Suede is a fabulous material, isn’t it? Whether it’s your favourite pair of shoes, a cosy sofa, or that stylish jacket, suede adds a touch of luxury to anything. But let’s be real – it’s also quite the diva! Suede loves to attract stains and can lose its softness if not cared for properly. Fear not! We’ve got the ultimate guide on how to clean suede and keep it looking fresh and fabulous. Dive into our top tips and tricks to bring your suede items back to life!
How to Clean Suede with Talcum Powder and a Brush
Got suede shoes, a suede sofa, or even a suede jacket? Suede is lovely for its softness and velvety look. The catch? It’s a delicate material that stains easily and can lose its charm. No worries, we’ve got all the tips you need to clean suede and bring back its original shine!
To revive your suede and get rid of dirt and dust, talcum powder and a crepe brush are your best mates. Always keep talcum powder at home – it’s handy for cleaning red wine stains too!
A crepe brush, made of natural rubber spirals, is perfect for cleaning suede without damaging it. It’s also great for nubuck. It lifts the suede fibres while removing dirt. Talcum powder helps restore that silky look to your suede.
Here’s how: sprinkle talcum powder over the area you want to clean. Let it sit for a few hours, ideally overnight. Then, brush the suede with the crepe brush.
For larger items like a sofa, vacuum up the talc residue using a low-power setting and a suitable upholstery attachment to avoid damaging the suede.
Clean Suede with Sommières Earth and a Brush
This trick is just like the talcum powder method, but we’re using clay powder (Terre de Sommières) instead. This natural, gentle stain remover can revive suede and even tackle stubborn stains.
Just like with talcum powder: sprinkle clay powder on the area, let it sit for several hours (overnight is best), and then brush it with a crepe brush. If you’ve cleaned a big item like a suede sofa, vacuum off the excess powder using a low-power setting and an upholstery attachment.
Clean Suede with a Rubber
For worn suede, a suede rubber can be a lifesaver. It’s a bit more abrasive than a brush, perfect for erasing marks, removing dust, and polishing suede to an even shine.
To use: rub the suede in circular motions, starting from the centre of the mark and moving outwards to avoid leaving a mark. No suede rubber? A plain white rubber will do the trick.
Tip: Don’t press too hard. If marks don’t come off, it means you need a different method.
How to Clean Suede with White Vinegar
Got a stain on your suede? White vinegar is a natural wonder for this. Mix one part white vinegar with two parts warm water. You can add a drop of washing-up liquid for extra cleaning power.
- Dab a clean cloth in the mix and gently blot the suede. Use a brush if needed.
- Rinse with a damp sponge.
- Dry with a soft cloth and let it air dry.
- Brush the suede gently to restore its velvety texture.
Top tip: Always clean the entire item to avoid watermarks and colour differences. For suede shoes, clean both at the same time for consistency.
Clean Suede with Ammonia
Still got stubborn stains? For those tricky stains (like urine, vomit, or mould), ammonia might be your solution. Known for its powerful cleaning abilities, ammonia can even tackle wax stains and ink marks.
First, test on a hidden area to ensure your suede reacts well. If it does, proceed with cleaning.
For fresh stains, blot the area with paper towels. For older, crusty stains, gently scrape with a spoon.
- Mix 2-3 drops of ammonia in water.
- Dip a clean cloth in the solution, and gently blot the stain.
- Rinse with a damp cloth.
- Sprinkle talcum powder over the area and let it sit for several hours.
- Finish by brushing the suede to restore its shine.
Caution! When using ammonia, wear gloves and avoid inhaling fumes. Always ventilate the room well.
Need help cleaning your home items? Why not call in a Wecasa cleaning pro? Our friendly experts are all over the UK and know just how to handle all your cleaning needs. So, if you’re unsure about caring for your suede, let us lend a hand!
