If you’re anything like me, it’s likely you currently have one of your token, beloved designer bags tucked away in your closet. For me, it's the Chloé Faye Bag that I eyed forever and

then finally sealed the deal on. However, that beautiful suede work of art rarely sees the light of day as I save it for "special occasions"—days when there is neither a drop of moisture in the air nor snow on the ground. Suede is one of the more delicate bag materials; once you’ve gotten it dirty, there’s no going back. Or so I thought.

Upon recently experiencing the nightmare of getting a stain on my suede bag (I live in New York—it was bound to happen eventually), I frantically scoured the internet for tips and tricks to restore my baby back to its pristine condition. It turns out, cleaning a suede bag is not as difficult as I once thought. It simply requires specific, precise steps and tools (you may already have them in your kitchen!) and the know-how to treat the material properly.

With the following tools and tips, you can easily bring your suede bag back to its former glory—or ensure your currently clean carry-all maintains it’s perfection condition for years to come. Keep reading to find out how to clean a suede bag and remove everything from dirt to stains and even gum.