A suede bag is cleaned dry, with a brush and an eraser, and almost never with water. This guide covers brushing, stain removal, darkened or light suede and waterproofing. You will also learn how to care for the natural suede interiors of Garbelle accessories.
How do you clean a suede leather bag?
Clean a suede bag dry: brush off the dust, erase the marks, then brush again to lift the nap. Work in this order:
- Empty the bag and shake it out with the pockets open.
- Brush the whole surface with a crepe suede brush, in one direction.
- Rub marks with a suede eraser, using small strokes.
- Brush against the grain to raise the flattened fibers.
- Leave the bag in the open air, away from any heat source.
Suede needs more attention than smooth leather, especially in the rain. For a bag you carry every day, Garbelle leather backpacks and messenger bags, made of waxed full-grain cowhide, handle moisture better.
What tools do you need to care for suede?
Four tools are enough to care for suede, and none of them is oily. Creams and oils made for smooth leather flatten the nap and stain it.
| Tool | Use | Precaution |
|---|---|---|
| Crepe suede brush | Remove dust, lift the nap | Always on dry suede |
| Brass or nylon brush | Revive shiny, worn areas | Light strokes, no pressure |
| Suede eraser | Remove marks and dark patches | Small motions, then brush |
| Suede protector spray | Guard against water and stains | On clean suede, in a light coat |
| Talcum powder or cornstarch | Absorb a grease stain | No water, leave overnight |
Never use leather conditioner on suede: our guide to leather conditioner for bags applies to smooth leather only.
How do you remove a stain from a suede bag?
Treat the stain quickly, on dry suede, and always dab rather than rub. Each stain has its own method.
- Water spot: let it dry, then brush; if a ring remains, dampen the whole panel with a sponge and brush once dry.
- Grease stain: cover with talcum powder or cornstarch, leave overnight, then brush. On smooth leather, follow our guide to removing an oil stain from leather.
- Mud: wait until it dries, break the crust and brush.
- Stubborn mark: dab with a cloth barely moistened with white vinegar, then brush once dry.
- Ink or wine: take the bag to a leather professional.
Always test white vinegar on a hidden spot, under a flap or behind a handle.
How do you clean darkened or light-colored suede?
Suede that has darkened at the handles has lost its nap through rubbing: lift the fibers, do not wash. Light or camel suede mostly calls for quick action on every stain. For smooth white leather, follow our guide on how to care for white leather.
- Darkened suede: erase the shiny area, then brush lightly with a brass brush.
- Badly flattened fibers: hold the suede over kettle steam, about 8 in (20 cm) away, then brush.
- Light or camel suede: erase a stain as soon as it appears, before it sets.
- Any shade: avoid tinted renovators, which change the color of the suede.
For the smooth leather parts of the same bag, see our guide to leather bag cleaning.
How do you waterproof a suede bag without crushing the nap?
Waterproof a clean, dry suede bag with a suede spray held at a distance, in a light coat. A final brushing lifts the fibers the spray has flattened.
- Brush the bag to remove dust.
- Test the spray on a hidden spot.
- Spray from 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm), in even passes, without soaking the suede.
- Let it dry in the open air, away from sun and radiators.
- Brush with the crepe brush to lift the nap.
- Repeat at the start of each season, or after cleaning.
How do you care for the suede interior of a Garbelle accessory?
Several Garbelle accessories pair a full-grain leather exterior with an anti-scratch natural suede interior. That interior is brushed dry and never gets an oily product.
The Garbelle minimalist laptop sleeve holds a 12- or 13-inch laptop on a suede interior, with a built-in mouse pad. Empty it, turn it inside out if you can and brush the suede to remove dust. The glasses cases and the Lena dopp kit are cared for the same way.
For an everyday bag in waxed leather, compare the models on the page for Garbelle leather backpacks and messenger bags.
