Get oil out of suede

Content

To step
Method 1 of 3: Remove oil with cornstarch
Method 2 of 3: Remove stains with dish soap
Method 3 of 3: Using a suede cleaner
Tips
Necessities
Remove oil with cornstarch
Remove stains with washing-up liquid
Using a suede cleaner

Suede is known for its soft, pleasant texture, and it is also quite delicate. Even though suede is tricky to clean, you can remove oil stains with a few common household products. Use absorbent material to get new oil stains out of the leather before the oil is permanently absorbed into the leather. Liquid dishwashing detergent is very suitable to use afterwards to remove lighter oil stains. For older, deeper stains, restore the suede with the help of a special suede maintenance kit containing an eraser and cleaner.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Remove oil with cornstarch

Soak up the oil with a paper towel while the stain is still wet. If the stain has not yet dried, soak up as much oil as possible before the oil soaks into the suede. Place the suede on a flat, sturdy surface and hold the paper towel firmly against the oil stain. You may be able to remove most of the oil before it becomes a bigger problem.
- For best results, tackle the stain while it is still wet. Even if the rest of the oil soaks into the suede, it will be a lot easier to remove the stain later on.
Cover the stain with a large amount of cornstarch and wait at least an hour. Sprinkle enough cornstarch on the stain to cover it completely. It's not possible to use too much of it, so don't hold back. Cornstarch has an absorbent effect and is very good at removing oil from fabrics.
- If you don't have cornstarch, you can use baking soda or talcum powder. Like cornstarch, both have an absorbing effect.
- Let the cornstarch soak in the stain for at least half an hour. If you have time, let the cornstarch sit overnight to remove as much oil as possible.
Remove the cornstarch with a damp microfiber cloth. You can easily wipe off most of the cornstarch by hand. To safely remove the rest, slightly wet a cloth with lukewarm water. Wring the cloth to get the excess moisture out.
- Too much water will damage the suede, so be careful. Rinse the suede with the cloth with lukewarm water and then let the suede dry outside away from heat sources.
Brush up the suede hairs by scrubbing the stain with a toothbrush. Start at the top of the stain and work your way down. Gently brush over the treated area to avoid damaging the suede. Brushing the suede removes the last traces of oil and softens the fibers so that they look as good as new.
- If you have a suede maintenance kit, you can safely use the suede brush in the kit to treat the stain.
Repeat the treatment if necessary to completely remove the stain. In the case of a stubborn oil stain, you may need to sprinkle cornstarch two or three times on the stain. Otherwise, clean the suede with liquid dish soap that has a degreasing effect or with vinegar to remove the last traces of oil.

Method 2 of 3: Remove stains with dish soap

Blot the oil stain with a paper towel while it is still wet. Hold a clean paper towel against the oil for a minute to soak up as much of it as possible. This prevents the oil from penetrating permanently into the leather, causing a stubborn stain.
- Try to soak up the oil before it soaks into the leather, even if you can't completely clean the suede right away.
Cover the stain with a degreasing detergent for ten minutes. Most liquid dish detergents will remove oil stains, but detergents with a degreasing effect work best. You can't use too much detergent, but remember to rinse it all off when you're done.
- Remember that suede is not water resistant. It is best to clean small stains that you have already pre-treated with water and washing-up liquid.
Scrub the stained area with a suede brush or toothbrush. Start at the top of the stain and brush down in short, light strokes. Scrubbing will absorb the detergent into the stain. You can also use a nylon brush or a nail brush to scrub the detergent into the stain.
- Continue to scrub lightly. Brushing the suede too hard can damage it. If done correctly, the leather will look new and soft afterwards.
Wipe off the detergent with a damp microfiber cloth. Slightly wet the cloth with lukewarm water. Wring out the excess water before scrubbing the stain from top to bottom. That way you should be able to remove all or almost all of the oil.
- If you want to risk getting the suede wet, rinse the detergent away under the tap. Place the item in a place out of direct sunlight but with good air circulation and let it dry completely there.
Apply more detergent to the suede if you can still see the stain. If the stain has not disappeared after the first try, repeat all steps. Keep scrubbing the area so that the oil comes to the surface. For older stains, you may need to do this a few times to remove them.
- If you're having a hard time removing a stubborn stain, a suede care kit may be able to help. Treat the area with a special suede cleaner and a suede eraser.

Method 3 of 3: Using a suede cleaner

Remove the dirt from the suede with a soft brush. Place the suede on a hard, flat surface. If you have a suede maintenance kit, use the brush from the kit. Start at the top of the stain and then work your way down, making short, light strokes. Brush away as much dust and dirt as possible so that it does not get stuck in the leather.
- If you don't have a suede brush, use an old toothbrush or nylon scrub brush.
Scrub the stain with a suede eraser to get the oil out of the leather. Treat the stain again from top to bottom, but this time use the eraser. A suede eraser is a small rectangular eraser that looks a bit like a pencil eraser. Rub it over the entire stain a few times until the eraser doesn't seem to have any effect.
- Suede maintenance kits often contain a suede gum, as well as a special suede cleaner. You can buy the sets on the internet and at stores that sell leather clothing.
Spray a suede cleaner on the oil stain. Cover the stain with the cleaner. Many cleaners are sold in a spray bottle, so all you need to do is point the nozzle in the right place. If you have a liquid cleanser, put about a teaspoon (5 ml) on a clean microfiber cloth and apply the cleaner to the stain.
- Household vinegar is also an option. Put a teaspoon (5 ml) of vinegar on a cloth or paper towel and dab the stain with it.
Blot the stain with a microfiber cloth moistened with lukewarm water. Wring out the wet cloth to remove the excess moisture so the water doesn't drip onto the delicate suede. Wipe the stain from top to bottom. The suede will not get too wet, but the residual oil will be removed.
- You can safely rinse the suede under the tap, as long as you dry it well. Place the suede in a safe place away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.
Brush the suede again until it looks soft and clean. Use the suede brush or a similar soft brush and treat the stain from top to bottom. Make short and light strokes to avoid damaging the leather. By brushing the suede, the hairs come up, so that the suede feels soft again and looks clean.
- If you've tried everything and still can't get the stain out, take the suede to a professional.

Tips

If you see an oil stain, soak up the oil immediately with a paper towel. Any residual oil that soaks into the suede and stains is a lot easier to remove, so don't worry if you can't use other cleaning products right away.
Remove stains as soon as possible. Older stains are more difficult to remove.
Suede does not usually react well to water. Wet suede can warp and crack. Hot water can also permanently set the stains into the leather. However, you can use safe water when cleaning if you are careful.
If you treat the suede with water, dry it properly. Do not expose the suede to direct sunlight and heat, as this will dry out too quickly and cause it to crack.
In the case of stains that seem impossible to remove, call a cleaning professional with experience in cleaning suede and leather. Most dry cleaners can help you with this.