How can you wash a suede dress? Such products are far from new these days. It can be natural and artificial. This material is used to make jackets and shoes, trousers and other items of our everyday wardrobe.
Things made from suede are strong and durable, although they require special care. Let's consider the features of washing in a washing machine and by hand.
- Properties of artificial and natural suede
- Handwash
- Machine washable suede items
- Dry cleaning
- How to soften and restore
- Proper drying
- Care Tips
Properties of artificial and natural suede
Natural suede has the following qualities:
- porosity;
- hairiness;
- ductility.
This material is obtained by combined tanning of sheep or deer hides (cattle are allowed). Suede absorbs moisture, and after swelling it becomes almost waterproof. It is a good, comfortable and breathable fabric. In appearance, it is a pile material, so products made from such suede are distinguished by velvety, and in softness it is very similar to fabric.
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Things made from natural suede retain their structure perfectly, and it doesn’t matter whether you soak them or wash them in soap and water. This fabric will still be soft. It is also called washable leather.
Pollution comparison
Artificial suede is produced differently from natural suede. It is, if you can call it that, synthesized. Faux suede is made in two ways - woven and non-woven. When produced using the woven method, the material is of very high quality and reliable, it retains its strength and flexibility.
The essence of this method is special microfiber threads. They are used to weave material for future suede, after which it is passed through a special machine that creates pile on the fabric. This is how quality material is obtained. True, this method is very expensive and not accessible to everyone.
Another option for producing artificial suede is the non-woven method. It is based on the technology of gluing pile onto fabric. This material is of the lowest quality, but in appearance it is very similar to suede, so it can be confused with natural.
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In order to distinguish these two types, you need to pay attention to the inside of the fabric. If there is a difference with the outside, this means that the suede was produced using a non-woven method.
What products can you use to care for artificial suede?
You can remove greasy stains from faux suede shoes using gasoline. If the suede is hard, then you can use starch, which allows you to absorb fat, then forming a crust on the surface. Then they are cleaned off with a large brush.
This method works for fresh stains, but if the stain is old, then it is necessary to dilute starch and ammonia. This mixture effectively fights fat that has already been partially absorbed. After using the product, even the strongest greasy stain becomes less bright or disappears. If the stain is not greasy, then you should use a brush with rubber fibers or a rubber-based eraser.
If the reagent has left salt on your faux suede shoes, then you should try one proven remedy - a piece of black bread. You need to cut it off and start wiping the affected area with the side where the crust is located.
Handwash
If you decide to wash your suede product by hand, you should know that it loves care. Washing should be done carefully and quickly. Under no circumstances should things be soaked for a long time. This material does not like this attitude.
Handwash
- Fill a container with warm water.
- Add laundry detergent or suede shampoo.
- Soak the item briefly.
- Take a brush and begin to gently and carefully rub, starting from those places that are most dirty.
- When finished, drain the soapy water and gently wring out the product.
- Fill up with new water without detergent and rinse your item. It is necessary to rinse until the water in the container becomes clear.
- Squeeze lightly and hang to drain and dry.
Do not squeeze too hard, this will damage the material. And if your suede was obtained using a non-woven method, then you shouldn’t get the whole thing wet at all.
Dilute soapy water and scrub the dirty part with a foam sponge. Afterwards, treat in the same way only with a clean sponge to rinse.
Substitute
A high-quality substitute is difficult to distinguish externally from natural material. But this is only an external resemblance. What is artificial suede?
The manufacturing technology here is such that the fibers are glued to a fabric base. The second option is to make thread loops that form a pile. The next stage is treatment with special substances that improve properties: color retention, water resistance.
However, this sock material is far from ideal. It does not retain heat well, does not have vapor permeability, and allows water to pass through. Compared to natural material, the substitute has a shorter working life.
Machine washable suede items
So, for SMA washing, you need to remember to be gentle with your suede fabric. First of all, carefully examine the label for symbols prohibiting machine washing. If there are none, then we can continue.
Washing suede in the machine
What is necessary:
- If the item is without lining, turn it inside out; if with it, there is no need to turn it inside out.
- If there are any stains on the fabric, rub them with laundry soap or gentle bleach, scrub a little with a brush.
- Now put your things in the machine.
- It is advisable to choose a washing program “silk” or “delicate”.
- Temperature is not higher than 300.
- The number of revolutions during spinning is no more than 300.
At the end of washing, remove the item from the machine and dry it. If you need to treat suede shoes, then you should put them in a bag and wash them along with your old clothes. This is done in order to protect the drum of the machine from damage. You should not wash more than one pair of shoes at a time.
Lining
If possible, carefully peel back the lining and wash it separately in the machine or by hand. After drying, sew back. Another variant:
- Lift the lining with your fingers and wrap the suede in a plastic bag.
- Wet the lining so that moisture does not get on the suede.
- Lather the stains with laundry soap and scrub.
- Rinse off under running water or shower.
- Wring out and absorb excess moisture with a towel.
- Dry the jacket with the washed lining inside out. Hang on a hanger away from heating devices.
We suggest you read How to remove an oil stain from clothes: effective home methods
Dry cleaning
This type of washing is the optimal way to clean suede products. In addition to the fact that this is a noble material and prefers dry cleaning, some products made from it cannot be washed at all. If on the label of the item you find a symbol prohibiting washing, congratulations, you will have to use dry cleaning using the methods outlined below.
Dry cleaning suede
Ethanol
It is good for removing makeup or greasy stains.
Despite the fact that ethyl alcohol is essentially an aggressive substance, it is good for removing such contaminants or, for example, a shiny area. Instructions for use:
- wet a piece of clean cloth with alcohol;
- treat the stain until it disappears;
- let things dry.
Soap solution
Another possibly suitable option. It is unlikely that grease can be removed this way, but simple mud stains can be removed. And this is done like this:
- To begin with, you need to use a rubberized or regular brush to remove dirt from the area that needs to be cleaned.
- Then, dilute a weak soap solution of laundry or baby soap in a container.
- Soak a cloth, rag or sponge in the mixture and apply it to the area to be cleaned.
- Then, in the same way, remove any remaining soap (rinse).
- Leave to dry.
Home Recipes
Cleaning a suede jacket consists of several stages. After each season, the product must be cleaned, taking into account the following recommendations:
- Clothes made from natural suede can be washed in a washing machine on a gentle cycle at low temperature.
- To prevent streaks, it is important to choose an instant powder or gel capsule.
- Do not overdry the product. It is better to leave the jacket to dry on a mannequin or hanger in a ventilated area.
- You need to iron clothes through the fabric. Material that has become rough after washing can be restored with vinegar by evenly sprinkling the solution on the item.
If stains, stains or scuffs appear on your favorite item, you need to prepare a special cleaning agent. Most often, collars and pockets become dirty. There are several ways to remove stains from suede products at home. Cooking will not take much time. The cost of homemade products is less than store-bought aerosols. Before application, it is better to test the selected solution on an inconspicuous internal area.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with How to remove stains on leatherette furniture and shoes easily and simply
How to soften and restore
It often happens that after washing or wearing, our favorite suede items become rough and hard. In order not to throw them away, you need to give them their original softness. First of all, we can simply add a little vinegar when washing. It helps soften the fabric and protect against color loss. In general, it definitely won’t hurt to use it.
Another proven method is steaming. The essence of this method is to use steam to make the suede softer. In this case, we will need special steam engines or brushes.
Also, a steam iron is quite suitable. True, you need to be careful with him. The sole of the iron should not be brought closer than 5 centimeters to the suede. This threatens to burn the material.
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Irina. Housewife.
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Alternatively, you can hang the item over a container of boiling water. This method is safe.
Glycerin can be another savior. It must be diluted, half a teaspoon of glycerin per liter of water. Treat the material with the resulting mixture, and remove the residue with a dry cloth. A simple combing of suede with a special brush is quite capable of giving the item neatness, fluffiness and softness.
Machine washable suede
Natural
A jacket made of natural suede can be cleaned using dry and wet methods. It is allowed to wash it by hand in water at a temperature of up to 45 degrees with laundry soap or detergent for wool and silk items.
A few rules to help prevent material damage:
- the jacket should not be soaked; it is better to fill a basin with water and wash the product laid out on a flat surface or hung on a hanger;
- cleaning should be gentle, the material should not be rubbed or wrung out, as this may cause the product to shrink in size;
- rinse only in warm water;
- To prevent the material from becoming coarser, you need to rub the jacket with a special mixture when it dries. The preparation is simple: take half a teaspoon of glycerin and dissolve it in a liter of water;
- After treatment with the mixture, the product is rolled on a flat surface into a tube. Thanks to this, glycerin is better absorbed into the material.
After 4–5 hours, when the twist is soaked, it is dried. To do this, it is better to hang it on a hanger or hanger so that the product is straightened.
Proper drying
Drying the material is possible and even recommended at normal room temperature. The fact is that with greater heating, insufficient humidity and prolonged treatment at high temperatures, suede deteriorates and dries out. As a result, it becomes rough, cracks and fails.
Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to dry suede items near heaters. Simply hang the product in a room or place to dry and leave it overnight. This is a smart approach.
If you washed a suede bag, shoes or some other bulky wardrobe item, then you will need paper. It needs to be shoved inside a shoe or bag. This move is necessary to absorb moisture from the inside and maintain the shape of the product.
Care Tips
In order not to have to spend a long time and tediously cleaning off the dirt, steaming them and doing other annoying things, you just need to regularly care for the item. Proper and regular care will help it last for a very long time.
Are you unplugging your washing machine?
Oh yes! No
Cloth
To treat clothes, use a special brush.
It is ideal for both clothing and shoes, bags, gloves and other accessories. With its help, your suede jacket will never fall off and will always look like a new thing. And also, it is necessary to use special sprays to restore and maintain color, and water-repellent ones. How to restore suede after washing? Using the methods described above.
Shoes
Shoe care is also important.
You should also use special sprays, varnishes and paints to maintain and care for your boots or shoes to prevent them from becoming rough. If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately. At the same time, do not forget to put the paper inside. This technique will help maintain the shape of the shoes and speed up drying from the inside.
To wash or not to wash - that is the question.
Natural suede cannot be directly “washed” in a machine, in a basin or under running water. It can only be dry cleaned. Faux suede is less fussy and some people put it in the washing machine. If you are one of those who are not afraid, read about it in the article about delicate washing. There are instructions for delicate mode. Cleaning suede items is the same for jackets, shoes and hats. Follow the tips and there will be no dirty spots left.
First, wipe the sole with a clean, damp cotton cloth, removing all sand and lumps of dirt. Try not to touch the fleecy top with this napkin to avoid staining it. Suede does not tolerate hot water, so when cleaning nubuck, suede jackets or berets, use warm water no higher than 40 °C.
