Suede is a type of fabric frequently used in a multitude of objects and clothing. Despite being very present in our day to day, the characteristics of this material are not always known, and what care is necessary to keep it in optimal conditions for as long as possible. You probably have something made of this fabric at home, so in this article, we explain how to clean suede and we give you some tips to keep it impeccable.
What is anteline?
Suede is a synthetic fabric, that is, it is made with artificial fibers and is therefore not derived from the skin of any animal. It is a very pleasant and soft fabric to the touch since it imitates what is known as suede, suede, or suede inside the natural leather.
It began to be manufactured and used in the 1970s and continues to be a staple fabric in the textile industry today. Items of clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, and other accessories along with upholstery for sofas, armchairs, or chairs have suede as the absolute protagonist, especially due to the good results that this fabric gives. That is why there are plenty of reasons for its extensive use since it is a very versatile fabric, economically priced compared to natural leather, resistant, with a pleasant velvety touch, and aesthetically very beautiful and elegant.
How to clean suede step by step
As we have indicated, suede is a resistant material that is easy to maintain and clean. The main precaution that you should take into account when caring for a sofa or a suede garment is to avoid excess water. Wetting or soaking this fabric, and trying to wash it thoroughly, could deteriorate it, making it difficult to recover. Instead, by following a few simple steps, upholstery, footwear, and clothing made in this artificial leather can fit you perfectly with very little effort. These are the steps to follow:
Remove dust and surface dirt, not adhered to the fabric, with the help of a vacuum cleaner or a brush with fine, soft bristles. Do it in two movements: first against the grain, to remove more dirt and make the fibers recover their flexibility and softness, avoiding caking, and then, in the same direction as the fibers, thus ‘combing’ the suede so that it recovers its shape and color homogeneity.
Brushing may be sufficient, but the upholstery or suede garment may have persistent dirt or even stains. In this case, after brushing, you will have to do a superficial ‘wash’. Prepare a basin with warm water (not hot) and a little neutral soap for delicate garments. Dip a cotton or microfiber cloth into it.
The cloth will be your work tool to remove dirt adhered to the suede. Once wet, drain it as much as possible (remember that suede and water do not get along). Work it all over the fake fur without pressing too hard. You can do this operation as many times as necessary, re-wetting the cloth, wringing it out, and passing it over again.
If you have difficult and persistent stains (for example, on suede shoes), dip a small brush in the same basin and pass it over them, pressing gently while making circular movements.
To finish cleaning, take another cloth and moisten it this time with just water. Pass it through the cloth to remove any possible soap residue.
Finally, when drying, keep in mind that you should not sit on a suede sofa until it is completely dry . If we talk about clothes, shoes, and other accessories, the ideal is to let them dry in the open air but not directly exposed to the sun’s rays.
Tips to clean suede and maintain it well
The suede requires little care so that it lasts beautifully and is in good condition for a long time.
The key to good maintenance is to brush it with the due frequency depending on the use it has. It is important to do it with the right brush, which is the same one used for suede or suede garments. We remind you of some essential tips:
- First, brush against the grain and then ‘comb’ the suede following the direction of the skin itself.
- Prevent liquids from affecting the suede. For example, if any of it spills on a coat or sofa upholstery, grab some absorbent paper as soon as possible and try to remove as much of it as possible.
- If you detect persistent stains, which do not come out with a damp cloth, you can try a little dissolved ammonia (1 part ammonia to 10 parts water) but always do a little check beforehand somewhere on the fabric that is not too visible, as the fabric could fade.
- If you need to iron a suede garment, remember that you must do it at a minimum temperature, without steam, and always protect it by placing a cloth over it so that it does not come into direct contact with the iron.
