How to Clean a Suede Couch

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Suede couches add a timeless elegance to homes. They are nice to look at, comfortable, and fuzzy. They are also quite a large investment, which is why it can be so upsetting to either watch a stain being formed or find a dried food stain.

A lot of people assume that suede, and faux-suede, are difficult to clean due to their fuzziness, but this could not be further from the truth. In this article, we will show you how to protect your couch and how to remove some common stains but, before that, it is good to understand what suede is.

What is Suede?
Suede is a soft, supple type of leather made from the underside of an animal and is mostly used for creating bags, shoes, clothing, and furniture. The warm and fuzzy texture of suede comes from all of the small, raised fibres (or nap), which cover the outside of the leather.

What is Suedette?
Suedette is a man-made alternative to natural suede. It is usually made from cotton or rayon, which has been given a suede finish. This is a great option for those that want the look of suede without using animal products or for those on a budget.

How to clean a suede couch
Cleaning a delicate fabric like suede may seem like a nightmare but, with a little bit of care and attention, you can keep your couch-stain free and protect it from most of the wear and tear caused by daily life. Follow the instructions below to find out what you’ll need, as well as how to clean suede.

Before you start
• Use an upholstery cleaner specifically for suede;
• Always refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning;
• Make sure that the room your suede couch is in is well ventilated; open windows and turn on any fans;
• Use a painter’s face mask if it is difficult to air the room, or if you’re worried about the aerosol cleaner;
• If you have a new couch or are trying out a new cleaning spray, always test the product in an unseen area to make sure that your chosen cleaner does not affect the suede.

Things you will need
• Furniture cleaner for suede;
• A suede napping brush (these can be found at most shoe shops);
• A suede rubbing cloth;
• A vacuum cleaner;
• Brown gum eraser or a suede eraser;
• A dry sponge;

• Optional – a waterproofing spray or stain repellent; although these are optional they can help protect your couch for longer.

Weekly cleaning tasks: Cleaning a suede couch can be a daunting task, especially if has not been cleaned in a while, but maintaining that beautiful couch can be made a lot easier if you include it in your weekly cleaning schedule...
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...