At this time of year, many of you may be wondering, "How do I care for suede?"

In fact, suede is a material that can be used in the summer as well.

Its appearance gives the impression of autumn and winter, but among leathers it is a material that is resistant to water and dirt and is easy to care for.
Some people choose to wear suede shoes on rainy days.

This time, we will explain the easy maintenance methods and tools using a medium suede tote bag that is actually used by one of our staff members.

First of all, what is suede?
Suede is made by raising the "underside (floor)" of leather. The "surface (grain)" of leather, which is more prone to stains and dirt, is on the inside of the product, so it is less likely to stain and scratches are hardly noticeable.

The Italian suede that Munekawa handles does not have a grain on the surface, but is made from leather that has been resin-treated on the surface. The image below shows the inside of a camel-colored M suede tote, and the darker areas are resin-treated.

The "timing" of care

This is just a feeling, but when you feel like the fur has started to flatten, it's fine to just brush it. If you spray it with a waterproof spray, it will also have a waterproof and stain-resistant effect.

If it gets a little wet in the rain, wipe off the water and dry it in a well-ventilated place in the same way as with normal leather. If it gets very wet, dry it and then follow the care instructions below.

Care Instructions

The three items we have prepared this time are:

1. Columbus Suede Care Set (rubber and brush)
2. Columbus Suede Nourishing Mist Spray
3. Columbus Waterproof and Stain Resistant Spray 420mm

There are two reasons why I chose the above !

1. Highly versatile (the nutritional mist is colorless, so it can be used on everything from suede to sneakers)
2. A relatively inexpensive and reliable brand

Three steps of care method

STEP 1 : Start by brushing. Snap your wrist and brush in both the direction of the hair's growth and against it, as if to scrape out any dust or dirt that has become tangled in the fur.

★Something to note here!

Suede brushes have a metal brush in the middle. If you rub the threads too hard, they will come undone, so be careful when brushing around the threads.

If you can't remove all the dirt, rub it with a rubber brush. The dirt will be absorbed by the rubber. Brush the flattened fur again.

Before

The stain has lightened considerably!

After

I applied the same process to a light grey suede tote, which removed the slight stains and made the item brighter and cleaner overall!

STEP 2: Spray the special nutrition spray until the surface is moist, then brush again after it dries. As shown in the image, spray from a distance to ensure that the entire surface is evenly covered.

STEP 3: Spray the waterproof spray onto the surface until it is damp, then brush again after it dries. Similarly, spray from a distance as shown in the image to ensure that the entire surface is evenly covered.

As for waterproofing... it repels water very well!

(Left side: Yes, Right side: No)

★Points to note!
Ventilate the room thoroughly. If you are using it on a rainy day, spray it about 15 minutes before going out and let it dry. The waterproofing effect is not as pronounced immediately after spraying.

That's all for care.

Caring for suede may seem a little difficult, but it's probably easy to incorporate into your regular care routine.

We can also provide the same care for suede leather shoes and sneakers, so you can enjoy them together all year round!

(Depending on the type of suede, the color and texture may change, so please check an inconspicuous area and take care.)