Can you explain how to clean a suede couch without fading the color? This one has a pretty pattern but there are stains on it. I think it’s mustard.
Rosa M., Chicago
The best way to clean suede furniture is by first assessing how much cleaning is involved. Does the entire thing need cleaning or only a few areas? It can be hard to know how to clean a suede or ultra suede couch or upholstery if you’ve never had to do it before.
Let’s see if I can help you make those stains go away from your suede sofa. Like with any material, it’s always best to clean mustard stains and spots as soon as possible. Scrape off and remove as much of the original substance as possible.
If you don’t have a commercial suede cleaner on hand, you can use a mild soap, but always test for colorfastness first. Rub a little bit of the cleaner into the fabric in a place out of sight, like on the bottom or backside of the furniture.
Wipe it with a white cloth. Does the dye come off? If not, then you’re good to clean the rest of the sofa with it.
Now, mix the cleaner with water. First, dab the stains with the cleaner, then blot them with a dry rag. You may need to repeat this process until all the marks are gone. Once all is clean, simply use a suede brush to make the nap look perfect again.
Sometimes you can use other tools to remove small stains from suede. For example, experiment with an eraser or fine grit sandpaper. But be careful and test each method out of sight first.
If you have removable covers, you can wash a sofa cover, one on your favorite recliner, or wash couch cushions separately from the pillows and couch and get rid of smells and unsightly stains that way. Check the care label for the manufacturer’s recommendations.
When in doubt, spot clean stains or sprinkle the material liberally with baking soda and let it sit for a couple of hours. Vacuum and replace on the couch.
If you find what appears to be a nail polish stain, you need to take a different approach. Soap and water or a brush probably won’t take care of the problem. Get the bottle of rubbing alcohol from your medicine cabinet and dab a little on an old rag.
Dab the stain repeatedly until the polish comes off. This may take a little time if the stain is a large one. With some persistence and a gentle hand, removing nail polish from sofa fabric is just as easy as tackling other types of stains.
If you want to know more about how to clean suede or microfiber furniture, I’m going to refer you to this article: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-a-microfiber-couch/
I hope your couch looks great in no time.
Joan