Can You Use Baking Soda On Suede?

Can You Use Baking Soda On Suede

You may have found yourself in a situation where you need to clean or remove stains from suede. Maybe it was spilled coffee, an oil spill, or even tomato sauce.

It could be that your dog just got home and left his paw prints all over the suede sofa. What should you do?

You can’t use water on suede like you would on cotton, wool, or leather because it can affect the nap and natural fibers of the suede. So what is safe to use? baking soda?

As scary as it may sound, you can use bicarbonate sodium also known as baking soda to remove grease or oil stains and sticky residues from all suede leather items. This is possible because suede has absorbent properties that help to remove stains without causing any harm on to the leather.

Before you begin, it’s important to test the baking soda on an inconspicuous place on your suede item to make sure that there is no adverse reaction.

How To Use Baking Soda On Suede

There are two main ways you can use baking soda on your suede item- as a paste or as a powder.

1. Using Baking Soda As A Paste On Suede

Using baking soda in this state is a very effective way to remove grease or oil stains from suede.

This method is even effective if you are dealing with oil or grease stains that has been on the suede for some time.

It is also great for cleaning suede that has become dirty through regular use and needs a more deep down clean.

Things Needed:

  • Distilled Water
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Baking Soda
  • Suede Brush
  • White Vinegar

Procedure:

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1:

  • Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with water to form a thick paste.
  • Make sure the mixture is not too watery.

Step 2:

  • Use your suede brush or any clean soft bristled brush to gently remove any dirt, dust, or debris from the suede.

Step 3:

  • Apply a small amount of baking soda on the affected area and gently scrub away with your fingers or a toothbrush.
  • If necessary, add additional baking soda if needed.

Step 4:

  • Leave the paste on for a few hours to allow the baking soda to penetrate and absorb as much of the stain as possible.
  • You can leave it overnight if you do not have time to wait around.
  • Usually you would want to wait for the baking soda paste application to harden.

Step 5:

  • After a few hours, use a blunt object or toothbrush to gently remove or scrape the hardened paste.
  • Check and see if the stains are gone, if not repeat steps until they are.

Step 6:

  • Once all stains are gone, use your suede brush to gently brush the suede in one direction.
  • This will help to bring back the natural nap of the suede.

Step 7:

  • If there are still some baking soda residue visible, mix one part vinegar to one part water.
  • Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with the vinegar solution and gently dab it on the affected area to remove the excess baking soda paste.

Step 8:

  • Once you’re satisfied with the results, use a clean microfiber cloth or brush to gently wipe the suede in one direction and leave the suede to air dry.

Step 9: (Optional)

  • You can at this stain apply a protector to prevent the suede from get stained again in the future.

2. Using Baking Soda As A Powder On Suede

Using baking soda as a powder is effective for removing odors and sticky residues from suede.

This is also a great way to clean suede that has been exposed to water or other water-based liquids.

So if you happen to have food, drinks, sweat, pee, or poop smells lingering on your suede leather item, this is one of the easiest ways to remove it.

Things Needed:

  • Baking Soda
  • Suede Brush

Procedure:

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1:

  • Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the suede surface where the smell or sticky residue is and leave it be for a few hours.

Step 2:

  • Use your suede brush to gently work the powder into the suede fabric, as if you were brushing hair. Make sure not too much pressure is.
  • But in the case of smells, you do not have to move the baking soda powder around. Sprinkling it over the suede is enough.

Step 3:

  • After that wait for a few hours or overnight for the baking soda to do its job.

Step 4:

  • If there are any smells left, repeat steps one and two until all the smells are gone.

Step 5:

  • Once it’s done, use your suede brush to gently brush the baking soda residue of.
  • For bigger suede items like couches or leather car seats, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda powder.

Step 6:

  • Now allow your suede to air out.

The Benefits Of Using Baking Soda On Suede

The benefits of using baking soda on suede are in multiple-folds.

Baking Soda Is A Great Natural Cleaner And Deodorizer

Baking soda is a great natural cleaner and deodorizer because it absorbs smells and moisture.

This makes it an ideal choice for cleaning suede, which is a fabric that easily absorb liquids and odors.

It safely seeps into the suede and neutralizes the smell from the inside.

Baking Soda Is Cheap, Safe And Effective

Another great thing about using baking soda to clean suede is that it’s cheap and safe.

You can find it in any grocery store, and it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that may damage your suede item.

Plus, it’s very effective and can safely remove odors, stains, and sticky residues from suede.

It Helps Remove Dirt, Dust, And Debris

Using baking soda to clean suede also helps remove dirt, dust and debris from the surface. Baking soda is a base that is able to dissolve organic compounds such as grease, oils, dirt, and other sticky residue.

Although it is very effective when it comes to cleaning dirt and grease, it is a very mild abrasive that will not disrupt the nap on your suede.

So it’s a great way of keeping your suede items free from dirt that could potentially damage them in the long run.

Baking Soda Is A Good Disinfectant

When combined with vinegar baking soda is a great disinfectant.

So if your suede has been exposed to any kind of liquid that may contain bacteria, using this combination can help get rid of the bacteria and disinfect the affected area.

Kwabena

Hi! I’m Kwabena, the owner and founder of Favored Leather. I’m a huge Leathercraft enthusiast and I’ve been that for almost 13 years now. I'm excited to share my experiences and all the new stuff I learn each day about leather craft, leather cleaning & care, and everything in-between!

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