How to Clean a Suede Couch

Cleaning Natural and Faux Suede Materials Safely

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 02/14/23
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk headshot, cleaning RB
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, home-keeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 books.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Wiping down a suede sofa

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 10 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Suede—both natural and microfiber, or faux suede—is a popular couch material. And cleaning a suede couch is a fairly straightforward process.

Natural suede is a delicate, porous material and microfiber is more of a workhorse fabric, but you can use some of the same cleaning and stain removal ingredients on both, but in different ways. For example, you can easily clean your couch and get stains out of a suede or faux suede sofa using household items, such as vinegar, baking soda, or liquid dish detergent.

Here's what you need to know about cleaning both natural suede and microfiber.

How Often to Clean a Suede Couch

Spills and stains should be treated promptly, and both types of suede should be vacuumed at least monthly to remove dust and dirt. Plus, a thorough cleaning twice a year will keep your couch looking great.

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Before You Begin

If you aren't sure whether you have a natural suede couch made from brushed animal hide or a synthetic microfiber suede couch, it is vital to make that determination before you begin cleaning.

  • Natural suede is animal leather that has a napped or fuzzy finish. It is a thin, porous dyed or undyed leather, and you can see the variations in the hide grain.
  • Microfiber suede is created from polyester and nylon fibers that are woven and cut to mimic the soft, plush feel of natural suede. Thanks to the tightly woven fibers, microfiber suede is more resistant to dust, dirt, and stains than natural suede.

To determine which type of suede you have, look for the attached care tag on your couch. This will guide you on how to clean your suede.

  • Code W: The fabric can be cleaned with water-based cleaning solvents.
  • Code S: The fabric requires the use of a dry cleaning or water-free solvent to remove stains and soils. The use of these chemicals requires a well-ventilated room and no open flames, including fireplaces or candles.
  • Code W-S: The fabric can be cleaned with either water-based or solvent-based products.
  • Code X: When you see the "X," avoid any type of cleaning agent. These fabrics should only be cleaned by vacuuming or by a professional. Any type of home cleaning product can cause staining and shrinking.
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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Vacuum with crevice and upholstery attachment
  • Suede brush
  • Bucket
  • Whisk
  • Spray bottle
  • Scrub brush with soft nylon bristles
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Sponge
  • Bowl

Materials

  • Baby powder or cornstarch
  • Commercial glue remover (like Goo Gone)
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

Instructions

Materials needed to clean a suede sofa

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

How to Clean a Natural Suede Couch

  1. Vacuum Away Loose Soil

    Weekly vacuuming will remove dust and soil that can damage the suede. Use the upholstery brush attachment and the crevice tool to reach every surface.

    Vacuuming away loose soil on a suede sofa

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Treat Stains

    Spills and stains should be treated immediately following the recommended guidelines. Cornstarch is an excellent oil absorber. Commercial glue removers can take care of sticky residue. And damp spills should be blotted and allowed to slowly dry. A suede brush will help restore the finish after stain removal.

    One of the best things to clean suede with is white vinegar. Use it as a natural home remedy to remove a stain from real suede. Mix a few drops of vinegar and warm water together and sponge lightly onto the stain. Continue dabbing the stain until it is removed. Do not wet the sponge too much. Dab it dry with a clean cloth.

    Baking soda is another way to clean suede furniture naturally because it removes stains on real suede and it will not harm the material. Mix a pinch of baking soda and a few drops of water in a bowl to make a paste. Add a drop of gentle dish detergent if you need a little more help to remove the stain. Dab the paste on with a very lightly dampened sponge. Work on the stain by dabbing, then dry the area with a clean cloth.

    Mixing a cleaning solution for a suede sofa

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

    Tip

    When the couch needs a thorough cleaning, it's time to call a professional upholstery cleaner. They have been trained on how to clean natural suede to prevent watermarks and shrinkage.

How to Clean a Microfiber Suede Couch

Due to manufacturing differences, some microfiber couches can be cleaned with water-based cleaners while others require a solvent-based cleaner. So be sure to check your care tag. Both types of microfiber suede should be vacuumed weekly to remove loose soil, have stains treated promptly, and be thoroughly cleaned at least twice a year.

How to Clean Microfiber Suede with Soap and Water

  1. Get Rid of Loose Soil

    Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove any loose soil on the surface of the microfiber.

    Using a vacuum on a suede sofa

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Create the Cleaning Solutions

    Add 4 cups of warm water to a bucket or large bowl. Add 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid. For additional cleaning power, add in a 1/2 cup or 1 cup of white vinegar. Use a whisk or handheld mixer to create lots of soapy suds. Fill a second bucket with plain water.

    Mixing a soapy solution

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Scrub with Suds

    Dip a scrub brush in just the soap suds (not the water). Start at the top of a cushion or the couch back or arms to prevent dripping dirty suds onto already cleaned areas. Evenly spread the suds and scrub well.

    Rinse the brush frequently in clean water, and make sure it is as dry as possible as you repeat the steps with fresh soap suds. Work on only one small area at a time.

    For stubborn stains, treat with a paste of baking soda and water. Dab the paste onto the stain with a sponge or cloth and rub in a circular motion to remove the stain. Rinse well.

    Scrubbing a suede sofa with a brush and suds

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Rinse Away the Suds

    Once an area has been cleaned, dampen a microfiber cleaning cloth with plain water, and wipe away the suds. Move to the next area, and repeat the suds, scrub, and rinse steps.

    Patting the area dry with a microfiber cloth

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  5. Air-Dry and Vacuum

    Allow the fabric to air-dry completely. Use a vacuum upholstery brush to fluff the fibers.

    Using a vacuum on a suede sofa

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

How to Clean Microfiber Suede with Isopropyl Alcohol

  1. Vacuum and Prepare Alcohol

    Thoroughly vacuum the couch to remove loose soil. Pour the isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle. Fill a small bucket with cool water.

    Decanting isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Spritz and Scrub

    Starting at the top of a cushion or section, lightly spritz the fabric with the alcohol. While the fabric is still damp (the alcohol will evaporate quickly) scrub the fabric with a sponge.

    Rinse the sponge out in plain water frequently. Wring well to prevent saturating the fabric with water.

    Spritzing alcohol spray onto a suede sofa

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Dry and Vacuum Again

    Allow the couch to air-dry. When it is dry, vacuum with an upholstery brush to lift any matted fibers.

    Vacuuming the suede sofa upholstery

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

FAQ
  • Are suede couches easy to clean?

    Yes, both natural suede and faux suede couches are easy to clean, provided you take care of the fabric properly. Natural suede requires a bit more maintenance in terms of frequent vacuuming and spot cleaning to make sure dirt does not become ground into the fibers, which is especially important if you have pets that lounge on the furniture.

  • Does water ruin a suede couch?

    Water can ruin the natural hairy fibers of a natural suede couch. Moisture may also ruin a faux suede couch by leaving water stains, while other microfiber sofas repel water. It depends on the code or type of microfiber fabric you have.

  • Can you steam-clean a suede couch?

    Steam cleaning may work well on both natural and faux suede sofas. That's because the steam provides just the right amount of dampness, but not too much moisture, which may ruin the material. Steam cleaning can also remove stains and odors from suede upholstery. If you don't feel comfortable using your own steam cleaner, call in the pros.

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