Suede Care Guide

Suede clothing is where understated elegance meets timeless luxury. With its soft texture and tonal shades, it’s a fabric with quiet confidence that just works season after season. Suede as a premium material calls for a bit more care. We know it can be easy to scuff, mark or accidentally drop coffee down (it happens to the best of us), so whether it’s your suede jacket, classic trainers or a statement bag, here’s some tips on how to care for your suede and give it the love it deserves.

How do you maintain suede?

Crafted from the soft underside of quality hides, suede’s soft velvety texture offers a refined alternative to traditional leather or wool. Suede is porous, so mixing with water is a hard no. Suede is best worn on dry days, as it can absorb rain and water, leaving behind stains, discolouration and even stiffen the soft material. Basically, leave the puddle jumping and rainy walks to the macs and wellies.

Because of its natural material, it’s also a good idea to give your suede time to breathe in between wears. It may be difficult when it’s your favourite jacket or trench coat but rotating it out will help give the suede time to breathe and free from excess moisture.

Suede is far less water-friendly than smooth leather. Its porous nature means water seeps in, swells the fibre and can alter its shape. Even when it dries, marks and texture damage can remain. You can protect your suede items with the tips below.

Regularly applying a waterproofing spray can help your suede repel water. Before and after spraying, carefully brush the material’s surface to make sure it’s clean and apply the water-repellent spray to a spot that isn’t fully visible before spraying the entire item. Apply evenly (without soaking) and let it dry naturally in a cool, ventilated space away from heat or sunlight.

No – dish soap can strip the natural oils from suede and ruin the fibres and can leave the fabric stiff or discoloured. Stick to suede erasers, brushes and cleaners, always in line with your garment’s care label.

Use a sturdy, broad hanger for suede jackets and structured coats. Wire hangers can leave dents or give you unintentional sharp shoulders - not the look you might be going for.

Keep suede in darker spaces as too much sunlight can cause fading
Store in a cool, dry environment as suede absorbs moisture easily
When storing for summer, slip suede into a breathable garment bag to protect it from dust while still letting it breathe.

Stain removal tips

How to clean light stains from suede clothes

Step 1

There are different types of suede (goat, sheep, nubuck), which all need specific care. If your suede item’s in need of a deep clean, dry cleaning is always an option. For quick touch-ups, make sure the suede garment is fully dry and use a suede brush or soft toothbrush to brush gently in one direction to lift any trapped dirt or dust. No scrubbing – that’s how you damage the material.

Step 2

After brushing, if you’re still dealing with any small and dry stains, use a suede remover, eraser pen or a slightly damp cloth. These tools are designed to keep your suede looking polished without ruining the texture, so it’s worth having one to hand.

Step 3

For grease or oil stains, blot away any excess gently with a paper towel (careful not to rub it in) and sprinkle talcum powder on top to absorb any remaining liquid. Leave it for a few hours to work, then gently brush away with your suede brush.

How to clean heavy stains

Still seeing stains or dealing with a big spill? Always check the care label before attempting to clean them yourself. If it suggests dry cleaning or specialist products, take it to a professional cleaner who can assess the stain and recommend the safest fix.

If you want to try and remove the stain yourself, a suede block is more abrasive than a sponge or brush so it can help remove any heavier marks. Rub very gently at first and always test on a small area that isn’t as well-seen before tackling the more visible areas.

What should you not use on suede?

Because of its natural fibres, avoid using water, grease or oil-based products (think dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotions). When the suede interacts with these kinds of liquids, it causes stains and discolouration and not the easy-to-remove kind.