Article: While most faux suede fabrics used for clothing, towels, drapery, and other garments, accessories, or decor will be machine washable, always check the labels first to be sure. If the label is missing or too worn to read, err on the side of caution: hand wash the garment with a gentle soap or detergent and hang or lay it to dry.  A care label with a washing basin full of water on it means you can machine wash your item. If there is a number as well, this indicates the temperature at which to wash it.  For a washing basin with a hand on it, wash the garment by hand instead of the washing machine. A square with a circle inside means you can tumble dry your garment as well. A single circle means dry clean only. A triangle means it’s safe to use bleach. If any of these symbols appear on your care label with an X or cross through them, it means you cannot use that method of cleaning. Before washing or cleaning any new fabric, you should always do a spot test on the fabric to ensure that the cleaning product you want to use won’t damage the fabric in any way.  Choose a small spot on the fabric that won’t be seen, and apply a small amount of your desired cleaner to the area. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes, and blot the area with a clean, white cloth. Check to see that no color bleeding, discoloration, or shrinking has occurred. Use a damp cloth to remove the cleaner. For tough stains or hard-to-clean dirt, spot clean the stains with soapy water, a clear alcohol like isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or vodka, or a gentle liquid laundry detergent that’s been diluted in water (use a teaspoon (6 ml) of detergent in one cup (240 ml) of water). To spot clean:  Apply a small bit of cleaner to the fabric with a cloth or clean sponge. Gently rub the area with either the sponge, a lint-free cloth, or a soft-bristled brush, such as a clean toothbrush. If you use a cloth or sponge, make sure it’s white or undyed, as the dye could transfer to the fabric. Sometimes fabrics just don’t want to come clean, but there are methods you can use to remove stubborn stains from your favorite clothes.  To remove deodorant or perspiration stains, rub a small amount of liquid laundry soap into the armpit areas and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing. For oil stains, lay the stain face-down on a clean wash cloth or hand towel. Pour some liquid laundry soap onto the back of the stain and let it sit. As the oil and soap soak through and dry, replace the cloth with a clean one. Rinse the area once it has dried and launder it normally. To get rid of stubborn organic matter (such as food, beverages, grass, and blood), pre-treat the stains by rubbing them with a detergent that contains enzymes, such as OxiClean, Tide Stain Release, and Ultra Plus. Let it sit for 10 minutes and wash normally. For machine-washable items, always wash faux suede items together to prevent the material from collecting lint. Wash larger items, such as curtains and bedding, alone. To machine wash a single faux suede item, place it in a lingerie bag to separate it from the rest of the clothes in the load.  To be on the safe side, always use the delicate or gentle cycle and a mild liquid detergent when washing faux suede. To hand wash your item, fill a large bowl or sink with warm, soapy water. Place your item in the water and let it absorb the water. Gently agitate the fabric with your hands, concentrating on areas that are particularly soiled. If the care label indicates that your item is safe for the dryer, follow the heat settings, or use a low- or no-heat setting to dry your faux suede. You can also hang your items to dry on a clothesline, or lay them flat on a towel to dry. Washing faux suede can make the fabric stiff. Use a soft brush or clean toothbrush to gently brush the fabric and return its softness.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Check the labels. Do a spot test. Spot clean stains. Treat stubborn stains. Launder the garment. Dry the item. Brush the fabric.