How to Clean and Repair Leather and Suede

Leather and suede textures differ--so do cleaning techniques.

Leather and suede are often used for furniture and clothing because they are soft and provide warmth. Both are made from animal skins, but leather is usually made from cowhide, while suede is often made from goatskin or lambskin. Suede has a high nap covering the surface of the material, while leather is smooth. Because of the differences in texture, the cleaning and repair methods for both are different.

Things You'll Need

• Leather conditioner
• Wire brush
• Leather cleaner
• Scissors
• Suede waterproofing spray
• Suede dye spray
• Leather patch kit
• Dish soap
• Soft rags
• Bucket
• Old towels
• Toothbrush
• Corn starch

Instructions

Leather

1. Place a few drops of dish soap into a bucket of water. Dip a rag into the soapy solution and squeeze out excess water. Rub the rag over the surface of the leather until it stops removing dirt.

2. Apply a commercial leather cleaning product over the surface of the leather to add softness to the leather and remove any stains and oil that could not be removed with the dish soap.

3. Rub leather conditioner over the entire surface of the leather to protect the leather from further stains and to keep the leather soft and supple. Work the conditioner into the leather until it absorbs completely.

4. Repair any tears in the leather surface with a leather patch kit. Cut the patch in an oval or circular shape to prevent the ends from curling up, using scissors. Apply the leather glue to the patch and slide the patch under the hole. Allow the patch to dry for one hour.

5. Spread leather compound over the hole to bring it to the level of the other leather. Press the grain patch from the patch kit over the compound while it is wet to give the compound the same look as the rest of the leather grain. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

Suede

1. Brush the surface of the suede with a small wire brush. Use a toothbrush to reach areas where a larger brush cannot get. Brush the surface until no more dirt comes loose.

2. Place a pile of corn starch over any oily stains on the suede and allow to sit overnight. Brush the corn starch away in the morning and the oil stain will also be lifted.

3. Rub the entire surface of the shoe with an old towel. Spray the suede with a water-repellent spray designed to keep suede looking new.

4. Spray the suede with a dye restorer to add color back into faded suede. Use the same color as the original object. Allow to dry for 24 hours before using the suede.

References

• Leather Cleaning Products: Cleaning & Conditioning Leather
• Automotive Interior Repair with the Interior Guy LLC: How to Repair Torn Leather
• Cleaning Tips: Cleaning Suede