As consumers, we hold the power to save the environment. As car owners, we want to get the best car seat covers to improve our driving experience.
Unfortunately, the leather industry hasn't always had the best record when it comes to environmental impact. From deforestation and water usage to chemical waste and gas emissions, making leather environmentally-friendly is simply a herculean task.
So, how do you get the look, feel, and performance of premium leather together with decreased environmental impact?
Enter eco leather.
Eco is the Way to Go
If you're wondering why eco leather is the best choice for your seat covers, then this post is for you. Find out what makes this material the ultimate mix of durability, comfort, style, and sustainability.
So, let's dive in:
1. Durable and Long-lasting
If you ask any car enthusiast why they like leather, the first answer is usually a toss-up between durability and aesthetics (more on this later). True leather is made from animal hides which are, in themselves, already quite tough. Put that animal hide through a tanning and chemical washing process and you've got even sturdier leather.
Eco Leather, on the other hand, is made from vegan fabrics like cotton coated with a layer of polyurethane (PU), which gives the material a leather-like look and feel. This material is tough but also soft and flexible like true leather but is more resistant to fading even in direct sunlight. Also, thanks to the lamination process, eco leather is not only resistant to moisture but against stains as well.
That said:
Ordinary quality eco leather generally can't compare to the durability of true leather. Seat Cover Solutions' premium quality eco leather not only mimics the look and feel of true leather but also comes with similar toughness.
Our eco leather seat covers offer a high level of durability and resilience to protect your seats from all manner of scrapes, scuffs, stains, and spills as well as everyday wear and tear.
2. Sustainable and Environmentally-friendly
Perhaps the ultimate reason for choosing eco leather over traditional leather is one's concern for the environment.
Traditionally, the leather industry is linked to some serious sustainability issues. Since leather comes from animals, it requires the rearing of livestock which, in turn, leads to deforestation, biodiversity loss, water and land overuse, and greenhouse gas emissions. The leather-making process also produces lots of chemical waste.
On the other hand:
Eco leather is made using vegan materials like polyester or cotton, which are usually recycled, as the fabric base. This fabric base is then coated with a water-based or solvent-free PU to minimize harmful chemicals. Water-based or solvent-free PU is preferred for its lower VOC (volatile organic compound) emission compared to the usual solvent-based coating.
Compared to traditional leather, the whole eco leather-making process uses fewer chemicals, emits less GHG (greenhouse gas), uses less water, and requires less land.
3. Cruelty-free
Apart from being environmentally friendly, eco leather is also cruelty-free compared to true leather.
One often-mentioned fact about leather making is how cruel it can be to animals. Since leather comes from animal skins, it requires raising animals solely to skin them. Animal welfare groups argue that while the meat would've been used regardless if the skin was processed, the fact that animals are raised en masse – often in cruel conditions – is still abusive to those animals.
Additionally:
Since cattle need lots of land, huge swaths of land need to be deforested to accommodate them. This deforestation reduces the natural habitat of native species, causing their population to dwindle.
In contrast:
Eco leather is completely cruelty-free. It doesn't require the rearing and slaughtering of animals nor does it require the clearing of natural habitats.
4. Aesthetic and Customizable
Another reason why eco leather is the best seat cover material is because of its aesthetic potential.
Eco leather gets its leather-like appearance through a combination of printing, embossing, and finishing techniques. This process gives eco leather a similar texture, grain, and overall appearance to genuine leather without the negative connotations.
Also, because eco leather is synthetic, it can come in any color you want. Eco leather can not only mimic the traditional leather look but can also come in vibrant colors or unique textures and patterns. Some manufacturers also offer options such as logo embossing, contrast stitching, or piping which lets you further customize how your seats look.
Additionally, it is manufactured with a precise quality control process. This process results in a consistent uniform appearance that's perfect for achieving a clean polished visual aesthetic.
5. Easy Maintenance and Care
If you do your own car cleaning and maintenance, you'll love eco leather seat covers.
Eco leather is nonporous which typically makes it moisture-resistant. This means that the cup of coffee you accidentally spilled isn't going to seep into your car seats. Just a few easy wipes and your seats will be dry in no time.
Also:
Eco leather's surface is treated with a protective coating. So you can easily wipe off grime and spills with the added peace of mind that your seat covers are going to look as pristine as the day you installed them.
Additionally, eco leather is made to be resilient and tough. This not only protects your seats but also means that your seat covers will look brand new for longer.
In contrast, real leather is not only porous, vulnerable to moisture, and susceptible to fading, but it also requires regular maintenance and specialized leather cleaning products to retain its appearance.
6. Hypoallergenic and Odor Resistant
Eco leather is a great choice if you want to avoid allergies.
Real leather possesses natural proteins and animal dander which can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. It's also porous, making it gradually absorb foul odors over time. This porous surface is also a breeding ground for allergy-causing dust mites so you may not want to pat it down if you want to avoid any allergic flare-ups.
In contrast, eco leather is made according to strict standards using hypoallergenic chemicals. That and the fact that eco leather is nonporous makes it the perfect choice for people with allergies or sensitivities.
7. Affordable and Cost-effective
The final reason why eco leather is the best seat cover material is that you simply get more value compared to real leather.
Eco leather doesn't need as many resources to manufacture compared to real leather. This lower manufacturing cost is reflected in eco leather's more affordable price.
Also:
Since eco leather seat covers are easy to clean and maintain, you won't need to pay for professional cleaning when you need to tidy them up. Eco leather is also made to last, so you're also avoiding the potential costs and hassle of repairing or replacing your original upholstery. And, in case you do need to repair or replace your eco leather seat covers, doing so will cost less than if you had to do the same for your original seats.
All in all, eco leather car seat covers don't only cost less but will also help preserve your vehicle's value for longer.
In Conclusion
Eco leather is the best seat cover material. It's durable, visually appealing, safe, easy to maintain, and affordable on top of also being cruelty-free and environmentally friendly.
We hope that this post has inspired you to switch to eco leather when it comes to car seat covers. If you want a set of premium eco leather car seat covers, feel free to contact us at Seat Cover Solutions today.
