How to Clean Suede

Guide Note

When properly maintained, suede is a soft, supple, attractive leather that can last for many years. However, many people avoid suede due to the expense of professional cleaning. This doesn't have to be the case, since many common stains can be cleaned from suede at home. Read on to learn how to clean suede.

Table of Contents

Suede Cleaning Tips

  1. Wet or muddy suede shoes should be packed with wadded paper to maintain their shape.
  2. Always allow mud to dry completely before attempting to clean it off.
  3. Sweat and body oil stains on collars can be removed using a suede degreaser.
  4. Regular brushing can prevent dust buildup from discoloring suede.
  5. Always be gentle when cleaning suede to prevent damage to the delicate nap.
  6. If the suede's surface has shiny or smooth spots, fine sandpaper can be used to restore its normal appearance.

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Andrew Magill)
(Creative Commons photo by Andrew Magill)
  • Suede is a soft, velvety type of leather frequently used to make shoes, handbags, jackets, upholstery and other items. Because suede is made with only the innermost layers of the hide, allowing the remainder to be made into other products, it is generally less expensive than full grain leather.1 Even so, many premium and designer products are made using suede because of its soft, napped texture and attractive matte finish.
  • There is some risk of damaging suede when cleaning it at home, so care instructions on suede products invariably recommend professional cleaning.3 However, unless the suede is heavily soiled or has difficult to remove stains (such as permanent marker), cleaning it yourself can be an effective and economical alternative.

Suede Cleaning Supplies

(Creative Commons photo by Leah Woodruff)
(Creative Commons photo by Leah Woodruff)
  • Cleaning suede requires several items, but some are household items that you probably already have. The rest can usually be purchased inexpensively at any shoe or specialty leather store.
  1. Soft terrycloth towel
  2. Suede brush (a old, soft toothbrush will also work)
  3. Tissue paper
  4. Suede eraser
  5. Pencil eraser
  6. White vinegar
  7. Suede degreaser
  8. Soft cotton cloth
  9. Fine sandpaper or steel wool
  10. Suede protectant spray
  11. Neat's foot oil

Step 1: Prepare Your Suede

(Creative Commons photo by Todd Petit)
(Creative Commons photo by Todd Petit)
  • If your suede is heavily soiled, you will need to prepare it before you begin cleaning it. This is especially important if there is mud or wet stains on it. In cases like these, skipping this step will almost certainly cause further damage to the suede and possibly even ruin it.
  1. If your suede item has mud on it, you must allow it to completely dry before beginning to clean it. Suede shoes that have mud on them, or are wet, should be stuffed with wadded tissue paper so that they do not lose their shape.4 Once the mud has completely dried, proceed to Step 3 in this section.
  2. If the item is wet, but does not have mud on it, you should use a soft towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.3 To do this, press the suede firmly while sandwiched between two layers of towels. In a pinch, you can use napkins or other absorbent material instead of a towel.
  3. If the suede is dry, but heavily soiled, brush away the excess dirt using a suede brush or soft toothbrush. Do not scrub the suede. Instead, brush gently in one direction to loosen and sweep away the excess dirt.4

Step 2: Removing Dirt and Stains

  • There are several techniques for removing different types of dirt and stains from soiled suede. Depending on how dirty it is, you may find that the suede is sufficiently cleaned after the first step or two below, in which case you can skip to the next section.
  1. A suede eraser produces small particles that adhere to the dirt on your suede and make it easier to remove.5 Rub the suede eraser firmly on the soiled area in one direction. Do not scrub at the stain or it may become more deeply embedded in the suede.
  2. Use the suede brush to gently sweep away the particles created by using the suede eraser. If necessary, repeat the previous step and brush away the particles again.
  3. If your suede is not yet clean, try using a pencil eraser to rub out marks.4 Be gentle.
  4. If your suede has grease stains or stains from body oil (usually located on the collar of a jacket), you will need to use a product specifically marketed for degreasing suede.3 Follow the directions on the packaging for the product you choose, and be sure to use the product in a well-ventilated area.
  5. If there are still marks or discolorations on your suede, you can try using vinegar.6 Make sure to test the vinegar on a part of the suede that is not usually visible first, since it is possible that damage could occur. To clean suede with vinegar, put a very small amount on a soft damp cloth, rub it gently into the stain or discoloration, and allow the suede to air dry completely before proceeding further.

Step 3: Restoring the Surface Texture

(Creative Commons photo by rochelle hartman)
(Creative Commons photo by rochelle hartman)
  • Once you have cleaned your suede, you will probably find that the area you cleaned is smoother than the rest. This is because the nap has been flattened or damaged by the cleaning process. Fortunately, it is quite simple to restore your suede's velvety texture.
  1. Make sure the suede is completely dry before proceeding, especially if you used a degreasing product or vinegar.
  2. Gently brush the suede in a circular motion, using a suede brush or a soft toothbrush.6 This will raise the nap that has been flattened, and is usually all that is required to restore your suede to its usual appearance.
  3. If the suede brush doesn't accomplish this, then it is likely that the nap was damaged during cleaning. You will need to resurface the damaged part of the suede using fine sandpaper or steel wool.7 Rub very gently in a circular motion, taking care not to rub away too much of the material.

Professional Cleaning

  • If the steps above did not restore your suede to its original condition, you will need to have it professionally cleaned. You should should also consult a professional if your suede has difficult to remove stains such as permanent marker, ink or red wine.
  • When seeking a cleaner for your suede, you should always try to find a reputable company that specializes in cleaning leather. Often the easiest way to find one in your area is to ask for a recommendation from a leather specialty store.

Protecting and Maintaining Suede

(Photo by Renea Leathers)
(Photo by Renea Leathers)
  • Although suede requires more maintenance than full-grain leather, it is fairly simple to care for. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your suede soft, supple and attractive for years to come.
  1. Brush the entire outer surface of your suede weekly with a suede brush. Use a circular motion to gently "fluff up" the nap and remove dust particles. Dust, if not regularly removed, can cause discoloration that requires a visit to a professional leather cleaner.8
  2. Spray the entire surface of the suede with a leather protectant spray designed especially for suede to help prevent water damage and permanent stains.4 In general, these should be used about every six months, but always consult the product packaging for specific instructions.
  3. Neat's foot oil can be applied to the inner surface of suede to keep the suede supple and comfortable.9 Apply a thin layer to only the inner surface, using a cotton ball or soft cloth.
  4. Most suede products should be professionally cleaned every 1 to 2 years, depending on how frequently they are used.10 This will remove dirt and dust that have built up over time and help prevent your suede from becoming permanently discolored.

Conclusion

  • Although suede products cannot simply be tossed into the washing machine, it is fairly simple to perform most spot cleaning at home. Cleaning suede yourself, when practical, will keep it looking new between professional cleanings and will reduce the cost of maintenance. However, when dealing with difficult stains or valuable products, the safest choice is always to go to a professional.3

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References for How to Clean Suede

  1. ↑ wisegeek.com: What is Suede? WARNING: Ad-heavy
  2. ↑ Wikipedia: Suede
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 How to Clean Stuff: How to Clean Suede
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 VideoJug: How to Clean Suede Shoes (Time: 3:31)
  5. ↑ wisegeek.com: What is the Best Way to Clean Suede? WARNING: Ad-heavy
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gomestic: How to Clean Suede Shoes and Boots (November 17, 2007) WARNING: Ad-heavy
  7. ↑ EzineArticles: Suede Cleaning WARNING: Ad-heavy
  8. ↑ Usatazo: Suede Stain Removal (July 12, 2007)
  9. ↑ WhoWhatWhenWhereWhy?com: How to Clean Suede (June 15, 2008)
  10. ↑ eHow.com: How to Clean Suede