Home Remedies for Suede
With a textured look and open pores, the soft appearance of suede quickly absorbs liquids and becomes dirty. To lengthen the life of your possessions and clean soiled items, home remedies for suede can help prevent a visit to a professional cleaner.
What is Suede?
Suede is a type of leather that differs from the full-grain kind used in making the majority of sneakers because it has a ‘napped’ finish [1]. While the majority of leather is made from a cow’s hide, suede is a product that comes from calves, lambs, goats, pigs, and sometimes even deer. Suede is much softer and delicate than full-grain leather because it lacks a tougher skin exterior. The material is used to make furniture upholstery, shoes, boots, bags, and other accessories. It is also used as a lining for other leather items.
Suede Cleaning Home Remedies
Because of how suede is made, the material becomes susceptible to staining and looking worn more quickly. Taking your suede possessions to a professional cleaner can become a costly move. To save money and the appearance of your soft leather belongings, consider the following home remedies for suede:
a) Cornmeal:
To clean the surface of a suede item, sprinkle cornmeal over the area – leaving on for several minutes before brushing clean. The cornmeal will absorb grease and grime. You may also use corn flour as a substitute. Cornstarch is great for removing oily stains from suede, such as salad dressing.
b) Soft Brush:
When suede gets wet, allow it to dry normally at room temperature, and then use a soft brush to remove water stains.
c) Square of Suede:
To restore the nap and rejuvenate the color of your suede, keep a square of the same color as the material to rub across.
d) Terry Cloth Towel:
Occasionally rub a dry square of terry cloth towel in the same color across your suede shoes to help keep the material looking new.
e) Emery Board:
Remove rain spots from suede shoes, hats or purses by gently rubbing with an emery board used for manicures.
f) Pillowcases:
To protect suede, store in pillowcases instead of keeping items in plastic bags or plastic storage containers.
g) Bread:
If you rub bread crumbs or a stale piece of bread onto suede, you can remove surface grime.
h) Steam:
When suede starts to look faded and worn, steam can help restore color. Just remember to be careful with the steam, as too much can cause water stains.
i) Sandpaper:
A piece of light sandpaper can help buff out scuffs and remove ink stains that appear on your suede [2]. Gently rub the material to avoid damaging the object.
j) Toothbrush:
To remove any surface dirt and prevent the buildup of grime on suede, try brushing shoes and other garments with a soft bristle toothbrush after every time the items are worn.
k) Pencil Eraser:
Lightly rub out a stain on suede by using a clean pink pencil eraser. An artgum eraser will also do the same trick.
l) Freezer:
If you get chewing gum or wax on a suede item, place in the freezer (if it will fit). When the sticky components freeze, they become easier to pull off. To bring the nap back into shape, go over with a soft brush or clean pencil eraser.
m) Windex:
The chemicals found in Windex have been known to remove ink stains from some suede items.
n) Vinegar:
Use white vinegar for spot removal on suede. It is suggested to test a hidden area first to check for the possibility of discoloration.
o) Towel:
When your suede shoes get wet, immediately soak up the liquid with a towel, and then let them air dry. One of the worst things you can do is use a hair dryer on wet suede shoes.
p) Washing Machine:
If you’ve tried everything to clean a pair of muddy suede boots and nothing has worked, your last resort could be the washing machine. Toss the boots in the washer on gentle cycle. After washing, allow the boots to air dry. The material should feel stiff, but after wearing a couple of times, the suede usually softens up.
q) Soap and Water:
If your soiled suede shoes are aniline dyed, you can try cleaning with mild soap and water as a last resort. Use a clean cloth to wash by gently rubbing out spots. Use a damp cloth to rinse off the soap. Repeat the process if the spot still lingers.
Resources
[1] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/suede
[2] Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest; pg. 291.
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