How to care for suede: Make your suede favorites last longer
Suede is a soft and timeless material found in everything from shoes and bags to jackets and other favourite garments. With proper care, suede can stay beautiful for many years, but the material needs to be treated differently than smooth leather.
Moisture, dirt and stains affect the open surface of suede, while incorrect cleaning or too much heat can alter the material's structure.
The most important thing is therefore to brush regularly, clean gently, protect the material and treat odours where they actually originate.
What is suede and why is it more sensitive than regular leather?
Suede is leather where the soft inside of the hide has been sanded to create its characteristic matte and velvety surface.
Unlike smooth leather, suede has a more open and fibrous surface. This makes the material soft and pliable, but also more sensitive to moisture, dirt and stains.
That's why suede shoes, jackets and bags need a little more care than many other leather products.
How do you clean suede?
When suede gets dirty, it's important to start gently. You don't need to avoid cleaning for fear of damaging the material, but you should use the correct method and appropriate products.
Always start with the mildest treatment and work your way up if needed.
- Brush off loose dirt with a suede brush.
- Treat stains locally instead of soaking the entire material.
- Use a cleaner designed for suede if the material needs a more thorough cleaning.
- Let the material air dry if it has become damp.
Once the suede has dried, you can brush up the fibres again to restore its soft surface. The less you expose suede to water, friction and heat, the better.
Avoid common mistakes
When caring for suede, it's easy to overdo it. Therefore, avoid:
- unnecessarily wetting the material
- rubbing stains hard
- using strong chemicals
- drying suede on radiators or in direct heat
Gentle treatment almost always works better.
Use a suede brush regularly
A suede brush is one of the simplest tools to keep the material in good condition between cleanings. It helps to:
- remove surface dirt
- lift the fibres
- restore the matte surface of the suede
Brush gently and follow the material's grain. Avoid scrubbing hard on the same area as this wears on the fibres. Regular brushing also prevents dirt from building up on the surface.
How to remove odour from suede?
Suede is often used in shoes and jackets where the material is exposed to heat and moisture. If you primarily have problems with odour in shoes, you can read more in our guide on how to remove odour from sneakers.
In shoes, it is primarily the inside that comes into contact with the feet, which means that organic residues from skin and sweat can build up over time.
If the suede is not dirty but has started to smell, you therefore do not need to clean the entire material. Start by airing it out and treating the odour where it actually originates.
In suede shoes, the odour usually sits on the inside, while in jackets and blazers it primarily builds up where the material comes into contact with the body.
Pure Effect Textile Spray contains Bacillus subtilis, good bacteria that break down the organic residues that odour-producing bacteria otherwise feed on and convert into odour.
In this way, the spray helps to remove odour and freshen up suede products between cleanings, instead of just masking the odour with perfume.
Spray primarily on the inside of shoes, jackets and blazers where the odour is present. Let the material air dry and repeat for ingrained odour. If necessary, the outside can also be lightly sprayed, but in many cases, treating the inside is sufficient for the odour to disappear.
To remove odour and freshen up suede between cleanings: Pure Effect Textile Spray.
How to remove stains from suede?
When suede gets a stain, it's important to treat it as soon as possible, but without rubbing or unnecessarily wetting the material.
Start by letting any moisture dry and then gently brush off loose dirt with a suede brush. For minor marks and dry stains, a suede eraser or rubber can be a good tool. It works by gently removing dirt from the surface of the suede without wetting the material.
For stains that don't come off with a brush or suede eraser, you can use a cleaner designed for suede. Work locally and gently instead of wetting the entire material.
Pure Effect Textile Spray can also be used to remove certain types of stains and organic dirt on suede. Always test first on a small, inconspicuous area and follow the material's care instructions. Spray on and gently blot the stain.
The sooner you treat a stain, the easier it is to remove. Above all, avoid rubbing hard, as this can damage the suede fibres and alter the surface.
Protect suede by impregnating
An impregnation spray makes the surface more water-repellent and reduces the risk of liquid and dirt penetrating the material. However, the protection gradually wears off as the shoes, bag or garment are used. Therefore, suede needs to be re-impregnated at regular intervals.
For best results:
- impregnate before first use
- repeat the treatment during the season
- let the material dry thoroughly before use
- always follow the instructions for the impregnation product
How to make your favourite suede items last longer
Suede doesn't have to be difficult to care for. Brush the material regularly, treat stains gently and impregnate to protect the surface from moisture and dirt.
If the problem is primarily odour, you don't need to clean the entire material. Remove odour where it sits and let the suede rest between uses.
With proper care, your suede shoes, jackets and bags can stay beautiful and usable for many years.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about suede
How do you clean suede?
Start by brushing off loose dirt with a suede brush. Then treat any stains locally and use a cleaner designed for suede. Avoid soaking the entire material.
Can you machine wash suede?
No. Suede should not be machine washed. Instead, clean the material locally and gently according to the care instructions.
How do you protect suede from water and dirt?
Impregnate suede regularly with a product designed for the material. Impregnation makes the surface more water-repellent and reduces the risk of stains.
How do you remove odour from suede shoes?
Air out the shoes and let them dry thoroughly. If the odour persists, you can spot-treat the inside with Pure Effect Textile Spray to remove odour and freshen up the shoes between cleanings.
Can you use Textile Spray on suede?
Pure Effect Textile Spray can be used on suede to treat odour and also some types of stains, but always test first on a small, inconspicuous area and follow the material's care instructions.
