Cleaning suede?

[MaggieTheCat]

I woke up this morning to find a nice big pile of cat vomit on my suede bag. Honestly, I don't even know if it's real suede. It looks like suede to me, but it might be some kind of faux material. I've had it for ages and ages and there's no tag on it and I have no idea where I got it, so I don't know how to tell for sure what it is.

Anyway, my husband, in his infinite wisdom (he was just trying to help...) used 409 to try to clean the stain. I did a little research online before I touched it, then took a dry cloth and wiped up as much vomit and 409 as I could, then took an old dry toothbrush to try and work up the stain, then rubbed some vinegar into it. It's drying right now, but it smells TERRIBLE. Not just like vinegar -- like cat vomit and vinegar. It's awful.

Any suggestions, short of bringing it to a dry cleaner, for how to get the stain/smell out?

[hawkchick11]

You may want to get a suede cleaner and brush. I found some suede cleaner at Target, so I'm sure you could find it there or Walmart, its usually in the shoe section.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I got nothing. I have a fringed western jacket I'm going to have to lay down some serious coin to get cleaned in the fall. I really wish it was distressed leather, it would be easier to clean, but it's white suede (of course). Why would anyone make anything out of white suede? (Okay, why do I have it? 9 bucks on ebay and a perfect fit, that's why.)

I'd love to not have to pay the sick cost of cleaning a leather jacket.

I don't have a vomit problem, it's just dingy.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Vomit stains. Clean it asap! Get acid neutralizers if you can.
EDIT: and, naturally, test anything on a spot that can't be seen easily. And, also naturally, the vom will mess with whatever you put on it (most likely) to create the ultimate horrible stain. /pessimistic, glad she does not have vom issues.

[Seshat]

The vinegar smell will air out.

Have you absorbed the vomit fluids from both sides of the bag? (Interior as well as exterior)

Since you've removed all the surface stuff, put absorbent cloth or paper on both sides of the stain, and stand on it. Walk around on it. You may notice staining on the cloth/paper: this is GOOD. Replace with fresh cloth or paper (or a fresh part of the fold) and walk on it again. Continue until totally bored, or until all staining ceases.

If the bag has a washable fabric lining (even if it's sewn into the bag and you just have to sort of tug the lining out and wash it while trying not to get the suede wet), wash it.

Air the bag overnight.

Still a problem?

Try an enzymatic odour-removing spray. Or put the bag in a sealed container with a bunch of carb soda for 24 hours. (Carb soda is another odour remover.)

You MIGHT need to actually wash the bag in water and a mild detergent: if you do, do the absorbent paper trick to get it as dry as possible before airing.

If all this cleaning distorts the 'nap' of the suede, use a suede cleaning brush or some coarse sandpaper to bring the nap back up.

[Kheldarson]

If it's real suede, it'll have a small layer of skin still attached to the back. You might be able to tell at the seams of the bag if it does or doesn't. If it is real, you'll want to avoid real heavy chemicals, otherwise the leather will crack. Baking soda and water mixed into a paste is a good way to go with real suede, and even faux. Make the paste and put it on the affected area. Let it airdry hard and then brush off with a stiff brush (like the kind you polish shoes with). Rinse off whatever's left and let the bag dry. Repeat as necessary.

[MaggieTheCat]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I'm beginning to think the bag may not be real suede, but I will definitely try some of these techniques and go from there.