Sometimes your suede can get in contact with any form of liquid; after leaving it behind, mildew can grow. Then, how to remove mildew from suede?
Should you throw it away or call a professional’s help? Maybe you can start by cleaning the mildew on your own.
Continue reading so that you would be able to learn how to remove mildew from suede and some tips on how to care for it suitably.
What Is Suede?
According to MasterClass, suede is a type of leather made from the underside of the animal skin, giving it a soft surface. Suede is more delicate and thinner compared to traditional leather.
It is created from many kinds of animal coats, and it is usually soft and smooth yet vulnerable to damage. It can be used for furniture, shoes, bags, and jackets.
Defining Mildew
Mold and mildew are frequently mistaken. It’s because both are common household fungi that thrive in moist and humid environments.
Mildew appears like patches of white to gray, and it’s powdery, dry, and flat. Compared to mold, it’s easier to clean mildew because it grows only on surfaces of items.
It smells unpleasant, musty, and earthy. For comparison and familiarization, see this article about what does house mold smell like.
Steps In Removing Mildew From Suede
It’s genuinely tricky to clean mildew from a suede. You can’t use harsh chemicals or cleaners without affecting the material.
It’s a good thing that inside your kitchen, there are some that you can use as an alternative for cleaning mildew. See the following steps you can follow:
Step #1. Sun-drying
Start with letting your affected material lay under the sun for an hour. Just make sure that it’s a sunny day without any hint of rain.
Step #2. Brush
After sun-drying, use a brush to scrub on the affected area gently. Scrub away as much of the mildew as you can.
Use a vacuum to suck some remaining spores of mildew. As much as possible, do this outside to prevent mildew spores from escaping to the corners inside your home.
Make sure to dispose of the content of the vacuum bag properly.
Step #3. Petroleum jelly
Apply a tiny portion of petroleum jelly on a clean fabric. Utilize that fabric to gently rub petroleum jelly on the affected area of your suede.
Step #4. Rubbing alcohol with water
You’ll need to mix the same rubbing alcohol and water portions for this step. Get a sponge and let it sit in the mixture before wringing it so that the suede wouldn’t get too damped.
Use the sponge to dab and lightly brush the affected area. Do this repeatedly until there are no more visible mildew growths.
Step #5. Absorb excess water
To do this step, ready another set of clean fabrics. Place one on the surface where you will place suede; use another to lay on top of the suede.
Apply pressure to the top cloth and pull excess water from the material. Continue doing this until there’s no more excess water being pulled out.
Step #6. Drying
After all that, it’s time to dry the suede entirely. You can either use a fan or a hairdryer, but a fan takes longer to dry the material.
As for the hairdryer, please don’t use it too close to the suede to avert deterioration, then carefully air the material using the dryer. Let the dryer go through the material, not letting any uncovered areas.
After the suede is thoroughly dried, use a suede brush to go over the surface to tidy it. A toothbrush can do its job if you don’t have a suede brush.
It’s best to immediately take action upon sighting mildew growths so that it’s easier to clean and more minor damage to the material.
Taking Care Of Suede
To deter mildew from growing in your suede or to lengthen the usage duration of it, then you’ll need to know how to take care of it correctly. The following are some advice that you can follow through:
- Don’t let it come into contact with any liquid.
- Use a waterproof spray for your suede shoes. See this article to know the top 10 best waterproof sprays for shoes.
- For stains that have dried, you can use a pencil eraser or a dash of white vinegar for treatment.
- After wearing suede items, use a clean toothbrush for brushing dirt and dust.
- Properly store suede items when not in use. You can keep it in bags or boxes.
- Store it in a place that has proper air ventilation and lighting.
- Use dehumidifiers on where your storage areas are.
You can also visit this article about how to prevent mildew in closets for further information.
Conclusion
Are you now aware on how to remove mildew from suede? Knowing this could be a lifesaver, and it’s also more accessible than you’d expect it to be.
With proper care and knowledge, you can prolong the lifeline of your suede items without stressing yourself on how and where to start. Suede items are somehow delicate, but with appropriate actions, you can prevent damage and use them as carefree as you should be.