What is suede? Advantages, disadvantages and applications in life

What is suede ? That is the question that many people often ask when encountering many fashion items and furniture with a very special soft surface. In this article, Shondo will bring you many interesting things from the origin to how to preserve this unique material.

1. What is suede?

Suede - a material loved for its luxurious appearance and high durability. To understand better, let's learn about its origin and production process.

1.1 Suede - Product from the lower layer of skin

Suede is made from the inner layer of animal skin. This process creates a soft surface with short, very fine hairs. This is the biggest difference between suede and regular leather.

Not all animal skins can be used to make suede. Commonly used leathers are cowhide, sheepskin, goatskin... each type of leather will create products with different quality and softness.

1.2 Discover the suede production process

To create suede, we have to go through many complicated stages. First, this layer of skin is removed of hair and fat. Next, people soak and treat it with special chemicals to soften, increase durability and prevent mold.

This process requires strict control of temperature and time to ensure the quality of the leather. The leather is then dyed with natural and chemical dyes to create the desired color.

Finally, the hide is scratched and abraded to create short hairs that give it its distinctive look. The process of making suede requires not only technique but also the meticulousness and experience of skilled craftsmen.

1.3 Popular types of suede

There are many different types of suede, depending on the type of animal skin used and the manufacturing process. Each type of suede has its own unique characteristics, suitable for different purposes. Typically:

• Cow suede is durable and less water absorbent than other types.
• Sheepskin feels soft and warm, often used to make clothes, gloves,...
• Pig suede is thin and light, suitable for the production of wallets, handbags,...

This diversity brings many choices to consumers. At the same time, it creates many challenges in preservation and use. Therefore, we need to understand clearly about the types of suede to be able to choose and preserve the product in the best way.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of suede?

Of course, every product has its pros and cons, and suede is no exception. Here are some things users should keep in mind:

2.1 Outstanding advantages

One of the greatest advantages of suede is its unique aesthetic beauty. The soft, smooth surface with short hairs creates an irresistible, luxurious look.

Suede feels warm and soft to the touch, creating comfort for the user. Not only that, suede is also highly durable and can be used for a long time if properly preserved.

Compared to other types of leather, suede has a certain degree of breathability, helping users not feel uncomfortable when using it for a long time. This makes suede the top choice for products such as shoes, jackets and bags.

Not only is it aesthetically pleasing and durable, suede can also be dyed in a variety of colors, creating a wide range of options. This diversity allows designers to unleash their creativity and create many unique products.

2.2 Disadvantages to note

The biggest disadvantage is its poor water absorption. When exposed to water, suede will become stiff, lose its softness and even be damaged. Therefore, users need to be especially careful when using them in humid environments.

The ability to easily get dirty is also a minus point. The surface has a soft fur that easily attracts dirt, so suede needs to be cleaned regularly. The cleaning process is not simple, we need to use specialized products and perform the correct technique.

In addition, suede is more expensive than other types of leather due to the complicated production process. This is a big obstacle for people on a tight budget.

3. How diverse are the applications of suede?

Not only stopping at fashion products, suede is also widely applied in many different fields, from home furniture to decorative accessories. This diversity has shown the attraction and high applicability of this unique material.

3.1 Suede in fashion

Suede is widely used in the fashion industry, creating products such as jackets, shoes, handbags, gloves and many other accessories.

With its luxurious and warm appearance, suede has conquered the hearts of millions of fashionistas around the world. Fashion products made from this type of leather always bring a unique style, not to be confused with other materials.

The variety of colors and designs helps them to be combined with many different styles. Not only women's products, suede is also popular in men's fashion, especially sneakers, boots, leather jackets,...

3.2 Interior applications

Furniture such as sofas, carpets, etc. made from suede bring luxury and warmth to the living space. Their softness creates a feeling of relaxation and comfort for the user.

Suede furniture is popular in classic style houses. Its colors are also diverse, easy to coordinate with many different decoration styles. However, you need to consider carefully when using it, especially families with small children and pets because of its easy-to-stain properties.

4. Tips for preserving suede

Proper suede care is key to maintaining the longevity and beauty of many products. Here are some tips to help you:

4.1 Proper cleaning

You should not use water or soap to clean directly, this will make the leather hard and discolored. Instead, you should use specialized products such as cleaning solutions, soft bristle brushes, or erasers, etc. You should clean them regularly, especially after use in dusty environments.

When cleaning, you should do it gently, avoid rubbing too hard to damage the leather surface. You should use a soft brush to clean the dust, then use a soft cloth soaked in a specialized cleaning solution to wipe it again.

For stubborn stains, you can use an eraser to treat the spot. Finally, let the product dry naturally, do not expose it to direct sunlight.

4.2 Minimize exposure to water and humidity

As mentioned, suede is very hydrophobic. Therefore, you should avoid letting them come into direct contact with water, especially rain. When wet, you should use a soft cloth to dry immediately, then let the product dry naturally in a cool place.

Next, humidity is also a harmful factor for suede. You should store it in a dry place, away from humidity. At the same time, using desiccant packs to keep the product dry is something we should do regularly.

4.3 Store properly when not in use

We use newspaper to stuff inside shoes and bags to keep their shape. When storing suede clothes, you should hang them on hangers, avoid folding them to avoid wrinkles. Preserving suede is not too difficult, as long as you spend a little time and follow the correct process, you can use them for a long time.

5. Answer some related questions

5.1 Is suede real leather?

Suede is made from the inner layer of animal skin, after the outer skin layer has been removed. Therefore, suede is still genuine leather, but different in surface and processing.

5.2 Why is suede so susceptible to stains?

Because the surface of the leather has small, smooth hairs, it easily attracts dust and dirt from the surrounding environment.

5.3 Can suede be washed?

Yes. However, we should not wash suede with strong detergents, because it will make the leather stiff. Instead, you should choose specialized cleaning products.

5.4 Is suede durable?

Suede is relatively durable, but needs to be properly maintained. Avoid contact with water and strong detergents for longer product life.

5.5 How to remove odor from suede?

You can use deodorants or leave them in a cool, sunny place. Absolutely do not use strong detergents to deodorize.

6. Conclusion

Hopefully through the above article you have known what suede is . Although there are certain disadvantages, the beauty and elegance of suede still make it an ideal choice for many items around us.