In contrast to conventional leather, Alcantara is a synthetic synthetic leather made of polyester and polyurethane. Alcantara is often used in the automotive industry, but also for furniture and fashion, as it has a soft, velvety surface and is available in different colors and textures.
Unlike real leather, Alcantara is usually a little easier to care for, as it can often be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. When it comes to genuine leather, you should use our natural leather care products , as they keep the leather supple, care for it from the inside and protect it from cracking. With proper care, real leather is also very durable and good for many years. Alcantara, on the other hand, can also be durable, but is more susceptible to wear and stains.
From an environmental point of view, Alcantara is more environmentally friendly despite the synthetic materials, as fewer and often even recycled resources are used for its production. Genuine leather therefore has a higher overall ecological footprint due to animal husbandry and tanning processes.
Alcantara is usually cheaper to buy than high-quality genuine leather. Not least for this reason, it is becoming an attractive option for many consumers.
Alcantara leather offers some advantages in terms of durability and care. These are listed below.
Durability
Alcantara is a synthetic material known for its high resistance.
It is abrasion-resistant and retains its shape and color even with intensive use. Therefore, it is ideal for applications in cars, furniture and fashion.
Water and dirt repellent
Due to its special coating, Alcantara is water and dirt repellent. This makes it less susceptible to stains and also easier to clean. Which brings us directly to the next point – easy care.
Easy maintenance
The care of Alcantara is quite uncomplicated. As a rule, it is sufficient to simply wipe off dust and dirt from the material with a damp cloth. In the case of heavier soiling, special cleaning agents can be used. For example, our Out and about! Cleaner.
Color fastness
Alcantara is colorfast and does not fade as quickly as some natural leathers. Therefore, its colors remain vibrant even over a longer period of time.
Environmental friendliness
Because Alcantara is made from recyclable materials and without harmful chemicals, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to real leather.
Versatility
Because Alcantara can be produced in different textures and colors, it becomes a flexible choice for different design applications.
All in all, Alcantara leather offers a combination of durability, easy care and aesthetic
Possibilities that make it a popular choice in many different areas.
Unlike other materials, cleaning and caring for Alcantara leather is relatively easy and requires only a few steps.
Regular cleaning is important. Loose dust and dirt that collects on the surface can be easily removed with a soft, dry cotton cloth or brush.
In the event of stains, action should always be taken quickly. To do this, carefully dab the stain with a slightly damp, but not wet cloth. Strong rubbing should be avoided, as this can damage the material.
Special cleaning agents, such as tapirs, help with stubborn stains Out and about! Cleaner. This cleans all materials gently but effectively and removes even the heaviest dirt. Avoid harsh cleaning agents or chemicals, as they can damage the material. Instead, rely on our natural cleaning and care products from Tapir.
After cleaning, the material should be given sufficient time to air dry . Please avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as with real leather, at all costs! This can dry out and discolor the material.
These simple tips will help to extend the life and look beautiful of Alcantara leather for a long time.
To ensure that no unsightly stains and discoloration disfigure the Alcantara leather, you will find some tips below.
To prevent dirt particles from settling on the material in the first place, regular cleaning is necessary. To do this, simply remove dust and dirt from the Alcantara leather with a clean, dry cloth or a soft brush.
If something has dripped on the Alcantara, you should act quickly! Dab the stain immediately with a clean, dry cloth and do not rub under any circumstances. Rubbing only causes the stain to penetrate deeper into the material.
As is well known, prevention is always better than cure. For this reason, it makes sense to apply the Alcantara leather with a special protective spray, for example Tapirs Out and about! Waterproofing . This helps protect the material from unwanted stains and dirt.
Furthermore, Alcantara should never be exposed to direct sunlight, as UV radiation can lead to discoloration. So make sure that furniture or car seats are not in the blazing sun.
In general, please avoid aggressive chemicals for cleaning. These can damage the material and thus cause unwanted discoloration and stains in the first place.
With these simple tricks and tips and a few suitable cleaning agents, your Alcantara leather will remain stain-free and visually appealing for a long time!
Although Alcantara is a synthetic material made of polyester and polyurethane, it can be produced using environmentally friendly production methods. Certain things have to be taken into account for this.
To reduce the use of new raw materials and thus reduce environmental impact, Alcantara can be made from recycled materials.
If the leather is produced in energy-efficient facilities, energy consumption can also be minimized and CO2 emissions reduced. Water consumption also plays a role. If attention is paid to low water consumption, the ecological footprint is reduced at the same time.
When choosing Alcantara, you can also choose those from companies that have obtained environmental certifications.
With the right processes and appropriate resource management, Alcantara leather can also be produced in an environmentally friendly way.