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Suede is a gorgeous material for shoes, whether it’s sky-high suede heels or cute, fall-ready suede boots. But behind all the beauty is a harsh reality: cleaning suede shoes is HARD. And if you don’t do it right, you could end up destroying your favourite pair.
The best way to clean suede shoes is by using a suede brush and cleaner designed specifically for the fabric. In this article, we’re going to talk about how you can keep your suede shoes at their best.
How To Clean Suede Shoes
Make sure your shoes are completely dry before you start. Then, using a suede brush, brush gently in one direction to get rid of any dust. If there are stubborn scuff marks, you can brush harder in a back and forth motion.
For the most stubborn marks, you can use a suede eraser (but a regular pencil eraser will do just fine, too). There are also suede cleaner sprays available on the market.
How To Clean Dirt Off
Dirt is thankfully pretty easy to handle. Using a clean, soft bath towel—not wet, not damp, but completely dry)—gently wipe the shoes from heel to toe. This should remove most of the dust and shallow dirt stains. Finish with a suede brush cleaner.
How To Remove Stains
Sometimes, grime and stains won’t get off no matter what you do, especially on white suede shoes. In those cases, you might need to turn to your favourite all-around cleaner and kitchen staple: vinegar. This is how to clean it with vinegar.
Using a clean cloth, dab a little white vinegar on the stain. Let the vinegar dry out completely before rubbing out the stain with a suede brush.
For “special” stains like wax or oils, you might need to try a different approach. For the former, you can put your suede shoes in the freezer, then pick off the frozen chunks. For the latter, you can add a little cornstarch on the stain to absorb the oil, before brushing the powder off.
How To Clean Mud Off
Don’t try to clean the mud off when it’s wet. Just brush away the excess mud (being careful not to push the mud into the fabric) before leaving it out to dry. Once the mud has caked, you can break it off and use a suede brush to remove the rest of the dirt.
How To Clean Faux Suede
Faux suede is cheaper, more durable, and more stain-resistant than regular suede. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never have to clean it. You can use a suede brush (or even a toothbrush) to brush away dirt and dust. Stains can be spot cleaned with a little bit of vinegar, vodka, or rubbing alcohol.
How To Wash Suede Shoes
They might not be so obvious on black suede shoes, but water can really mess up the look and feel of a suede shoe. You should never wash your suede shoes, especially in the washing machine. BUT if there are stains that just won’t go away, there’s one unique trick you can use.
A woman discovered that micellar water (normally used to remove makeup) was ace as removing stains and dirt on suede. Put a little bit of micellar water on a cotton pad or towel, and gently wipe the shoes down.
How To Dry Clean Suede
If all else fails, dry cleaning should do the trick. Sending off your shoes to a dry cleaner every time they get dirty isn’t the most affordable option. But if you have a pair you’re just about to give up on, a good dry clean can work wonders.
How To Care For Suede Shoes
- Prevention is better than cure. Spray your suede shoes with a suede protector to prevent marks and stains.
- As much as possible, keep your suede leather shoes dry. Store them in a place where they won’t get damp, and opt for another pair when it looks like it’s gonna rain.
- Do not wrap your suede shoes in plastic. Suede needs some room to breathe to keep them looking as great as the day you got them. Store them in a dust bag or wrap them in tissue paper instead.
- When not in use, or during cleaning, stuff crumpled paper in the shoe. This helps it retain its shape.
Conclusion
There you have it—all the ways you can safely and effectively clean suede. Next time your suede shoes get dirty, don’t despair. Just follow these tips, and they’ll be good as new!
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