FAQs - Silicone Leather

Does Silicone Leather meet any business standards?

Our Silicone Leather is ISO 9001 compliant. Everything is manufactured, created, and tested by our manufacturer to ensure the highest quality control and accountability of the production process. They also verify additional testing through certified third party testing facilities.

 

How is Silicone Leather different from PVC and PU?

Silicone Leather is a unique fabric and its properties are different compared to traditional polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics. Our Silicone Leather does not use plasticizers, which are often found in PVC products. Silicone has many advantages over PU and PVC as it does not break down under UV light, deteriorate in cold temperatures, has no odors, and maintains consistency and shape over time.

 

How can I tell if I have 100% silicone fabric?

Silicone fabrics are emerging in the market, especially as the marketplace is looking for new alternatives to vinyl and polyurethane based fabrics. However, no two silicone fabrics are the same. There are several ways that you can see if your fabric is actually 100% silicone with no finish (like ours) or if it is 100% silicone with a finish, or a blend with vinyl or polyurethane.

1. Scratch Test
The easiest way to see if your silicone fabric has a finish on it or not is to scratch it with a key or your fingernail. Simply scratch the silicone surface to see if a white residue comes up or if a scratch mark remains. Sileather™ is scratch resistant and will not leave a white residue. The white residue is generally due from the finish. 
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The most common reason for a finish on a fabric is usually performance-motivated. It will add to the durability (double rub count), the haptic touch, and/or to alter the aesthetic makeup. However, finishes can oftentimes be damaged by high strength cleaners, scratching (such as keys in your pocket, pants buttons, or metal components on purses and bags).
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2. Burn Test
Silicone, when it is of high quality, will burn cleanly and not give off any smells and will have a light white smoke. If you burn your silicone fabric and there is a black or dark colored smoke, then your fabric is either:
  • Not 100% silicone
  • A poor quality silicone
  • Blended with another material - the most common today is silicone with polyurethane. These fabrics use silicone for some of the weatherproof properties, but are generally do not perform as well as the silicone layer is usually very thin.
  • Defective or impure silicone
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3. Smell Test
Our Silicone Leather has ultra low VOCs and will never give off strong odors. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are commonly given off from vinyl and polyurethane fabrics. Examples of common locations are inside of cars (new car smell), RVs and trailers, boat interior furniture, etc. VOCs can be given off from any vinyl or polyurethane fabrics, or may be due to traditional coated fabric production methods that use solvents. These are most noticeable in small, enclosed areas.
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A simple test is to put a piece of your silicone fabric inside of a plastic container for 24 hours. After 24 hours, open the bag and test if there is a strong smell from the inside. If there is, that means that solvents were most likely used in the production process, or it is not a 100% silicone coating without a finish. Our Silicone Leather uses an advanced solvent-free production process, so it is not only almost odorless, but are much healthier and safer than vinyl and polyurethane fabrics.

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Can Silicone Leather be welded or cut?

Due to the nature of silicone, the silicone coated surface (top) can not be RF welded or high frequency heat pressed, but the backings can be glued/welded. We recommend that our fabric be sewn together in the majority of cases. Fabric Funhouse Silicone Leather can be laser cut as desired.

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How is Silicone Leather an environmentally friendly product?

The creation of our Silicone Leather incorporates a solvent-free production process, and contains no PVC or PU elements. No chemicals such as plasticizers, phthalates, heavy metals, BPA, or formaldehyde are used or added. In addition, Silicone Leather is inherently resistant to many outside forces such as flame, UV light, salt water, and mildew, so any chemicals that can hurt our environment are do not need to be added for durability's sake. Our Silicone Leather contains ultra-low VOC emissions, creates no indoor air pollution, and is in compliance with RoHS, REACH, Cal Prop 65, and CAL 01350.

Our Silicone Leather is animal friendly! No animals or animal elements are used in our fabrics, making it a great option for our vegan makers.

 

What chemicals should be kept away from Silicone Leather?

It is recommended that hydrocarbon solvents (gasoline, kerosene, fingernail polish, etc.), hair dye, benzene solvents (mineral spirits, varnish, rubber cement, etc.), and cyclosiloxane oligomers be kept away from your beautiful Silicone Leather.

 

How do I clean my Silicone Leather?

Thanks to the inherent advantages of Silicone Leather, cleaning and maintenance is very easy! There is no need for waxing or cleaning solutions, nor additional sun-blocking agents. For common stains in daily life, water or water with detergent is sufficient to remove it all. Like many fabrics, we recommend that all spills be cleaned up as soon as possible, Here we also recommend some helpful tips for typical stains:

  1. ​Loose dirt, dust, and footprints - Clean with a soft sponge or cloth using water
  2. Stubborn stains
  • Ketchup, Grape Juice, Orange Juice, Red Wine, Coffee, Mustard - Simply clean with a soft sponge or cloth using water
  • Sunscreen, Mascara, Soy Sauce, Ballpoint Pen Ink, Permanent Marker - Mix a little soap and warm water, then clean using a soft sponge or cloth.
  • Lipstick, Iodine, Denim Dye - Clean with a soft sponge or cloth using 95% ethyl alcohol or 90% Isopropyl alcohol

Disinfecting and Chemical Resistance - Sileather™ is inherently resistant to strong and even harsh chemicals including disinfectants that are used in high traffic areas or healthcare facilities (such as Clorox wipes, Lysol, Sani-Cloth, or Cavi-Wipes).

Stain Resistance

  • Ink - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • Permanent Marker - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • Coffee - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • Mustard/Fruit Juice - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • Lipstick - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • Denim - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • Blood/Urine/Betadine - CFFA-141 - Class 5
  • The results of the above tests are based on pure water, detergent, aqueous solution, bleach, isopropyl alcohol and other clean carrier conclusions

How do I sew with my Silicone Leather?

Machine: a domestic sewing machine capable of handling thicker fabrics

Presser Foot: A Walking Foot is HIGHLY recommended 

Needle: 90/14 up to 110/18 Microtex, or Leather needle is highly recommended, but please do test a scrap piece before starting your project!

Stitch Length: start at a minimum of 4.5-6, depending on machine

 

 

 

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