Cleaning Suede

Suede is an attractive and durable fabric used for shoes, jackets, coats, purses, furniture and a number of other popular items. Unfortunately, some people avoid suede because they are under the impression that suede is hard to care for, and they are afraid that cleaning suede is difficult and expensive. Don't avoid buying the suede items you desire. Suede is actually very easy to care for, suede is quite versatile, and there are many ways to effectively clean suede without taking it to a dry cleaner.

Stains on suede can be removed if special care is taken during the cleaning process. The following tips and suggestions will help you clean suede items without spending a small fortune. Although suede items should be taken to a professional cleaner annually, you can keep your suede items looking clean and stain-free all season long.

Preventing Stains on Suede

Preventing stains before they occur is the best method for keeping suede items clean, but unfortunately many people don't think of preventing stains on suede until a stain occurs. It's never too late to prevent future stains on suede items. After using the following tips and suggestions for cleaning and removing stains from suede, treat your suede items with suede protector according to product label instructions. Waterproofing suede will help prevent stains, water spots, and your suede items will look like new indefinitely.

Keep Suede Looking New

Suede can stay looking new for a very long time if it is properly cared for. Besides spraying suede items with a suede protector, suede should be brushed on a regular basis. Simply use a clean terry cloth towel or a soft suede brush to rub the suede. Rubbing or brushing the suede will raise the nap of the suede and clean it in one easy step.

If the backsides of suede garments are smooth, the backsides of the suede garments can be conditioned with neat's foot oil. Neat's foot oil will keep the backside of suede soft, supple, and exceptionally comfortable. Properly caring for the backside of suede will help keep it looking good all the way around.

Removing Dirt and Stains on Suede

Small stains on suede can be easily removed by erasing them with a clean soft pencil eraser. An emery board or fine-grade sandpaper can also be used to remove minor stains and dirt on suede. Gently and carefully rub the dirt or stains, and they should come right off.

Another very old and effective way to remove stains on suede involves stale bread. Simply remove the crust from a piece of bread and allow the bread to become stale and somewhat hard. Gently and carefully rub the dirt and stains with the edge of the stale bread, and the dirt and stains should disappear like magic.

Water Spots on Suede

Water spots can be a problem on suede, but if your suede becomes spotted with water, don't panic. Simply allow the suede to dry completely, and rub the material with a clean terry cloth towel or suede brush. The water spots should vanish with minimal effort.

Cleaning Suede Shoes

Suede shoes are popular because suede looks classy, and suede is durable shoe material. Shoes require cleaning in order to stay looking their best, especially suede. Although suede requires regular cleaning, suede shoes aren't hard to clean.

If suede shoes are dirty, rub cornmeal into the suede and brush it with a suede brush, horsehair brush, or a soft clean terrycloth towel. Scuff marks can be worked out with a pencil eraser or emery board.

Most discount stores sell suede cleaning kits that are also very effective. For as little as two or three dollars you can buy a suede cleaning kit that contains a suede brush and a suede eraser. These methods of cleaning suede shoes are well worth trying, and cleaning your suede shoes on a regular basis will keep them looking new for a long time.