How to Clean Suede

When you get a suede item, the first thing you should do is to treat it with a specially-designed protective product. This will help keep it from getting stained or discolored from moisture.

If you have a dirty or stained suede item, however, it’s time to learn how to clean suede. It’s important to remember to clean suede only with products specifically designed to do so, unless you have tested out other methods on inconspicuous areas first.

The most common enemy suede encounters is plain water. Remove the water from the surface by laying a paper towel over the moisture to blot it away. A suede brush, available at leather and shoe repair stores, is the easiest way to combat this, once the item has dried.

Afterwards, shape the garment, so it retains its preferred shape. Stuff shoes with heavy paper, and hang jackets and coats carefully. For a larger item, like a chair or sofa, use a dry, rough towel to scrub away moisture.

If the collar of a jacket or coat, or the back of a chair or sofa, becomes stained by body oils, try a suede brush or a soft cloth. How to clean suede with more set-in stains of this type is with degreaser leather cleaner, available at leather shops or online. You may find that cold water and glycerin soap are a good bet, as well.

For suede shoes, putting a small amount of white vinegar on a lightly dampened cloth is a good last resort for getting stains out. Be aware that the vinegar smell may linger, but if it’s the only way you can get a stain out, it’s probably worth it.

It may be the best idea to have your suede garments cleaned by a professional. It is so easy to permanently ruin suede items while cleaning them at home. Regardless, suede coats and jackets should be professionally cleaned every couple of years or so to keep them in their best condition. Reapply the suede protectant as necessary, too.

Suede is one of the harder household materials to clean well and safely. Learning how to clean suede may take some experimentation.

Quick Tip #1 - Take it one Room at a Time

If your house is a mess don't feel overwhelmed. Take it one room at a time and don't concentrate on anything else until that room is done. Start with the room that is bothering you the most, like the kitchen or your bedroom. Work on them in order of personal priority.

Quick Tip #2 - Listen to Music While You Clean

Listen to uplifting music while you clean and you will find it easier to get through those mundane tasks that come along with deep cleaning. If you can sing along or even dance your way along while cleaning up your home you might actually have some fun!