What can I do to soften my suede jacket?
You can purchase a dry cleaning kit at your local grocery store to do the job. You will need a soft brush to brush the jacket and lift up the nap on the suede. Follow the directions on the product.
Second, you can get a conditioner for suede and use this on the jacket to soften it up. You will also need to brush the jacket and get it ready. Spray the can on the jacket and then use a blow dryer to dry this. Hang the jacket in a warm place for several hours after it has been conditioned.
Mine softened with wear. It didn't take long, I wore it twice a day, every for a few weeks and it got broken in.
You do not say why your suede jacket needs softening.
Has it been stored for a while?
Did it get wet?
Is it new but stiff?
Has it been washed?
Of course, washed or just getting wet may cause you the biggest problems.
Suggestions:
1) wear it until it softens but this can take a while unless you wear it every day.
2) take to dry cleaners - they can soften it but I would check on cost before dropping it off.
3) take it to a leather repair shop if one is in your area (expensive).
4) condition it:
liquid conditioner with sponge
spray conditioner
I like using the conditioners but a jacket is large and you have to put conditioner on entire piece (with a jacket you could do one sleeve at a time and one front panel at a time).
All conditioners have full instructions but must be followed exactly as stated.
Some of these can be purchased at Walmart, Target type stores or online.
Here are some examples:
www.amazon.com/
oureverydaylife.com/
You can take it to your neighbourhood cleaners and they can soften it for you. If you try to do it yourself (quickly) it might go wrong (ie using your dryer etc).
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a black suede hat that is kind of stiff. The same goes for my leather bag. They have seen better times but are in good condition, otherwise. Is there anything I can use to soften these items up.
Have you had good results with this Trish? I feel it would only affect the surface of the suede. It sounds like the suede has been washed and the entire skin is stiff. I would spend a while just bending and rubbing the back of the item on itself - like you do when you're hand washing something. It can't do any harm - spend 10 minutes doing it in one area and then if it works you can work over the entire surface bit by bit.
Regards
Jo
Best for suede is a fine brass brush. For best results, have someone wear the garment while you brush it. The agitation is an important part of the cure.
Sandpaper doesn't soften it. It should only be used to trim or smooth the nap if it has gotten coarse.
DearWebby
I use Brickmore suede cleaner andNeetsfoot oil for my leather jackets,coats tacketc.The neetsfoot oil is great! to we use it because we are out in all kinds of weather and our hats ,coats boots all get crappy.The brickmore suede cleaner is only like 4 bucks for 8oz,and the neetsfoot oil oil is about the same for about a quart.We had to use these products because our hats were all stiff and dry from sitting when we moved and the neetsfoot oil smells great and lasts along time,You can get it at any tack store.or online at any horse tack site, This relly works for us.It might for u too
