How to just peel your skin and suede

A selection of professional and home methods to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of suede and leather items.

Items made of genuine leather and suede should not be washed - this can ruin them irretrievably. However, there are many other ways to rid your skin and suede of dirt, returning things to a neat appearance. First of all, it is the use of special sponges, brushes and napkins for cleaning. They are sold in shoe stores, but they are not always at hand, moreover, not in all cases they are quite good at their tasks. The best option is to combine prophylactic and special purchased products with "home" methods. Attention: before using this or that cleaning agent or method on large surfaces, check them on an inconspicuous area of ​​leather or suede.

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Genuine leather: types and description

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Skin: clean from dirt

Photo: ragstocouture.com

- First you need to remove street dust and dirt from leather shoes. Use a medium-hard bristled brush for this.
- The second method is suitable both for shoes and for other leather items (bags, wallets, jackets). It may be sufficient, or may precede a more thorough cleaning. Dilute a little shampoo in water (a special one, in another case, best for children), moisten a clean sponge in the solution and wipe the skin.Clean damp marks immediately with a soft cloth that absorbs water well. Dry the item at room temperature.

Skin: remove stains

Photo: mrright. in

- A cotton swab soaked in facial makeup remover cleans the skin well.
- To remove stains from salt, for example, on shoes, treat them with a cotton swab moistened with a solution of table vinegar. Then wipe with a damp, then dry cloth.
- Stains from a ballpoint pen can be removed by gluing a piece of tape to the place of contamination, and carefully removing it. You can also use a stationery eraser.
- To remove greasy stains from the skin, sprinkle them with baby talcum powder or starch, leave for several hours, brush off.
- To restore the whiteness of leather sneakers, try brushing them with an old toothbrush with toothpaste and then rinse well.
- Practitioners do not recommend using detergents with acetone, gasoline, undiluted alcohol and other aggressive substances for cleaning - they can damage the skin.

Skin: bring shine back

Photo: onegoodthing.com

- The easiest way is to use purchased products, spray or cream. The spray should dry after application, and the cream should be allowed to soak and then polish the skin with a soft brush or cloth.
- To return the shine to dark skin, you can wipe it with the outer side of the orange peel, and light - lemon.
- Castor oil not only restores shine, but also makes the skin softer.
- Vaseline also acts.

Suede: mechanical cleaning

Photo: thespruce.com

- The first thing you should start with is the purification of suede, velor, nubuck - mechanical cleaning.If there are serious contaminants on the surface (for example, dried dirt, dust), first clean the dirty areas with a medium-hard bristle brush.
- Then clean the entire product. A special plastic sponge or rubber brush for suede is best suited for this. If there are stains or gloss, a more serious cleaning is needed.

Suede: remove stains and update the pile

Photo: hangerprogect.com

- Most stains can be removed with the same rubber brush for suede or clerical eraser, "aiming" rubbing them stain.
- Another way to remove the gloss: wipe the suede with a cloth soaked in a solution of 10% ammonia and water 1: 4. Then wipe the suede well with a damp cloth and dry it at room temperature. To restore the appearance of the pile, use the tips below.
- Grinding nail file with fine grain is another way to get rid of scuffs. It can also remove other surface contaminants. The main thing is not to overdo it!
- Update the pile on suede using steam. If you do not have a steam generator, boil water in a saucepan and hold the item over steam. Suede villi will fall in a natural direction and the item will look updated.
- Another way to update suede, combing with an old soft toothbrush, slightly moistened with a solution of fabric softener, is suitable for products with a coarser noticeable pile. Try to determine the natural direction of the villi and comb the pile in this direction.