Faux suede is one of the more animal-friendly materials used for clothing, shoes, furniture, and even crafting. Faux suede is made of polyester microfiber. The microfiber is woven carefully to create a thin, synthetic fabric that is beautiful and durable and suitable for many kinds of projects and products. In terms of durability, faux suede is tougher than genuine suede. The reason for this is suede is made from the delicate skin underneath the animal, so the finished product, while it is durable, can still tear and break at specific points. For cleaning different kind of faux suede products, please read our professional guide below.
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Cleaning Faux Suede for DIY and Clothing
Whether you’re cleaning a faux suede clothing or a DIY project (if you are a creative fellow), there’s nothing wrong with knowing how to clean it properly. Before anything else, you must read the manufacturer’s instructions or the label of the faux suede.
If you can’t read the label properly, err on the side of safety and never machine-wash the faux suede. The safest method, in this case, is hand-washing the faux suede. You can hand-wash the garment and hang it up to dry. Using a heavy-duty and high-speed dryer can also be problematic in some instances.
If you aren’t familiar with the symbols on a garment label, here are some short summaries:
- If there is a “basin” label, you can wash the garment with a washing machine. Usually, manufacturers also indicate the ideal temperature to wash the garment. Washing below that temperature is also OK.
Machine wash allowed at different recommended temperature.
- On the other hand, a basin with a hand means Hand-washing recommended. No Machine washing is recommended. If there is a cross, it means washing is prohibited and may ruin the piece of clothing.
Do not wash and hand wash
- A square logo with a circle indicates that tumble-drying is allowed for the clothing. There maybe 1-3 dots inside the logo. 1 dot means low heat is recommended, while 3 dots indicate high heat can be used.
When there is a cross on the tumble dry logo, you’d better hang dry it.
- If there is a circular symbol on the label, dry-cleaning is ideal. The “A” inside the circle means any solvent is OK. “P” indicates any solvent except trichloroethanethylene should be used in dry cleaning.
Circle mark means dry cleaning should be used.
- If there is a triangle, it indicates bleaching is allowed. If the triangle is marked with a cross, you must avoid using bleach as this can damage the garment.
Remember to read the bleaching logo before apply chlorine bleach to it.
Do a Spot Test
After confirming you can wash or clean your faux suede materials, it is good to do a spot test first. A spot test is like an allergy test for fabrics. Whatever fabric you may be using, always do a spot test with your chosen soap or detergent. Apply a small quantity of the detergent or soap on the garment and observe for changes. If there is no reaction and the surface of the clothing looks normal, proceed with the cleaning. If not, be thankful that you performed a spot test first before washing the faux suede.
Focus on the Stains
Faux suede garments can also develop stains like other garments. We recommend using spot-cleaning techniques for moderate and heavy staining. Use a sponge or a clean piece of cloth to apply a detergent or cleaning agent. Gently rub the area until the stain begins to fade. Avoid applying simple cleaner in the beginning; try to see if the stain will be removed with diluted detergent. The pure soap may cause color bleeding, which would ruin the appearance of the faux suede.
If you cannot get the stain out, use an old toothbrush to remove the stain. There’s no need to press too hard on the material while brushing. Gentle, circular motions are usually enough to rid the substance of stains.
Steps to Clean Faux Suede Shoes
Faux suede shoes are beautiful, but like other kinds of shoes, they will look a little worn down over time. There is a unique tool called a suede brush that you can use to clean your faux suede shoes. This unique brush is designed to be gentle on the surface while still effective in removing common debris that sticks to suede shoes. These tools are often manufactured with nylon bristles.
The welt or the space between the upper section and the sole is notoriously tricky to clean. It’s good to use the rubberized edge of a suede brush to rub and clean this area. In can you don’t have a suede brush at home, you can use a more straightforward tool (an old toothbrush) to get things done. The only downside with toothbrushes is they cover a small area as you use them, so it may take more time to clean a pair of shoes that are is heavily soiled.
Faux suede shoes can be cleaned with special attention.
Guide to Clean Faux Suede Furniture
It can be frustrating to deal with stains of faux suede furniture. Stains can be abundant, especially when there are kids in the house. Spot cleaning is still recommended for faux suede furniture. Apply slightly diluted detergent on the affected section of the furniture and allow the cleaner to sit for about ten minutes. Wash the area as needed.
Faux suede furniture should ideally be vacuumed weekly. This is particularly important because suede has many surface fibers that can attract and trap dust and grime. Take care of the grime and dirt as soon as possible, rather than accumulate for a more extended period.
For small and mild stains, you’re free to use a furniture spray that is safe for faux suede and genuine suede. Alcohol can also be used in most instances. Use an undyed-sponge for spot-cleaning stains. Fresh stains should always be blotted slowly before any cleaning commences.
This includes vomit and bloodstains on the furniture. Bloating ensures that most of the mess is out before you begin cleaning the area. Do not attempt to rub out a fresh stain as this can easily lead to an even bigger stain that is hard to remove. If a large area is affected, use multiple layers of paper towels and press down with anything substantial, like books and other physical objects.
