Cross-body, backpack, tote or clutch, your favourite suede bag needs expert care and cleaning to last. Suede is made from the underside of the leather, which is softer and has a napped finish. As suede is open and absorbent it shows marks, water stains and dirt easily so we’re going to share our tips to keep suede clean.
Follow our 10 ways to care for your suede bags, learn how to increase their longevity and protect them so they can last. If you’re looking for expert care just book a collection today direct from your home.
With wear, suede can start to bald or with bushing the nap can get long and need to be trimmed – particularly with cow hide. If you do this at home, use nail scissors and do not cut close or you are likely to cause more damage. Ideally, we’d recommend sending this one in to the experts.
Avoid using suede in the rain or getting it wet. Water is likely to leave halo marks and we have techniques for suede cleaning that can remove these or dye them a darker colour.
Before you use your suede bag apply a protector spray. This will reduce the risk of colour transfer and help reduce water absorbency.
Make-up and pen stains and stubborn to remove and can bleed through the interior to the exterior of the bag. We strongly recommend keeping your make-up and pens in a small waterproof case.
A lot of the dirt you see is often superficial and using a dry nail brush will help gently dust it off. If you’d prefer to leave it to the experts, you can learn more about our bag cleaning service here.
If the bag is looking faded or uneven we recommend brushing it. The nap on suede has always a side that looks duller and one where the colour looks deeper and the nap is softer. Use a nail brush and make sure to brush your item all in the same direction so that all the panels match. If your suede has lost its colour vivacity, we can re-dye it for you.
Suede is a porous material and doesn’t have a strong dye fixation. Suede can be prone to colour transfer onto other garments if in doubt, rub a light colour cloth against the suede to test it.
Suede bags are often unstructured, we recommend stuffing your bags when not in use to keep their shape. Keep your bag in a dust-bag to minimise the dust it collects and helps keep the suede clean.
There are several types of suede. Goat is very delicate with bright colours and looks almost like velvet so it requires less brushing. Cow hide suede has a larger nap and when you brush they might become very long. Pig suede has very little nap but presents diamond shaped holes and it is the toughest one to be cleaned.
If you are looking to change the colour of your suede bag, we can dye it darker. Why not get in touch and get creative to reimagine your bag.
If your bag has staining or needs an expert, book a collection today. Upon arrival within our atelier, we will physically assess your item and provide you with a comprehensive quote for your approval. We can revive the colour on your suede or get inspired and read Recolour of these suede Gianvito Rossi’s.
We invite you join our series #RenewYourNormal this summer where we’ve shared guides to care for yourself, others around you and your wardrobe this summer. Read 10 Ways To Create New Habits That Last by psychologist Suzy Reading, alongside our guide for Baskets, Trainers and Birkenstocks.
