How to Clean Suede Shoes, Bags and Jackets at Home

Suede leather is a very elegant material, able to make certain items of clothing more appealing. From shoes to bags, suede leather is always quite sought after and also the most feared when it comes to washing.

Since it is in fact a rather delicate material, knowing how to clean suede leather is a real must for anyone who wishes to preserve the beauty of clothing and accessories over time. But how do you do it? Let's find out together.

Cleaning suede leather: on your own or by an expert?

First of all, whether you are curious to understand how to clean coloured suede leather or not, we recommend that you proceed only and exclusively if you are fully aware of this cleaning process, and if the items you want to clean are not particularly valuable.

As safe as the method described below may be, the risk of making mistakes during the cleaning process is quite high, and making a mistake will expose you to the serious consequence of permanently ruining your garment or accessory.

In short, if you need to clean suede bags, shoes or a suede leather jacket that you care a lot about, it is always better to seek the advice of a professional in the field.

The suede leather cleaning procedure will depend on the type of stains: dry ones can simply be brushed off, while fresh ones will need to be pre-treated.

Furthermore, before proceeding with cleaning, you need to know how to recognise genuine leather, so as not to choose the wrong treatment and damage the accessory.

How to wash suede leather

How to wash suede? Suede leather shoes, bags and jackets can be ruined by water, so to prevent this from happening, they must be pre-treated using a waterproofing spray.

This type of product is available in all specialised shops, but it is also easily found in supermarkets.

The spray should be held about 20-30 centimetres away from the garment or accessory to be sprayed, to avoid the formation of stains. After about half an hour, the suede is clean and ready to be worn.

Another DIY method for cleaning a suede leather item is to wash the material with a little warm water and kitchen salt.

After leaving it to soak for a few minutes, let it drip and, with the help of a rubber brush, complete the cleaning. Leave the item to air-dry, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight.

Washing suede in the washing machine

With the necessary precautions, it is also possible to wash suede in the washing machine. The suede item should be washed on its own and turned inside out.

Do not use detergents, only a little fabric softener; also, set the delicate or wool wash programme.

During the drying phase, place some newspaper inside the garment or accessory so that it does not lose its shape.

After drying, the leather should be brushed using a soft-bristled suede brush.

How to clean suede bags

If the items affected by stains, more or less stubborn, are suede leather bags with an interior lined in another material, immersing this accessory directly in water is not the most useful thing to do.

The procedure to follow for washing is the one described in the previous paragraphs, while for stains, a distinction must be made between dry and oily ones.

How to remove stains from suede bags

Suede bags are a widely used accessory and easily exposed to dirt and stains.

If the stains are dry you can use a white pencil eraser, making slow, circular movements with light pressure, so as not to ruin the material.

After removing the stain, it is advisable to brush the bag so as not to leave marks. It is an easy and effective trick that does not require buying specific products.

If, on the other hand, the stains are persistent and difficult, it is advisable to use a cloth dampened with white vinegar, or a sponge soaked in milk.

Fresh and oily stains can also be removed using steam. Finally, if none of the methods mentioned works, you can try treating the stains with a suede leather cleaner.

If you want to know more, you can contact us using the details you will find on every page of this site. In the meantime, we recommend you take a look at some other articles we have dedicated to leather, such as the focus on the processing of tanned leather, or the history of Florentine leather.