Dry Cleaning a suede jacket

DarkKnight · Jul 19, 2018

Hey all,

Has anyone had much experience with dry cleaning a suede jacket? I've seen bits of posts on here about it. Some say "it was successful" but I'm curious about a bit more detail. As in, was it just as soft as before, any shrinkage or size changes, did the colour change at all etc?

I bought a second-hand suede Levis trucker which is great but I want to have it cleaned because - you know - used clothes. I'm a bit of a germaphobe. I want to start fresh as possible with only my DNA on it, but I'm concerned about colour change mostly.

I'll only be taking it to a leather specialist/dry cleaners that employ a specific leather specialist, but I read that it's not uncommon to have to re-pigment or re-tint and re-oil suede after a dry clean and that this can result in a colour shift which I really don't want?

Anyway - who knows about this. Tell me your experiences. I want to get it cleaned and start wearing asap!

Cheers!

marmalademan · Jul 19, 2018

A cobbler told me yesterday that the best way to clean suede shoes is with handsoap and water. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm inclined to believe him

DarkKnight · Jul 19, 2018

Yeah I think if it was a specific spot or stain I'd give something like that a try, but it's the whole jacket I just want to freshen and give a clean. Including the interior/lining. It's not at all filthy, but just... peace of mind. And it smells a bit like someone else's cologne which is uncomfortable.

scottyrocks · Jul 19, 2018

If it was mine I would mix up a little Oxiclean and water in a spray bottle and wet the lining with it. Then literally hose it down lightly with a garden hose and hang to dry.

I will never take another leather jacket in to be 'professionally' dry-cleaned.

DarkKnight · Jul 19, 2018

scottyrocks said:
If it was mine I would mix up a little Oxiclean and water in a spray bottle and wet the lining with it. Then literally hose it down lightly with a garden hose and hang to dry.

I will never take another leather jacket in to be 'professionally' dry-cleaned.

On that occasion was it a leather specialist or...? And what happened?

It's a little more tricky with suede though, no? Becuase after "washing" it, it's not as simple to re-hydrate/re-oil it once it's dry like with regular leathers.

Seb Lucas · Jul 19, 2018

Mate, the best way to do this is to have a dry cleaner recommended with a track record of not ruining suede. Do a google search in Sydney for specialist dry cleaners.

Maybe a leather tailor can recommend a place. Soap and water, sprays and old home remedies are all notoriously risky. A friend of mine ruined a suede blazer with water. I read that suede footwear is often a thicker and generally more robust suede than what is used on a jacket, so the methods don't always translate.

Also not all suede is the same. Some suede is far tougher and more resilient than others.

You need to spend a bit of time researching the subject on line. Let us know what you uncover.

DarkKnight · Jul 19, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
Mate, the best way to do this is to have a dry cleaner recommended with a track record of not ruining suede. Do a google search in Sydney for specialist dry cleaners.

Maybe a leather tailor can recommend a place. Soap and water, sprays and old home remedies are all notoriously risky. A friend of mine ruined a suede blazer with water. I read that suede footwear is often a thicker and generally more robust suede than what is used on a jacket, so the methods don't always translate.

Also not all suede is the same. Some suede is far tougher and more resilient than others.

You need to spend a bit of time researching the subject on line. Let us know what you uncover.

Yeah agreed. I've spent quite a lot of time researching. There's not a lot of testimonials for 'leather specialist dry cleaners' in Sydney. There's the top hits on Google that profess to know how valuable and risky it is and "that's why we have a leather specialist that specialises in leather" sort of thing, but I wanted some anecdotal evidence that it's been done successfully. And where better to ask than TFR.

willyto · Jul 19, 2018

Most suede vintage jackets were advertised as dry cleanable. I guess they knew how to do it back then. You have to find a leather specialist or a leather store that works with someone good.

Seb Lucas · Jul 19, 2018

Given there are only a handful of Australians on TFL I'm not sure this is the place to work this out.

Suede can be dry cleaned we know this much so it's just a question of finding a dry cleaner that cares.

If it were me, I would select a dry cleaner in posh suburb like Double Bay where customers are pretty fussy and have very expensive clothing that needs to be treated just so. That'll be your best bet.

willyto · Jul 19, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
Given there are only a handful of Australians on TFL I'm not sure this is the place to work this out.

Suede can be dry cleaned we know this much so it's just a question of finding a dry cleaner that cares.

If it were me, I would select a dry cleaner in posh suburb like Double Bay where customers are pretty fussy and have very expensive clothing that needs to be treated just so. That'll be your best bet.

Absolutely. That is the smart move. Some premium leather and fur stores work with that type of Dry Cleaners and actually can send the stuff for you. I want to do that to one of my vintage leather jackets.

DarkKnight · Jul 20, 2018

Yeah I had the same idea re the high-end stores. But here's the thing - there are no high-end leather stores here in Sydney. Not that I know of anyway. There's some Hugo Boss or other designer type stores like that and they might incidentally have a leather jacket, but certainly not dedicated. Anyway...

Seb Lucas said:
Given there are only a handful of Australians on TFL I'm not sure this is the place to work this out.

My objective with this post wasn't for someone to tell me where to take it. I just wanted to hear some anecdotal evidence of how it's worked out for people - having a suede jacket (or even leather jacket) dry cleaned. You don't have to be Australian to answer!

ton312 · Jul 20, 2018

DarkKnight said:
Yeah I had the same idea re the high-end stores. But here's the thing - there are no high-end leather stores here in Sydney. Not that I know of anyway. There's some Hugo Boss or other designer type stores like that and they might incidentally have a leather jacket, but certainly not dedicated. Anyway...

My objective with this post wasn't for someone to tell me where to take it. I just wanted to hear some anecdotal evidence of how it's worked out for people - having a suede jacket (or even leather jacket) dry cleaned. You don't have to be Australian to answer!

Man I threw a suede jacket in the washing machine and it came back 100% perfect. But it cost less than a pizza so I wasn't afraid of destroying it. Oh and I dried it in the drier!! No ill effects but for the love of God don't do it if you have any attachment to the jacket. I can't say for sure yours will behave the same.

DarkKnight · Jul 20, 2018

ton312 said:
Man I threw a suede jacket in the washing machine and it came back 100% perfect. But it cost less than a pizza so I wasn't afraid of destroying it. Oh and I dried it in the drier!! No ill effects but for the love of God don't do it if you have any attachment to the jacket. I can't say for sure yours will behave the same.

Haha. Noted. I have seen/heard of those successful washing machine stories, but yeah, not risking it with this particular find. Not even because of cost, but more because it's rare.

ton312 · Jul 20, 2018

DarkKnight said:
Haha. Noted. I have seen/heard of those successful washing machine stories, but yeah, not risking it with this particular find. Not even because of cost, but more because it's rare.

Yeah man. My thought was that if I destroyed it I'd pop the $25 for another one. Good luck. I will say my adventure in the washing machine led me to believe suede is nowhere near as fragile as you might think...

DarkKnight · Jul 20, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
Now I get you. I'm sure there will be people with bad experiences and good experiences. Not sure it will help. What is it exactly you're trying to establish - I feel like I am missing something?

Just trying to establish just how risky it may be. If there's plenty of good experiences, it would make me feel better about doing it. Also maybe someone learnèd might've commented saying "you can get it done but watch out for getting lightweight suede because blah blah blah" or "I wouldn't do it if you like it's current colour because it will come back darker than before". That advice or info is the kind of thing I was hoping for.

Anyway - I've dropped it off at a large chain Dry Cleaners now who profess to have a dedicated leather department. They say they've done so many suede products. Although they still made me sign a waiver which I wasn't thrilled about. Ah well - fate will play its cards. I'll find out in a weeks time!

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