Suede and Leather Cleaning

Unfortunately we do not offer this service. All these items have to be sent away and are cleaned using entirely different solvents and cleaning process.

We clean using Perchloroethylene in our Bowe 525 machine. This solvent is too harsh for animal skins and can remove some of the natural oils that the fabric contains. Most Suedes and Leathers would be cleaned in 'Hydrocarbon' (a much softer solvent)

Therefore we are restricted by only a handful of companies across the UK that offer this service. This solvent used does not clean to our expectations and standards.

The details below also describe other problems that can occur with these garments.

Skin Blemishes

As suede's and leathers are produced from animal skin, any blemishes or imperfections that were initially present would have been camouflaged in the manufacturing process. After cleaning is carried out these natural flaws may become more apparent.

Colour Fading

A certain amount of colour loss may occur during cleaning. Sunlight and normal wear tends to fade the garment but this may be masked by gradual soiling of the item. Again, this may become more apparent after cleaning.

Suppleness

During prolonged wear of a garment, the skin will stretch and become more supple. During cleaning however, the garment may revert to its original shape and size.

Inferior Adhesives

Some manufacturers in making up the garments occasionally use glues and adhesives that are not solvent tested. This can result in darker areas along seams and edges where the glue has bled and this staining cannot be removed.

Uneven Results

When a garment is constructed of panels of different skins a colour variation can occur on cleaning which unfortunately cannot be restored.

Stains

It is not always possible to remove ingrained soiling. Such stains as ballpoint pen, ink, paint; tea and coffee are also difficult to remove. Blood, vomit and perspiration tend to feed on all types of skin and are particularly stubborn to remove.