Complete Guide to Cleaning Your Suede Couch: Simple Steps for A Long-Lasting Furniture

From suede to leather to jacquard, these fabrics, with their distinctive texture and vibrant colors, have unique ways of adding a touch of luxury to your home.

Suede, in particular, is prized for its soft, velvety feel and sophisticated appearance. Aside from its soft texture and nap-like hairs, the fabric is porous to water and, of course, dirt and particles. This makes it a high-maintenance fabric, requiring special care when it comes to cleaning and removing odors from it.

How Often to Clean

Suede fabric, if properly maintained, can last more than 5 years. A routine removal of stains / particles immediately is normal, while deep cleaning every 3 months to remove dirt is recommended.

Getting Your Materials

Proper maintenance starts with the right choice of material when making your products purchase . One wrong product could leave the fabric poorly-looking or damaged. Materials like these below should be avoided when making your purchase.

Harsh Chemicals like bleach or acid-containing products should be avoided, as they can damage the fabric

Abrasive Tools: Hard brushes and scouring pads shouldn’t be used.

Soaps and detergents: Standard house detergents can leave residue and alter the color

Mild dish soap mixed with a large quantity of water can be used

Alcohol-based cleaners : these can dry out the suede and cause it to become brittle and crack

Colored cleaning clothes : colored clothes can bleed onto the fabric. Remember, you are trying to avoid color change as much as possible

Direct Heat Sources Hair dryers can cause the fabric to shrink while drying out

Materials to Use

This depends on the type of cleaning or maintenance you aiming for. Mild dish soap for deep cleaning. Baking soda for odor removal. Cornstarch or talcum powder to remove oil stains. Suede or soft, brittle brush to remove surface particles

How to Do A Deep Cleaning

Materials include white wash cloth , mild dish soap , spray bottle and soft bristle brush

Step 1: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Mix a solution of one spoon of mild dish soap with a large volume of water. This dilution helps reduce the concentration of the soap

Step 2 : Test on a Small Area

Before applying the solution to the entire stain , test it on a small, inconspicuous area . Allow it to dry completely and check result before proceeding to the entire fabric

Step 3: Apply on the Couch

If there is no damage , you can lightly dampen a clean washcloth with the mild soap solution. Alternatively, a spray bottle can be used to lightly mist the solution into the suede fabric

Step 4: Scrub

Gently scrub the surface with the washcloth, part by part .

Step 5: Dry Out

Once done, you can remove moisture using a vacuum cleaner or allow it to dry naturally if it’s not available.

Step 6: Restore the nap

Use the the soft, brittle brush to lift the nap of the fabric as it drys out Repeat process if dirt persists

How to Remove Oil Stains

Materials needed are cornstarch or talcum powder and a soft, brittle brush

Step 1 : Blot Excess Oil

If the oil is fresh , use a clean cloth to blot as much excess as possible from the spot instantly.

Step 2 : Apply the powder

Apply Cornstarch or Talcum powder Generously sprinkle cornstarch or the alternative talcum powder. Do this until the entire stain is completely covered by a thick layer of powder. These powders are highly absorbent and will draw out the oil from the suede fabric.

Step 3 : Let it sit

Allow the powder to sit on the stain for hours . The longer you leave it, the more oil it absorbs

Step 4 : Brush Off

Brush Off Brush off the powder using a soft, brittle brush . You should see some of the oil lifted

How to Remove Odor

Materials needed are baking soda, a popular deodorizer that neutralizes odor. A vacuum cleaner or a soft bristle brush

Step 1: Prepare the couch

Dust the couch lightly to get rid of surface dirt

Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda

Sprinkle the soda over the entire surface of the couch and allow it to sit for hours . You can cover with a big blanket for more effective odor removal

Step 3: Vacuum thoroughly

Vacuum the area thoroughly. Use a suede brush to dust off the baking soda; note that the vacuum works best.

Step 4: Repeat If Necessary

Repeat You can repeat if the odor persists.

How to Remove Surface Particles

Here, you will only need a suede or soft bristle brush. A soft-tooth brush can also do the job. Brush the nap in one direction. Repeat till all the particles are off the fabric

Maintenance for A Long-Lasting Furniture

1. Place your furniture away from direct heat and sunlight to prevent cracking and peeling

2. Use suede-friendly products while cleaning

3. Avoid overusing a spot

Conclusion

Cleaning home furniture is important . What is more important is the choice of products in your maintenance routine, as the longevity of your furniture depends on this.