Last Updated on October 31, 2022 by Erik Sullivan
Suede is an expensive couch material which is made from animal skin. Many people opt for them because they’ve a luxurious feel and aesthetic qualities.
When it comes to cleaning a suede couch, you might feel like it’s a daunting task. Because, you’ll need some special tools and technique to clean them properly.
Steam cleaning is the fastest and most efficient ways to clean your fabric couches and upholstery. But, can you steam clean a suede couch too?
Can You Steam Clean a Suede Couch?
Yes, you can steam clean a suede couch. But you’ll need to be very careful when performing the cleaning task. You can only use a dry steam cleaner on your suede couch since it contains very little water or no water at all. Suede is a delicate material, therefore using too much water can damage it.
Table of Contents
Will Steam Damage Suede?
No, steam won’t damage your suede couch and armchair. Because, a steam cleaner uses only hot steam blast instead of using hot water extraction. It’s important to note that, steam evaporates very quickly therefore, your couches will dry very fast.
How to Steam Clean a Suede Couch Safely?
Steam cleaning process is easier and more convenient than any other methods. Because, you’ll need only water and the steam cleaner to get started.
Before You Begin
Before, steam cleaning your suede couch you should know about which type of suede couch you have. This is really important because without knowing about the types of suede couch, you should not use any cleaning method.
There’re two types of suede couch available in the market:
Pure/Natural Suede: Natural suede made from underside of animal skin and is more delicate than other types of suede. A natural suede couch should be vacuum cleaned to get rid of dust particles. Using steam cleaner may be too harsh for this type of suede material. But, I’ve a nice hack that you can follow to steam clean a pure suede couch and upholstery.
Blended/Microfiber suede: Microfiber suede are made from synthetic materials (polyester, nylon). They’re also called Microsuede. They’ve almost same texture and plush feel of a natural suede. However, they’re more durable and water resistant than pure suede.
Steam cleaning is safe for microfiber suede because of their durability and water resistant ability.
Always Check The Couch Label
You should also check the couch tag before using any cleaning treatment. If your couch label comes with either “W” or ‘W-S” sign, that indicates steam cleaning is safe for them.
If the couch label has either “S” or “X” symbol, it means that your couch should not be steam cleaned.
Instructions:
1. Vacuum away loose debris
Before steam cleaning your suede couch make sure to remove dirt and dust particles by using a vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming also eliminate pet hair and loose soil from the couch surface.
2. Apply Steam in your suede couch
After vacuuming your sofa, you can steam clean it with an upholstery steam cleaner. Select the low heat setting of your steam cleaner machine.
If you’ll need to steam clean a microfiber suede couch, then you can use an upholstery brush tool directly onto the surface. But, for steam cleaning a 100% suede couch, you must not use the steam nozzle directly on to the surface. It can damage the natural fiber of the suede couch.
Instead, install the microfiber bonnet with the upholstery steam nozzle. This will protect your suede couch from getting wet and overheated. Besides that, the bonnet also ensure even distribution of steam all over the couch. Here’s a quick video demonstration how to use it:
If your steam cleaner does not include any bonnet, then you can use a piece of microfiber clothe with your stem nozzle.
However, make sure to apply steam all over the couch surface including the sides and corners. Do not apply too much steam in any specific area for a long time.
How to Clean Suede Couch Without A Steam Cleaner?
You can clean your suede couch (both natural and microfiber) with simple household remedies. We’re going to use Isopropyl Alcohol which dries very fast and doesn’t have any bleaching effect.
Things you’ll need:
- 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
- A spray bottle
- A clean and dry sponge
- A light color microfiber clothe
Instructions
- Pour 70% Isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle. (Make sure to test it in a small area first)
- After you’ve tested and allowed the test spot to dry, set your spray bottle to MIST.
- Next, apply the alcohol to clean the dirt spots of your suede couch.
- Now, take a clean & dry sponge and gently scrub any tough spots.
- After that, use a piece of clean and light colored microfiber clothe and scrub the entire surface to pick up the dirt and dust.
- Repeat the process for each stained area.
Benefits of Steam Cleaning Suede Couch
Steam cleaning is a popular method for deep cleaning upholstered furniture, including suede couches. Here are some associated benefits of steam cleaning suede couch:
- The steam helps to eliminate deeply set in stains and hidden debris from your suede couch.
- Steam cleaning also helps to eliminate bacteria and allergens, improving the overall hygiene of your furniture.
- Steam cleaning is a more eco-friendly cleaning options than other methods.
- The high temperature steam can also disinfect your suede couch without using harsh chemicals.
Read also: Can You Steam Clean Walls And Ceilings?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a carpet shampooer on a suede couch?
No, you should not use a carpet shampooer on your suede couch. Suede is a delicate fabric and shampooing it with a carpet shampooer can strip the color and damage the fibers. A better option would be to vacuum the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
Additionally, you can use a piece of microfiber cloth dampened with water and vinegar to eliminate stains.
Can you steam clean a microsuede couch?
Yes, you can steam clean a microsuede couch. However, you should test the fabric in an inconspicuous area applying the steaming process.
Microsuede is a synthetic fabric made from polyester. Therefore, it can be sensitive to heat and moisture. So if you’re going to steam clean your microsuede couch, make sure to use the lowest setting on your steamer and avoid letting the steam come into direct contact with the fabric.
Can you deep clean a suede couch?
Yes, suede can be deep-cleaned, and must be done with care. Make sure to use a suede brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any surface dirt or dust. Then mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle and spritz the couch lightly.
Wipe with a soft cloth. Do not saturate the fabric, and make sure to rinse the cloth frequently so as not to spread any dirt around. Finally, allow the couch to air dry completely before sitting on it.
Will steam remove stains from suede couch?
It depends on the nature of the stain. If it’s a grease or oil stain, then steam may not be able to remove it completely. But if it’s a food stain, then steam may be able to loosen up the dirt and make it easier to clean off.
How do you deodorize a suede couch?
You can deodorize a suede couch by sprinkling baking soda over the surface and let it sit for an hour. After an hour or so, vacuum the fabric to remove baking soda residue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, steam cleaning a suede couch requires caution due to suede’s sensitivity to moisture. While steam can be effective for certain fabrics, it’s not recommended for suede due to the potential for water damage and texture alteration.
Using steam on suede can cause water spots, discoloration, and alteration in the nap, ruining the couch’s appearance. Instead of steam cleaning, it’s advisable to use specialized suede cleaners or dry cleaning methods tailored for suede upholstery.
Prioritizing suede-specific cleaning products and techniques ensures the preservation of the couch’s texture and appearance without risking water damage from steam cleaning.
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