Besides nubuck car seats and Alcantara seats, Suede car seats are among the popular choices of car enthusiasts out there for having a high-end look and feel. When it comes to cleaning, however, it can be a nightmare.
Since they are easily damaged by dirt and stains over time regardless of how careful you are with them, knowing how to clean suede car seats is an important skill.
If you want to make them look as new as possible, this is the guide for you. We’ve provided the most detailed steps that’ll guide you to get rid of various types of stains. Read on to give your old car seats a better appearance!
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Guide to Clean Suede Car Seats
The first thing to keep in mind is that when you drop something on your suede car seats (tomato ketchup, coffee, or ice cream for instance), wipe it out as quickly as possible. The longer it sticks on the surface, the more challenging it is to get it removed.
For stubborn stains that are hard to remove, you can prepare the following items for cleaning:
What to Prepare
- Suede brush
- Suede eraser
- Microfiber towel
- Suede car seat cleaner
- Soft-bristled brushes
- Vacuum cleaner
- White cloth
- Sponge
- Rubbing alcohol
- Spray bottle
Step 1: Clean Up With a Suede Brush
First of all, you can clean dust and debris on the seat surface with a suede brush.
Since suede is a delicate material, a soft-bristles brush is recommended. Not only does it prevent any unexpected damage to your suede seats in the car but it also makes them look better after cleaning.
- To start, brush the suede in all directions (from top to bottom, left to right, and vice versa) to get rid of as much ground-in dirt as possible.
- After scrubbing for several minutes, use a microfiber cloth or a car vacuum cleaner to pick up all of the dirt and prevent them from settling back into the materials. This step is to get the mud out of the suede before cleaning.
Step 2: Use a Suede Eraser
Next, go for a suede eraser for deeper cleaning. A suede eraser can help you get syrup out of the car seat when they have dried and set in.
Simply move the eraser’s top around them in a circular motion, being careful not to scratch the surface of the suede car seat protector.
After each usage, use your brush to sweep away all of the remnants or pick them up with a microfiber towel then turn to the next step.
Step 3: Use a Suede Upholstery Cleaner
Since the suede is a delicate and non-water-resistant material, never spray a cleaning solution directly onto the surface. Use a fluffy white cloth or a sponge instead as the color from dyed fabrics could potentially stain your upholstery.
Clean the suede chair seats by spraying a small amount of cleaner onto the cloth and wiping it softly.
In case you don’t buy a cleaner, use a clean spray bottle instead and mix distilled water and rubbing alcohol in the same amount. You can leave the agent there for more than 10 minutes if you want to get paint out of suede.
It’s also essential to have a dry towel on hand to follow up on each damp wipe to get rid of as much moisture as possible.
Step 4: Check the Stains
The final step of microfiber suede cleaning is to verify the stain’s appearance once the affected area is dried. If it’s still visible, go back to step 2 for another round.
FAQs
What cleans suede best?
White vinegar and rubbing are the best way to clean suede. Either of them will help you remove the spots from your suede seats with ease and won’t leave any lasting stains.
Apply them to a clean white cloth and then gently rub that cloth into the stain. The area should be allowed to dry completely before being used again.
How do you care for suede seats?
It’s true that the best treatment is prevention. However, it can’t be denied that the suede will quickly become worn and matted from being seated on for a long time.
You need to understand the materials to treat them well. Despite being more robust, microsuede car seats are also susceptible to moisture, just like natural suede. Therefore, protection against water and moisture is a must.
You should also care for these seats regularly with a high-quality suede brush. Also, recommended cleaner for suede car seats is rubbing alcohol if you do not have commercial products available.
Does soap and water ruin suede?
Important alert: Suede is damaged by water. Using water for cleaning will strip away its natural oils, thus changing its color and making it weaker.
Soap is still not a good recommendation for getting stains out of the suede. Instead, treat it with a suede chair cleaner, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol as mentioned above.
Can you steam clean suede car seats?
The answer is yes. Steam cleaning the suede seats in your car does more than just remove dirt and stains, it also sanitizes the interior by eliminating bacteria.
Since water-sensitive fabrics like suede are never cleaned with water, a dry steam cleaning process will be employed.
Conclusion
With simple tools and cleaners for suede car seats, including rubbing alcohol and a suede eraser, you can easily clean your Mercedes car seats at home whenever you realize they’re covered with too much dust and stains.
If you find it helpful, feel free to share these tips with your friends and family members who also question how to clean suede car seats.
Furthermore, if you are finding helpful tips to take care of your care seat, don’t forget to visit the following article:
