Introduction
How to clean suede shoes is necessary knowledge if you’ve invested in a pair of Birkenstocks, suede ankle boots, or even textured fashion trainers. As impractical as they are, we cannot resist the strong stylistic inclination toward suede shoes. They are versatile, classy, and, more often than not, super comfortable.
What we don’t like, though, is when they (inevitably) get dirty and need cleaning. You might mistakenly believe that damp or muddy suede shoes are unsalvageable. But have no fear; there is a way to clean your suede shoes. All you will need is a rubber or eraser, white vinegar, baking soda, flannel or face cloth, suede brush or nail brush and may be some suede protector if you have one.
Yep, that is true the magic of suede shoe cleaning with everyday household stuff, so no need to shell out for some fancy equipment. Nevertheless, investing in a suede brush and suede protector can be beneficial because, in my opinion, it’s more effective to prevent issues than to address them.
As for the genuine procedure of cleaning your suede shoes, that’s really pretty simple, too. So much so, we’ve condensed it down into five straightforward steps. As long as you have the right bits and bobs lying around your house, you’ll be able to salvage your suede shoes from all kinds of dirt and get them looking as lovely as new. And, believe us, it actually works.
Suede boots collect scratches, grime, water spots, salt marks, or other dirt if they are worn frequently, especially in harsh weather conditions.
But using the right tools and techniques, it is pretty easy to learn to clean suede boots. You may have to get some store-bought suede cleaning products for certain things, but some household items might also be enough to make them shine up.
This article explores how to clean suede shoes to restore the soft, spotless appearance of your suede footwear.
What is suede footwear?
Suede footwear is a wardrobe staple in cooler weather that offers both stylish comfort and warmth. Unfortunately, the same nap that has suede endear itself to most people with its soft, fuzzy texture also makes the material dreadfully vulnerable to wear and tear. Regular wear will expose the dirt, grime, oils, scuffs, moisture, and salt that you inevitably come into contact with, all being guests on your suede shoes and boots if you happen to wear them through nasty weather. Excess moisture can easily damage suede, so you can’t simply soak your kicks in soapy water to remove stains and buildup.
Considerations Before You Get Started
Suede, while elegant, is susceptible to damage. Before cleaning your suede, consider these factors.
First, check the care label.
Before you attempt to clean any suede item, you should read the care label first. According to Kristen Higgins, a laundry expert for consumer product testing at Henkel , “the most common mistake when caring for suede pieces is beginning to clean the garments without reading the care label.
If your suede items are quite worn out, or if you cannot find the care tag on them, you can browse through the manufacturer’s website for more detailed care instructions”. Many have in-depth suggestions for care, particularly if the item requires any specialty treatments, like waterproofing,” she says.
Avoid Saturating Suede with Water
Although you might use a damp cloth in some cases to clean suede, you should never soak it in water. Doing so can stain and damage it. According to Higgins, most suedes are porous and absorb water, making them unsuitable for machine washing.
Normally, water and soaps can ruin suede, so checking the care label of the garment is a must in order not to have ruined suede clothing.
For machine washable suede products like fake suede, you should use a few drops of mild, fragrance-free detergent. Purex Free & Clear is just one that is unscented but also tough on dirt. After washing, air dry them.
Before using them, spot test products.
A spot test is another thing you should do before cleaning suede with any type of product. Suede is a bit hard to spot test, which requires you to take your time while paying attention to changes in the material.
How Often to Clean Suede
- “Again, it all depends on how frequently it is used and how much filth and debris it gathers,” explains Karina Toner, Speckles Cleaning’s operations manager. “Generally, we suggest a soft-brush twice a month to sweep away surface dirt and debris.”. While it may seem like a small step, it can significantly impact the fabric by preventing dirt from becoming embedded and making subsequent cleaning more challenging.
- Time is crucial when it comes to spot cleaning.
- For suede clothing and shoes, Higgins advises cleaning your pieces at least once a month to keep them in excellent condition. If it’s something you wear regularly, then wash it more frequently.
Why it is important to clean suede shoes properly?
Suede shoes take your shoe fashion to the next level and are definitely worth the extra care keeping them looking brand new. Cleaning suede shoes entails removing dirt and preventing it from returning, thereby ruining your shoe game. This article will teach you how to clean suede shoes properly in order to maintain their luxurious appearance for years to come.
What supplies will need to clean suede shoes?
First, gather the following tools to help remove deep stains, scuffs, and ground-in dirt: a brush or sturdy cloth, such as an old t-shirt; rubbing alcohol or plain white vinegar; a soft bristled shoe brush (we recommend suede cleaning brushes); a clean eraser or suede eraser; and baking soda.
With your supplies, it’s now time to learn how to clean suede shoes. Generally speaking, there are a few methods you can use to clean suede shoe, and the one you choose is somewhat dependent on how dirty your shoe is.
- They will need to be superficially cleaned first with some brushing or dirt removal from their surfaces. Then, using your eraser that is clean, you will be able to rub off surface stains. When you brush them, you will make sure to brush them in the grain direction.
- If your shoes are very dirty and you would like to have a deep clean, brush away the dirt with a cloth or wipe it away. Scrub in some baking soda with a soft-bristled brush to remove worse stains. Rubbing alcohol or white vinegar saturated onto a cloth can then be damped before being rubbed on gently.
- Finally, you can purchase a suede cleaning kit and find that on Zappos. These kits carry suede brushes, erasers, and a special shampoo safe for suede. Always let your shoes air dry and never use a hair dryer. You should at the same time put your suede shoes on a shoe tree or stuff them with newspapers during drying.
How to clean suede shoes?
How to clean suede shoes? Cleaning suede shoes is a very simple task and requires nothing but some simple tools and smart techniques. Take the following for fresh-looking stain-free suede.
1. Prepare your shoes
Eliminate the laces before you start the cleaning process in order to not create water spots or damaging the shoe itself. Stuff the shoes with paper towels or newspaper in order to maintain their shape so that they do not lose their original shape and absorb moisture during the cleaning.
2. Dry brushing
Brush off the suede lightly with a soft-bristled suede brush. Do not rub against the nap since this might ruin it. Brush the nap in one direction of the grain of fabric, loosening free floating particles and preparing the fabric for deeper cleaning.
3. Spot cleaning
Identify tough stains that would not go away easily. For minor stains rub with suede eraser or pencil eraser. Rub it lightly to avoid damaging the suede and thus the stain removes without damaging. For bigger stains, proceed to the next step.
4. Removing tough stains
Soak a clean cloth with a little white vinegar or suede cleaner. Gently blot the stained area do not rub this may push the stain deeper into the suede or damage the nap. If the stain is particularly entrenched you can use a nail brush or an old toothbrush; gentle as it is a shame to damage the shoe.
5. Drying
Let them dry out away from direct sunlight or heat since these can cause the materials to fade or damaged. Paper towels or newspaper stuffed inside the shoes help absorb the moisture. Squeeze as much of the moisture from it, and let it stay in its shape while drying.
6. Re-Brushing
You will need your suede brush again once the shoes dry. Lightly restore the nap on the shoes along with removing stiffness resulting from cleaning. Brush in the direction of the grain for the best results; brush in the grain direction.
7. Protecting Your Shoes
Spray some suede protector stuff according to the manufacturer. This will prevent water spots and other stains, and your shoes will look good longer.
These were some guidelines for cleaning suede boots. You must follow these guidelines when cleaning suede shoes.
Bonus Tips for Cleaning Suede Shoes
Brush off excess dirt.
Use a suede brush or a toothbrush to pick up the dirt that has settled onto your shoes. This is the cleaning stage when you can really get most of the dirt and mud out without pushing more into the fibers.
Move the brush gently across the shoe’s surface. Clean particularly around where dirt and mud accumulate. Regular brushing not only prevents stains but also keeps the suede finish and look on your shoes intact.
Use rubber for tough stains.
For tough stains on suede shoes, using a rubber eraser is effective. Rub gently on the stained area with the eraser to lift dirt and marks without damaging the material. There are specifically designed products for such purposes, like Spahir Gommadin Suede Eraser.
For effective removal of tough stains, rubbing should be always performed while applying moderate pressure.
Clean particularly around where dirt and mud accumulate. Regular brushing not only prevents stains but also keeps the suede finish and look on your shoes intact
Use rubber for tough stains.
For tough stains on suede shoes, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol works wonders. Soak a microfiber cloth with white vinegar and rub gently around the stain
If you lack white vinegar, you may resort to rubbing alcohol. To remove stains, though, use this in caution on light-colored suede.
Using these household stuff, your shoes will always be looking fresh. We recommend them over traditional water and soap methods for suede care. Whether it is mud splashing or the accidental spill of different liquid substances, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol would suffice in order not to harm the delicate material of your shoes.
Finish with a clean cloth, removing all residue and letting them dry before putting them on.
Use baking soda for grease stains.
Another great ally in the fight against grease stains is baking soda on suede shoes. Sprinkle it directly on the stain, and let it sit there for a few hours. The baking soda soaks up the suede’s grease, dirt, and salt.
After waiting, gently remove the baking soda with a suede brush. For deeper grease spots that refuse to go away, apply more baking soda and lightly dab with a damp cloth. Finish it off with suede protector.
You must always end the cleaning of your suede shoes with an application of suede protector. Use a suede brush before that to help lift the fibers and get them evenly spread out. To avoid soaking any area too much, spray the protectant evenly across the surface from a distance.
This step protects your shoes from stains and water damage. Experts always suggest one should do this before the first use of shoes and then after every cleaning. Last is the general care of keeping your suede shoes at their best all the year round.
General Care for Suede Shoes
Daily care and quick fixes make suede shoes look as fantastic as possible. Learning the right approaches ensures they stay fresh and last longer.
How to fix scratches
Dry the suede surface using a clean cloth. Apply on the affected area with a clean cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar to fix the scratch. It removes the marks and maintains the shoe’s appearance new without making use of chemical agents.
Use a brush for tougher scuffs and scratches. The bristles sweep away the dirt and pull out all unsightly marks. Regular brushing keeps your suede looking fresh, preventing debris buildup that can lead to more significant damage over time.
How do you clean and care for suede shoes?
Proper treating and storing of suede shoes will make them remain the best. Here is how one can take good care of them:
1. Suede shoes need to be cleaned often, starting by brushing with a suede brush to remove any loose dirt.
2. To lift the fibers from scratches, gently rub the surface with a clean towel.
3. Use a waterproof spray specifically for suede.
4. Store your suede shoes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as it can fade the color.
5. Use shoe trees made of cedar to help maintain their shape and absorb moisture.
6. Avoid plastic bags for storage; instead, opt for breathable fabric bags.
7. Rotate your suede shoes, giving them time to air out between wears.
8. If they get wet, let them dry naturally away from heat sources.
9. If there are heavy stains or damage, then it’s probably best just to have them taken to a professional suede cleaner.
Ending Remarks
How to clean suede shoes. Suede shoes are the epitome of great style in any wardrobe, yet they can be a bit finicky when it comes to their cleaning. Follow the procedure outlined below for your protection with regard to suede shoes that should keep them from getting dirty, and when they are cleaned or restored, they will come back to you in great shape.
Invest in the right tools such as a suede brush, eraser, and waterproofing spray and make caring for your suede shoes a regular part of your routine. With a little effort, your suede shoes will continue to look luxurious and chic, no matter how often you wear them.
