How to Clean Suede Couch: The Best Tips and Tricks

If you scroll through Pinterest for furniture ideas, you will often see suede couches as the most preferred options. They tend to add a timeless elegance to a room; not only are they attractive, but they are also fuzzy and comfortable.

The thing is, suede couches are extremely expensive. This is just one of the many reasons why it can be very frustrating finding a stain on a suede couch. For this, it is important that you learn how to clean suede couches.

There is a misconception that suede and even faux-suede is not easy to clean due to how fuzzy they are. Let us break this to you right away that this is just not true. When you know what exactly the material is, what products to use to clean it, and how to clean it, the whole process becomes easier.

What Is Suede?

Suede is a type of leather that is soft and supple. It is made using the underside of an animal. This is mostly used to make things such as clothing, shoes, bags, and furniture.

Suede’s warm and fuzzy texture comes from all the small and raised fiber. This covers the outside of the leather. Suedette, on the other hand, is a man-made material. It is an alternative to natural suede. This is typically made from materials such as rayon or cotton, and in the end, is given the look and finish of natural suede.

Suedette is a great alternative for those who do not want to use animal products on their furniture or for those who are on a tight budget.

How Do Suede Couches Get Dirty?

Suede couches need a ton of care. They can be easily ruined and can get dirty in no time. What’s worse is that cleaning stains that are left for a long time are harder to get rid of.

All these damages ultimately change the whole look of the fabric, and once it is damaged, it looks dark and greasy. Suede shoes and handbags are far easier to maintain as they are not used as often and can be stored well. This obviously is not the case with a couch.

A couch is used all day long by everyone living in the house. This means that the chances of it getting dirty with greasy snacks, spilled drinks, and even body oils are extremely high. If the couch is not cleaned and protected properly, it will quickly get ruined.

You should take utmost care in maintaining your suede couch. The more attention and care you give to your suede couch, the longer it will last and look attractive. So, below, we will talk about the way you can clean and maintain your suede couch.

How to Clean Suede Couch

We get it; you are terrified of cleaning your delicate and expensive suede couch. Let us assure you that with a little attention and care, your suede couch will be stain-free and well-protected from everyday use and wear and tear.

All you need to do is follow the instructions mentioned below to the T.

Before You Begin

• Make sure you are using an upholstery cleaner that is meant for suede.
• Ensure that you carefully read the care instructions provided by the manufacturer before you clean.
• Clean your suede couch in a room that is well-ventilated; turn on the fans and keep all the windows open. As an added safety measure, you can use a painter’s face mask.
• If you are cleaning your couch for the first time or trying out a new brand of cleaning spray, then we recommend that you test the product in a part of the couch that is typically unseen. This is to ensure that the cleaner does not negatively affect the suede.

Things Needed

• Suede-specific furniture cleaner
• Suede napping brush
• Suede-safe rubbing-cloth
• Vacuum cleaner
• Suede eraser (you can also use brown gum eraser)
• Cornstarch or talcum powder
• Stain repellent or waterproofing spray (optional)

Cleaning Wet Spills and Stains

• Begin by moistening a clean cloth with the suede cleaner.
• Rub the affected area gently in a cross pattern or a small circular motion.
• Let the area dry completely.
• Polish it with the help of a suede cloth or brush with a napping brush.
• Ensure that you are cleaning wet spills as quickly as possible so that the stain does not intensify.

Cleaning Dry Stains

• Gently brush the affected area with the suede brush so that you get rid of any loose dirt.
• Use the suede eraser or the brown gum eraser to remove the stain completely.
• In case of a stubborn stain that does not go away with an eraser, get rid of it by rubbing with a small piece of sandpaper. Be very careful that you are gentle with this process. If done harshly, it will end up damaging the suede.
• Once the stain is completely gone, you can use the suede napping brush to get the fabric back to its original look.

Removing Grease Stains

• Gently pat some cornstarch or talcum powder on the grease stain and let this sit for 12 hours. The powder will absorb all the oils in that grease stain.
• With the help of a vacuum cleaner or suede brush, get rid of the powder.
• Use the suede eraser or the brown gum eraser to remove any traces of the stain.
• There is a possibility that you will need to repeat this process a couple of times until the grease stain is completely gone.

Regular Maintenance

We recommend that you maintain your suede couch on a weekly basis. This is far easier than cleaning a very dirty couch once in a few months.

This process mainly involves you thoroughly vacuuming every corner of the couch to get rid of trapped crumbs, dust, hair, and more. Wipe it down with a suede brush for it to return back to its original look.

Spraying the couch with suede-friendly stain repellent is also a good idea to protect it against accidental spills.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You now know exactly how to clean suede couches. As you can see, the entire process is not very difficult. All you need are the right products, and you are good to go. We recommend that you clean your suede couch on a weekly basis to prolong its life and maintain its look.