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Suede Sofa: cleaning and care

natural fibreMoisture-sensitiveKeep heat away

The nap-finished leather that water marks on contact. Suede cleaning is done with a brush, an eraser and absorbent powder — almost never with anything wet.

Real suede is leather with the surface sanded into a velvet nap — and that nap is ruined by the very thing most cleaning starts with: water. Suede care is a dry discipline. The toolkit is a suede brush, a suede eraser (a clean pencil eraser substitutes), dry absorbent powder for grease, and a purpose-made suede cleaner for anything beyond that. If you own a suede sofa, own a suede brush before you need it.

Safe cleaning methods

  • Brushing with a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dry soil
  • A suede eraser or clean pencil eraser rubbed gently over dry marks
  • Dry absorbent powder left overnight on greasy marks, then brushed out
  • A purpose-made suede and nubuck cleaner, used exactly per its label

Never use these

  • water — it flattens the nap and leaves permanent marks
  • all household cleaners, detergents and wipes
  • solvents and alcohol not formulated for suede
  • heat and hairdryers

Do and don’t

Do

  • Blot fresh liquid spills instantly with a dry cloth, pressing only
  • Let mud and wet soiling dry completely, then brush and erase
  • Brush regularly in one direction to keep the nap even
  • Use a protector spray made for suede before the first spill, not after

Don’t

  • Never use water, wet wipes or household upholstery cleaners on suede
  • Never scrub a wet stain — you will set it and flatten the nap together
  • Never apply heat; it stiffens the hide and fixes marks

Drying

Suede should never be wetted deliberately. If a spill has dampened it, let it dry naturally at room temperature, then brush the nap back up — never speed-dry suede.

Stain guides for this material

Suede Sofa FAQs

How do you clean a suede sofa?

Brushing with a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dry soil. Real suede is leather with the surface sanded into a velvet nap — and that nap is ruined by the very thing most cleaning starts with: water. Suede care is a dry discipline. The toolkit is a suede brush, a suede eraser (a clean pencil eraser substitutes), dry absorbent powder for grease, and a purpose-made suede cleaner for anything beyond that. If you own a suede sofa, own a suede brush before you need it.

What should you never use on a suede sofa?

Avoid water — it flattens the nap and leaves permanent marks; all household cleaners, detergents and wipes; solvents and alcohol not formulated for suede; heat and hairdryers. These are the products and habits that cause the permanent damage — usually worse damage than the original stain.

Is a suede sofa safe to wet-clean?

Only with real care. Suede Sofa is moisture-sensitive: keep any water-based cleaning to a barely damp cloth, and dry the area promptly and completely.

How long does a suede sofa take to dry?

Suede should never be wetted deliberately. If a spill has dampened it, let it dry naturally at room temperature, then brush the nap back up — never speed-dry suede.

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