Moleskin is a durable cotton fabric woven from a heavy cloth and used mainly for outdoor clothing, traditionally for shirts and trousers intended for farmers or outdoor labourers. Its durability makes it fairly easy to care for, though you do need to take some caution to ensure that it keeps its shape and lasts as long as possible. On the other hand, suede is effectively leather: fabric made from animal skin, usually calfskin, lambskin, kidskin or goatskin. It is much more difficult to care for, but like moleskin, with the proper care your suede garments can last a long time.

Dry clean your moleskin garments. Sending your moleskin garments to a dry cleaner will help them maintain their shape and slow the colour fading and other signs of wear you will notice over time.

Wash moleskin inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle when you can't dry clean. Washing your moleskin clothes at home may be more convenient than taking them to a dry cleaner, so if you do, always wash them in cold water. Turning them inside out before washing will lessen the fading effect of a laundry cycle. Washing will also help maintain the tightness of the fabric, resulting in your moleskin clothes holding their shape longer and wearing out slower.

  • Moleskin is a durable cotton fabric woven from a heavy cloth and used mainly for outdoor clothing, traditionally for shirts and trousers intended for farmers or outdoor labourers.
  • Washing your moleskin clothes at home may be more convenient than taking them to a dry cleaner, so if you do, always wash them in cold water.

Hang moleskin clothes to dry. Like all cotton fabrics, moleskin tends to shrink on its first washing. Hanging moleskin and other cotton fabric to dry will weigh the fabric down as it dries, helping to maintain its shape.

Iron moleskin inside out, if your garments are wrinkled upon drying. Iron on the wrong side with your iron on a low setting.

  • Hang moleskin clothes to dry.
  • Iron moleskin inside out, if your garments are wrinkled upon drying.

Treat your suede garments with a protective spray designed for suede. You can usually purchase these where you buy your suede cloth.

Spot-clean your garments with a damp cloth as soon as possible. A treated garment will usually repel small amounts of liquid; these can be dabbed or flicked away easily. Treated and new suede fabric is usually more repellent, making it easier to spot-treat liquid spills. If a spill dries, try brushing it away with an old toothbrush or brown art gum eraser. Use these items gently so as not to damage your fabric.

  • Spot-clean your garments with a damp cloth as soon as possible.
  • Treated and new suede fabric is usually more repellent, making it easier to spot-treat liquid spills.

Clean your garments with a suede or leather cleaner when you cannot spot-clean. Suede shampoos and cleaners are available most places suede is sold. Use one specifically for your garment or item: for example, do not use a shoe cleaner for a suede jacket, and use upholstery cleaner for suede furniture.

Let your suede air out and dry fully after cleaning. It will maintain its shape better and last longer if it is stored carefully and allowed to dry after cleaning. Suede garments should always be hung in a dry place with good airflow.