How to Clean Suede Shoes: The Ultimate Cleaning Guide (Step-by-Step)
Suede is a sophisticated yet delicate fabric that elevates any attire, but it requires special care and attention. Suede is highly vulnerable to moisture, rough scrubbing, and harsh cleaners, unlike ordinary leather or fabric.
You may wonder next, how to clean suede shoes without damaging them? Water stains, colour loss, or even permanent scuffing can result from using the incorrect method.
This comprehensive guide can help with that. Whether you’re cleaning them at home or considering professional services like Love2Laundry, we’ll show you how to polish suede shoes and maintain their best appearance using the right tools, methods, and expert advice.
Why Suede Needs Special Care
The underside of animal hide is used to produce suede, a soft and textured leather with a velvety surface. While suede feels luxurious and stylish, it is also highly absorbent and delicate. Traditional cleaning techniques, such as water or vigorous scrubbing, easily damage it.
Suede is susceptible to scuff marks, colour fading, and water stains if improperly cleaned, which can detract from its appearance and reduce its lifespan. Because of this, understanding how to clean suede boots is essential, as they require special, gentle care to maintain their best appearance.
Tools and Products You’ll Need
Ensure you have the necessary supplies on hand before starting, so you can clean suede efficiently and damage-free. To simplify the process, using the right products helps maintain the colour and texture of your shoes.
These necessities, which include the best suede cleaner, will guarantee excellent results every time, whether you’re doing a thorough cleaning or a quick refresh.
Basic Cleaning Supplies
Basic cleaning supplies to clean suede boots:
- Suede brush.
- Suede eraser.
- Clean cloth.
- White vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
- Suede protector spray.
Optional Add-ons for Deep Cleaning
Use these optional add-ons and tips on how to clean suede boots:
- Suede Shampoo: This product helps remove dirt and grime without damaging suede shoes. Always read the product’s care label carefully.
- Microfiber Cloth: Perfect for blotting and mild cleaning. It works well and is gentle, not to harm the sensitive surface.
- Newspaper or Shoe Tree: It helps the shoes keep their shape both during and after cleaning, particularly while they’re drying. This keeps them looking new and avoids creases.
How to Clean Suede Shoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Maintaining your favourite shoes to keep them looking fresh can be challenging, especially with delicate materials. If you’re looking for how to clean suede shoes without damaging their texture, you’re not alone. Suede needs special treatment, unlike other fabrics, and using the wrong cleaning method can cause permanent harm.
If you’re also looking for tips on how to clean white sneakers to bring back their original brightness, this guide will help. Let’s go through simple and practical steps to make your shoes look like new again.
Step 1: Remove Laces and Prepare Your Shoes
Before you begin following the steps, pause and consider: How do you wash suede shoes safely?
It’s crucial to take off the laces before you start cleaning. This keeps the laces from becoming ruined or discoloured during cleaning, providing you with improved access to the entire surface area.
Then, to help your shoes keep their shape while you work, put them in a shoe tree or stuff them with paper towels or a clean cloth. Because it keeps suede from creasing and ensures an even, clean finish, this step is crucial when cleaning suede.
Step 2: Brush Off Dirt and Dust
To begin, gently use a suede brush to remove any loose dirt, dust, or debris from the entire surface of your suede shoes. To maintain the suede’s natural nap and texture, brush in one direction. This keeps the material from becoming flattened or harmed.
Pro tip: A clean toothbrush can be a useful substitute for a suede brush to clean white shoelaces.
Step 3: Erase Surface Marks
For light scuffs or minor stains, gently rub the affected area with the best suede cleaner. These are specially designed to lift marks without damaging the delicate texture. If you don’t have a suede eraser, a clean white pencil eraser can work in a pinch. Rub gently until the mark fades, being careful not to press too hard to avoid flattening the suede fibres.
Step 4: Treat Stubborn Stains
Apply a small amount of white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to a clean, soft cloth to remove stubborn stains that are difficult to remove with brushing or erasing. Don’t soak the stained area; instead, dab it gently and let the suede air dry completely. After drying, lightly brush the area in a single direction with your suede brush to restore the nap. Without soaking or damaging the suede, this technique helps remove stains.
Step 5: Let the Shoes Dry Properly
It’s crucial to allow your suede shoes to air dry after cleaning. Always let them air dry in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources such as hair dryers and radiators. Suede may shrink, become stiff, or lose its texture if overheated. The key is patience, letting the shoes dry gradually preserves their overall appearance, softness, and shape.
Step 6: Rebrush the Suede to Restore Texture
Give your shoes one last brush after they’re completely dry to bring back the nap of the suede, which is the soft, velvety texture that gives suede its distinctive appearance. To restore the fibres and regain the original finish, use light, even strokes in a single direction.
Step 7: Apply Suede Protector Spray
Use a suede protector spray to keep your shoes looking their best and to make cleaning them easier in the future. This forms a protective layer against common stains, water, and dirt. Apply an even layer across the entire surface while holding the spray 6 to 8 inches away.
Before putting the shoes on, let them air dry thoroughly. This step is essential if you frequently have to clean stained suede shoes, as it helps prevent deep absorption and makes stain removal much easier the next time.
Special Cleaning Techniques for Different Types of Stains
Caring for suede shoes can be challenging, especially when faced with tough stains such as water, mud, or oil. Employing the best suede cleaner and applying proper techniques are essential for preserving both the appearance and texture of the material. Let’s discuss how to care for different types of shoes, highlighting specially targeted solutions for various stain types.
Water Stains
To remove water stains from suede, gently dab the affected area with a fresh, dry cloth. To restore the suede’s natural texture, lightly brush the area while it’s still damp, and then let it air dry completely away from heat sources.
Oil or Grease Stains
Suede stains caused by oil or grease can be removed by applying talc or cornstarch to the affected area and letting it sit overnight to absorb the oil. Gently brush off the powder to remove the stain without damaging the material.
Mud Stains
Allow the mud stains to fully dry before cleaning. Once dry, gently brush with a suede brush to lift the nap and carefully remove any leftover residue by chipping off the hardened mud.
Pro Tips to Maintain Suede Shoes
Use these professional care tips to clean suede shoes:
- Use a suede protector regularly to shield against stains and moisture.
- Store in a dry, cool place to prevent mildew and warping.
- To help keep them in shape and avoid creases, place shoe trees.
- Avoid wearing them in wet conditions as moisture can ruin the nap.
- Brush and clean regularly to prevent dirt and stains from accumulating.
Need Professional Help?
Our expert shoe cleaning service at Love2Laundry is designed to handle even the most delicate materials, such as suede, with skill. To make your shoes look brand new with no chance of damage, our experts employ delicate, suede-safe methods to remove dirt, restore texture, and revitalise them. Book Now!
FAQs – How to Clean Suede Shoes
How do you clean suede shoes
Gently use a suede brush to remove dirt and restore the nap. For stains, apply a suede eraser or lightly dab with white vinegar on a cloth.
Can I wash suede shoes in the washing machine?
No, suede shoes should not go in the washing machine because water can damage their texture and shape. Always clean them carefully by hand with a suede-specific cleaner.
How often should I clean suede shoes?
To keep their appearance and avoid stains, suede shoes should ideally be cleaned at least once a month. However, you can adjust this frequency depending on how often you wear them.
Wrap Up!
When you use the proper equipment, such as a suede brush, eraser, and mild cleaners, avoid damaging techniques like machine washing. Cleaning suede shoes is a simple process, particularly when you understand how to clean suede shoes. Give your suede shoes the attention they need from the professionals at Love2Laundry for exceptional results and convenience.
