How to Care for Leather & Suede Clothing

Just bought some fun new clothes and want to know how to keep them looking brand new for as long as possible? One of the best aspects of designer fashion is the high-quality materials and fabrics used in the construction of these garments, but oftentimes these durable materials require a little extra love and care to last their full potential. 

Learn how to care for leather clothing, as well as how to clean suede clothes from our Buy Outlet fashion experts. We strive to make designer fashion affordable, but we understand that clothes shopping is still an investment. With these clothing care instructions, you’ll make the most of that investment by extending the lifespan of your clothes. 

How to Care for Leather Clothing

Unfortunately, you can’t just throw your favorite women’s designer jacket in the washing machine and call it a day. Instead, taking care of leather clothing requires a bit more of a time commitment. For quick care, use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to clean off any dirt or debris. Before doing anything else, be sure to read your leather item’s product label, which will include specific instructions regarding what you can or can’t do.

Washing Instructions 

Instead of washing your leather garments in a basin or washing machine, you’ll need to prepare a cleaning solution to apply to the clothing item. Buying some leather cleaner is key to caring for leather clothing. If you don’t have access to leather cleaner, Castile mild soap or gentle baby shampoo are potential alternatives. You can combine your leather cleaner with warm water, and the exact proportion of water to the cleaner depends on the type of cleaner, but usually, it’s only about two or three drops of soap.

To clean, use a microfiber cloth coated in the diluted cleaning solution to gently massage the leather. Take it slowly, don’t press too aggressively, and use circular strokes. Think of it like you’re gently petting your dog or cat, except it’s your designer coat instead! After you’ve finished applying the cleaning solution, the next step in how to care for leather clothing is switching to a clean, dry cloth to gently wipe off any remaining moisture. For a renewed shine, consider applying leather conditioner, according to the product’s instructions.

Stain Treatments

For stain spot treatment, the process is similar to how to clean suede clothes, in that you always want to test a product on a hidden location before committing to where the stain actually is. If the stain is just water, don’t worry. Water stains on leather might seem severe initially, but using a blow dryer instead of allowing it to air dry could exacerbate the issue.

Knowing how to care for leather clothing in the wintertime is especially important—road salt stains are common occurrences for outerwear. Saddle soap is an easy stain treatment for any salt stains on leather. When in doubt, you can always consult a professional cleaning service to take care of any stains.

How to Clean Suede Clothes

Generally, suede should always be dry-cleaned. Washing suede by any other method could damage the fabric. Between cleanings, you can use a microfiber towel or brush to remove dirt and grime from the suede garment. Remember to press gently and brush in the direction of the grain. Also, similar to how to care for leather clothing, there are suede-specific products such as suede conditioners and cleaners available to purchase and use at home to keep your garments looking fresh and new.

Washing Instructions

If you absolutely must wash your suede clothing at home, you should hand wash it instead of placing it in a washing machine. Leather and suede should never be fully submerged in water, as water can cause these materials to shrink and lose their dye and natural oils. Washing in cold water with a mild detergent is the gentlest option for your suede clothes, but still, it's not recommended because it could cause damage! 

Drying Instructions

Suede should be air-dried and never placed in a dryer or blow-dried.

Get the Best Deals On Leather & Suede Clothing

At Buy Outlet, we love leather and suede styles all year round. These materials may require a bit more TLC, but their quality and durability are well worth it. For discount designer clothes, browse our women’s clothing outlet and men’s designer outlet. The best part? All orders ship free and undergo an in-person quality inspection prior to arriving at your door. Find your perfect piece today!