The Care Library
How to clean a suede bag without ruining the nap
1 minute read
Suede is leather with its soft fibres raised, which is why it feels so good and marks so easily. Water, oil and pressure all flatten or stain the nap. The answer is almost always to work dry.
What you need
- A suede brush, with soft bristles on one side and rubber or brass on the other.
- A suede eraser block.
- Patience — suede rewards several gentle passes, not one hard one.
The method
- Make sure the bag is completely dry. Never brush damp suede.
- Brush lightly in one direction to lift surface dust.
- Rub small marks gently with the eraser, as you would a pencil line.
- Brush again, this time against the nap, to raise the fibres.
- Finish by brushing in one direction so the colour reads evenly.
Water and oil
If suede gets wet, blot it at once with a dry cloth, stuff the bag with paper and let it dry slowly at room temperature, then brush. Fresh oil or grease marks can be dusted with plain cornflour, left overnight and brushed away. Old oil marks are a job for a specialist.
When to stop
If the nap is turning shiny or bald, you are brushing too hard. Stop and let it rest.
Always test any technique on a hidden area first. If a bag is valuable, delicate or already damaged, take it to a professional.
The bags and labels in our photographs are illustrative: Currier & Bloom is independent of every maker, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
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