Many people love to wear clothes made out of suede fabric. They just cannot resist the cuddly, soft and warm feeling associated with this kind of material. However, cleaning it poses a number of challenges. Add to that, seeking the help of professional services is somewhat expensive. Instead of spending on such costly services, it is good to learn on your own how to clean suede.

Materials Needed

To get this easy task done, you first need to gather several materials. Be sure to get a suede brush, white vinegar and leather protection spray. In addition, prepare a washcloth, a leather cleaning kit as well as paper towels. When these items are ready, you can now start cleaning items made from suede such as clothes, shoes and jackets. Furthermore, the following steps are also applicable to bags, upholstery and many other accessories.

Steps

In order to restore the beauty of suede, use a nice soft towel and then rub the material gently. For dry stains and other unwanted marks, get a pencil eraser and then rub the affected areas slowly but surely. In case of wet stains, use paper towel and allow it to absorb the liquid. Never use stain removers and other products of the same nature because they can somehow affect the quality of the material. Additionally, these substances can also affect the cleaning process. To achieve a highly desirable result, it is good to use a suede brush for cleaning.

In case of suede shoes, moisten a washcloth and then add a little amount of vinegar. Rub it gently on the shoes. After that, let them dry. When dealing with stains and stubborn dirt, it is highly recommended that you seek the help of professionals. It is always a good option considering that these people know a lot especially when dealing with suede. For those who are quite unsure about the result of do-it-yourself work, this is always one of the top options available.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

Before using items and products that are made out of suede, it is advisable to treat them first using a leather protection spray. Suede garments and leather must be cleaned professionally at least every couple of years. To avoid inconvenience, have them cleaned during the season when you cannot use them. By doing this, they are ready by the time you need them. When you treat suede shoes with the simple vinegar solution that was mentioned above, expect them to have a relatively mild smell and odor, especially right after cleaning.

The process for cleaning leather will depend on the variant. Finished leather types include garments, bags and furniture. Unfinished leather consists of things like baseball gloves, saddles and boots. Finished and unfinished leather require different techniques for cleaning.

Required Tools and Materials

• sponge
• mild soap
• cleaning utilities or kits
• saddle soaps
• dry towels
• cloth (damp)
• protection sprays

Note: Leather protection sprays and cleaning kits can be purchased in stores. Read the instructions before using any of them.

Cleaning Finished Leather

The following simple steps need to be implemented to clean finished leather.

• Get the damp cloth and put some mild soap on it. Work up a light lather. Wipe the leather with the cloth.
• Get another piece of damp cloth and gently mop up the lather. Use only a damp cloth and do not try to wash the leather with water.
• Finally, get a clean towel and dry the leather.
• Allow the leather to dry completely and  then, apply a suitable leather conditioner.

Cleaning Unfinished Leather

The following simple steps are involved in the process of cleaning unfinished leather.

• Get a large sponge. Put some saddle soap on it. Work up a light lather and then, use it to clean the unfinished leather.
• Once the dirt has been completely removed, use another cloth to wipe the lather.
• Let the leather air dry.
• Finally, use a preservative like mink oil to give your leather that healthy, natural shine.

Cleaning Stains From Leather

In order to get rid of some common stains, the following suggestions may come in handy.

Mildew Stains

To get rid of mildew stains, take 250 ml of rubbing alcohol along with 250 ml of water. Combine the two together. Take a small piece of cloth and dip it in this mixture. Rub the stain with the cloth and let it air dry.

Ink Stains

In order to remove ink stains from leather, you can use hairspray and a piece of cloth. Just spray the affected area with the hairspray and rub it with the piece of cloth. Repeat the process if necessary. The more ink there is, the harder it will be to remove.

Water Stains

For water stains, let it dry by itself. Do not try to wipe away the liquid. Also, do not expose the leather to the sun. The best way for cleaning leather is using a conditioner. Apply the leather conditioner after it has dried. If the shoe is soaked, just allow it to dry.

Apple Juice Stains

In order to remove apple juice stains, use a damp sponge and a piece of bread. Alternatively rub these two items and try to remove the stain from the leather.

Tips and Warnings

You can also keep the following tips and warnings in mind while cleaning leather.

• If there are grease stains, put a cloth over it to prevent the stain from spreading. Add some talcum powder. You can use cornstarch also. The leather needs four hours of drying time. Rub off the excess powder.
• For blood and pee stains, cover it with a wet cloth. Let it dry but do not expose it to heat.
• For cleaning stains caused by gum, wipe it with bag of ice cubes. Turn on the hairdryer. The heat should harden it and make it easy to remove the stain.
• Use leather spray to get rid of discoloration. These sprays can be purchased at many shoe stores. Pick the hue that matches your leather. This technique is best suited for bags and other leather accessories.
• As you can see, cleaning leather requires very specific methods. By using the right techniques, you will be able to restore the original look of your fine leather.

Additional Information

For more information on how to clean leather, you can also read:

• How to Clean Leather
• How to Clean Leather
• How to Clean Leather
• How to Clean Leather

Fur is a common material used in making different types of clothing including dresses, skirts and coats. A fur coat provides people with a classy, elegant and beautiful look. Furthermore, it is also very comfortable to wear. This type of coat is featured commonly in fashion shows and other important glamour events. Although it is a highly fashionable item, it can be a tricky and challenging thing to maintain. In order to enjoy fully the comfort and convenience that this type of clothing provides, it is good to know how to clean a fur coat.

Steps

This task is moderately challenging. First, you must be familiar with the conditioning process and cleaning of fur. It is not like cloth, silk and wool, all of which are cleaned using immersion method. Instead, it makes use of the so-called abrasion method. Ask a fur technician about a special chemical solution. Fill the drum with the solution and then add sawdust. Put the coat inside the drum. Tumble it repeatedly in order to remove odors, oils and dirt. After that, apply a glazing solution into the garment in order to restore its fluffy and soft texture.

It is also good to determine right away whether your coat needs special services. White and light-colored furs usually need special attention. In addition, garments made out of chinchillas, white minks, foxes and ermines need special care because sun exposure usually changes their color. In case special services are necessary, the furrier will use a special whitening agent on your fur coat to restore its original color.

Ask the furrier for the different cleaning options available for your coat. Always choose what is best for your particular type of garment. In order to remove excess moisture, spot clean the coat. In case the coat is exposed to snow or rain, shake the garment and then let it hang in a cool space to dry. Never rub excess water using white cotton cloth. Instead, look for professional services to prevent odors as well as matting.

To maintain the good quality of your coat, experts recommend having it cleaned at least once a year. As much as possible, avoid spilling liquids on your coat as they can damage the quality and appearance of fur. The same thing also goes for perspiration and perfumes. Clean and repair the coat first before storing it within a temperature-controlled location.

Additional Tips and Information

In case of matted fur, never use comb or brush to separate the fur. Instead, try using your fingers. When storing your coat, be sure that the temperature is around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not use a blow dryer if you want to dry your coat.