How to Clean and Care for a Suede Jacket

Suede is soft and easy to wear, but it marks more easily than smooth leather. The good news: most suede problems (dust, water spots, small stains, a flattened nap) can be fixed at home with a brush, an eraser and a little patience. This guide shows you how to clean a suede jacket step by step, how to protect it, what to do when it gets wet, and how to restore and store it.

Why Proper Suede Jacket Care Matters

A suede jacket adds a soft, luxurious texture to your wardrobe, but that texture needs the right care. Without it, suede can stain, discolour or stiffen after rain. A few minutes of brushing and the right protector spray will keep it looking good for years. If you're not sure what suede is or how it differs from smooth leather, read what is suede first.

Understanding Suede: What Makes It Unique?

Suede is a type of leather with a soft, velvety finish. Unlike smooth leather, which uses the outer grain side of the hide, suede is made from the underside, so it's more breathable but also more delicate.

• Soft, fuzzy texture (the "nap")
• Absorbs liquids and stains easily
• Needs special cleaning tools, not soap and water
• Less hard-wearing than full-grain leather
• Can usually be restored with the right care

Tools You'll Need

• Suede brush: a brass/nylon brush or a crepe brush to lift dirt and restore the nap.
• Suede eraser or cleaning block: for scuffs and small marks (a clean white pencil eraser works in a pinch).
• Clean white microfibre cloth.
• White vinegar: for tougher marks and salt or water lines.
• Cornstarch or talc: for oil and grease.
• Suede protector spray: to repel water and stains.

How to Clean a Suede Jacket: Step-by-Step Guide

Always test any product on a hidden area first, such as inside a cuff or under the collar, because some suede dyes can lighten.

Step 1: Brush Off Surface Dirt

Lay the jacket flat or hang it, and brush the whole jacket with a suede brush to remove dust and grime. Brush in one direction first, then use small back-and-forth strokes on dirty areas.

Step 2: Use an Eraser for Scuffs and Small Marks

Rub the mark gently with a suede eraser or cleaning block until it lifts, then brush again.

Step 3: Treat Tougher Stains with White Vinegar

Dampen a corner of a microfibre cloth with white vinegar (don't soak it) and dab the stain lightly. Let it dry naturally; the vinegar smell fades as it dries. Then brush to restore the nap.

Step 4: Let It Air Dry

Never use a hair dryer, radiator or direct sunlight. Let the jacket dry at room temperature on a padded hanger, then brush.

How to Remove Common Stains from Suede

• Dirt and mud: let mud dry completely, then brush it off. Use the eraser on what's left.
• Oil and grease: cover the spot with cornstarch or talc straight away, leave it for several hours or overnight to absorb the oil, then brush it off. Repeat if needed.
• Salt marks: dab lightly with a cloth dampened with white vinegar, let it dry and brush.
• Ink, wine or dye: don't rub. Blot gently and take the jacket to a leather or suede specialist.
• Spot cleaning: work from the outside of the mark inwards so it doesn't spread, and always finish by brushing.

Can You Wash a Suede Jacket?

No. Never put a suede jacket in a washing machine or soak it in water: it will stiffen, shrink, lose colour and may never recover. Clean it with a brush, eraser and vinegar as above, and use a professional leather cleaner for a deep clean or for stains you can't remove.

Can Suede Jackets Get Wet?

Suede doesn't like water, and it isn't waterproof. Light drizzle usually brushes out once dry; heavy rain can leave dark water spots and a stiff patch. If your suede jacket gets wet:

1. Blot (don't rub) excess water with a dry towel.
2. Stuff the sleeves and body with paper to keep the shape, and hang it on a padded hanger.
3. Let it dry slowly at room temperature, away from heat.
4. Brush the whole jacket once it's dry to lift the nap.

How to Remove Water Stains from a Suede Jacket

Water marks are often caused by uneven drying. Lightly dampen the whole panel around the spot with a slightly wet cloth so it dries evenly, let it dry naturally, then brush. If a line remains, dab it with white vinegar or use the eraser.

How to Protect and Waterproof Your Suede Jacket

Use a Suede Protector Spray

A suede protector spray is the best treatment for a new suede jacket and the easiest way to shield it from water and stains. Choose a spray made for suede and nubuck, test it on a hidden area, then hold it about 15–20 cm away and mist the jacket evenly in a ventilated room. Let it dry fully before wearing, and reapply every few months or after cleaning. A protector makes suede water-resistant, not waterproof.

Avoid Wearing Suede in Heavy Rain

Rain and humidity are suede's worst enemies. On wet days, choose a smooth leather jacket instead, or carry an umbrella.

Shop the Men Premium Unlined Real Suede Leather Jacket →

How to Restore and Revive an Old Suede Jacket

• Brush in different directions: this lifts a flattened, shiny nap and refreshes the colour.
• Steam gently: hold a garment steamer or kettle steam about 20–30 cm away for a few seconds to relax the fibres, then brush while the nap is slightly damp. Don't soak it.
• Soften stiff suede: after it's fully dry, rub the stiff area gently between your hands and brush it; a little steam first helps.
• Use a suede conditioner or renovator: special suede products can soften dried-out suede and refresh faded colour. Never use ordinary leather cream on suede, as it will flatten and darken the nap.

How to Properly Store a Suede Jacket

• Hang it on a wide, padded or wooden hanger so the shoulders keep their shape.
• Use a breathable cotton garment bag, never plastic, which traps moisture.
• Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place away from sunlight, which fades suede.
• A cedar hanger or block helps absorb moisture and keeps moths away.

Common Suede Care Mistakes to Avoid

• Using household cleaners, soap or detergents, which can discolour suede.
• Drying wet suede with heat.
• Rubbing a fresh stain, which pushes it deeper.
• Using leather creams or oils meant for smooth leather.
• Wearing the same suede jacket every day; rotating it with other jackets gives the nap time to recover.

The same steps work for suede coats and suede vests.

Suede vs Leather Jackets: Maintenance and Durability

Feature	Suede jacket	Leather jacket
Texture	Soft, velvety	Smooth
Water resistance	Low (better with protector spray)	Higher
Stain resistance	Low	Higher
Durability	Moderate	High
Care	Brush, eraser, protector spray	Wipe and condition

Leather is easier to look after, but suede gives a softer, more relaxed look that's worth the extra care.

Shop the Women's French Red Suede Leather Jacket →

Sizes and Custom Options

Every suede jacket we sell is made to order, so you can have it made the way you want:

• Sizes: most styles come in XS to 5XL.
• Custom size: send us your measurements and we'll make the jacket to fit you.
• Custom colour: ask for the jacket in another suede or leather colour.
• Leather type: choose lambskin, sheepskin, cowhide or suede.
• Lining and shearling: change the lining, or ask for real shearling instead of the standard faux shearling.

To order a custom jacket, see our custom order process (free design consultation) or contact us with the product link and the changes you want. Shop all styles in our men's suede jackets and women's suede jackets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you clean a suede jacket at home?

Brush off dirt with a suede brush, rub small marks with a suede eraser, dab tougher stains with a little white vinegar on a cloth, let it air dry and brush again.

How often should I clean my suede jacket?

Brush it lightly after every few wears and do a fuller clean every few months, or whenever it gets marked.

Can I use water to clean suede?

Not directly. Water can leave spots. The only time to use a damp cloth is to even out an existing water mark across a whole panel.

Can you wear a suede jacket in the rain?

Light drizzle is fine on a jacket treated with protector spray, but avoid heavy rain. If it gets wet, blot it, let it dry slowly away from heat and brush it.

What is the best suede jacket protector?

Use a spray made specifically for suede and nubuck, test it on a hidden area first, and reapply every few months.

How do you soften a stiff suede jacket?

Let it dry completely, then gently rub and brush the stiff area. A few seconds of steam from a distance, followed by brushing, also helps.

Can you put a suede jacket in the washing machine?

No. Machine washing can shrink, stiffen and discolour suede. Use a professional leather cleaner for deep cleaning.