Synthetic suede is a stain resistant fabric, made with polyester microfibres and, precisely because it is not genuine animal skin, it is also more durable and cheaper than traditional suede. It is also soft and comfortable, features that make it a great fabric for any application, from furniture to curtains, bedding, clothing and fashion accessories. It is a very easy-to-care-for material and with proper care, regular cleaning and timely stain removal, it can keep it looking fresh and new for many years.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Caring for Synthetic Suede Clothing
Step 1. Check the labels
In most cases, this material - which is used for clothes, tablecloths, curtains, other clothing, accessories or other furniture components - can be washed in the washing machine, but always check the label to be sure. If the label is missing or too worn and you can't read it, you are mistaken for excessive caution: wash the elements by hand with a mild soap or detergent and hang or spread them out to dry.
- If the label shows the design of a tub full of water, it means that you can wash the garment in the washing machine; the presence of any number indicates the water temperature;
- If there is a hand drawn on the label tray, it means that the garment does not go into the washing machine and you have to wash it by hand;
- A square with the circle inside indicates that you can use the dryer;
- A single circle means you can only dry clean it;
- If you see the triangle, you can use bleach safely.
- If you see an "X" or a cross on any of these symbols, it means that you cannot use the corresponding cleaning method.
Step 2. Test on a small area
Before washing or cleaning any new fabric, you should always take a test to make sure that the products you want to use do not damage it in any way.
- Choose a small surface in an invisible area and apply a small amount of the detergent you have chosen; let it sit for five to ten minutes and scrub the area with a clean, white cloth.
- Check that the fabric does not stain, discolour or shrink; use a damp cloth to remove the detergent.
Step 3. Treat the stains separately
For those stubborn or difficult to clean, use soapy water, clear alcohol (such as isopropyl alcohol), vodka or a mild liquid detergent previously diluted in water (use 6 ml of product for 250 ml of water). Here's how to clean the stain:
- Apply a small amount of cleaning agent with a clean cloth or sponge;
- Gently scrub with a sponge, a lint-free cloth, or a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush, such as a toothbrush. If you use a sponge or cloth, make sure it is white or undyed, otherwise it could transfer the color to the faux suede.
Step 4. Treat stubborn stains
Sometimes, some fabrics don't come back perfectly clean, but there are methods you can use to remove stubborn stains from your favorite clothing.
- To remove deodorant or antiperspirant stains, rub a small amount of liquid laundry detergent into the armpit area and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing the fabric.
- For oil stains, lay the garment on a clean cloth or towel with the dirty side down. Pour some liquid laundry detergent on the back of the stain and let it sit. When the oil and soap have transferred and dried on the cloth, replace it with a clean one; rinse the area once it has dried and wash the garment as usual.
- To get rid of stubborn organic residue stains (such as food, soda, grass or blood), you need to pre-treat the area by scrubbing it with an enzyme-containing detergent; let it sit for 10 minutes and then wash the garment normally.
Step 5. Wash the garment
For garments that can be cleaned in the washing machine, always load only faux suede items to prevent them from filling up with lint. Large items, such as curtains and bedding, should be washed alone. If you only need to clean one synthetic suede item, place it in a laundry bag to separate it from the rest of the laundry.
- If you want to feel serene, always set a delicate washing program and use a neutral liquid detergent.
- For items that need to be washed by hand, fill a large basin or sink with warm soapy water. Put your garment on and let it absorb the water; shake it gently with your hands, focusing especially on particularly dirty areas.
Step 6. Dry it
If the label says you can put it in the dryer, follow the directions described regarding the temperature or set the appliance to a low temperature.
Alternatively, you can dry the garment by hanging it on a clothesline or spread it out on a towel
Step 7. Brush the fabric
The faux suede may stiffen a little after washing; use a soft brush or a clean toothbrush and scrub it gently to bring it back to its natural softness.
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the Faux Suede Accessories
Step 1. Brush off dirt, salt and mud
Use a soft brush or cloth to remove excess dirt or other caked residue.
Step 2. Prepare a cleaning solution
Synthetic suede is a material often used for fashion items, such as boots, shoes, bags and purses and can be easily cleaned when it gets dirty. To proceed you need:
- A little newspaper (for shoes);
- A soft cloth or cotton balls;
- A mixture of equal parts water and vinegar or pure isopropyl alcohol.
Step 3. Clean the accessories
Dip the cloth in the cleaning solution you have prepared and wring it out to remove excess water; it must be slightly moist and not dripping. Gently wipe the fabric to be cleaned with the damp cloth, rinsing and wetting it again as needed, until the dirt, salt or stains are gone.
If you've opted for alcohol instead, transfer it to a spray bottle and spray it on a cloth before scrubbing the faux suede
Step 4. Let the material dry
Once your shoes are clean, fill them with newspaper, to facilitate the drying process and prevent them from deforming. If you cleaned a purse or purse instead, leave it flat on a towel or hang it up to dry.
If the newspaper in your shoes starts to absorb too much water, replace it with a dry one
Step 5. Brush the fabric
Any synthetic suede item, even fashion accessories, becomes stiff after washing, so it is important to use a soft brush to smooth the material once it is dry.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning the Synthetic Suede Furniture
Step 1. Use the vacuum cleaner regularly
Use it weekly to free furniture from crumbs, dirt, allergens, animal hair and dust; in this way, you also prevent residues from penetrating the fibers and, at the same time, the furniture maintains a clean appearance in general. Vacuum the cushions on the bed, sofa, corners, crevices and cracks in the furniture.
Step 2. Check the label
Furniture usually has information on the type of product to use for cleaning, but these are only useful if you know what the symbols mean. Quite often, faux suede furniture labels have these letters that hark back to English terminology:
- W: wash with a water based solution, for example soapy water;
- S: wash with a solvent-based solution, such as furniture sprays or alcohol;
- SW: it is possible to follow both washing procedures.
Step 3. Immediately blot liquid splashes
The faux suede is water repellent, which means that when liquid falls on the fabric, it is not absorbed and can be scrubbed away. However, spills that are not cleaned up immediately and dry on the material can cause water, color or food stains.
- Blot the fabric (do not rub it!) With a clean, dry cloth to remove liquids and water.
- For food residues, use a spoon or spatula to scrape the dirt off.
- If there is mud, wait for it to dry before removing it and brush off the dirt and dust.
Step 4. Clean up stains and other debris
Choose a cleaning product based on the directions on the label and test it in a hidden corner before applying it to other visible areas. The most suitable substance in this case is isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle.
- Spray a small amount on the soiled area and gently scrub with a clean, dye-free sponge or lint-free cloth. Blot stubborn stains, if necessary, and always use clean spots on the cloth for each dirty area; wait for the fabric to dry completely before using it.
- When using aggressive cleaning agents make sure to always work in a well-ventilated area and never near open flames.
- If you have to clean an entire piece of furniture, work on small areas at a time, following the same method; don't forget to remove cushions and pillows.
Step 5. Remove stubborn stains
Due to its nature, furniture is sometimes used for activities that create clutter, dirt and can easily get stained with dust, oil and even wax. Fortunately, faux suede is a fairly durable material and it is possible to remove most stains without damaging it.
- To remove traces of oil, clean as much oil as possible with an absorbent cloth or kitchen paper. Wet a rag with alcohol and wring it out to get rid of excess liquid. then dab it on the stain, finally removing the oil and dirt with a clean, dry fabric.
- To remove the wax, turn on the iron at maximum temperature; place a clean cloth on the area of the furniture to be treated and gently rub the hot iron, moving it back and forth. As the wax melts, it is absorbed by the cloth.
- If you need to remove the chewing gum, apply an ice cube to the gum to freeze it. when it is very cold, scrape it gently with a spoon or spatula.
