We all know unfinished leathers (the ones closer to its natural form) are really something to be careful about. One single spill on them and they can be ruined. This leathers like nubuck and suede can be flexible, with a super supple texture and they can be colored with dyes, they are also really porous which makes them really receptive to conditioners that will have a very lasting effect.
All About the Suede
Suede is different from other unfinished leathers. Rather than using a layer closer to the animal’s surface, suede uses leather closer to the fleshy interior. You’ll end up with a material even softer than nubuck, with a flexible fold and consistent color to make it the king of the indoor loafers. However, leather loses integrity the farther you cut down, and as suede is the delicate underbelly of our iron-scaled dragon, it’s not going to be able to take as much heat as nubuck. In other words, don’t expect to wear your suede slippers to a marathon.
To mitigate this shortfall, suede can come in its own protective coating. This is a great bonus, as due to suede’s very porous nature, it will absorb stains very quickly. However, more often than not, it is recommended that you apply a form of protectant to give it an extra edge.
How to care for Suede leather
- Suede leather should be cleaned periodically or whenever you spot some dust on it.
- Use a soft, clean cloth and stroke gently to pick up any contaminants.
- In case of a spill, use a very lightly damp rag to remove it while its fresh. If you didn't attend to it and it's now a stain then you could sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over the stain and allow it to sit overnight. If you find the powder a little bit yellow in the morning, is because it was able to remove your stain. You can continue this process until the stain disappear.
- If you have bigger problems, or simply your stain didn't get out, you should call a specialist.
- After the cleaning, it's wise to use a leather protector. Usually, the best ones are the one in a spray form.
- Avoid sunlight and keep your suede items in cool places.
- Storage them in safe places where they won't scratch and that is ventilated.
- Also, for storage, you can use a dust bag or even a blanket when its not being used. Remember, all leather, even suede can absorb elements from the air around them, especially dust.