How to bring suede back: shoes, jackets and bags like new

Suede is one of the most appreciated materials for footwear, accessories and even garments, but it is also difficult to care for. Before throwing away your favorite boots, we tell you how to recover suede: shoes, jackets and bags like new.

Years ago I had some blue suede boots that I loved, however trying to clean them ruined them. While I'm not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to special garment care, I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to care for suede.

How to clean suede?

One of the biggest dilemmas when buying a suede garment is how to clean it, because although soap and water are perfect for removing dirt, in this case they could ruin our beloved garment. That is why it is very important to take some precautions into account.

Suede is characterized by being soft, very delicate... and easy to stain, scratch, lose its color or get dirty. Therefore, the first recommendation is to maintain constant care for your suede garments and always choose products that are suitable for suede, as others could damage it and ruin your garment.

According to experts, it is important to distinguish between suede leather and suede fabric, the fabric mimics the rough surface of suede leather and is often used for garments, so it can be dry cleaned or cleaned according to the instructions of the garment.

In contrast, suede leather, which is made from the innermost part of the skin of different animals, according to the site Best Leather, is usually present in bags, shoes and jackets. In these cases, it is important to follow these steps:

1. Rub the surface of your shoe or bag with a clean bath towel.
2. Remove small, dry stains with a new pencil eraser or chamois eraser. If the stain is wet, place a paper towel on top and apply weight, in any case, avoid using a chemical stain remover.
3. For stubborn stains, use a damp towel and a little white vinegar, rubbing gently, and wait for it to dry completely.
4. If you can't get the stains off, you can gently use a nail file.
5. For oil stains, apply a suede or suede degreaser. You can also use a little cornstarch or talcum powder, leaving it on the stain overnight before brushing.
6. When you have finished cleaning, brush your garment with a soft brush.

If at the first attempt the stain remains or you don't feel sure about removing it, it's best to seek an expert in this material, this way you will avoid ruining your favorite garment.

Photo: iStock

How to recover the chamois?

Being a delicate material, it tends to wear out easily, lose its color or simply end up wet and stained when the rain surprises us, luckily, there are ways to recover your favorite suede garments.

How to recover wet suede shoes?

If you got caught in the rain right when you were wearing your favorite suede boots or sneakers, there are ways to reduce the damage. The first thing is to let them dry slowly in the open air, but never in the sun's rays or another source of heat, such as a dryer, microwave or heater, as this can deform the suede.

If they are very wet, stuff them with newspaper to prevent them from warping. If mud has been stained, using a toothbrush, gently brush in the direction of the suede to remove excess, but it's best to wait for it to dry completely to remove stains. Now follow these steps:

1. Brush your shoes with a suede brush and gently go over the entire surface to rearrange the fibers and make them smooth again. Do it in small circles until it regains its shine.
2. For stains, use a new suede eraser or pencil eraser, always rubbing gently. Finish by brushing your footwear.
3. In case it is a difficult stain or oil, follow the instructions to clean the suede that are in the previous section.
4. Apply a suede protector, which helps prevent water marks and stains by repelling dirt.

Be careful, if your shoes just got splashed or have scattered water stains, garment care experts recommend smoothing the entire piece, dipping a brush or soft-bristled brush with clean water and applying an even layer to the outside of the shoe. . Remove excess moisture with a cloth, let dry and follow the steps mentioned.

6 tips to take care of suede garments

The best thing will always be to prevent damage to our garments, especially if they are made of a material as delicate as suede, to achieve this, these are some recommendations:

Fortunately, stained suede is not the end of the world and there is a solution, follow these tips to recover the suede from your shoes, bags or jackets. Of course, if the stains are very resistant or excessive, take the garment to a dry cleaner or shoemaker.

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