How to Clean Suede: The Complete Guide to Suede Care at Home
Keep delicate leather looking soft and stain-free with simple maintenance steps.
How to Clean Suede: The Complete Guide to Caring for Suede at Home
Suede’s soft, napped texture makes it a timeless favorite for jackets, shoes, handbags, and home accents. Yet few materials seem more daunting to care for. Stain it with rain or splash it with wine and it feels ruined forever. Luckily, with the right know-how, cleaning suede is not only possible—it’s often surprisingly easy. This comprehensive guide reveals trusted, safe methods for cleaning and maintaining suede items, so you can enjoy their luxurious style for years to come.
What Is Suede?
Before diving into cleaning tips, it’s important to understand what suede actually is. Suede is a type of leather made from the underside of animal skin—commonly lamb, cow, goat, or deer. This lower layer of the hide is buffed to produce a soft, velvety finish with a dense nap, resulting in suede’s signature texture.
- The word “suede” derives from the French phrase “gants de Sude” (meaning “gloves from Sweden”), as this soft leather was once favored for making finely tailored gloves.
- Suede’s beauty and warmth come at a cost: the material is porous and highly absorbent, which makes it susceptible to stains, dirt, and liquid damage.
Why Is Suede So Difficult to Clean?
Unlike glossy, full-grain leather, suede’s open pores and soft fibers are easily affected by moisture and abrasive cleaning. Once wet, suede can lose its texture and develop unsightly stains. Cleaning suede aggressively can flatten the nap or create shiny, rough patches—hence the need for gentle, specialized care.
Essential Suede Care Tools
Gathering the proper supplies simplifies suede cleaning and ensures gentle treatment. The three core tools every suede owner should have:
- Suede Brush: Designed with soft bristles or rubber nubs to revive suede’s nap and loosen surface dirt.
- Suede Eraser: A firm block (usually white, sometimes marked as ‘nubuck eraser’) that removes small, dry marks.
- Protective Spray: A water-and-stain repellent, like Scotchgard, helps fortify new suede items against future mishaps.
Optional but helpful:
- Terrycloth towel
- Microfiber cloth
- Sandpaper or emory board (for stubborn stains)
- White vinegar or rubbing alcohol (for spot treatment and deep stains)
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Suede at Home
1. Protect New Suede Items Immediately
When you purchase any new suede jacket, shoes, purse, or skirt, protect it before the first use:
- Spray the item evenly with a special suede protector formulated to repel water and stains.
- Let it dry completely (check manufacturer’s instructions for drying time).
- Repeat the application a few times each year, especially before wet weather.
2. Dry Brush Away Loose Dirt
Regular maintenance prevents deep-set grime. Use a dry suede brush (or, in a pinch, a soft, clean toothbrush):
- Gently brush in one direction, then back and forth, to lift dust and dirt from the fibers.
- Work over the entire item for even texture and color.
3. Erase Small, Dry Stains
Tackle minor marks or scuffs using a white rubber eraser (never pink or colored ones, which can leave residue):
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- Rub the eraser lightly over the spot until it disappears.
- Follow up with your suede brush to restore the nap.
4. Remove Water Stains from Suede
Water marks are the most common suede woe. If your item gets wet:
- Let the item dry fully at room temperature—no heat sources or sunlight, which may shrink or damage the leather.
- Once dry, briskly rub the area with a suede brush or terrycloth towel.
- If the mark remains, try an eraser, sandpaper, or an emery board on the edges of the stain (use with caution).
5. Treat Stubborn Stains with Vinegar or Alcohol
For deeply ingrained stains or bright marks (like salt, wine, or unknown substances):
- White vinegar and rubbing alcohol can be used without leaving water spots.
- Pour a small amount onto a clean white cloth, not directly onto the suede.
- Gently rub the stained area, then allow to air dry.
- Brush the nap with a suede brush once completely dry.
Vinegar can also help remove salt lines from boots after a snowy day, and is typically safe on most colors of suede.
Stain Removal Solutions for Specific Suede Items
| Item | Common Challenge | Recommended Method |
|---|---|---|
| Suede Shoes & Boots | Water stains, salt, scuffs | Brush, white vinegar, shoe tree for drying |
| Suede Jackets | Rain, food spills, ink | Protective spray, spot cleaning with vinegar or eraser |
| Suede Handbags | Makeup, oil, dye transfer | Immediate blotting, cornstarch for oil, gentle rubbing with vinegar |
| Home Suede Accents | General grime, pet stains | Frequent brushing, spot treat, focus on quick response |
What Should You Never Do When Cleaning Suede?
- Avoid soaking suede or immersing it in water; this can cause irreversible texture change and shrinkage.
- Don’t use commercial shoe polish or wax—these are intended for smooth leather and will ruin suede.
- Never clean suede with colored erasers, harsh soaps, or all-purpose cleaners.
- Don’t dry wet suede with a hair dryer, heater, or in direct sunlight.
How to Keep Suede Looking Its Best
- Limit exposure to rain and muddy environments whenever possible.
- Store suede shoes on a shoe tree to maintain shape and prevent creasing.
- Let mud dry completely before attempting to clean—trying to clean wet mud spreads it deeper.
- Rotate wear: Avoid wearing the same suede shoes or jacket several days in a row, giving them time to air out and recover.
- Reapply protector spray periodically and always after deep cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Suede Care
Q: Can I use water to clean suede?
A: No. Water typically stains suede further and flattens its nap. Stick to dry cleaning with a brush, eraser, or spot treat stubborn stains with vinegar or alcohol.
Q: What if my suede is already ruined or misshapen?
A: Once suede has been soaked, shrunken, or hardened, it is difficult to fully restore at home. Professional cleaner services may help. For minor misshapen areas (like shoe toes), let the suede dry thoroughly with shoe trees inserted, then gently work the nap with a brush.
Q: Can I use white vinegar on all suede colors?
A: Vinegar is generally safe for most suede, but test it on an inconspicuous spot first, especially with delicate or brightly colored items.
Q: Do I need dedicated suede cleaning products?
A: Specialized suede brushes and erasers deliver the best results and are recommended for regular care. However, in a pinch, you can use a soft toothbrush or clean white eraser for small marks.
Q: How do I store suede items when not in use?
A: Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Use dust bags for bags and jackets, and shoe trees for footwear. Never wrap suede in plastic, as it needs air circulation.
Pro Tips for Extending the Life of Suede
- Blot, don’t rub, fresh stains: Use a clean, white cloth to absorb as much moisture as possible before stains set.
- Work slowly and gently: Suede is delicate and requires patience. Rushing or harsh rubbing can make stains worse.
- Refresh nap with steam: For suede that looks flat, hold the item above (not in) steaming water briefly and brush to lift the fibers.
When to Call a Professional
If your suede item is valuable, vintage, or the stain will not budge after trying the above methods, consult a specialist leather or suede cleaner. DIY methods are best for routine spots and minor marks, but professional cleaning may be the only option for:
- Large, set-in stains (wine, ink, grease)
- Extensive water or mold damage
- Structured or lined garments that can’t be easily brushed or spot cleaned
Conclusion: Suede Care Can Be Simple
Despite its delicate reputation, suede can last beautifully for years with proactive care and the right cleaning techniques. Protect your pieces early, treat stains quickly, and handle with care. Your favorite suede shoes, jackets, and bags will reward you with soft texture and timeless appeal for seasons to come.
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