How to clean a suede couch – brief and clear tutorial

So, you have a suede couch, but still don’t know how to clean it properly? Fortunately, here you can find the most effective ways of cleaning suede couches, including the range of necessary stuff.

The difference between natural suede and faux suede

Before you get down to work, you need to figure out what type of suede do you have. Because the kind of suede directly influences the choice of the cleaning technique.

Natural suede

Natural suede is a type of leather made from the underside of animal skin, giving it a soft surface.

Faux suede

Faux suede is the imitation of natural suede made from synthetic materials. The most popular variation of faux suede is microfiber suede. It contains polyester and nylon threads.

The most reliable way to distinguish natural suede from microfiber suede is by feeling it.

Real suede has a mellow texture, while faux feels like plastic. Natural suede has a napped or fuzzy finish. While faux suede is coarse.

You will get to know the most reliable methods of cleaning suede couch.

How to clean a natural suede sofa

Although suede is an extremely delicate fabric, a suede couch is easy to dirty. But cleaning the suede sofa and maintaining this effect is not as difficult as you can think. The key moments are suitable materials and time.

Here’s a guide that will help to clean a natural suede couch. Do it step by step.

Let’s go!

1. Use the vacuum cleaner

The first thing you have to do is to vacuum a suede couch. Because it is important to remove loose soil and dust before you get down to wet cleaning. It is advisable to use a soft brush attachment. Moreover, you can use a suede brush.

2. Rub water-based solution

To create a cleaning solution, you need to mix warm water and liquid soap. At first, apply the liquid on a small area to be sure that it will not damage a suede couch. Rub gently the liquid.

3. Treat stains spills

It is vital to understand that you should clean stains on the suede sofa immediately. To clean stains on a natural suede couch, you should fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Do not spray too heavily because there is no need to saturate a sofa.

The best way to clean the entire sofa is to work in small areas with a spray bottle. Once the stain is wet, remove the spot, gently rubbing it in a circular motion using a white damp cloth.

How to clean a microfiber suede couches

The method of cleaning the microfiber suede couch is similar to a real suede couch technique. But there are some differences.

Use the vacuum cleaner

It is necessary to vacuum a suede sofa to remove loose dirt and dust. The upholstery attachment is used.

Rub cleaning solution

The difference is in the water-based solution. Here, you mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Gently apply the solution using a sponge. Or you can also use a spray bottle. Then brush the stain with a soft bristle brush.

Treat stains spills

If you are trying to remove stains from a microfiber suede couch, you have a number of solutions: water-based solution with a few drops of dish soap, cornstarch, Windex, or rubbing alcohol.

More detailed guide:

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a perfect match for oil-based stains. Before covering your couch with cornstarch, soak up the liquid on the couch.

Then apply the substance and wait for 10-15 minutes.

Rub the stain with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

Vinegar

Wet a white cloth and rub the stain until it’s gone. And then wash the area with water.

Windex

Windex is a hard-surface cleaner. Spray the surface and brush with a soft-bristled brush.

Water-based solution

However, the most effective way of removing stains is the use of a water-based solution. Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap. Then spray it over the stained area. Rub the stainwith a white damp cloth.

Cleaning methods for all types of suede sofas

Here you can find cleaning tips that will be suitable for either a natural suede sofa or a microfiber suede couch.

These points will contain information concerning the usage of household products in brushing suede upholstery and some special cleaning equipment.

The usage of household products in cleaning

Vinegar

Vinegar is a generic cleaner. It is an extremely useful tool that will help to deal with stains and at the same time not damage delicate material.

The proportion of the vinegar solution is one part of vinegar and two parts of water. Just mix them or use a spray bottle. But if you deal with tough stains such as oil stains, you can try out a stronger solution – one part of water and one part of vinegar.

To make the solution work, follow the steps:

Moisten the white cloth with vinegar and rub at the wet stains until it’s gone. Afterward, wash the area with a water-based solution to get rid of the odor.

Baking soda

If you want to remove a strong odor, just add a teaspoon of baking soda to a water-based solution and sprinkle baking soda over your suede couch. Gently brush the baking soda into the fabric. Wait for one hour and then vacuum the baking soda.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a good turn for oil-based stains. Using a white cloth, soak up the liquid on the couch and cover the stain with cornstarch.

Then the absorption of the oil begins. Wait for 10-15 minutes. Wipe the stain with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

Brush the cornstarch to loosen it before vacuuming it up. And use the vacuum cleaner or suede brush to remove the remnants.

Specialized Suede Cleaner

In addition, you can use specialized suede cleaner to remove stubborn stains without damaging a suede couch

Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is suitable for grease spills. Just fill a spray bottle with the liquid and sprinkle it on a suede couch. Then rub this area with a sponge. And you will see that the stain’s gone.

Turn to professional cleaning with your suede furniture piece

Of course, it is essential to use the help of a professional upholstery cleaner annually. It is impossible to do deep cleaning by yourself. A professional upholstery cleaner is a must.

Suede Eraser

A suede eraser is similar to a pencil eraser for tricky stains. Rub gently at the stain to clean a suede couch.

Suede brush

It is recommended to have a spare suede brush. There are three different types of suede cleaning brushes. A natural bristle brush is the first type. A combination brush is the second type, it is a mixture of natural and synthetic bristles. And the third type is a crepe brush.

It is preferable to use a natural bristle suede cleaning brush.

The reason is that natural bristles are more flexible and are getting deeper in the couch.

This brush is perfect for everyday cleaning. The brush will properly remove all accumulated dust and dirt.

A suede couch care policy

Let’s get acquainted with the basic rules that will help you maintain a suede couch clean:

• Vacuum the sofa regularly to get rid of dust
• Use professional cleaning services annually
• Avoid exposure to sunlight
• If liquid gets on the sofa, it should be dried immediately
• Don’t leave animals on your couch to prevent the wool from sticking to the suede
• Use a water-repellent suede protectant spray

Conclusion

To conclude, in this article all possible points concerning the topic “how to clean a suede couch” were covered.

These tips showed that it is not so difficult to clean a suede couch and maintain the result. Your suede furniture can be looking as good as a new one. Make sure you follow the instructions closely.

FAQs

What household item can I use to clean my suede couch?

If you want to clean a suede couch using household items, it is advisable to exploit rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and cornstarch. Gently rub any of these items into the stain. Wait for 10-15 minutes. And then remove the remaining liquid using a clean cloth.

Does water ruin a suede couch?

Absolutely not, water doesn’t ruin a suede couch.

Furthermore, water is a helping hand in the process of cleaning. You can use different water-based solutions to clean your couch. For example, if you are struggling with tough stains, the mix of water and vinegar or water and baking soda will be really helpful.

How do you clean dirty suede?

It depends on the type of suede couch: natural or faux. But there are some techniques that are applicable to both types.

Cornstarch is a good turn for oil-based stains.

Vinegar is a generic cleaner. It is a very useful tool that will help to remove stains immediately and at the same time not damage a suede couch.

The detailed instruction can be read above.

How do you clean dirty microsuede furniture?

Firstly, it is advisable to vacuum microsuede furniture to remove loose dirt and dust.

Secondly, fill a spray bottle with water and few drops of dish soap and sprinkle the liquid. Or you can also use the sponge to apply the solution. Then brush the stain with a soft bristle brush.

To get rid of stains, the backing soda with water (proportion 1/1) and vinegar with water (proportion 1/1) are the most suitable suede cleaners. Just apply the solution to the stain with a sponge or a spray bottle. Wait 10-15 minutes. And remove the spot with a white, clean cloth.

Can you steam clean a suede couch?

Yes, steam cleaning is another working method. Especially if a suede couch needs a deep cleaning. After a steam cleaning is recommended to brush the surface to restore the raised look of the couch.