How to Care for Suede
Wear your suede without fear by following these preventative care and cleaning tips.
By: Harry Rosen Staff
If you’ve seen the infamous Seinfeld episode where Jerry ruins his brand-new suede jacket by wearing it in the snow — or better yet, if you’ve lived that nightmare yourself — you may have some lingering hesitations about sporting suede.
The truth is, this luxuriously napped fabric does require a little extra care, but with the right precautions, you can rock your favourite suede pieces uninhibited.
Suede comes from the underside of animal hides — typically lamb, goat, deer, or calf — which is sanded or buffed to raise the fibres, creating a soft, velvety texture with a distinctive nap.
Unlike top-grain leather taken from the outer layer of the hide, suede is thinner, softer, and more pliable, making it a popular choice for jackets, shoes, and accessories.
Suede will tell you when it’s time for a cleaning: dirt or salt stains, moisture droplets, scuffs, and everyday wear will leave visible marks on your pieces.
If your suede looks dirty, it probably is — and the good news is that, if addressed quickly, most marks are fairly easy to remove.
All it takes to clean your suede pieces are a few simple tools and some sage advice. Start by investing in a suede brush to lift dirt from the nap and restore its natural texture, a suede eraser for smaller, more stubborn marks, and a protective suede spray for before and after wear.
Do:
- Brush with and against the grain to lift dirt out of the nap.
- Avoid water/moisture whenever possible.
- Stuff with paper and naturally air-dry wet suede.
- Address salt stains with a lightly damp cloth + a drop of white vinegar.
- Use a suede eraser for scuffs and marks.
- Use a suede brush regularly once dry.
Don’t:
- Use artificial heat (radiators, hair dryers) to quickly dry suede.
- Use standard leather polish or heavy conditioners.
- Machine wash or soak.
- Rub aggressively — this flattens the nap permanently.
- Use liquid cleaners, unless designed specifically for suede.
For tough spots and stains that just won’t quit, take your garment to a professional cleaner with lots of experience with suede.
Once totally clean — or better yet, before its ever worn — the very best thing you can do to help preserve the look and feel of suede while protecting it from moisture and stains moving forward is to apply a specialized suede spray.
Suede sprays form a very thin, nearly imperceptible membrane around your suede items, which offers a water- and stain-resistant quality. While sprays can’t promise to make your prized suede pieces 100% waterproof, they go a long way towards it, which is much better than naked suede could ever do on its own.
Hold the spray about 20 – 30 cm away from your garment and test it in an inconspicuous place first. Once you’ve coated your suede item evenly, let it dry fully before wearing it. And don’t forget to reapply your spray seasonally for the best results!
How you store your suede items between wears can greatly impact their appearance and longevity. From regular rotation to limiting sun exposure, a few simple rules go a long way.
- Store your suede pieces in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Be careful when storing (or wearing) lighter suede items with darker clothing, like raw denim, which may bleed and colour-transfer.
- Use wide, padded hangers to support structure and prevent stretching of suede jackets and shirts.
- Keep suede jackets and shirts in breathable garment bags for further protection.
- Use shoe trees (cedar or wood is ideal) to absorb moisture and maintain the shape of suede shoes.
- Store suede shoes in breathable dust bags, always avoiding plastic.
- Rotate your suede items to allow footwear and garments time between wears to maintain integrity.
Suede is a luxurious material that often comes with an equally luxurious price tag, which means investing in a suede garment isn’t something to take lightly. With that in mind, the better the suede, the longer you’ll enjoy it.
TOM FORD is a specialist in leather, and suede is no exception — the brand’s iconic trucker jackets are a signature of each collection.
Brunello Cucinelli offers suede jackets, vests, footwear, accessories, and occasionally even tailoring, all crafted to the brand’s unmistakably elevated standards.
Polo Ralph Lauren and Ralph Lauren Purple Label use suede in classically elegant ways, from jackets and overshirts to casual shirts inspired by formal and Western influences alike.
Suede is central to each Patrick Assaraf collection, with plush overshirts and jackets consistently taking centre stage.
Paul & Shark’s Aqualeather suede is among the most technically advanced on the market, specially treated to provide resistance against water and dust.
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