How to clean suede at home quickly and effectively

Suede items not only look good, but also create a feeling of warmth and comfort. This equally applies to hats, gloves, shoes, and bags. Suede hats in any design are always beautiful, warm and comfortable. But many citizens are wary of such purchases, fearing that in snowy or rainy weather a suede hat may lose its appearance and look calloused, become hard and uncomfortable to wear. Yes, suede can present unwanted surprises and lose its attractiveness. Therefore, we decided to tell you how to clean a suede hat so that the item will serve you for a long time.

Types of pollution

With prolonged use, some areas begin to become shiny.
The carelessness of the owner leads to the appearance of greasy stains. The same ones arise from constant contact of the material with the skin of the owner.
On a wet suede item that is not dried in time, whitish stains appear, and after a while, mold appears.
Reagents used to combat snow on city streets leave salt stains on suede shoes.
The lining of hats turns yellow from sweat and perfume.
It can be difficult to get rid of protein stains (blood, milk, etc.).
Dust accumulated on the fibers gives the suede item a dull gray color.
Before cleaning, you will have to degrease suede that has been damaged by glue, ink, or oil paint.

The sooner you start work, the better the result will be.

What happens if you wash a cap in a washing machine?

What happens if you wash a cap with a visor in the washing machine incorrectly? In addition to damaged material, this threatens to change the shape of the headdress, making it impossible to wear further.

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Home care products and equipment

Should always be in the house:

Water-repellent professional means for impregnating suede. The silicone included in the composition will resist external influences: moisture, dirt, dust.
Foaming shampoo to combat salt stains.
Aerosol paint to restore color and soften rough spots on the material.
Sponges for removing dry dirt and restoring velvety suede.
Rubber (rubber) brushes. “Two in one” is preferable: on one side there is a rubber comb, on the other there is short rubber bristles.
Erasers for “reviving” the pile and removing grease.

The most necessary thing for caring for suede is a special brush. It will get rid of dust, dirt, stains, and return the original fluffiness to the pile.

General cleaning rules

Before you start cleaning, it's worth knowing which methods you shouldn't use.:

Use regular cleaning products. To clean suede shoes, simple shoe creams are not recommended; special aerosols are needed.
Wet the material during cleaning. Mechanical impact will leave marks on wet suede that will be difficult to remove.
Scrub dirt too vigorously. Movements should be careful, without strong pressure.

You also need to remember that drying suede items in the sun is unacceptable - the material can become hard and fade.

How to clean a suede bag at home if conventional methods cannot be used? You can use special brushes, folk remedies or ready-made chemical compositions.

Suede care brushes

Brushes can be used to clean shoes, clothes and bags made of suede. Depending on the degree of contamination, use :

Rubber or caoutchouc. These brushes remove greasy marks and some stubborn stains.
With hard bristles. By carefully walking it over the surface of the material, you can remove dust, dried dirt and other minor contaminants from it.
Crepe. Usually it is double: on one side, a rubber tape laid in a herringbone pattern is attached to a plastic or wooden base. If you run such a brush over suede, you can clean it from dust, small debris and grease stains. On the other side there are nylon bristles, which are passed over the suede after the main cleaning to return the villi to their original position and lift them.
With metal bristles. A universal brush with brass bristles is used to remove dust from the surface of suede. It is used for cleaning suede accessories, clothing and shoes. Unlike ordinary clothing brushes, metal ones do not crush suede fibers; on the contrary, they lift and fluff up the lint.

An eraser is an alternative to a brush

Instead of a brush, you can use an eraser. This tool is sold in shoe departments and is intended for dry cleaning. Helps deal with dirt even in cases where cleaning foam or brushes did not help.

They apply it like this:

For cleaning clothes. A napkin or clean cloth is placed on the table, and the item is spread on top of it. They begin to rub the stained area. It is important to move the eraser from bottom to top so as not to damage the material.
For shoes. Boots or boots must first be stuffed with newspapers, then placed on a paper-covered floor and also rubbed with an eraser from top to bottom over the contaminated area.

After treatment, any remaining dirt is removed with a brush.

Industrial compounds for suede

You can purchase special water-repellent sprays in shoe stores . It is recommended to treat suede shoes with this product before the first wear - it will create a protective film on the surface of the material, and less dirt will be absorbed.

How to clean suede clothes

Natural suede can be cleaned at home without washing. The product must be processed in weight, placed on a mannequin or hanger. Do not use hot water. Use gel-type detergents without aggressive components. Do not wring or twist the material. Rinse with conditioner. Dry flat, away from radiators and sunlight.

For cleaning, you can use both folk remedies and purchased specialized ones.

Washing faux suede

Caring for synthetic items is practically no different. The washing conditions remain exactly the same as for natural items.

When washing artificial suede, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the material often contains materials such as lycra (elastane, spandex), which make the product more elastic and allow it to stretch greatly without changing its shape. Thus, the conditions for washing a handbag or dress made of artificial suede are even somewhat tougher, since the presence of additional synthetics must be taken into account. Elastane does not like high temperatures, losing its elasticity and ability to return to its original size.

Before washing a faux suede dress, it is a good idea to read the washing conditions on the product tag. Some materials do not allow washing machines to be used even in delicate mode.

It is important to remember that neither artificial nor natural suede items can be cleaned with solvents (alcohol, gasoline, acetone). Artificial material can change its characteristics when reacting with organic solvents, and natural products will lose the fatty impregnation that is formed during the manufacturing process of suede. In addition, stains will remain on the surface of things that cannot be removed by anything.

Traditional methods against stains

The newly placed stain is removed with a mixture of ammonia and soda (5 ml and 60 g, respectively). The composition is applied to the stain and after 15 minutes it is removed with a damp cloth.

You can get rid of greasy material by sprinkling problem areas with starch, talcum powder or chalk (your choice). After an hour's exposure, the adsorbent substance is swept away with a brush.

Regular table salt also removes stains. It is rubbed into the problem area, rubbed in without effort, and removed with a brush after a while.

How to remove grease stains from suede using refined gasoline. Soak a napkin in it, gently rub the stain, leave for half an hour to an hour, rinse and dry.

If you need to remove salt stains from clothes, use lemon juice. Pour the juice of one citrus into a glass of water, stir, and wipe the product. No need to rinse off. Let it dry completely, after which the pile should be combed.

To combat old stubborn stains, it is recommended to prepare a mixture of milk, ammonia and soda (3 parts: 1: 1). The effect of the mixture should be tested in an inconspicuous area. If everything is fine, treat the contaminated area with the composition. After drying, sweep away the residue with a brush.

We assess the degree of contamination and prepare for treatment

Suede requires dry cleaning only. If the hat gets wet, you should first shake it and dry it naturally. Before you start cleaning, carefully inspect the headdress for stains and streaks. Use a hair dryer and a short bristle brush to blow out the dust and remove as much dirt as possible.

If the hat is not heavily soiled, then simply refreshing it is enough. To do this, hold the suede headdress over steam for several minutes or treat it with a steam cleaner, then comb the pile with a special brush. If you find greasy stains, shiny edges on the cap, stubborn dirt or stains, steam alone will not be enough to clean.

How to clean light suede items

You can clean light suede using a milk-soda solution (100 g and 7 g, respectively);
aqueous solution of ammonia; soap solution (a glass of water, 30 grams of soap shavings). A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia (in equal volumes) has a gentle effect on suede. The composition does not affect the brightness of the color. Just ammonia can remove stubborn, dried stains. First, the alcohol is slightly diluted with water.

What can be used from improvised means

You can clean natural or artificial suede with products that are available in every home. We'll talk about the nuances: what's best to use for light or heavy stains, what products are suitable for light and dark suede.

Soap solution.

This is the most gentle method and is suitable for all types of suede. Add a tablespoon of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent to a liter of water, whip up the foam and treat the dirty areas with it. To clean heavy stains, you can add more soap and a tablespoon of ammonia to the water.

Milk.

Milk is effective for cleaning light suede. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of milk and stir. Soak a cotton pad in the solution and treat the stain. Wash off any remaining milk with a damp cloth.

Ammonia.

It will help remove dirt and remove unpleasant odors from shoes. To do this, dilute a couple of drops of ammonia in 100 ml of water, lightly wet the sponge or rag. Gently wipe the contaminated areas with this solution.

Vinegar.

The acid will restore the color's brightness. Dampen a sponge with 9% vinegar and wipe the stain. Then remove any remaining vinegar with a damp cloth.

Hydrogen peroxide

. Peroxide works well to remove any stains, but it has bleaching properties, so the product should be used with caution when cleaning dark items. The method of application is simple: apply peroxide to a cotton pad and gently wipe the suede with it.

Starch.

This method will help remove fresh dirt. Sprinkle starch onto the contaminated area, wait until the dirt is absorbed, and remove the residue with a brush.

Cleaning suede clothes

A suede coat, jacket, raincoat, dress can be cleaned with a steam generator. The steam will remove grease, restore scuffs, smooth out folds and creases. You can use an iron as a steamer.

If the stain is small, use an eraser. If the contaminated surface is large, take vinegar water (15 ml of 9% vinegar per liter of water), soak a sponge in the solution and wipe the most problematic areas. Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle and treat the entire product. Particularly shiny areas (collar, sleeves, fabric on the elbows) are sprinkled with starch and talcum powder, left for an hour, then removed with a brush.

Features of wearing suede depending on weather conditions

In view of this feature, it is necessary to wear suede products only when the weather is dry outside.

If there is still a certain humidity outside, then you need to pre-treat the material using a special spray that helps repel moisture, and only then you can safely go outside.

How to clean suede shoes

Boots, boots, and shoes made of suede look expensive, provide comfort to your feet, and are durable with proper care. And it involves the use of special cleaning and care products intended only for suede.

After purchase, the pair is cleaned with a special brush and treated with a water-repellent aerosol. This preserves the color of the products, makes subsequent cleaning easier, and extends the wear period.

Remember:

Suede does not like water. Try not to walk in slushy weather. Do not soak your shoes, do not pour tap water on them, or buy water-based products.
It is possible to spot wet the contaminated area with a moistened sponge.
Dirt can be cleaned only on dry shoes.
Use different brushes for dark and light shoes.
Do not store shoes in the sun.
Regularly clean the pile from dust and treat it with special products.

A little about suede things

Many will agree that suede is not only a very beautiful material, but also adds luxury and nobility to the image. If you compare a certain item made from suede and genuine leather, then to the naked eye it will become clear that a suede item is much more original and beautiful.

Suede can be divided into two types, namely artificial and natural. At first glance, it is difficult to find the main differences and understand what type of suede it is. The main difference is the level of strength of the material. Depending on what type of material it is, subsequent care conditions will be determined.

Getting rid of dust and dirt

Every time, coming home from the street, suede boots, boots, and shoes are cleaned of dust with a brush. Movements should be directed in one direction. Steam treatment is more effective. You need to boil water and, without removing the kettle from the stove, place the item cleaned with a brush with the sole up to the spout of the kettle. The entire surface needs to be steamed. After this, turn off the stove and clean the shoes with the hard side of the brush. Allow to dry without additional heating.

When working with steam, keep your hands safe. Process quickly so that water and temperature do not deform the material. Do not forget to clean the suede from dirt before work.

Handy tools for cleaning suede products

To clean suede from stains, dirt, dust, use special brushes. They are sold in hardware stores and wherever you can buy suede clothing or shoes. There are two types of base for brushes:

Stiff bristles. It raises the pile and makes the item fluffier and softer. Elastic bristles made of rubber or rubber. Designed to get rid of dirt and greasy areas.

Instead of a brush, you can use a stationery eraser if cleaning is urgently needed and there is no brush. A hard brush will be replaced by a piece of sandpaper with the finest grain.

When the suede gets shiny

Starch will help restore a presentable appearance. How to clean suede? The rubbed areas are covered with the substance and swept away with a brush after half an hour. To enhance the effect, starch is mixed with ammonia, and this paste is applied to problem areas.
Steam treatment will also help, as it will refresh the color and lift the pile.
To clean light suede, prepare a milk-soda solution. It is rubbed into shiny areas of light-colored shoes. Whitish stains may appear on the dark one.
Of course, light suede gets dirty faster. For cleaning you should use colorless compounds. Tools should also not be dark.
You can clean light suede at home with a solution of milk (1 tbsp), baking soda (1 tsp), hydrogen peroxide (5 drops). To make sure that the mixture will not cause streaks, before the main cleaning, apply it to an inconspicuous area and check the effect after an hour.
An aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide (5:1) is also recommended for use. They will have to treat the contamination more than once. After drying, finish cleaning with a brush.
How to clean suede to remove gray deposits and refresh color. After preliminary cleaning, the surface is wiped with a brush with a white eraser, talc is poured on top and rubbed. The darkened powder is cleaned off and new one is added. And so on until complete cleansing.
It can be difficult to remove wax from suede. First of all, you need to get rid of the remains of the candle with a knife. If the item is small, place it in a bag and put it in the freezer: the frozen wax will easily come off the suede. A trace of wax (paraffin) will help remove steaming, and if it doesn’t work, wipe the area of contamination with a cloth soaked in a soap solution with the addition of ammonia.

We clean the entire surface

If you have been wearing a hat for a long time and it needs thorough cleaning, take 10 grams. baking soda and 100 ml of milk, preferably skim. Soda should be dissolved in milk, a clean cloth should be moistened in the resulting solution and, after squeezing it out, the entire headdress should be cleaned. Then the suede will need to be wiped again with a well-wrung out cloth, after rinsing it in plain water.

After any treatment, carefully pat your headdress with a dry towel to remove any remaining moisture and dry naturally. Before going outside, treat your suede with a special water-repellent spray - this will allow it to maintain a neat and well-groomed appearance for a long time.

Prevention

A newly purchased pair of shoes or boots should be cleaned, and this should be done every time after use. Before the first exit, treat against moisture. The invisible film will also protect from dust.

The aerosol is sprayed onto the raised pile. Then they let it dry. If the pair is worn constantly, spray weekly.

After returning from the street, the shoes are wiped with a brush or flannel. Faded color is restored with aerosol dyes. It is better to buy them together with suede shoes so that the shade matches as much as possible.

Immediately place wet shoes to dry, but not against the radiator, but with crumpled paper inside.

Transfer paper (if you have it on hand) will give the black suede shoes an even color.

To restore the softness and fluffiness of the pile, the shoes are treated with steam.

Proper drying

As already mentioned, suede clothing should not be wrung out after washing. To remove excess water, the clothes only need to be lightly squeezed with your hands in several places.

Dry things horizontally on a flat surface. A dress or jacket hanging on a hanger will certainly stretch out and lose its shape under the weight of absorbed water.

Drying near heating devices - radiators, heaters, heaters, and even more so on their surface is strictly prohibited.

To prevent shoes or gloves from losing their shape, you need to put crumpled absorbent paper inside, changing it periodically to speed up drying.

How to clean a suede hat

Suede caps, berets, bandanas are beautiful and stylish accessories. However, over time, spots appear on them, and certain places begin to become shiny.

To avoid washing your hats for as long as possible, use special impregnations and care products.

Clean with homemade products.

To work you will need:

white cotton or silk fabric,
vacuum cleaner,
adhesive roller for cleaning clothes,
towel,
suede brush (if regular, then with natural bristles),
new white sponge,
stationery eraser.

Removing old and shiny stains

From wearing for a long time, your favorite headdress can become shiny around the edges. The view is not very attractive. Of course, if you clean your hat in a timely manner, unsightly shiny spots will not appear on it. More often it happens the other way around - all hands do not reach. Take some time and finally get to cleaning. You will need:

Ammonia in the amount of 10 ml. If you buy a box of ampoules, you will spend everything, so it is better to buy ammonia in a bottle.
Pure water – 40 ml. It is convenient to measure the amount for preparing the working solution with a regular medical syringe.

Mix water with ammonia, soak a cloth in the solution and treat shiny stains. Then go over them with a weak solution of vinegar - 5 ml per 200 ml of water.

Finish this double treatment by wiping with a damp cloth and drying thoroughly. When the headdress is completely dry, you won’t even believe that there were ever shiny spots on it!