Suede is a material known for its soft, comfortable and smooth texture. However, although it can be quite difficult to clean, you can remove oil stains from suede using materials you have at home. Liquid dish soap is good for removing light oil stains from suede. To remove stubborn oil stains, you may need tools specifically designed to treat and clean suede, such as suede erasers and cleaners.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Corn Flour
Step 1. Blot the oil stain with a tissue if it is still wet
If the oil stain has not dried, clean it immediately before the oil gets more absorbed and difficult to remove. Place the suede on a flat surface, then firmly apply the paper towels to the oil stain. By doing this, it may be possible for most of the stain to be absorbed by the tissue, making it easier to clean later.
For maximum results, remove oil stains as soon as possible. By doing this, you will be able to clean the stain more easily even if the oil has soaked in
Step 2. Cover the oil stain with cornstarch for 1 hour
Use a generous amount of cornstarch to cover the entire oil stain. You can use as much cornstarch as you want. Corn flour can absorb the oil that sticks to the suede quite effectively.
- If cornstarch is not available, baking soda is a good alternative. Talc powder can also be used.
- You should let the cornstarch cover the oil stain for at least 30 minutes. If you're not in a hurry, let the cornstarch cover the stain overnight to absorb as much oil as possible.
Step 3. Wipe off the cornstarch using a damp microfiber cloth
You can clean most cornstarch by hand. To clean off the remaining cornstarch, use a damp microfiber cloth. Squeeze the cloth so it doesn't get too wet before use.
Water can damage suede, so be careful when wetting it. Rinse the suede with lukewarm water. After that, let the suede dry in an open area away from heat
Step 4. Scrub the suede bristles up with a toothbrush on the stained area
Start by scrubbing the stain from top to bottom. To avoid damaging the suede, gently scrub and brush off the oil stain. By doing this, any traces of oil stains will be removed. Plus, the suede fur will soften and look like new.
If you have special equipment for treating suede, you can use a special suede brush to remove oil stains that stick
Step 5. Repeat this process if necessary
To remove stubborn oil stains, you may need to apply cornstarch 2-3 times. Alternatively, you can also remove any remaining oil stains using liquid dish soap or vinegar.
Method 2 of 3: Using Dish Soap
Step 1. Dry the oil stain with a tissue if it is still wet
Place a clean tissue on the oil stain for a few minutes. This is done to absorb as much of the attached oil as possible. By doing this, less oil will seep into the suede, so the stain won't be too stubborn.
While the oil stain won't go away instantly, try to absorb as much of the oil stain as you can before it sinks into the suede
Step 2. Coat the stain with liquid dish soap for 10 minutes
Most liquid dish soap can help remove grease stains. However, dish soap made specifically for removing grease is the best choice. You can use any amount of liquid dish soap. However, remember that you need to rinse off the soap when you're done.
Remember, suede is a material that shouldn't be exposed to too much water. Therefore, soap and water is best used to remove small oil stains
Step 3. Scrub the oil stains with a suede brush or toothbrush
Rub the oil stain gently from top to bottom, Rubbing the stain can help the soap to absorb well. You can use a nylon brush, nail brush, or other brush to scrub the oil stain and help the soap soak into the stain.
Rub the suede gently. Suede will break if you rub it too harshly. When done correctly, suede will look clean and soft when finished
Step 4. Use a damp microfiber cloth to rinse off the soap
Wet the cloth with lukewarm water. Squeeze the cloth so it doesn't get too wet before wiping the stain from top to bottom. This will remove any grease that has stuck to the suede.
If you don't mind getting the suede wet, you can rinse it under running water. After that, dry the suede in an open place with good air circulation and not exposed to the sun
Step 5. Repeat this process with more dish soap if the oil stain is not gone
If the stain does not go away, repeat this process. Continue to rub the stain so that the oil appears on the suede surface. You may need to do this process several times to remove stubborn oil stains.
If it is difficult to remove stubborn stains, you may need to use special equipment to treat suede. Try scrubbing away oil stains using a cleaner and brush specially designed for suede
Method 3 of 3: Using Suede Cleaner
Step 1. Remove any dirt on the suede using a soft-bristled brush
Place the suede on a hard, flat surface. If you have a set of suede cleaning supplies, use a special suede brush. Gently rub the stain from top to bottom. Remove as much dirt and dust as possible from adhering to the inside of the suede.
You can use a toothbrush or nylon brush if you don't have a special suede brush
Step 2. Scrub the stain using a special suede eraser to remove any adhering oil
Use a special suede eraser to scrub the stain from top to bottom. A suede eraser is a small block that looks like a pencil eraser. Scrub the oil stain with a suede eraser several times until the results are visible.
Erasers and other special suede cleaning tools are generally sold together. You can buy it online or at a leather clothing store
Step 3. Spray suede cleaner on the oil stain
Cover the oil stain with suede cleaner. Most suede cleaners are sold in spray bottles. Therefore, you only need to spray the cleaner on the stained area. If you are using liquid suede cleaner, add 1 tsp. the cleaner on a clean microfiber cloth and then apply to the oil stain.
You can also use vinegar. Wet a cloth or tissue with 1 tsp. vinegar and then apply to the oil stain
Step 4. Wipe the oil stains with a damp microfiber cloth
Squeeze the cloth so it doesn't get too wet before wiping off the oil stain. This is done so that the water does not wet the suede too much. Wipe the oil stain from top to bottom. The suede won't get too wet, but any traces of oil stains will probably go away in no time.
You can rinse suede using running water. However, make sure you dry the suede well afterwards. Place the suede in a place that is not hot and not exposed to direct sunlight
Step 5. Rub the suede until it looks soft and clean
Use a suede brush or a brush with soft bristles. Scrub the oil-stained area from top to bottom. Make sure you rub the suede gently so you don't damage it. When rubbed well, the suede fur will lift, leaving it feeling soft and looking clean.
If the stain still doesn't go away, seek professional help
Tips
- If there is an oil stain on the suede, dry it immediately with a tissue. The remaining oil that sticks will be easier to remove. So don't worry if you can't access other cleaning tools right away.
- Remove oil stains as soon as possible. Stains that stick too long will be difficult to remove.
- Suede generally should not be exposed to water. Wet suede will crack and lose its shape. In addition, hot water will make the stain more pervasive. However, water is safe to use for cleaning suede if applied carefully.
- When using water to clean suede, make sure you dry it properly when you're done. Do not dry suede in direct sunlight. When dried in the sun, suede will dry out too quickly and crack.
- To remove the most stubborn stains, contact a professional cleaner with experience working with suede or leather products. Most professional laundry services can solve this problem.
