How To Clean Blood Out Of Suede

grove-logo

Written by Grove Collaborative

How to clean suede naturally.

Last Updated: May 18, 2021

Excited by the classic look of suede but terrified of the thought of cleaning it? That's why we made this guide on how to clean suede naturally to keep it beautiful!

Suede is a luxurious choice for all sorts of duds, from vests to jackets to boots. Less expensive than leather, and with very different colors and options, suede can accent and complete so many different outfits in so many different styles.

Despite all this, many people avoid suede due to one common myth: Suede is impossible to clean.

But, we're here to give a bit of a suede update, and bring everyone up to speed on the facts and fictions of this oft-misunderstood material.

What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.

Looking for more cleaning how-tos and other sustainable swaps you can make at home? Grove has you covered with our buying and cleaning guides. And let us know how if you have any cleaning questions (or share your own tips using #grovehome) by following Grove Collaborative on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning products, shop Grove Collaborative's cleaning essentials or natural beauty products to start shopping healthier products for you and the environment.

Shop more from Grove

Suede, like leather, is made from animal hide — specifically from the softer underside of an animal hide. Despite sharing similar origins, suede and leather look and feel completely different.

Suede generally has more of a velvety texture, compared to leather's smooth toughness. Compared to leather, suede tends to be more affordable, lighter, and less durable. The most popular form of suede tends to be in fashionable shoes.

Like a few of our favorite fabrics, suede requires some specialty tools to clean. But, once you learn a few tips and grab a few tools, the whole world of suede will welcome you with open arms!

Grove Tip

Can I use water to clean suede?

Hard no! Suede and water are not friends. Unlike fabric, suede actually stains when wet, hence the specialty tools and tips needed to properly clean suede.

With a few tricks, a few tools, and a big bucket of know-how, you'll find that cleaning and maintaining suede is fast and easy.

What you'll need to clean suede:

A suede brush
White vinegar or rubbing alcohol
A suede eraser
A microfiber washcloth
Water-repellent spray (as a finish)

4 different ways to clean suede

Now that we know how to tackle day-to-day suede care, it's time to confront everyone's worst fear: big, tough, accidental stains.

How to treat water stains on suede

The most common, and least problematic, stain on suede is water. For a recent stain, use a dry bath towel to blot the stained area and lift off as much water as possible. If the stain is long set-in, try blotting it with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a bath towel.

How to treat mud stains on suede

When it comes to mud stains, the most important thing is moisture. Let the mud dry for as long as possible before trying to clean it off. Once the mud is dried, it crumbles off of suede easily. Use a suede brush to break off and get rid of the dried mud and dirt.

How to treat oil and grease stains on suede

Oil and grease stains require another special trick: cornstarch. Sprinkle cornstarch over the stain, covering it completely. Then, let the suede sit for a few hours. Lastly, remove the now-oily cornstarch by dusting it off or vacuuming it up, as using a suede brush can actually set the stain instead of removing it.

How to treat gum and wax on suede

There is nothing worse than walking out in your new boots and stepping into a big wad of gum. Luckily, if you have some space in your freezer, gum-boot is no problem. Neither is dripping-candle boot — wax stains may seem like the worst, but everything will be okay.

Just stick your suede in the freezer for two hours, and the cold temp will cause the gum or wax to harden and make it much easier to scrape off and remove completely.

How to treat blood stains on suede

While scary, blood stains, regardless of material, fear hydrogen peroxide. Pour a little hydrogen peroxide onto a cotton ball or bath towel. Then, dab at the stain until the blood comes out. Let the suede dry, then apply your suede brush to retexture the previously stained area.

How to treat ink stains on suede

Ink stains are a bit trickier than most, but doable with the right technique. If the ink stain is fresh, try to absorb as much ink as possible with a cloth or paper towel. For set-in stains, dab with rubbing alcohol, leave to dry, then apply a suede eraser to remove set-in ink.

Shop Grove's natural products for cleaning suede and more!

Ready to tackle the dirtiest spots in your home? Grove Collaborative has you covered with Clean Team. Each week, we'll do a deep dive into how to clean a different place or item in your home. No spot is too small — and we'll tell you how to conquer them all, naturally.

Join thousands of happy customers creating a healthier home. Get started to select your free welcome set!

Claim My Offer