Suit jackets are very different from your average casual pullover shirt. The delicate nature of suit jackets requires special treatment to ensure that the colors remain vibrant, the fabric does not shrink, and there is no damage done to the expensive item. If you have a favorite suit jacket or dress shirt that has become stained, it’s important you know the proper way to clean it.
Factors to consider when cleaning stains from suit jackets
Moisture Level of Fabric: The higher the level of moisture on a fabric, the greater the chance there is of a permanent stain. With this in mind, always start by blotting away any spills with a white towel or napkin. Then, when you’re ready to clean the suit, place it in a well-lit area with good ventilation.
Most suit jackets are not 100 percent wool, which means they will need to be dry cleaned, which is the easiest way to remove stains from suit jackets without causing damage.
Certain suit colors are more likely to fade when exposed to water. Therefore, always use the gentle cycle with cool or cold water and wash the same colors together.
Suit jackets that have been outside in the sun should be washed indoors as the UV rays can cause fading, too.
Suit Jacket Require Special Attention: The buttons on a suit jacket must be carefully handled because they can become loose or fall off if exposed to water. Therefore, always use a mild detergent and keep the buttons fastened while cleaning by hand.
It’s also important that dry cleaners pay special attention to the cuffs of a suit jacket because they’re typically worn when it’s raining outside, which means more water exposure.
How To Remove Stains from Suit Jacket
Stains are an unfortunate part of life. They happen to everyone, even the best dressed among us. Fortunately, removing these stains from clothing is simple, and you won’t need any special cleaners or detergents to do it. Simply follow these simple steps for each type of stain.
Clean ink stains on suit jackets
These stains can be among the most difficult to remove from a suit jacket as they are very resistant to water.
- To properly clean an ink stain from a suit jacket, you should blot up as much of the ink as possible using a white absorbent cloth or paper towel without spreading it further.
- Next, you should apply some cleaning fluid directly to the stain and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. After the allotted time has passed, you may use a clean cloth or paper towel (white) to wipe away as much of the ink as possible.
- If this does not remove all of the ink, then repeat the steps until the jacket is okay.
Clean blood stains on suit jackets
These are very similar to ink stains in that they can be removed, but it will take more time and effort than most other types of suit jacket stains.
- After blotting up as much blood as possible, you should apply some cleaning fluid directly to the stain.
- Allow this fluid 10 minutes to break down the hemoglobin in the blood before blotting it away.
- Once all of the blood has been removed, you can apply a small amount of ammonia to a clean white cloth and blot once more to remove any residual cleaning fluid.
Clean grass stains on suit jackets
These stains are difficult to get rid of because most spot removers today include some form of detergent that can set a grass stain.
- To prevent this from happening, you should immediately apply a mixture of water and white vinegar to the suit jacket.
- Before blotting away this solution, you should scrape as much grass off of the suit jacket as possible using a dull butter knife or other instruments that will not scratch the fabric.
- Once removed, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the stained area for at least two hours so that the stain may be lifted.
- After soaking, you should apply a small amount of dishwasher detergent to a clean white cloth and blot once more.
Clean Stains Caused by Curry Powder
This is another difficult stain from suit jackets because they contain turmeric, which turns yellowish when exposed to light over time.
- To remove this type of stain from your jacket, you should immediately apply a clean white cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the stained area.
- If this does not remove all of the stains, then repeat the steps until you are satisfied.
Clean coffee stains on suit jackets
These are easy to get rid of from suit jackets but may require several applications depending on how old and deep the stain is.
- You should pour cold water directly onto the suit jacket and allow it to soak for 15 minutes.
- After the allotted time has passed, you should blot up as much of the coffee as possible using a clean white cloth or paper towel.
- If there is still a light-colored stain left on the suit jacket, then you can use a solution of 1/4 teaspoon hand dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of warm water.
- Soak this solution with the suit jacket for 20 minutes before drying at room temperature.
Clean Lipstick Stains on Suit Jackets
This is another difficult stain to remove from a suit jacket because it is oil-based and may contain colors that are not colorfast.
- For this stain, you should immediately use a clean white cloth or paper towel to apply isopropyl alcohol to the stained area.
- Continue blotting with the alcohol until all of the lipstick has been removed from the suit jacket.
Clean chocolate stains on a suit jacket
These are also difficult to remove because chocolate is oil-based and can be burned onto suit jackets when held too close to heaters.
- To remove this type of stain, you should allow the chocolate to dry completely before attempting removal with a clean white cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide and held against the stained area for 5 minutes.
- You can then blot with a clean white cloth or paper towel until the chocolate has been removed.
Clean Tomato Sauce on Suit Jackets
This is another difficult stain to remove from a suit jacket because it is oil-based and may contain colors that are not colorfast.
- For this stain, you should allow the sauce to dry before scraping as much of it off of the suit jacket as possible using a dull butter knife or other instruments that will not scratch the fabric.
- You can then apply dishwasher detergent to a clean white cloth and blot until the stain has been removed.
Clean Sweat Stains on Suit Jacket
This is also difficult to remove from suit jackets because it can cause yellowing over time if not completely cleaned off of the fabric.
- To remove this type of stain, you should immediately scrape as much sweat as possible using a dull butter knife or other instruments that will not scratch the fabric.
- You can then pour cold water directly onto the suit jacket and allow it to soak for 10 minutes.
- After the allotted time has passed, you should blot up as much of the sweat as possible using a clean white cloth or paper towel.
- If there is still a light-colored stain left on the suit jacket, then you can use a solution of 1/4 teaspoon hand dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of warm water.
- Soak the solution with the suit jacket for 20 minutes before drying at room temperature.
When cleaning stains from your suit jackets, it is important to remember that if you follow proper care instructions, then these garments should still look new even after years of use. For example, always hang your suit jackets instead of folding them, as this preserves the garment’s natural shape.
You should also use a wooden or plastic hanger as both are better at supporting the weight of a suit jacket without stretching it out. In addition, do not place your suit jackets near heaters as heat causes fabrics to wear more quickly and reduces their life span.
Finally, remember that cleaning your suit jackets should be a rare event, and when it does happen, you should not use harsh chemicals. For everyday dirt and grime, it is best to simply dust your suit jacket with a clean white cloth or paper towel before hanging it in an area with filtered sunlight (not direct). If necessary, it is also okay to use plain water on a cloth or paper towel to gently wipe away dust.
Check out our blog for more free cleanup tips.
Final Thoughts
Suit jackets are subject to all types of stains. Fortunately, most are easy to remove with simple solutions and techniques that you can find online or in stores near you. If your suit jacket has a stain on it, don’t panic!
You have options for removing the offending spot from your expensive garment. Get out there into the world and start living life without fear of ruining your clothes every time something spills onto them! Good luck!
