Natural suede: features, tips on choosing and care

Natural suede is actively used in the production of clothing, shoes, bags and various accessories. The popularity of this material led to the appearance of an artificial counterpart, but the relevance of the natural product remained high.

According to historical data, suede manufacturing began in the 4th century AD, and to this day it is in demand among modern consumers.

There are two versions of the origin of the name.

1. Some believe that the word chamois was taken as a basis - so in the era of the Middle Ages, French furriers designated the skin with special dressing.
2. There is an opinion that modern “suede” originated from the word zeem - so in the Netherlands, in ancient times they called goats, whose skin was used to produce beautiful and pleasant to the touch material.

Even the highest quality artificial counterparts can not be compared with natural suede on the beauty and performance.

As a rule, clothes and shoes from the above raw materials are in special demand in the colder season (late autumn, winter and early spring). Both classic and modern design images complement various accessories, such as gloves, jewelry, belts, wallets.

Buyers are offered two types of natural material, differing not only in appearance, but also in performance. Product quality depends on the leather used in production.

• Sophisticated. For a material of this type, chamois, deer or goat leather is needed. If you properly comply with the technology of manufacture, you get a strong, but at the same time thin and soft suede. The product of the highest quality is used in fashion for sewing stylish clothes, accessories and shoes.
• Not sophisticated. In this case, the skin of calves or sheep is used. Due to the density on one side, the material is more resistant to mechanical damage. On the other hand, the material is soft and pleasant to the touch.

In addition to the main raw materials, manufacturers use various fats of plant and animal origin. The skin that is clean of wool is called pending. It is treated with fat and sent to a special unit, where the material absorbs the liquid for several hours. As soon as this stage comes to an end, the product begins to be painted.

Knowing a few simple rules, correctly determine the nature of the origin of products is not difficult. If you purchase a finished product, the manufacturer is obliged to warn about what material the product was made. Unfortunately, in the market and in shopping centers you can find a fake and spend big money on low-quality products.

• To distinguish a good product from a low-quality product, it is enough to hold it by hand - in some places the natural material will change color.
• Products from the skin of animals can not have a uniform texture - pores and other marks will be visible on it.
• You can understand the quality and nature of the material with the help of tactile sensations. Natural suede is soft, pleasant and soft to the touch, unlike the substitute, which is characterized by roughness.
• It is necessary to carefully inspect the finish from the inside - a whole skin section indicates the natural origin of the material. If a fabric layer was noticed, it is an artificial product.
• The smell also helps to know the quality of suede products. A pronounced smell indicates naturalness, while its absence or the presence of synthetic impurities indicates the opposite.

Using ordinary water, you can easily check suede at home - just drop a few drops of liquid on the surface of the material. This product will immediately absorb it, leaving a characteristic mark.

Having learned this and other above-mentioned ways of checking products, a person will protect himself from fraudsters without spending a large amount on counterfeit.

The positive qualities of the material include a number of features.

• This material is considered “breathable”, due to which the skin will receive the necessary amount of oxygen.
• Suede pleasant to the touch. It is soft, with a delicate velvet texture.
• Attractive trade dress that is not inferior even to genuine leather. Some stylists and designers consider this material the most attractive and expressive.
• Clothes and footwear from suede for a long time keep heat, giving comfort.
• A light weight.
• The material does not cause an allergic reaction.
• Products from suede have a dense and durable texture.
• It is possible to clean the house using soap.
• Quality products are renowned for their durability and elasticity.
• Products made from natural material will look great at the gala event.

The material has some drawbacks.

• Products have a high price, which is not affordable for most consumers.
• Excessive moisture spoils the attractiveness of suede.
• The material quickly gets dirty. Dirt and dust immediately become noticeable.
• Products need constant and accurate care.
• For cleaning, you must use special tools and tools.
• Natural suede products are not recommended for everyday wear, especially if you often use public transport.
• Stains should be removed from the surface as quickly as possible.
• Without additional processing suede gets wet in heavy rain.

In order for products made from natural materials to maintain their presentation for a long time, it is necessary not only to properly care for them, but also to regularly carry out prevention.

Immediately after the acquisition, it is desirable to process the product using a cloth or a soft thief brush that will not damage the texture. Outerwear, such as coats, jackets or raincoats, can be cleaned using a regular vacuum cleaner - this will help to refresh the product quickly and without effort.

To protect the purchase from liquids, dust and other contaminants, you need to use special repulsive agents - they will save the product, forming a strong protective film, without spoiling its appeal. It is important to properly handle the product the first time.

Work should be carried out in several stages. Spray the product on the surface and leave the product until it is completely dry. It is forbidden to place things in direct sunlight or near a heater. This procedure is repeated twice.

Then you need to wait for about a day, and only after that go out in shoes or in clothes outside. When there is an increased level of humidity outside the window, it is recommended to use moisture protection agents every day.

In dry and frosty seasons, snow is removed from shoes, clothes and other things by shaking. Then the products are gently wiped with a soft cloth and left to dry at a compact temperature.As soon as you get rid of the moisture, you can start cleaning.

It is important to get rid of stains and dirt as soon as possible, before they get into the suede texture. However, some make a mistake in the drying process using hair dryers, heaters and other heat sources. This should not be done categorically, since the elasticity and appearance of the product is lost.

To clean the thing from the dried dirt, you must perform a number of actions described below.

• Using a special brush for suede, you need to get rid of large pieces of dirt and everything that separates from the surface.
• Then you need to wipe the place with a soft textile material.
• After that, you need to prepare a mixture of washing powder and water. You can also use any non-aggressive household chemicals. The main thing is that it does not contain bleach.
• Wet the sponge in the solution, you need to gently wipe the traces of dirt. If necessary, repeat the procedure several times.
• After that, you need to handle the product with a damp cloth and a piece of dry silk material.
• If a change in texture has been noticed (the surface has become smooth), it is necessary to hold the brush over the boiling water for a bit, and then walk along the surface, brushing the suede.

To remove the stain from grease or oil, it is necessary to prepare a tooth powder or talc. First of all, you need to treat the place with one of the above means with a brush. This method is good if the trace is fresh. Some use gasoline, as it gives a good result. But this method is rarely used because of the strong smell.

Gloves are recommended to protect hands during the cleaning process. It is advisable at least once a year to give things to dry cleaning.

If you properly care for natural material, then suede products will delight with their beauty for a long time.

How to distinguish natural suede from artificial, described in the next video.