, snake and more. Faux leather is a synthetic material created from a plastic substance that’s then treated with wax, dye or polyurethane to add color and imprinted to mimic the texture of real leather. There are many factors to consider when deciding between real and faux leather: durability, cost, look, application and ethics all come into play.

Types of Real Leather
There are different types of leather grades based on how the leather is processed and treated. Hide is made up of two main layers. The top layer is called the grain where collagen fibers are tightly packed, very sturdy and thicker than the corium, the inner layer of the hide. The top part of the grain is what’s exposed to the environment and can accrue stretch marks, scars and insect bites during the animal’s lifetime. Typically, the top part of the grain is buffed to remove as many blemishes as possible to make the leather look more uniform and attractive — this is called top grain leather. Leather that has not been corrected and the entire grain is intact is called full grain. Even though it has blemishes, it is more in demand due to its inherent longevity and beauty as it patinas with age, making it more expensive than top grain.

Durability & Longevity
Real leather provides exceptional durability and actually improves with age — it softens the more it’s used and develops a relaxed, “lived-in” appeal. In fact, some people desire the aged look, and well-cared-for leather can actually become more valuable and sought-after as it ages, much like a good bottle of wine increases in value over the years. Full grain leather is both puncture and tear resistant, as well as breathable. When cared for, and depending on its application and use, leather can last for generations.

Care & Cleaning
Because it is animal hide and not synthetic material, real leather has to be well maintained to prolong its life. It shouldn’t get wet, and spills should be wiped up immediately to avoid permanently staining or damaging the leather. Real leather should be kept out of direct sunlight, as heavy UV exposure will dry out the natural oils and cause discoloration and premature aging. Remember, leather was once an animal’s skin. Just as we use sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun, so, too, does leather need to be regularly moisturized and conditioned to protect it and keep it looking great for years to come. This doesn’t mean you can’t carry your leather bag or wear your leather jacket on a sunny day, it just means you must be aware of how much exposure to the sun the leather is experiencing and you should clean your leather items with a leather cleaner. Never store your leather pieces in direct sunlight or leave them in your car.

Applications
Over 50% of all real leather production is used for shoes, 25% is for clothing, and only around 15% of leather is used for upholstery.

The account about Faux & Real Leather is property of S A I L R I T E ™