It’s boot season in my neck of the woods. This week’s lows are supposed to fall into the single digits and snow is on the way. That means my young daughter will be reaching for her fur-lined suede boots to wear to visit Santa. They are definitely not suitable for heavy snow, but I allow her to wear them when the weather permits. She plans to wear them to our Santa outing and while they are quite fashionable, especially for a first grader, they are also extremely susceptible to stains; namely food and protein-based stains that my kid attracts like a magnet.
Suede is far from the most stain-resistant material on the planet. It tends to attract dirt, and even water can cause black or dark gray stains. The best way to combat suede stains is to treat the material before using it. Prevention is key when it comes to keeping suede looking like new. Fortunately, it is not hard to protect suede. There are a number of reputable and effective stain blockers on the market; however, the products need to be applied properly and given enough time to set before exposing suede to the elements. What’s more, suede should not be worn on rainy days, as you risk saturating the material and compromising its integrity. Water and stain guard can only protect suede garments to a certain point. If you drench suede, there is little you can do to restore it to its original luster.
If you own suede furniture it’s a good idea to brush it regularly to loosen up any dirt or debris that has a chance to settle on it. If stains set on suede-covered furniture use a clean dry cloth to rub the nap, then brush the suede with a soft bristle brush. If the stain does not lift after rubbing it with a cloth, try using a clean pencil eraser.
For wet stains, timing is critical. You never want to allow moisture to set on suede. If a drink spills on your suede chair use a dry cloth to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Next, allow the suede to air dry at room temperature. Resist the temptation to apply heat to the damp area via a blow dryer. Doing so may cause dark spots.