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What happens if you wash fake suede?
Time: 2025-07-24
What happens if you wash fake suede?
Fake suede, also called faux suede, is usually made from synthetic materials like polyester or polyurethane. Unlike real suede, which comes from animal hides, it’s designed to look and feel like suede but is man-made. What happens when you wash fake suede depends on how you wash it and the specific type of synthetic material used.
If you wash fake suede in a washing machine with hot water, it can cause problems. Hot water can make the synthetic fibers shrink or change shape. For example, a fake suede jacket washed in hot water might become smaller, with sleeves that are too short or a body that’s tight. The texture can also get rough or stiff instead of staying soft and fuzzy. Some fake suede items have a coating to keep their color or texture, and hot water can make this coating peel off, leaving patches that look dull or uneven.
Using strong detergents or bleach is another bad idea. These harsh chemicals can damage the synthetic fibers. They might fade the color of the fake suede, making it look washed out or spotty. In some cases, the fibers can break down, causing the material to thin or even develop holes after repeated washing with strong cleaners. Even if you use a gentle detergent, over-washing fake suede can wear down the fibers, making the surface look fuzzy in a messy way, not the smooth, even fuzz that makes suede look nice.
Washing fake suede by hand with cold water and a mild detergent is safer, but it still has risks. Rubbing too hard can make the fibers bunch up or pill, creating little balls of fabric on the surface. This makes the fake suede look old and worn, even if it’s new. After washing, if you wring it out too tightly, it can stretch or warp, changing the shape of the item. For example, a fake suede couch cushion that’s wrung hard might end up lumpy or misshapen, making it hard to fit back into its cover.
Drying fake suede incorrectly can also cause issues. Putting it in a dryer on high heat is a big mistake. The heat can shrink the material further, or even melt some of the synthetic fibers, leaving hard, crusty spots. Hanging fake suede to dry in direct sunlight for too long can fade its color, just like with real suede. It’s better to lay it flat in a cool, shaded place, but even then, some fake suede might not dry evenly, leading to stiff patches or uneven texture.
In short, washing fake suede can lead to shrinking, shape changes, color fading, texture damage, or coating peeling if not done carefully. To keep fake suede looking good, it’s often better to spot clean it with a damp cloth and mild soap instead of full washing. If you must wash it, use cold water, a gentle detergent, and air dry it properly to avoid these problems.