Can You Wash Suede? How to Clean Suede in a Washing Machine?

It is upsetting to see your suede jackets or shoes get dirty. You may want to put them in a washing machine. Stop! Let’s talk about whether you can wash suede with water.

Vests, jackets, and boots can all be made of the opulent material suede. Suede can accent and complete so many different outfits in so many different styles because it is less expensive than leather and comes in such a wide range of colors and options.

Given that it is softer and thinner than full-grain leather, can you wash suede? The majority of manufacturers do not advise washing suede in a washing machine, but you can if you don’t use that method frequently.

Read and learn how to wash suede in a washing machine.

Can You Wash Suede?

Most manufacturers recommend not cleaning suede in a washing machine because the water and heavy soap could damage the surface.

However, you should always double-check this by reading the clothing tag’s washing instructions. A wash cycle in the washing machine won’t damage some fabrics because they have been treated with specific chemicals that guard them against water and soap damage.

Suspended footwear cannot be cleaned in a washing machine unless it is made of synthetic suede. You must then, and only then, adhere to all of the shoemaker’s cleaning instructions.

You must adhere to those instructions or you risk damaging the shoes. Suede is a very delicate fabric, so if a lot of water is thrown on it, it will not be able to withstand it.

Watch what happens to suede shoes when you wear them while walking in the rain. Once they dry, it is not a pretty sight.

How to Clean Suede in a Washing Machine?

• Step 1: Put your suede clothing in the washing machine along with a leather and suede cleaner. Decide how much detergent to add by reading the directions on the detergent bottle.
• Step 2: Only use the gentle cycle on the washer. Run the cycle all the way through without adding fabric softener.
• Step 3: Your suede clothing should be taken out of the washer, and it should be gently pulled back into its original shape.
• Step 4: Lay the suede clothing flat on a fresh towel and allow it to air dry completely.

How to Clean Suede Shoes the Right Way?

Hand-washing suede shoes is always the best course of action. Here, we examine the procedures you ought to follow and the best ways to approach those difficult stains.

Let Them Dry

Let your shoe air dry completely if they are slightly dirty or muddy. If you don’t do this, you might just end up spreading the mud more and making it worse. Shoes made of dried suede will clean up much more easily.

Brush Them

The fact that you brush them in the initial step of cleaning is one of the reasons you need them to dry. It may be wise to invest in one of the suede-specific brushes available. If you don’t have one of these, a toothbrush or another soft brush with a similar texture will do.

To preserve the shoe’s appearance, you should lightly brush it, and it’s crucial to brush with the grain. Apply a little more pressure if necessary to help remove the stain, but be careful not to scrub too vigorously or you risk damaging the shoe.

Further Reading:

• How to Clean Suede Birkenstocks?
• How to Clean Leather Boots the Right Way?

Use a Rubber

A rubber can aid in lifting and removing those difficult stains. Like brushes, suede rubbers are actually sellable, but a standard pencil rubber will do just fine. Make sure the rubber you’re using is clean only.

It’s crucial to apply the proper amount of pressure, just like with the brush. Although you can use a little more force than you did with the brush, it’s wise to keep track of your progress to determine whether you’re successfully removing the stain or if the suede is being harmed.

White Vinegar

Whenever possible, use the least amount of liquid solution when working with suede. It’s best to cover a few of your fingers with a clean cloth for this step and gently rub your suede with the grain back and forth.

White vinegar is a great household cleaner because it can disintegrate dirt and grime so that it can be removed from shoes with ease. You don’t want to use too much of it because it is quite acidic. Additionally, don’t worry if the color changes; once it dries, the original color should return.

Extra Cleaning

The steps mentioned above should have helped you achieve the desired result. If not, you can still try a couple of other things. Any cleaning solution should always be used with caution because if you use it too vigorously, you risk damaging the shoe.

• Steam – Stains may be removed with the aid of hot steam. This can be done with an iron, a kettle, or a portable steamer. Simply place the shoes over the steam and scrub the stain away with your brush. Be careful that your shoes don’t get soaked.
• Soap – The simplest solution is just soap and water. Use the least amount of water possible, as you can probably guess. Actually, it’s a good idea to combine the soap and water and use the suds as opposed to the water itself.
• Baking soda – Baking soda can be a very powerful tool for removing liquid stains. These can be applied to your shoe and left overnight because they are very absorbent. The stain should hopefully be absorbed by it, leaving you with a clean shoe.
• Suede cleaner – A dedicated suede cleaner is also an option, and it works similarly to soap and water in most cases. These typically don’t do a great job of getting rid of dirt, but they can lift stains and help your shoe look like new again.

Brilliant and Easy Ideas to Clean Suede

Use Protectant Spray as a Precautionary Measure

For small stains, spills, and splashes, we advise using a tried-and-true protectant spray free of silicones on freshly cleaned shoes. Use a spray that is specifically designed for fine leathers and suede, and carefully adhere to the instructions.

Check the Weather Forecast

Because they can’t, shoes have never brashly asserted that they can withstand rain, sleet, or snow. Even if you ‘waterproof’ your suede shoes with spray, you should avoid wearing them in wet weather and near the beach since “water and harsh salts may discolor, degrade, and weaken the material over time.”

Steam Them

More than just removing wrinkles from your favorite shirt, a steam shower is calming. Use hot steam and a suede brush to remove stains from your shoes. Some people enjoy getting their suede shoes dirty, but you shouldn’t. In order to keep your shoes clean, you should instead use steam.

Dry Brush Them Regularly

For frequent cleaning and stain eradication, we advise investing in a suede dry brush with fine, natural horsehair bristles in addition to spray. On tough stains, use a suede eraser first, exerting mild pressure and softly rubbing back and forth. After that, restore the pile of suede by brushing off any leftover material.

Be Specific When It Comes to Storage

Suede is a natural material, so you should be extra careful when putting it away for the season. To protect it from dust and damage while still allowing for proper air circulation, pick a fabric bag over a plastic one.

Invest in a Suede Kit

There are some businesses that sell suede care kits that have everything you need to clean and maintain your suede shoes. A spray to repel rain and stains, a brush, and a cleansing conditioner are a few of these supplies.

Our favorite items in the package are the repellent spray, which protects new suede, and the brush, which treats any stains, saying that having both on hand is great for both maintaining new suedes and getting rid of any stains.

Conclusion: Can You Wash Suede?

You can still wash suede shoes in a washing machine, though it is not advised. As the shoe will quickly deteriorate, this should only be done very infrequently.

Even though you technically could wash suede in a washing machine using the procedures we looked at above, we strongly advise against it. Buy yourself a protector spray for the future and clean them by hand using the techniques we’ve looked at.

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