Not so long ago, shoes and furniture made of velvety material reminiscent of suede appeared in stores. Nubuck - that’s the name of this substance - is presented in natural and artificial forms. Buyers are advised to learn more about this material in advance: how to care for it, how to use it, the differences between originals and fakes, and physical properties.
Features of nubuck
Nubuck gets its name from a special method of processing animal leather. Typically, cattle hides are used to make it. To prevent them from losing their appearance, the inner surface is treated with a special compound. Nubuck products come in several types:
- natural;
- artificial;
- oil.
This material is little known to consumers, as it appeared in stores relatively recently. But it is used to make shoes and bags. The material is distinguished by its durability, practicality, and high resistance to moisture. Nubuck, made specifically for sewing sneakers, boots and shoes, has these properties. If leather is necessary for finishing furniture, then it is given wear resistance, strength, and water-repellent characteristics.
Example of a sofa model
Look at various interesting models with upholstery like:
- natural nubuck;
- artificial nubuck;
- impregnated nubuck.
Pay attention to elegant sofas made in Italy, for example, from Arte Veneziana.
A two-seater product with a high back that is “flared” or fan-shaped, turning into handrails. The sofa is in the postmodern style, but is suitable for any modern interior. The base and legs are metal, trimmed with Murano glass crystals, upholstered in beige nubuck - photo.
Natural and artificial material
The high cost of natural nubuck is due to the costs of its production and processing. For its production, the skin of cattle - cows and bulls - is used. By itself it is rough and hard. It is treated with mineral salts and fine sea sand. After this procedure, the material becomes soft and pleasant to the touch. The tanned leather is breathable and has a small pile.
It is often used in the production and finishing of furniture. Italian factories were able to appreciate the tactile and physical properties of natural nubuck, so furniture made from it is very high quality, but expensive.
Advantages and disadvantages of shoes
Women prefer to purchase nubuck shoes because of its positive characteristics. These include pleasant tactile qualities and durability. Nubuck is a beautiful material that looks like suede. Products made from it look very expensive and elegant. The shoes are suitable for special occasions and the office.
But there are also significant drawbacks due to which some buyers refuse this material. These include:
- additional expenses for care;
- loss of attractive appearance;
- difficult cleaning;
- mandatory regular processing.
Shoes need to be cleaned with special brushes. Do not use metal products, do not get your shoes wet. It takes a lot of time to care.
This is especially true for shoes that have been in the rain. It quickly loses its attractive appearance and can become unstuck from moisture. Not everyone is willing to put in the effort to clean dirt and dust.
To maintain strength, you need to periodically treat nubuck with chemicals and antistatic agents. You need to be careful when buying nubuck shoes. Pros and cons play their role, but you need to be able to distinguish natural material from fake.
Compound
The process for creating faux nubuck varies. Depending on the technology, either woven or non-woven material is obtained. Most often, the method of spraying thin polymer layers on top of each other is used. In addition, finished fabrics can be subjected to additional processing - to create increased protection from moisture, for example.
And yet, we are talking about synthetics. The composition of artificial nubuck is almost 100% modern high-tech polymer, providing the material with all the necessary properties.
Today, the production of the described textiles is so developed that the end result is fabrics that are practically indistinguishable from natural ones, but at the same time more affordable and practical to use.
Differences from suede
Nubuck, leather and suede are used by designers to create different types of clothing - trousers, skirts, raincoats, jackets, hats and gloves, as well as for the production of shoes and accessories. But the materials differ in their characteristics.
Natural suede is made exclusively from deerskin. It is processed, tanned, after which it becomes soft. Only the skin of a young animal is used. It has short soft bristles and a delicate texture. Nubuck is made from buffalo, cow or ox leather. For small items - gloves, key rings, bookmarks - the skin of small calves is used.
Suede is tanned using oils and fats. This is how masters achieve softness and elasticity. Nubuck is treated with chrome plating using fine salt and sand. As a result of this procedure, the material becomes soft, but quickly begins to get wet and gets dirty easily. Nubuck has a fairly short pile, while suede has a longer pile.
Suede is more suitable for long-term use. It is more resistant to moisture and dirt. Natural nubuck quickly absorbs water and dust, is less easy to clean and loses its attractiveness in a shorter time.
The “New Year with the Family” campaign starts
The promotion is held annually, this year it will be held from November 23, 2018 to February 1, 2019.
Organizations for orphans and children left without parental care educate children who, for various reasons, cannot be placed in families. And only thanks to this campaign, children can feel the warmth of a real home, at least for a while. The “New Year in the Family Circle” campaign is aimed at ensuring that a child from an orphanage or boarding school, who has everything except family, feels the magic of New Year’s celebrations in the family circle. While in the family, the child develops family life skills and family traditions. The positive experience gained will help the child in the future when he leaves the government organization and finds himself in an independent life. Established family values will prevent the mistakes of their parents from being repeated and will help save the family and their children. Citizens wishing to host a child at home as part of the “New Year in the Family” campaign must collect a package of documents in accordance with the Rules for the temporary transfer of children, which are approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 19, 2009 No. 432.
Detailed information on the issues of transferring children left without parental care can be obtained from the department of social and legal protection of children, guardianship and trusteeship of the education department of the Administration of the Zernograd district by tel. 8(86359) 36-1-28 (leading specialist A. N. Matveeva, office No. 227).
Rules of care
Things made from this material are classified as capricious and expensive goods, so not everyone decides to buy them. According to modern trends, winter and summer shoes are made from it. Recently, sneakers, sports boots and sandals have become fashionable. For everyday use, such products will be impractical, but with proper care you can extend their service life.
The first rule of good handling of nubuck is not to wear shoes made from it outside in rain or wet weather. The material is intended only for dry climates, indoors and warm air. When purchasing products, you will have to spend money on additional goods. For maintenance you will need the following tools:
- brush for cleaning dirt;
- paint for the material to match the shoes;
- nanospray;
- drying liners.
It is necessary to treat the surface of the product, dry it and brush it again. The last layer should be the application of a protective agent. It will create a barrier that prevents the absorption of moisture, reagents and dust. Prevention will protect the material from rapid contamination.
In winter, it is easier to care for shoes, since there is no dust and liquid dirt. But the snow in cities is never clean, so you still have to clean the nubuck. You can wipe the surface of the products with flannel and dry them from moisture. If your shoes are wet through and through, you cannot immediately clean off the dirt from them. It is necessary to stuff the shoes with crumpled paper or newspapers to dry them completely. You can also use canvas bags with rice or sea salt for this. These substances quickly absorb moisture. They also recommend using electric earbuds, but you should not turn them on at full power.
It is more difficult to care for summer shoes made of nubuck. Even a few minutes on a dusty street can destroy all the elegance of shoes or sandals. To remove dirty deposits, you need to use a special suede brush or sponge. After a walk, you can apply cleaning foam, and any stains can be easily dealt with with a regular office eraser. Once they rub the dirt, it will easily come off and the pile will rise. As a result, the product will take on a fresher look.
Shiny spots occur due to the fact that the fibers roll off. Excess shine is removed with cotton pads soaked in ammonia.
The skin is lifted with a special brush or sponge. To completely renew the product, they give it a steam bath. Water is boiled in a large container, as soon as steam appears, a pair of shoes is held over it. Then the material is wiped with a flannel cloth.
Storage
Finally, a few storage tips:
- Before putting your shoes in the closet, you should thoroughly clean and dry them at room temperature, and remove the insoles.
- To prevent microorganisms from multiplying in natural nubuck boots during storage, they should be treated with a disinfectant (Chlorkegsidin, Miramistin).
- Place the boots in a spacious box with holes for ventilation; if there are none, make your own.
- Do not place shoes in plastic bags; they may become damaged or become moldy.
Product reviews
Natural nubuck will never lose its popularity. After all, it looks expensive and elegant, suitable for any style. By constantly following the rules of care and handling the products carefully, you can wear shoes for years without losing their original appearance. Such a wardrobe item will emphasize style and good taste.
I really love suede shoes, but they are so expensive. I recently found a good replacement: nubuck boots. They look almost the same, very beautiful. They are difficult to care for, but the elegant look is worth it.
Agata, 32 years old
I have been working in an office almost since graduating from college. I already hold a decent position, so I should look appropriate. I love quality shoes, I prefer nubuck. It does not get dirty indoors and looks very expensive and solid.
Maxim, 47 years old
I often buy different things made of nubuck: shoes, bags, gloves and hats. I love it for its strength and softness. I especially like to combine items of the same shade in one look. The material is great for spring and autumn.
Daria, 22 years old
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Secondary school (military scientist) Zernograd
The municipal budgetary educational institution secondary school (military science) of the city of Zernograd was founded on September 25, 1996.
The first building stone of the school was laid in October 1992 by a construction company (India) and already on September 25, 1996, the spacious, cozy, bright classrooms of the school were waiting for their first students.
At that time, the school was named, according to resolution No. 595 of the Zernograd district administration: Municipal secondary school No. 16.
