what the best way to clean suede furniture

Suede and cats don't mix. Unfortunately, kitty doesn't always get that, and you might find your new boots or jacket beyond repair. After you're done screaming -- to yourself, to the cat, to the world -- get to work. The sooner you clean suede, the better the results. Blot the area to soak up remaining urine. A paper towel is best, but toilet paper or a clean cloth will work. Resist the temptation to scrub -- it will only spread the urine over a larger area. Repeat until you get the area as dry as possible. Use baking soda if you can't get all the urine out because it's been absorbed. This is often the case with items like a suede-covered couch or pillow, whereby the urine can go deeper into the material because it's thicker. Sprinkle some baking soda after patting the area dry. Wait for a few minutes so the powder absorbs some of the moisture. Choose your cleaning weapon. Your best option is an enzymatic pet-odor removal product, which you can find at pet stores and some supermarkets. Read the label of the brand you buy.

Some will tell you to spray the area and let it dry overnight, while others require that you spray and blot. These products will not only clean the suede but also get rid of the smell by destroying the enzymes present in urine. Can't find it or afford it? Try some mild dish-washing soap in the meantime. Using a wet sponge and some soap, blot the area where the urine is. Rinse using a clean sponge and water, then blot dry with a paper towel. Repeat the process until the smell is gone. If you can still smell the urine, there's something left, even if you can't see a stain anymore. Let the suede dry completely overnight between cleanings. /Getty Images MORE MUST-CLICKS: What Keeps Cats From Urinating on the Outside Doors and on the Porch? Do Cats Really Get Stuck in Trees? How to Leave Kittens Alone During the Day Why Do Cats Paw at You? Can 3-Week-Old Kittens Potty on Their Own? How to Stop Senior Cats From Urinating in the House How to Keep Stray Cats Away From a House What Causes Cats to Attack & Bite?

Signs of Aggression in Male Cats What Does It Mean When a Cat Arches Its Back?What Is Faux Suede Faux suede is a fabric that very closely resembles genuine suede; however, instead of the hide of an animal, faux suede is a 100% polyester man-made fabric. Where real suede is delicate, not water-resistant and is difficult to clean, synthetic suede is much more durable and easy to care for. Genuine suede, especially when used to make suede couches, is very susceptible to dirt, stains and water damage. Imitation, or synthetic, suede feels very similar to genuine suede and is available for a fraction of the cost of genuine. One other advantage to purchasing furniture upholstered in faux suede is the lack of any animal products in the fabric making process. Real suede is made from the underside of animal hides and requires, in the case of a large piece of furniture like a sofa, more than one hide to complete the upholstery process. Imitation, synthetic, suede is completely made of polyester and requires no use of any animal products in its manufacturing process.

Microsuede fabric is a knit blend on minute fibers woven together tightly to create a product that is similar to genuine suede. Some of the fibers used in the weaving process can be smaller than a human hair and are combined very densely to create a significantly durable fabric for upholstery. In addition to durability, microsuede fabric is also wrinkle resistant, making it a good choice for bedding, furniture upholstery and curtains. One disadvantage to microsuede is it is generally not colorfast, with the dye tending to run or bleach when it comes in contact with liquids.
best way to clean black venetian blinds How To Clean Faux Suede
best canister vacuum cleaner review Although both microsuede and faux polyester suede are water resistant, rubbing water into the fabric can cause the dye to bleed or discolor.
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The question then becomes how to clean faux suede. Dabbing at a small spill will usually clean the area without damaging the fabric. Rubbing a spill in order to dry it can cause significant discoloration to the area. The best recommendation for cleaning the fabric is to use a product specifically designed for cleaning polyester, with other alternatives including rubbing alcohol or clear hard liquor like vodka. It is important to clean only a small area of the fabric at a time, allowing sufficient time for the fabric to completely dry before continuing the process.
best buy for dyson vacuum cleanerAs with any cleaning chemical, a small area should be tested for colorfastness prior to cleaning an area that is easily seen.
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One other item to note when cleaning microsuede, or synthetic suede, is the fabric can become stiff after the cleaning process is completed. This can be cured with a soft bristle fabric brush, or a cheap old toothbrush, with excellent results. With care and maintenance, household items upholstered in either microsuede or synthetic suede should last for many years.Getting your lounge suite cleaned professionally or using chemical products can be an expensive exercise. We at SAHM have discovered how to clean a lounge suite at a fraction of the price and without using chemicals.
best handheld vacuum cleaner for carpeted stairsThe products you use to clean your lounge will depend on the type of lounge it is and how dirty it is (i.e. if there are stains, dirt marks or other nasties). Just remember to patch test anything you use on an inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t damage the lounge.

A good area to do this is on the back, in the bottom corner. As a general rule, vacuum your lounge regularly. If toys or wrappers are stuck under the cushions, constant wear will damage the fabric or leather. Always check the care instruction label on your lounge – if it recommends a certain cleaner, then you must use that. Otherwise, the following suggestions can be used. For a general day to day clean, use warm soapy water (with a gentle soap such as Dove) works well as a general clean. Place a soft cloth into your bucket of soapy mix and wipe the couch over gently. Then wipe over with a dry cloth to absorb any moisture. Use a leather conditioner to protect the leather and keep it looking good. To make your own leather conditioner at home, mix one part white vinegar with two parts linseed oil or olive oil. Wipe the mixture over the lounge, leave for ten minutes, then buff off with a dry microfibre cloth. Do not use straight vinegar or baby wipes containing alcohol as they will strip moisture from the leather, causing it to crack.

To remove any stains on a leather couch, apply a mild toothpaste or hairspray directly to the stain (after patch testing first!). Hairspray is particularly good for removing ink. Microfibre can be cleaned using steam (if you have an attachment for lounges on your steam cleaner) or with soapy water. Baby wipes are great for getting rid of most stains. Just dab at them gently until the stain starts to come away. To fresh up a microfibre lounge suite all over, sprinkle with very dry bicarbonate of soda and leave it to absorb for a few minutes (if you want it to smell nice, mix through a few drops of Eucalyptus oil – but not enough to make the mixture wet – just a few tiny drops and mix well). Then vacuum away – and brush with a dry brush. If your lounge has been Scotch-guarded, most of the time the lounge can be wiped over with a damp cloth (check your Scotch-guard instruction booklet). Suede couches are a nightmare with kids. If you have dared go there – here are the tips to keep it looking good.

For general day to day cleaning of a suede couch, use a dry brush. Special brushes for suede can be purchased at most vacuum shops. Do not use water to clean suede as it will shrink, stain and ruin the suede. If you have a steam cleaner, you can use steam (very carefully) to clean suede, but ensure that the lounge does not get too wet. To remove any stains on a suede couch, either allow the stain to dry, then use the brush to ‘brush’ the stain out (good for stains like drool, water or toothpaste). For more hardcore stains, either use a very small amount of white vinegar on a dry cloth and sponge the stain carefully (trying not to get the couch too wet). If you have animals or young children with a suede couch, consider couch covers or sheets. Or selling on Buy Sell or Swap and investing in fabric, vinyl or leather! Fabric counches actually stand up very well to a bit of scrubbing! For day to day cleaning of a fabric couch, use a soft cloth and a mixture of 1/2 warm water and 1/2 white vinegar.