You can wash suede clothing
Did you know that you can wash suede clothing? While it's usually recommended that you have them dry cleaned, a gentle wash in your washer will do it. Just stop the machine before the spin cycle and squeeze as much water from it as you can. Lay it flat to dry, then brush to relax the nap. Washing by hand is even gentler if you don't wring it out when you're through. Again, squeeze the fabric, then put it to dry on a flat surface.
posted by Pat at
1:30 PM
29 Comments:
Hmmm... I'm not sure I'd try this on something expensive (not that I have anything expensive) but it'd be worth a try on something cheap. It's certainly not something I've ever heard of before.
Can I just ask whether you've tried it yourself?
Yes, I have tried it. I wouldn't post a tip unless I was sure it worked! :) I prefer washing suede by hand, though, it's easier than to try to stop the machine at the right time.
G'Day Pat,
I just bought an expensive Suede jacket on ebay, though I paid very little. The only problem is it reeks of cigarette smoke. I am willing to toss it in the washer, as you suggested, but what kind of detergent/wool wash/cleaner should I use?
Cheers.
Mark
The land of Oz.
Any mild detergent will work, Mark. Getting rid of cigarette smoke can be hard to do, though. You might have to have it dry cleaned to do that. A mild vinegar rinse will usually do it, but I haven't used vinegar on suede so it would be at your own risk.
Oh thank you for this post!
I was doing some research online to see if it was ok to wash suede at home and that's how I found you :)
I just have some pieces of suede that I want to use for making some craft but it needs to be washed first.
Thank you again!
Elsita :)
Thanks everyone for your posts on suede washing. Am in China and cannot get my suede jacket cleaned anywhere so it's the bin or...I just put it in the wasing machine, so here's hoping!
Cian
I wash my suede jackets all the time in the washer, I let it go through the whole cycle and throw it in the dryer for 10 min. Then hang to dry, shaping it whenever I see fit. To get the wrinkles out I use a hot iron and damp cloth and just press, all my jackets look brand new when I'm finished. I never thought about brushing them, I will try that after I press them, thanks.
Hello, Pat, I bought an expensive short suede jacket which is light blue, and reversible, the other side being a two-toned blue cotton print. A thick blue embroidery- style cotton stitching runs geometrically through the entire garment on both sides but is very discreet. I gave it to be cleaned once, and the suede side came out a dull grayish blue, which doesn't match the cotton side anymore (i.e. lapels and cuffs). Now it's a bit dirty again, and I want to try washing it - maybe by hand -- to see if I can revive the color, get it clean, and not have it be even more gray. What do you advise? Jill
Jill, I would hate to give advice that would ruin an expensive garment, but many people have washed suede with good results. If I were you, and decided to do it, I'd wash it by hand with a mild detergent. Avoid the dryer as it can shrink the cotton and embroidery even if it doesn't affect the suede.
By the way, comments are moderated, that's why you're posts didn't go through the first time. :)
I got olive oil on my suede jacket. What can I use to remove the spot before washing? HELP! I love this jacket.
Mary Anne, I can only point you in the direction of Heloise:
Removing Grease from Suede
If you search for it on Google, you'll get several links that might help.
i have puma suede sneakers...and just don't know how to get then cleaned!!!
i have to get then dry cleaned? do they dry clean sneakers?
help me please
it's pretty dirty and for a long time now
Dioga, have you tried cornmeal? You work it into the suede and let it set for a half hour or so, then brush it out. If they're very dirty, you might have to do it several times. I don't know if anyone would dry clean them because dry cleaning solvent can loosen glue and harm rubber and plastics. If worse comes to worst, try washing them by hand, gently with a mild soap. Try only a small spot first to see how it reacts.
Bought a top quality 2nd hand burgundy suede jacket and I have just washed it on a wool wash, with wool detergent and fabric softener. Result - perfect, no shrinkage whatsover, same texture and softness as before, no discolouration and best of all SMELLS GREAT! It was risky, I admit! but I did not want to spend £40.00 to clean it. Worth a try if you have not paid too much for the jacket in the first place!
I have this tan suede leather jacket for about two years now and i have never had it cleaned. I have two young children and well who really knows what has gotten on this jacket i really want to clean it but dont want to pay alot of money. So if i just toss it in the wash and use the laundry soap that i already have i will be good to go? Or do i need to buy a special soap? What cycle do i put it on?
thanks
ashley
Thank you so much for the advice. I have a suede jacket that sat at my brother's smoke filled house for a year (he lives about 200 miles from me). I will try this as soon as I can
Since I have read all this here, I'm washing my suede shirt, as we speak.
It is in the machine on the HAND WASH cycle.
My question is, and I might be asking too soon but, if it dries hard, how do I go about "re-softening" it again?
I rolled it into a towel and gently wrung it and it's now flat on a sweater dryer, mesh frame. It will, no doubt, take a month to dry.
Nah, it won't take that long to dry. I don't think it will, anyway! I doubt that it will dry hard, either, but in case it does, you should be able to work it with your hands to soften it up. Let us know how it goes.
Yup...it is about 3/4 dry and stiffish.
Although the water was very grey when I twisted out water, the black bits on the shoulders didn't "bleed" into the arms.
Yes, I'll have to work it with my hands. It won't be back to the post wash softness but it is cleaner!
It is a Leo Chevalier suede shirt.
According to their website, they don't make them anymore...oh well.
Thanks for letting us know, Carol. Enjoy your shirt! :)
A Native American friend who does ceremonial dances with his wife and seven children washes all of their leather costumes in cold water and rinses in water that has a little Downy in it. They never come out stiff. He air dries in the shade.
I wouldn't throw them in the washer, but you can probably clean them with a damp cloth, or even a wet one if you watch to see how they're reacting.
I have a tan suede jacket with fringe on it, kind of western looking, I am just now throwing it into the gentle cycle with wool laundry detergent. I will let you know how it goes.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Just pulled out the fringe western type suede jacket. I am impressed! It looks wonderful! I put it into the wash with two light colored towels and then into the dryer with them for 8 minutes. Pulled it out and it is hanging in front of my pellet stove drying. Saved me $65.00. Yes! We will think of you at dinner tonight!
The jacket with fringe turned out fabulous! Thank you again for this site.
Awesome! Thank you for letting us know.
hi, after reading all your comments, i handwash my pink suede jacket with mild laundry detergent and rinse it with downy. its so heavy so i remove excess water by stepping into it..funny huh and hard work too. i did not wring it. i hang it dry indoor. it takes 3 days to dry naturally indoor but the outcome is okay..no more foul odor and its clean although its not as soft as new but i think a leather conditioner will take care of this issue.
My suede jacket is in washer now :) Let you know what happens
Just put my suede jacket in wash gentle cycle with Woolite. Plan to rinse 2x and catch it before the spin cycle. After it dries, I'll brush it and then spray it with protectant. If this does not work, another comment will be posted.
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