There’s something about suede that adds a touch of luxury to any room in your home, but it can be difficult to take care of compared to other couch materials. With all the impurities and daily wear and tear it’s exposed to, proper cleaning is crucial to maintaining the appearance and quality of your suede couch. Here’s how you can properly clean your suede couch!
How to Clean a Natural Suede Couch
Natural or genuine suede comprises the inner layers of animal hide, making it much more delicate than synthetic or microfiber suede. One way to tell if your couch is made of genuine suede is to brush the surface and see if it changes color tones. This always happens with natural suede due to its longer nap.
Step 1: Prepare the Couch
The first thing you should always do is check the fabric care tag on your suede couch. This will help you figure out the best cleaning method for your couch and should be your primary reference for cleaning. Then, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove all the surface dirt and debris, making cleaning much easier.
Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
Mix a cleaning solution of 70% distilled water and 30% white vinegar in a bowl. Test this cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of your couch to see whether it causes any adverse effects. If none occur, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Start Cleaning
Dampen a soft and clean cloth in your cleaning solution, making sure to squeeze out as much of the excess liquid as possible. Dab the cloth onto any stain or spill on your suede couch, working from the outside and making your way inward. Do this until the stain is no longer visible.
Step 4: Let Couch Air Dry
Once the stain has been fully removed, use a suede brush to gently brush through the cleaned area before leaving it to air dry fully.
How to Clean a Synthetic Suede Couch
Compared to natural suede, synthetic or microfiber suede is much more resilient against spills and stains as it comprises microfiber polyester and nylon.
This type of suede feels much thicker than genuine suede but is also much more durable.
Step 1: Prepare the Couch
Before starting, make sure to consult either the suede couch’s fabric care tag or the manufacturer’s instructions to learn more about the best way to clean your couch. This should always be your main reference when it comes to cleaning. Then, use your vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove all the loose dirt and debris from the surface.
Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of mild detergent. Shake everything together and test it out in an inconspicuous area before proceeding.
Step 3: Start Cleaning
Spray the solution onto a clean microfiber cloth, making sure that it’s only damp and not soaking wet. Use the cloth to blot at the stained areas, and repeat this as many times as needed until the couch is completely clean. Make sure that you start from the outside and work your way inward, as this will prevent the stain from spreading.
Step 4: Let the Couch Air Dry
When all the stains have been removed, let the suede couch fully air dry before using a suede brush or a cloth to fluff up the material carefully.
Additional Cleaning Tips
Here are a few more cleaning tips to help you maintain a clean suede couch:
- Regular Cleaning: Make sure that you incorporate your suede couch into your regular cleaning routine. You can do this by using your vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove all the dust, dirt, and debris that may have accumulated. Then, make sure that you also use a suede brush to fluff up the texture and keep it looking its best. Fortunately, you only need to do this once a month, as suede doesn’t need to be cleaned that often.
- Address Stains Immediately: Take immediate action as soon as a stain occurs. This will not only make it easier to clean away stains but also prevent spilled liquids from absorbing too deeply into the suede material, which could make them harder to remove.
- Keep Harsh Chemicals and Tools Away: It’s important to remember that suede is a very delicate material, so make sure that you avoid using harsh chemicals, bleach, or any commercial cleaner with ammonia. Abrasive cleaning tools like hard-bristle brushes and scouring pads should also be kept away. Any of these things can severely damage your suede couch.
- Keep Away from Sunlight: If you have a suede couch, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight exposure, as this will cause the material to fade and experience discoloration.
- Don’t Steam Clean: While steam cleaning is an easy and effective cleaning method, it’s best to avoid it when cleaning your suede couch. The steam can expose the suede material to too much water and moisture, which could lead to staining and discoloration. When cleaning your suede couch, it’s always best to use as little water as possible.
- Have it Professionally Cleaned with Luce: Many things go into taking proper care of your suede couch, but you might not have the time or energy to deal with all that. That’s where Luce can come in to lend you a helping hand. With a team of highly skilled and well-trained cleaners, you’ll never have to worry about cleaning your couch again. Visit https://www.luce.sg to learn more about Luce’s couch cleaning services!
