[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

hi guys just got a call if i could get felt tip out of a suede couch i know you shouldn't really wet suede and i try to stay away but could i use my spotter or pure clean and gently hand clean and towel.

[LTT Leathercare]

Need to check whether it is actually suede before you do anything.  Suede is very rare on furniture.  It maybe a fabric likecalcantara.
Hope this helps
Judyb

[Neil Jones]

Likely to be alacantara which can be wet cleaned after all the usual tests

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

thanks not seen it yet will let ya's know cheers.

[K.O. Glanville]

Do you know how to distinguish between suede/nubuck and synthetics?

I don't know what Ancantara is, although I've heard it mentioned on the U.K forums a lot.

Is it a micro fibre ?

Thanks,

Shorty.

[wynne jones]

Do a search on fake suede this comes up regular.

Here's a synopsis.

She says it's suede, you say are you sure? She says well we paid a lot of money for it, £2 grand.

You have a look and it's fake suede and she says are you sure?   

So take a flat blade screwdriver and a staple gun. Tip a chair up and prize off a staple so you can show her the back of the 'suede'.

May come out with MS, be careful of using solvents.

[LTT Leathercare]

30 seconds with a microscope will tell you the difference and what you are dealing with.  On fabrics you can see the warp and weft of the fibres.
Cheers
Judyb

[K.O. Glanville]

Okay, so I figure Alcantara is a microfibre, but with a difference.

A quick search showed me this:

Alcantara is composed of about 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane giving increased durability and stain resistance. The appearance and tactile feel of the material is similar to that of suede, and it may be incorrectly identified as such.

Some versions are designated as flame retardant in order to meet certain fire standards for both furnishings and automobile applications.

Now here's a bit that intrigued me, I have not seen this before:

The material is virtually identical on both sides, making it somewhat reversible.

It appears similar to brands like Ultra Suede, Super Suede, Macro Suede, etc; although these have the characteristic fabric pattern on the reverse, which the Alcantara does not.

Jeez, you blokes have some weird and wonderful fabrics over in Blighty, glad I'm down under in convict country. 

Shorty.

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

well i tipped up and don't think it was genuine suede i could feel inside at the back and it felt plasticky inside lol anyway i knocked up some MS in my spotter bottle done pretest and was ok so i got on it. The second i sprayed with the ms and quick handpad the lot was gone terry toweled aswell just to get as much moisture out she was impressed so i sold her the ms in my own spotter bottle for £10 so she could clean it all herself everyone's happy.