Compatibility file № 0362 · alkali · Leather and suede
Can you use ammonia on suede?
No. Ammonia damages suede. It discolours suede.
01 The verdict
No. Ammonia damages suede.
- Never It discolours suede.
02 Why: the two sides
Suede and nubuck
Suede is unfinished, brushed hide with no topcoat, so liquids soak straight in.
Suede has a nap whose look depends on the fibres lying the same way, so pressure and heat leave marks.
Suede cannot be rinsed through, so whatever you put on it partly stays in it.
Household ammonia
Clear household ammonia, about 5–10% ammonium hydroxide. Used very diluted. pH 11–12.
Never mix with chlorine bleach: it releases toxic chloramine gas.
03 Use instead
Follow the stain file for the specific stain on suede; each one picks the safe product for that combination.
04 Stain by stain on suede
| Stain | Ammonia? | What the file does |
|---|---|---|
| Grease and cooking oil | Not used | Cornstarch on it, overnight, brush off |
| Butter | Not used | Cornstarch on it, overnight, brush off |
| Chocolate | Not used | More cornstarch, then a suede brush |
| Gravy | Not used | More cornstarch, then a suede brush |
| Salad dressing | Not used | Cornstarch on it, overnight, brush off |
| Ice cream | Not used | More cornstarch, then a suede brush |
| Foundation and concealer | Not used | Micellar water on a pad: press, lift |
| Lipstick | Not used | Dab rubbing alcohol, blot |
| Nail polish | Not used | Lift, then call a pro |
| Bronzer, blush and eyeshadow | Not used | Keep it dry: tap or blow the powder off |
05 What the suede and nubuck files use most
Across the 25 stain files for suede, these are the products the methods rely on most; ammonia is not among the top five.
06 More about ammonia
Alkalis break down fats and acidic soils and help detergents work. Strong alkalis damage protein fibres such as wool and silk, and can dull stone and wood finishes.
On an ingredient list, ammonia shows up as ammonium hydroxide, ammonia or "ammonia D".
- Its smell is close to urine and can draw pets back to the same spot.
Never mix it with chlorine bleach. Why.
07 Already used it?
Blot, let it dry slowly, and brush the nap. A dark or hard patch that remains usually needs a suede specialist.
08 Questions
Is diluted ammonia safe on suede?
No. Dilution slows the damage but does not change what ammonia does to suede: it discolours suede.
What should I use on suede instead of ammonia?
Use the method in the stain file for the specific stain: on suede the right product depends more on the stain than on habit.
Can I mix ammonia with other cleaners on suede?
Do not combine cleaners unless the exact product manufacturers explicitly direct that use. This ingredient-level file cannot establish compatibility of commercial formulas. Rinsing alone does not prove that later use of a different cleaner is safe, especially on porous materials.
Does ammonia remove stains from suede?
None of the 25 files for suede uses it. Absence from the model does not establish either effectiveness or safety.
How long can ammonia stay on suede?
Do not use it as a routine home treatment on this material. For accidental contact, follow the product and item instructions and obtain advice if needed.