Caring for suede

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Soft and tactile, suede is a lovely way to keep warm in the winter months. It is, however, a bit of a nightmare to clean. Really special pieces should be cleaned professionally for safety’s sake. Protection is the best defence with suede. Scotchguard is especially useful, but there’s no reason you can’t undertake a little spot cleaning when necessary. If the stain is wet, hold paper towel on the area to absorb excess moisture and leave untouched until dry. Then, rub the area gently with a flannel to lift the nap. If the stain is dry, try rubbing it very gently with an eraser. If the stain doesn’t lift, try dabbing lightly with white vinegar, but go gently and leave to air-dry thoroughly afterwards. Finish by giving the whole item a gentle buff with a suede brush. Err on the side of caution though, and take tough stains to a professional cleaner.
Photography: Scott Hawkins.   Styling: Peri Mooney