How to Clean Suede
Suede is a type of cloth with a napped finish, meaning it has a raised fuzzy surface, like velvet. Made from the underside of animal skin such as lamb, goat, calf, pig and deer, suede is softer than standard leather. It is used for upholstery, bags and shoes although the material’s softness also makes it a staple in clothes and as lining for leather products.
Suede can be problematic to clean, and although there are ways to make suede items stain and water resistant, this material can get dirty pretty easily. Here are some things you can do to remedy this problem:
Cleaning Suede
Again, suede can be dirtied and stained even from water, so it’s best that you use your suede shoes and clothing in dry weather to prevent ruining it. If it cannot be helped, what you should do is to immediately dry the suede using bath towels. You can also use paper towels. Remember to put a bit of weight on it, to really get the moisture out.
Before doing any of the cleaning suggestions, you should first rub a bathroom towel on your suede, or you can use a dry soft-bristled toothbrush to bring the nap up. A clean, old toothbrush also works great for this purpose.
Another way to clean suede is to use a damp towel with a bit of white vinegar. Rub it onto the suede until the stain is completely removed. If you’re worried about the vinegar smell, don’t worry: it will evaporate relatively quickly.
Remove small, dry stains with a clean pencil eraser. If you do not feel sure about using a pencil eraser, there are commercially available suede erasers made specifically for suede stains.
You can also try using a suede brush to clean the material, or again, use a toothbrush with soft bristles or a clean old toothbrush to remove the dirt.
Lumps of dirt and dry scuff marks can be removed using a nail file and gently filing it off.
Cleaning suede by yourself does not come without risks. Improper cleaning and handling may worsen the stains, and even permanently damage or make the damage worse. Having your suede professionally cleaned is always a good option.
Keeping Suede Clean
Maintenance of your suede items plays a big part in keeping your suede clean. Keep your suede items in pillow covers, not plastic. Always keep them in dry, dark places, as suede has a tendency to lose its color fairly easily.