How to Clean a Suede Jacket with Cornstarch

Keep cornstarch handy to remove oily stains from suede.

Suede is the popular and beloved type of material that is beautiful when clean, but a mere dime-sized spot of grease can completely alter the look of the whole garment. Suede can be quite expensive to clean if you take it to a professional. For this reason, many people shy away from buying suede at all. However, if you have cornstarch around and happen to catch the stain while it is fresh, you can eliminate it quickly and inexpensively. Cornstarch works most effectively on oil stains when they are fresh.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch
• Soft towel or suede brush

Instructions

1. Sprinkle cornstarch on the stain generously, covering it completely.

2. Dab the cornstarch lightly with your finger so that it absorbs into the stain slightly.

3. Allow the cornstarch-treated stain to set for at least one hour.

4. Shake the loose cornstarch off of the stain and brush the rest away with a soft towel or suede brush.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wear your suede jacket frequently, keep a small amount of cornstarch with you in a plastic bag to be prepared for any mishaps. The cornstarch works best when the stain is fresh.

References

• HowtoCleanStuff.net: How to Remove Oil Stains from Suede
• HGTV: Cleaning Leather and Suede

Resources

• Mrs. Clean: Tips on Cleaning Suede