Cleaning and caring for your suede jacket

A suede jacket can be a beloved part of anyone’s wardrobe. This type of jacket is expensive but soft, luxurious, and quite fancy. Unfortunately, their fuzzy surface is perfect for attracting dust, grime, and other dirt.
While suede is a great material, its thorough cleaning must be performed by a professional that knows how to deal with leather. If you want to do a quick brushing or light cleaning, however, you can do that at home, as long as you are careful. The key to success in such a situation is knowing the right method of cleaning. Always check your fabric care label (some coats appear to be made of real suede but are actually constructed of synthetic fibres (microsuede). While certain synthetic suedes can be machine washed, always read the label first) and never attempt any type of cleaning without doing a test in a small inconspicuous area of the suede first. We will show you how to tackle stains and get rid of small amounts of grime. Keep reading and follow the steps listed below to maintain your suede jacket in a clean condition without causing any damage to its surface.

Here is how to clean various stains from suede jackets:

Oily stains – This is one of the worst types of stains. They are the hardest to get rid of and if you let them sit enough, they may settle in and become permanent.
The discoloration can be gradually removed by applying an absorbent powder numerous times. If the stain remains, swab the affected area with rubbing alcohol to release the staining material.

1. Make sure you blot as much oil as possible – As we mentioned above, the longer an oily stain stays on suede, the deeper it penetrates. If a greasy piece of food falls on your suede garment, remove all solids and quickly blot as much of the oil as possible using a paper towel.
2. Sprinkle with absorbent powder – Sprinkle the stained area with baby powder or cornstarch. Allow the powder to absorb as much oil as possible, then brush it away. You may need to repeat this step a few times. Make sure you are using a soft-bristled brush when removing the powder. The stain should be gone once the powder stops becoming oily.

Mud and food stains – Whenever food or wet mud ends up on your suede coat do not rub them in. Instead, scrape off any solids and allow the residue to dry. You will be able to get rid of the stain after that.

1. If the stain is caused by a liquid, blot away as much moisture as possible using a paper towel or a clean, white cloth. Apply pressure on the stain with the cloth to draw moisture away from the suede and into the fabric. Continue blotting while turning the cloth to a clean, dry spot. Allow natural drying away from direct heat.
2. For dried stains, Rub the area gently with a white, microfibre cloth to remove as much dried-on debris as possible. Gently brush away the stain with a pencil eraser or art gum eraser. To remove dried-on debris, carefully rub the discoloured area with an emery board nail file as a last option.

Sticker and glue residue – Whenever you buy a new jacket, the store sticker will probably leave some glue residue on the fabric. This can be annoying and attract more grime and dirt. Some glues can actually cause damage and permanent discolouration to suede.

1. Remove the sticker – Peel the sticker off. If it does not quickly come off, dampen it with a wet cloth, then scrape it with a blunt knife, a plastic scraper, or the edge of a credit card.
2. Allow the area to air-dry away from direct sunshine or heat once the sticker has been removed. Brush with a suede brush – this can sometimes remove all of the sticky residues.
3. Use an eraser – If there is still some residue left, use a gum eraser to get rid of it.
4. An emery board will do the trick if the gum eraser couldn’t. Make sure you use light strokes to avoid damage to the surface of the fabric.

Additional tips on maintaining and caring for a suede jacket:

• A double-sided suede brush is a must if you have a suede coat or another item. When removing dried mud, grime, or other staining material, use the wire side, and buff the nap using the soft side. Brushing should be done only when the jacket is entirely dry, and never with hard pressure, as this might harm the leather’s surface.
• When your jacket is brand new, use a protective suede conditioner to make it less likely to absorb stains. A good suede protector will also protect your jacket from water. However, never use regular leather polish on suede.