A Complete Guide: How To Clean Suede Shoes at Home
With its soft, velvety finish, suede is a high-quality leather that has a refined and timeless aesthetic. Valued for its luxurious feel, suede is a delicate material that requires special care as it is sensitive to moisture and prone to staining. In this guide, we will guide you through the entire process of cleaning and caring for your suede shoes, from essential tools to storage tips, as well as how to deal with different types of stains.
What Is Suede & Why Does It Need Special Care?
Suede is a luxurious leather renowned for its soft, velvety texture and distinctive napped surface. This premium material is created by carefully processing the inner layer of hide, which gives suede its characteristic delicate feel and refined appearance. The specialised manufacturing process also makes suede more sensitive to moisture and staining.
Due to its soft, velvety finish and delicate nature, suede exudes a luxurious appeal, making it a popular choice for elevated everyday style. It is often used in footwear, such as Chelsea boots, loafers and sneakers, to achieve a refined, fashion-forward look.
With thoughtful styling, suede shoes can be worn throughout the year. Suede is typically favoured in autumn and winter for its cosy appearance, but it may be more practical to wear suede footwear during the sunny spring and summer months. This is because suede is highly absorbent and sensitive to moisture — contact with water can cause stains and permanent damage to the material.
PRO TIP
Not all suede is created equal. For instance, light-coloured suede is more prone to staining and may absorb dye from other fabrics, while darker suede can transfer colour onto light-hued materials. Additionally, real and faux suede differ in texture, durability and maintenance needs — learn more about these differences below.
Differences Between Real & Faux Suede
Real suede is made from animal hide, while faux suede is produced from synthetic materials. This gives real suede a more durable and naturally pliable quality. On the other hand, faux suede — typically made from polyester fabric — is tougher, more resistant to water and staining, and is generally easier to maintain. As such, real suede requires more care and attention than faux suede.
In the following sections, we will focus on the proper cleaning techniques for real suede and provide guidance on how you should look after your suede shoes.
Essential Tools for Cleaning Suede Shoes
When it comes to cleaning your suede shoes, using the right supplies and tools ensures optimal maintenance.
You will need:
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Suede Brushes
Suede brushes are the most basic tool you will need — they usually feature stiff, horsehair bristles. They will gently remove excess dirt and can even lighten scuff marks. A suede brush can also be used to work shoe care products onto the shoes’ surface without damaging the suede.
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Suede Eraser
To spot-clean your suede shoes, a suede eraser is another handy option. It is made of a crumbly, rubber material that is specifically designed to remove water spots, dirt and tougher stains effectively. A clean, regular rubber eraser may also be used in a pinch.
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Suede Cleaner
Opt for a suede cleaner for deeper cleans.This is a concentrated liquid solution that can penetrate and treat stubborn stains. Depending on the type of stain, there are also other household agents that can be used as alternatives — white vinegar can be used for general stains, while cornstarch and baking soda can help with oil stains.
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Suede Protector Spray
Use a transparent, colourless waterproof spray after cleaning and drying your suede shoes. This will not only prevent water from damaging the suede surface but also provide protection against dirt and stains.
Step-by-Step: How To Clean Suede Shoes at Home
Once you have the right tools on hand, these are the steps you can follow to safely clean and maintain your suede shoes.
Step 1: Prepare Your Suede Shoes
Before you begin cleaning, it is crucial that the shoes are completely dry. If there is any dampness on the surface of the shoes, the shoes should be left to dry out naturally. It would also be best to remove all detachable components from your shoes, including laces, charms and other embellishments. To keep the inner lining dry, you can also stuff the shoes with a small towel, crushed paper or a shoe tree.
Step 2: Gently Brush Off Surface Dirt
Suede shoes should never be dunked in water, as this will permanently damage the porous material. Instead, to get rid of surface dirt, use a suede brush in the direction of the nap’s grain in gentle strokes. Apply slightly more pressure where needed, using a back-and-forth motion.
Step 3: Use A Suede Eraser for Stains & Scuffs
When it comes to removing stains and marks, follow up with a suede eraser. A suede eraser is more appropriate for this, as the suede brush might work the stains deeper into the suede instead. It is best to use gentle pressure with the suede eraser, as too much friction might damage the material. For tougher stains, see the next step.
Step 4: Use Suede Cleaners for Tough Stains & Dirt
Where something more heavy-duty is required, use a suede cleaner. Dab a microfibre cloth in a small amount of the solution before gently rubbing it on the stain. To be extra safe, test the solution on an inconspicuous part of the shoe first to check for discolouration. When using suede cleaners, it is always better to use small amounts and a light hand. White vinegar may also be used, as its acidic properties can break down the stain.
Depending on the type of stain, there are different ways to treat it.
Water Stains
To treat rain and water stains, it is best to spray the affected area with a few spritzes of water. Follow up with a suede brush to gently work it into the stain, before blotting the area with a microfibre cloth or paper towel to soak up excess moisture. Let it dry completely on its own, before applying a waterproofing spray to prevent future spots.
Road Salt
It’s not generally recommended to wear suede shoes in the snow, as the salt from ice melt can dry out suede and also cause permanent staining. When this happens, you should only clean it once it is completely dry. Clean off any excess salt on the surface with a suede brush, before blotting the stained areas with a cloth dipped in suede cleaner or white vinegar. Let it dry completely.
Oil & Grease Stains
To absorb the oil and grease from fresh stains, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda onto the shoes and leave it on overnight. You may conduct a patch test first to ensure there is no further staining. Afterwards, scrape off the cornstarch or baking soda layer with a brush. Depending on how much oil is left on the surface, repeat this procedure until nothing else can be further absorbed.
If marks remain, you can follow up with a cloth dipped in suede cleaner. Alternatively, dish soap may work as well — allow it to sit for 10 minutes before cleaning off the residue with a damp cloth.
Mud & Soil Stains
Ensuring that your shoes are dry, brush off any excess dirt or soil with a suede brush and gentle strokes. Go in with a suede cleaner on a microfibre cloth until the dirt is loosened and lifts off the surface.
If stains persist, sending your shoes for professional cleaning is a good option. As a rule of thumb, suede shoes should be gently treated and never soaked in water.
Step 5: Drying
After treating the stains on your shoes, it is best to blot off any excess moisture with a cloth or paper towel. Leave the shoes to dry in a cool, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. Avoid using hair dryers or heat tools to speed up the process, as heat might distort the shape of the shoes. As the shoes air-dry, keeping a shoe tree, towel or crushed paper stuffed in the shoes can help them retain their shape.
Step 6: Restoring The Nap
The soft, velvety texture of suede comprises tiny animal hairs, which can be collectively referred to as the nap of the fabric. As suede shoes are worn, the nap can often become matted and flattened, especially after the surface is treated for stains. To restore it, use a suede brush and short strokes to brush out the nap.
Step 7: Apply A Suede Protector Spray
Prevention is key when it comes to maintaining your suede shoes, which is why suede protector sprays are important. They can help your shoes resist stains and water, and there are even formulations that can preserve the colour of the shoes. Apply as directed by the manufacturer and apply even coats to avoid patchiness. Including a protector spray in your regimen can help extend the longevity of your suede shoes.
Maintenance Care & Storage Tips for Suede Shoes
Suede’s delicate nature certainly requires material-specific care and regular maintenance. Here are some essential tips to take note of when it comes to caring for your suede shoes — they’ll help keep them in the best possible condition for many more years of wear.
- Regularly brush and inspect them after every wear and before storing them. Doing so, helps remove any surface dust, residual dirt and minor stains that have accumulated.
- For major or tough stains, you’ll need to clean them well before storing them away. The earlier you deal with them, the better. (These stains tend to settle deep into the surface, making it harder to remove over time)
- One of the best ways to protect your suede shoes is to avoid wearing them in wet weather conditions, especially on days when you know there’ll be heavy rain or snow.
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Storage Tips
- Store your suede shoes in breathable cotton, fabric bags or in their shoe boxes. Keep them away from direct sunlight to minimise fading.
- Always ensure your suede shoes are fully dry before storing them away, especially if you’ve sprayed any protectants or have just cleaned them with solutions.
- Use moisture absorbers, like silica gel packets, to prevent mould, mildew and other moisture damage on your suede shoes.
- Use acid free paper to stuff or shoe trees to maintain their structure and shape
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Suede Shoes
With suede being a delicate material, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do — prevention is always better than cure.
Avoid washing or soaking with water
Water may be a universal cleaner, but it is suede’s worst enemy. It can cause unsightly watermarks and stains that may alter the texture. A few drops of water are generally fine, but it cannot be soaked in water.
Avoid direct contact with heat
Heat is another enemy of suede. Exposing suede to direct heat, from dryers or hairdryers, can result in irreversible damage, causing it to shrink, warp, or become misshapen.
Avoid excessive brushing or scrubbing
Too much of a good thing can backfire. Over-brushing or scrubbing your suede shoes too hard could potentially result in unwanted abrasion that may ruin the soft fibres of suede.
Always remember: a little goes a long way.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or shoe polish
Harsh chemicals, including shoe polish, are a big no-no. These solvents may discolour or damage the suede fibers. Also avoid wet wipes, which may contain unknown chemicals that could ruin your suede shoes.
PRO TIP
If you are trying out something new for the first time, always do a test spot in an inconspicuous area.
Suede shoes are evergreen style staples that should be in every woman’s collection — they are perfect for adding an elevated touch to everyday outfits. To extend the functional life of your suede shoes, knowing how to clean and care for them at home is essential.
We hope that this comprehensive step-by-step guide has made it clear how you should be maintaining your suede shoes to keep them in top-notch condition. If you are looking to add a pair of stylish suede shoes to your wardrobe, explore our collection now.
