Valuable tips on how to wash faux suede and not damage it

Faux suede is a whimsical material with a complex structure.

With improper care, it quickly loses its presentable appearance, deforms, stains and abrasions appear on the fabric.

About whether and how to wash artificial suede (eco-suede) and things made of it - further in the article.

Is it possible?

For artificial material, as well as for natural material, dry cleaning is preferable using steam, soft brushes, napkins and special products. Such processing does not deform the product, does not spoil the pile, and does not leave streaks.

Rules for washing eco-suede clothes

Delicate material does not tolerate prolonged contact with water, but it can be washed well. Small stains should be removed immediately, after their detection, avoiding deep penetration of dirt into the pile. In addition, you need to timely carry out general cleaning of products, monitor the condition of the material.

It is important not to forget that:

• suede does not tolerate soaking, contact with hot water, drying near heating appliances,
• the material is deformed from wringing, twisting, tight folding,
• as a result of the wrong choice of household chemicals, stains appear on the fabric,
• you can use professional or liquid gel products for washing.

Bleach, caustic stain remover, fabric softener, ordinary cheap powder is prohibited.

Manual cleaning

Gentle cleaning will help restore freshness to suede things, remove minor dirt, scuffs, stains.

Before washing it is important to carefully examine clothes, empty pockets, remove stains... Then you need to:

1. Pour enough warm water into a large basin or tub.
2. Dilute the detergent. There should be no undissolved granules.
3. Submerge the item carefully in water. In the presence of heavy dirt, the soaking time should not exceed 10-15 minutes.
4. Treat the product with a soft rubberized brush or sponge, paying special attention to problem areas (collar, cuffs, pockets, armpits). You need to act in one direction so as not to damage the pile. You cannot rub, press, crumple the fabric!
5. Rinse, changing the water several times. At the last rinse, add 3-4 tbsp. l. vinegar. It will help restore softness.
6. Place clothes over the bathtub, let the water drain. Do not squeeze! It is permissible to blot the product with a towel to remove excess moisture.

Machine processing

Automatic processing of eco-suede garments is undesirable... From rough exposure, the material will quickly become unusable, the pile will lose its uniformity, and stains will appear.

It is possible to clean suede items in the washing machine, provided that there is a corresponding mark on the label for the product. Before processing, the clothes must be shaken, turned inside out, check pockets, sewn up loose seams.

Then you need:

1. Set the gentle mode (“hand wash”, “wool”, “silk”, “for delicate fabrics”).
2. Choose a liquid detergent (gels Ariel, Tide, Persil, Laska, capsules, fragrance-free baby shampoo).
3. Install water heating at 30 degrees.
4. Remove spinning and drying modes.
5. Carefully place the clothes in the drum of the machine and start the cycle.
6. Place the item on the bottom of the bathtub or place it over a basin, let the water drain.
7. Dry in the open air.

To wash shoes, bags or hats made of artificial suede, you must use a special mesh bag.

Dry cleaning

Cleaning clothes, shoes and accessories with special foam, shampoos, aerosols without washing and interaction of the material with water is the most optimal, gentle way of processing artificial suede.

To remove dirt and stains:

1. The cleaning compound must be evenly applied to the entire surface of the product.
2. Leave on for 5-15 minutes.
3. Clean the product with a special rubberized brush or a sponge with large pores. Particular attention should be paid to the collar, cuffs, bottom and back of trousers, pockets, bag handles.
4. Dry the item at room temperature.
5. If the pile sticks together, "comb" it again with a brush.

You can use any suede care product for cleaning.

Steam cleaning

Steam treatment will help freshen up the suede, smooth out small creases, remove shine and wear. To clean your clothes you need:

• hang it on a hanger;
• walk the steam generator over dirty or greasy areas, treat with a rubberized suede brush.

To prevent the appearance of stains and streaks, you should use only distilled or special purified water for irons.

Drying and ironing

Proper care of faux suede garments includes mandatory adherence to the recommendations for drying and ironing products:

1. The fabric must not be twisted after washing. Things need to be placed over the basin or laid on the bottom of the bathtub, let the water drain freely.
2. Excess moisture can be blotted off with a towel. Another option: lay the clothes horizontally on a terry sheet, roll up, wring gently.
3. It is better to dry suede in a horizontal position in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area. In a closed bathroom, the material will not dry out, it will acquire a musty smell.
4. Wet clothes should be protected from direct sunlight and batteries, and should not be taken out onto the balcony during frost.
5. To maintain their shape, hats, gloves, bags, shoes must be stuffed with crumpled paper or newspapers during drying, changing them as moisture is absorbed.
6. You can iron artificial suede only from the wrong side with a warm iron. To protect the material, it is worth placing a special ironing net or a thin cloth.

If there are deep creases or folds, it is better to steam the clothes.After processing, you need to walk over the entire surface with a dry brush to remove moisture and raise the pile.

Removing stains

To remove small dirt from clothes or shoes made of artificial suede, you can use folk remedies:

1. Fat. Fresh drops should be covered with starch, baby powder, crushed chalk. After 15-30 minutes, brush off the product with a brush, gently wash the damaged area with a cotton pad and soapy water.
2. Juice, grass, pollen, any organic stains can be wiped off with a cloth dampened with vinegar (9%).
3. Wine. Blot a fresh stain with a dry, clean cloth. Use a thick soapy water or shaving foam to remove dried-on marks. The product must be applied to the dirt, left for half an hour, remove the remnants with a napkin.
4. Gum. Rub the sticky mass with an ice cube. When the gum has hardened, gently remove it from the fabric.
5. Mud. Do not touch wet drops, you must wait until dry. Then brush the damaged area with a brush.
6. Glue, varnish, traces of cosmetics... Gently rub the marks with a tissue dampened with acetone-free nail polish remover.

To reanimate the salted areas, you need:

• treat them with a school eraser, a crust of rye bread, a nail file or pumice stone;
• on brown things, apply a layer of damp coffee grounds (no sugar, milk, aromatic additives), leave for 15 minutes, remove with a brush;
• clean white shoes, gloves or a bag with a sponge with dry tooth powder or baking soda;
• extensive damage should be treated with an aqueous solution of ammonia (2: 1), then rinsed with running water.

After removing the stain, dry the material well, and then lift the nap with a clothing or toothbrush. If there is a noticeable mark or streaks, the clothes will have to be washed completely or taken to dry cleaning.

Spray paint will help mask badly damaged areas. for suede. The main thing is to choose the right color.

How to recover the material?

To prevent faux suede items from becoming hard and rough after washing, add a little vinegar to the water during the last rinse. It will help soften the fabric and preserve color, and prevent streaks.

Dry cleaning

Observing all the rules and recommendations, can be washed at home:

• any accessories,
• dresses,
• skirts,
• pants.

It is better to dry-clean jackets, outerwear, hats. It is very difficult to remove stains from them or remove dirt on your own.

There is a high probability of deformation of products. Besides, It is almost impossible to dry and steam a suede coat at home with high quality.

The cost of dry cleaning will start at 500 rubles and can go up to 2-3 thousand rubles.

Advice

In the presence of heavy dirt, things made of artificial suede can be cleaned in any way, if you follow simple recommendations:

1. Do not ignore the manufacturer's care advice on the label.
2. Choose cleaning products from the professional series marked "For suede" (shampoos, foams).
3. Use gel or soft foam.
4. Wash clothes in warm water (heating should not exceed 30-40 degrees).
5. Do not twist, rub, squeeze. Act as carefully as possible, trying not to stretch or deform the material.
6. Pay particular attention to rinsing.
7. Pre-remove stains, clean greasy areas.
8. Wash things completely.Washed areas will be visible, streaks will appear, the structure of the material will become uneven.
9. Regularly treat the material with water-repellent impregnations.

Conclusion

Washing a suede garment at home is not easy. At the same time, there is a high risk of damage and deformation of the material. Strict adherence to the recommendations and adherence to the rules will help remove contamination and return clean and freshness to faux suede clothes.