How to Easily Clean Suede
Though not as popular today as it once was, suede is still a very common fabric for coats and even some furniture. It has a most unique softness and texture that many people love. It also has the distinction of being extremely difficult to clean, especially when it gets stained. I have a suede jacket that was a gift from my wife that I just love. Unfortunately, I seem to be able to always find the best way to get it stained. The latest was a jelly-filled donut. Here is what I have learned from all of my troubles. Maybe it will save you some time and some money.
If you own any suede, the very first thing that you are going to need to do is treat it with a liquid suede protector. This will help it repel liquids and keep most stains from sticking or working there way deep into the suede. Another must-have for any suede owner is a suede brush. These specially designed brushes help restore the feel of the suede and can scrape off any dirt or debris and keep your suede looking great.
If you do get a bad stain on your suede, you can always get it professionally cleaned. This will cost quite a bit more than your normal dry-cleaning, but they should be able to remove just about any stain for a price. If you are willing to tackle it yourself, I have found a great stain remover. First remove any of the material that has caused the stain. If it is a liquid, blot up as much of it as possible with a terry clothe or a rag. If the stain was caused by a dry material, use a suede brush to remove as much as possible. Next, wet a clean clothe with a little water and wring it out until it is barely damp. Carefully work the stain with the damp clothe. This should remove some of the stain. If the stain persists, add a few drops of white vinegar to your damp clothe and work into the stain. The vinegar will help break down the stain and the clothe will remove the remnants. Note: this technique works best on pretreated suede and make sure that you always test a small spot to make sure that it doesn’t discolor your suede. I quite sure that you don’t want to create a lighter patch on your suede!