How to clean a suede bag at home

A suede handbag is a spectacular and elegant accessory that, when new, can become an elegant element of your look. However, suede is a difficult material to care for and use, so in order to maintain its original appearance, you will have to make some efforts. But how nice it is when your favorite thing makes you happy for a long time! To do this, we have selected several recommendations for you.

Basic rules for caring for suede bags

Before taking an item with you, treat it with a spray with water-repellent properties, even if the weather is expected to be clear.

Clean it every week using a special brush and restoring spray.

Do not store suede handbags in hot rooms in direct sunlight (especially if they are gray, green or blue); high humidity also has a detrimental effect on them. If you do not use the item for a long time, stuff paper inside so that it does not lose its shape.It is recommended to store it in a special case.

ATTENTION! Do not use plastic bags to store it, as they do not allow air to pass through, which is detrimental to the quality.

What products can you use to clean a suede bag?

All of the products listed below are quite universal, however, some are more suitable for each product, and some are less suitable. If you are using one of them for the first time, it is recommended that you first experiment on an inconspicuous area. For cleaning suede bags, special ones are suitable:

• emulsions;
• shampoos;
• foam;
• gels;
• creams.

However, their cost can be high, so many resort to folk remedies, which are no less effective and allow significant savings.. These include:

• Table nine percent vinegar. Add three tablespoons per liter of water for an excellent cleanser and color-fixing agent suitable for bright suede.

IMPORTANT! Do not wipe the dirt too hard and make sure there are no streaks!

• Ammonia. A solution of 1/4 water is applied to the contaminated area, then, after ten minutes, removed with a damp cloth. The main disadvantage of this method is the characteristic pungent odor, which, however, disappears successfully when dried in the fresh air.
• Talc. Used to remove grease stains, as well as wine, coffee and blood. Talcum powder is carefully applied to the stain and rubbed in in a circular motion. If it changes color, the same procedure is repeated after half an hour, and so on until the contamination disappears.
• Skim milk and baking soda solution (4/1). Used to renew suede. Apply to the shiny area and remove after a while with a clean, damp cloth.
• Refined gasoline. Used to remove stubborn grease stains. Gasoline is applied to the stain, and after ten minutes, table salt is gently rubbed into it. After some time, you need to shake the bag and rub in the salt again. Wait another five minutes and remove any remaining residue.
• Steam. Used to “revitalize” old hardened suede. Hold the bag over a pan of hot water or a boiling kettle (or use a special steamer) and you will notice that the material has become much softer.

Suitable cleaning tools

As in the case of chemicals, you can purchase special brushes, sponges and rollers, or you can use improvised tools, such as:

• Clean white eraser. Suitable for any colors, used for express cleaning, for example, if you urgently need to leave the house. It is enough to rub the dirty area with an eraser and then treat it with a damp cloth.
• Cotton pads for applying and removing solutions.
• Pumice. Use only to remove coarse dry dirt. To avoid damaging the suede, never press too hard.
• Chalk. It is used to renew white bags; to do this, crushed chalk is poured onto the stain and left for half a day, after which it is carefully removed with a brush dipped in soap and water.

Is it possible to wash a suede bag in a machine?

Very, very not recommended! Even hand washing can cause irreparable consequences, so machine washing should be resorted to only in exceptional desperate situations. But in this case, under no circumstances should you pre-soak the bag and you should turn off the spin mode. The washing temperature should be no higher than 30 degrees.

Is it possible to wash a suede bag with your own hands?

This method is safer than washing in a machine, however, we also recommend resorting to it only when absolutely necessary., if all other means do not help. As already mentioned, suede does not need pre-soaking; washing should be done in water at room temperature with the addition of mild glycerin-free detergents. Do not wring out the bag; excess water is removed from it with dry wipes.

How to properly wash a suede bag: a step-by-step guide

1. Pour water and some detergent into a bowl.
2. Completely immerse the product in the resulting solution.
3. Gently wipe off dirt with a brush.
4. Rinse the product several times with clean water to ensure no soapy streaks remain.
5. Without squeezing, hang the bag to dry.

How to properly dry a suede bag

Drying should be carried out in natural conditions, without the use of a hair dryer or electric heaters, and the product should also be kept away from hot radiators. To prevent it from losing its shape, hang it on hangers and stuff it with paper.

Be prepared that an unwrung suede bag will take a long time to dry. To restore the original softness after drying, carefully clean the surface with fine-grained sandpaper.