Suede is a rich looking fabric which makes the most appealing of shoes, jackets and even furniture. Suede is a velvety leather with is soft and smooth and also needs care to keep its shimmer. It is an evergreen material which never goes out of fashion, rather it shows an elegant statement for the one wearing it. And it is one luxury material which is expensive as well as it has high maintenance cost too. And for people who wonder how to clean suede for that perfect prim finish all the time, we have this guide which is cost effective as well as efficient.
Cleaning suede is one heck of a task, but the grace and elegance it brings make it worth the effort. There are some clean suede fabric do’s and dont’s which we must follow at all times without fail. Also cleaning suede leather by professional or at home, care and precautions must be taken in any case
What is Suede:
Suede is a kind of leather with napped finishing. It has a velvety texture and is used in making apparels, footwear, furniture, purses and other accessories. Suede is made from under side of animal skin which is more soft and pliable. Goat, sheep, lamb and deer skin can be used for extracting suede. Suede is softer so is less durable than the outer animal skin layer or leather. Its textured nature makes it prone to germs and dirt. Suede garments are always in fashion and never really go wrong be it any season, any occasion or even any age.
How to keep suede safely:
Keeping suede safely is easy and simple but needs a thorough check for first timers. Be it washing the suede shoes or caring for suede, it is important to be extremely careful. As suede being extremely soft and vulnerable can get damaged. Some tips are:
- Store suede in a cool and dry place always
- Never wear suede in snow or rain or extreme weathers like heat or wind. It may damage the suede quickly and also deform it too
- Washing suede shoes is never recommended as it damages and deforms suede.
- Use a suede shoe brush for cleaning regularly after use
- Caring for suede begins with keeping them safe and in shape when storing also not wearing them in harsh climatic conditions
- Always clean suede using natural cleaning products as these are least harsh and maintain life of the suede too
- Suede erasers must be used for lighter stains, there are simply any pencil eraser but use them gently
- Suede items must never be kept air tight, let them breath and this will improve their life too.
How do you remove stains from suede at home:
Suede needs a lot of maintenance and why not, the rich and royal addition it gives to our style is way pompous than anything else ever. Suede is the much needed fabric for any season of your wardrobe, and it adds to grace and elegance. But suede cleaning is a tedious task. Some ways on how do you remove suede stains at home include:
1- Using a suede brush:
A specialist suede brush can be picked and everytime you wear just use the brush to clean it well.Debris and dirt can be kept away by regular usage of suede cleaning brush. These brushes also remove scuff marks too. If the suede has got wet or damp, allow it to dry first and then use brush to gently clean it. Do not brush too hard as suede is a very soft material and can get damaged
2- Use tooth brush instead:
A tooth brush with super soft bristles can be used instead. These are gentle on suede and can reach even the thinnest areas due to their narrow shapes. Using a tooth brush can also help in keeping the suede clean and shiny all the time
3- Use suede proctor spray:
There are professional suede protector sprays available in stores and online too. These protect the suede from damp damage and also dirt. These also provide spunk and shine to the accessory. Just a mild spray and you are set to go. One spray can last as long as a year.
4- Vinegar to clean suede:
Vinegar can be used to clean the dirt marks and stains off suede. Use vinegar mixed with water as concentrated vinegar can cause color fading. Just dip a cotton or cloth piece in the solution and rub gently on the dirt spot. Then wipe with a clean cloth and allow it to dry
5- Water to clean suede:
You can use either plain water or salt mixed in water to clean suede. Some mild stains can be removed by using water. Just damp a cloth and rub at the areas where dirt and stains are seen. The let it dry, or use a soft toothbrush to spread the water and clean stains
6- Eraser also helps in cleaning suede:
Eraser can be used to clean suede too, just rub the areas where dirt has stained on suede, but be gentle as suede may get damaged otherwise
7- Using nail filer to clean suede:
Lumpy mud stains can be removed by gentle filing from nail filer. Just a few round and you can get a clean enough suede. Do not put more pressure as it may damage your suede product.
8- Dry baking soda mixed with dry washing detergent:
Just dip a cloth in a drop or two of water and put on the soda plus detergent mixture. Now rub this gently on the stains on your suede. This can be abrasive to your suede so be careful and gentle.
9- Professional cleaning for harsh stains on suede:
There are professional cleaning services available for suede. These may be expensive but for an item worth the price and with too many damaging stains go ahead with professional cleaning. It not only brings shine and neatness but also increases the life of suede product too.
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Tips for cleaning suede at home:
When cleaning suede at home with any of the above methods, be sure to follow some tips:
- Put a crumpled paper roll inside and then clean the suede as otherwise the suede may change shape due to pressure for cleaning
- Never soak suede in water or baking soda or vinegar, just a gentle rubbing is enough. Soaking can damage the entire product completely and also fade it too.
- If the suede gets wet, use a dry cloth or let it air dry. Never try to rub wet suede with pressure as it may cause more damage than cleaning.
- Never use artificial stain removers or carpet cleaners. Chemicals in these liquids can cause immense damage to sensitive suede
- Never use steel scrub from kitchen or tool box to clean the suede as it may break or tear the suede rather than cleaning
Maintenance and precautions when using suede:
Suede being a high maintenance textile, it is important to keep it neat and shiny for wearing on and on without looking shabby. Some tips to follow here include:
- Use suede protector at least once a year to keep the shine and radiance intact and making it neat and free of dirt stains
- Store suede in a cool place and never let it fall or hang. Put pool noodles in suede boots or crumpled papers in bags and jackets to keep their shine and strength
- Dry the suede before storing it inside closet, everytime you wear or use them. As damp suede gets dirty and damages easily
- Keep suede off direct sunlight as it damages the material
- Never seal the suede in any box or ziplok, they must have ample air to breathe as this will keep the life and shine of suede.
The above compilation on How to clean suede is to help you keep the suede product richer and neater for long, as it is a very soft and delicate textile. It is used in garments, accessories, shoes and furniture too. Keep it soft and gentle when cleaning else it reduces life of suede
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Minu Manisha
