The short answer: clean real suede dry. Vacuum it with a soft brush, brush the nap with a suede brush, rub marks with a suede eraser, and treat stubborn spots by dabbing on a little white vinegar or rubbing alcohol with a cloth. Keep water away from real suede, because it stains. If your couch is microsuede, which is a polyester fabric, follow its cleaning code instead; many can be cleaned with water or rubbing alcohol.
Is your couch real suede or microsuede?
| Real suede | Microsuede (faux suede, microfiber) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Leather: the soft underside of the hide | Tightly woven polyester with a brushed surface |
| How to tell | Labeled leather or suede; uneven grain; leather smell; higher price | Labeled polyester or microfiber; very even texture; has a cleaning code |
| Water | Avoid: it leaves marks and stiffens the nap | Depends on the code: W and WS allow it, S doesn’t |
| Main tools | Suede brush, suede eraser, white vinegar | Vacuum, rubbing alcohol or mild soapy water, soft brush |
Check the tag under the seat cushions. Most “suede” couches sold today are microsuede. For those, follow how to clean a microfiber couch and upholstery cleaning codes.
How do you clean a real suede couch?
- Vacuum with a soft brush attachment on low suction to lift dust and crumbs.
- Brush the nap with a suede brush or a clean, dry towel, in one direction. This lifts flattened fibers and light dirt.
- Erase marks with a suede eraser, or a clean white pencil eraser, using light pressure. Brush the nap again.
- Treat stains by dampening a white cloth with a little white vinegar or rubbing alcohol and dabbing the spot. Don’t pour and don’t rub hard. Let it dry, then brush.
- Let it dry naturally, away from heaters and direct sun, and brush once more to restore the texture.
Always test on a hidden area first. Suede can darken or change texture.
How do you get stains out of suede?
- Fresh spills: blot at once with a dry cloth or paper towel. Press, don’t rub.
- Grease and oil: cover the spot with cornstarch or talcum powder, leave it for several hours or overnight to draw out the oil, then brush it away.
- Water marks: lightly mist the whole panel so it dampens evenly, blot, let it dry and brush. Treating the whole panel avoids a ring.
- Dried mud: let it dry completely, then brush it off.
- Ink and dye: dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. If it doesn’t lift, call a leather cleaning specialist.
Can you use water or a steam cleaner on suede?
Not on real suede. Water leaves tide marks and can make the surface stiff, and steam can shrink and harden leather. Don’t use ordinary upholstery shampoo, soap or a carpet machine either. For heavy soiling, hire a professional who cleans leather and suede.
How do you protect a suede couch?
Apply a protector spray made for suede, following the label, and reapply it after cleaning. Brush the couch every week or two, keep it out of direct sun, which fades suede, and keep food and drinks away where you can. Homes with children or pets are usually better served by a performance fabric: see the best couch fabric for pets and pet-friendly sofas.
More cleaning guides
See how to clean a leather couch, how to clean a velvet couch and types of leather.