The history of suede is rooted in the distant past. But today it is one of the most popular materials used for the manufacture of shoes, clothes, accessories, upholstery for furniture and other types of decoration.
Suede - what is it?
Even in the Middle Ages, the northern peoples were engaged in dressing deer and elk skins by impregnating them with fats. Today, natural suede is called animal skin, which has passed the stage of manufacture with special tanning agents. Basically, these are a variety of fats: fish, seal, bone, vegetable oils, etc. As a result of this process, the skin becomes thin, very strong, soft and plastic. All this allows us to make a variety of things from the material obtained. The hallmark of suede is its velvety, which, unlike velor, is present on both sides of the canvas.
Stages of making natural suede
The production of this material is a rather complicated process. It provides for the use of special machines - percussion crumbs, where the skins are for several hours. Then they are stored in stacks for heating. After that, they are again placed in the pulper. This is done until the skins become yellow-brown. Then they are washed with a special solution for the purpose of degreasing. The most common such tanning in England and North America.
Faux suede
Modern technologies have stepped far forward and allow you to create materials that can be very difficult to distinguish from natural ones. Faux suede is quite common in stores today . What it is? A fabric that perfectly imitates a natural prototype and is made in two ways: by gluing fibers on a fabric base or by adding looped threads, which then form a pile during production. Impregnated with various solutions, such material does not fade and practically does not wear out.
How to distinguish natural from artificial suede
Visually, it is very difficult to distinguish between these two materials. But if you run your hand along the pile, then natural suede will change its texture, color, slope. Artificial material will immediately take its original form.
Natural fabric smells like leather, while the substitute smells synthetics.
There are differences in the degree of absorption of the liquid. A drop of water placed on artificial material will linger on it for a while, and natural suede will absorb water almost instantly, leaving only a wet spot. In addition, it may have small scratches, cracks, pores on the surface, in contrast to a substitute that has an impeccable smooth appearance.
The production of natural suede is longer in time and more expensive than the production of artificial material, so it is distinguished by a higher cost.
Suede Products
Things made from this material are notable for their extraordinary convenience. They are light, soft, they are comfortable in any weather. For tailoring all kinds of jackets, coats, sheepskin coats, suede is used. The price of this material is slightly higher compared to others. One meter of such a leather cloth can cost up to 1200 rubles. Therefore, suede produces shoes and luxury clothing. Accessories made of this material are very popular: bags, belts, gloves and various jewelry.
Any suede products can add beauty and coziness. They are relevant in any season and practically do not go out of fashion, always remaining an attribute of elegance and respectability.
How to care for suede
This is not only noble, but also rather capricious material. Suede needs careful care, then things from it will last a long time faithfully.
It is very important to ensure that the material is not greasy, not shiny. It is better to provide specialists with cleaning of very soiled clothes made of natural suede, therefore it is recommended to take them from time to time for dry cleaning. If you need to clean your suede at home, you should follow a few rules. Wash products only in a warm soapy solution, do it quickly, avoiding strong wetting. Do not rub the fabric or twist it. Rubbing heavily soiled areas with a sponge or brush. Suede clothes should be dried only at room temperature, hanging on their shoulders in a straightened form. During drying, dab the bottom of the towel with a towel to prevent water sagging.
Never use a stain remover to clean suede products. This can ruin the color, as the color of the suede material is not very durable. If you want to remove the stain that has appeared on the fabric, you can use various home remedies. This can be done with milk and baking soda (half a glass of milk 1/2 tsp. Soda): clean the dirty places with this solution and then wipe them with a damp cloth.
Light suede is especially difficult to clean. What is it, the owners of clothes and shoes in light shades are well aware. If the spots are old, a mixture is prepared from milk, talc, turpentine and magnesia (in equal proportions). Slight contamination is well cleaned with a regular eraser. Grease stains are removed using starch and ammonia, salt stains on shoes can be cleaned with 5% vinegar.
Today, the market offers a wide selection of all kinds of aerosols, gels and pastes that clean suede. Photos of such tools, along with a detailed description of their use, can be easily found on the pages of online stores.
There are also special rubber, brass, rubber brushes for cleaning such a moody material like suede.
What it is? These are, as a rule, brushes having a combination of metal and rubber bristles, which allows you to effectively eliminate scuffs, greasy and at the same time comb and raise the pile.
Suede is a very delicate material, but with proper and gentle care it can last quite a while.