How to Clean Suede Clothing

Suede is an ideal fabric for garments. A luxurious leather buffed to produce a soft nap finish, suede is commonly used in jackets, shoes and pants. While durable, suede is prone to marking and staining, requiring a little more attention than other leathers. Protect your investment. Help your suede clothing items look their best by cleaning and caring for them regularly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Suede brush
• Talcum powder
• Cornstarch
• Toothbrush
• Suede eraser
• Paper towel

1. Restore your suede clothing's nap by brushing it thoroughly with a suede brush. If the nap is especially matted, hold the suede over steam before brushing.

2. Remove stains as soon as you find them. Apply talcum powder or cornstarch to oily stains and allow it to set for a few hours, then brush with a suede brush. Use a toothbrush to remove dried stains. You may be able to remove other stains by erasing them with a suede or art gum eraser.

3. Soak up drops of water or other moisture with a paper towel. Apply the paper towel gently to the moisture and hold it there until absorbed.

4. Take your suede to a professional for a thorough cleaning, particularly if the suede bears stains that were difficult to remove on your own.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to clean your suede clothing in the washing machine. This can cause irreparable damage.

References

• Mrs Clean: How to Spot Clean Suede and Remove Stains
• StylePhyle: Cleaning Suede Clothing and Shoes