How to Clean a Suede Jacket

A Complete Guide to Keeping It Looking New

A suede jacket is more than just a stylish bit of outerwear – it’s a serious investment. With its plush, velvety texture and sumptuous look, it’s no wonder suede has been a fashion favorite for so long. Whether you’ve splashed out on a classic suede biker jacket or a laid-back everyday number, it’s worth remembering that proper care is key to keeping it in top nick.

The thing is – suede is a bit different from smooth leather. It’s got an open, textured surface that draws in dust like a magnet, soaks up moisture like a sponge, and stains more easily than you might like. Which is probably why a lot of people give suede a wide berth, assuming it’s just too high maintenance. But that’s completely not true. With the right cleaning techniques and a bit of TLC on a regular basis, your suede jacket will stay looking fantastic for years to come.

In this guide, well walk you through how to clean a suede jacket safely, get rid of common stains, and keep it protected from your daily wear and tear.

Why Suede Needs a Little Extra TLC

Suede is made from the underside of animal hide, which is what gives it that gorgeous soft and brushed finish. But while that texture is what makes suede so desirable, it’s also a bit of a drawback – its tiny fibers are just crying out to trap dust, dirt, hair from your clothes, and all sorts of other unwanted things. And then there’s water – if you’re not careful, it can leave unsightly marks all over the place.

The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank or pay for a fancy professional cleaning job to keep your suede jacket in top condition. A few simple tools and some basic common sense are all you need to keep your jacket looking fabulous.

Start by getting all that Dust and Dirt off Your Jacket

The simplest way to keep a suede jacket clean is to get rid of the dirt before it gets a chance to settle into the fabric. Grab a suede brush and gently sweep across the jacket in one direction. This lifts away all that surface dust and brings back the softness of the material.

Pay special attention to the areas that really see a lot of wear and tear – like the sleeves, collar, shoulders and pockets. These spots tend to get caked with dirt from just every day wear.

Cleaning your suede jacket every now and then is not only good for keeping it looking sharp but also helps prevent dirt from sinking into the fibers.

Removing Scuff Marks – Not Rocket Science

Scuff marks are a pain, but they’re usually pretty easy to get rid of – especially if you catch them early.

First off, gently brush over the scuff with short gentle strokes. If the mark is still visible, break out the suede eraser and give it a gentle rub. Keep rubbing till the scuff starts to fade away. After that, just give the area a quick brush to get it looking smooth again.

Just remember to be patient – you don’t want to be rubbing away at it like mad or you might end up damaging the suede or ruining the finish.

Dealing with Stains – the sooner the better

Getting a stain on your favorite suede jacket can be pretty frustrating, but acting fast usually makes a huge difference.

For dry stains, a good suede eraser is usually all you need to lift the mark without doing any damage. If the stain is definitely from water, just dampen the area around it with a clean cloth, not the stain itself. You don’t want to end up with those nasty water rings when the jacket dries.

Oil stains are a different beast – you don’t want to just wipe them clean, that’ll just push it around and make things worse. Instead sprinkle some cornstarch or baking soda over the stain and leave it overnight. The powder soaks up a good chunk of the oil, and in the morning you can just brush it away. If it’s still there, repeat the process till it’s gone.

For tougher stains like ink or food spills you can try a little white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth. Just be sure to test the solution out on a bit of the inside seam first – ever suede jacket is different and you don’t want to end up making a worse mess.

Don’t Drench Your Suede

One of the most common blunders people make when it comes to suede is trying to clean it with far too much water. Unlike just about any other fabric out there, suede hates being soaked. Too much water can leave it feeling stiff and awkward, or worse yet, it can lose its lovely texture and be left with big unsightly water spots.

If your suede jacket gets caught in the rain, just take a clean old towel and gently blot away as much of that excess moisture as you can. Then just let it air dry – no need to rush it, just leave it to dry at room temperature. Once it’s completely dry, pull out the suede brush and give it a good going over to restore that lovely softness.

Try to steer clear of placing your jacket anywhere near heaters, radiators or direct sunlight. Heat likes to dry out suede and pretty soon it’ll start looking a bit worse for wear.

Don’t Let Water Wreck Your Suede

One of the biggest mistakes people make when dealing with suede is getting it soaking wet – basically drenching it in water. Suede isn’t like other fabrics. It can completely fall apart when it gets too wet, lose all its texture or get those awful water spots that never come out.

So if you get caught in the rain and your jacket ends up drenched, first gently blot the excess water off with a clean towel. Let it breathe, just hang it out at room temperature to air dry. Then use a suede brush to get the softness back into that material once it’s completely dry.

Try to keep that jacket away from heaters, radiators or direct sunlight for the love of all things suede – it can dry it out and make it look a mess.

Can You Just Wash A Suede Jacket?

Loads of people ask if they can just throw a suede jacket into the washing machine because they’re in a rush. Sorry, but no.

Washing it in a machine can do serious damage to suede – shrink it, mess up its texture, and maybe even make it look all odd colored. Even hand washing’s not generally a good idea unless you’re pretty sure the manufacturer specifically says it’s okay.

If you’ve got a really stubborn stain or you want a deep clean you should probably just take it to a proper cleaner who actually knows what they’re doing with suede and leather.

How to Keep Your Jacket from Getting Dirty In The First Place

To be honest the best way to keep a suede jacket clean is to avoid it getting dirty in the first place. Get yourself a good suede protector spray and use it. This stuff creates a barrier that stops dirt and stains getting in and will keep your jacket looking great.

Of course it’s always a good idea whenever possible to avoid wearing suede in the rain or snow. Suede can handle the odd bit of moisture, but being drenched out in the wet all the time will just wear it down faster.

Regular brushing also does wonders and making sure you store it properly will help keep the softness in your jacket and the color looking its best.

Storage is Important

Cleaning suede is only half the battle. How you store it is just as important as how you clean it.

When you hang it up use a sturdy hanger that won’t crush it, and keep it in a room that’s nice and cool with good air flow. Instead of covering it in plastic just get a breathable bag to keep dust off. Proper storage will prevent wrinkles and mildew and save your jacket from getting all worn out and miserable.

When You Should Call in a Pro for the Tough Cleaning Jobs

There’s a bunch of dirt and stains that you can handle on your own, but for the really tough stuff – large oil stains, ink blots, mold, or if your place has gotten flooded – you’re really going to want to bring in the pros.

When you need to get your suede jacket cleaned, you’re going to need someone who really knows what they’re doing. They’ve got the right products and the know-how to help restore your jacket without making things any worse than they are already.

The Low Down

A suede jacket is one of the coolest and most versatile things you can own – and with a little TLC, it can be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. Now, I know what you’re thinking: suede seems like a delicate thing, but actually, it’s not that hard to keep clean once you get the hang of it.

Just a bit of brushing, a quick clean-up of stains, some gentle drying, and storing it right, and your suede will stay looking and feeling fabulous. Just remember to steer clear of harsh chemicals, excess water & machine washing – you know, all the things that might damage your jacket.

With a little bit of care and some consistent cleaning, your suede jacket will still be looking and feeling top-notch for years to come – just as it did when you first bought it.