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From heels and sandals to flats, sneakers and boots, suede makes a statement on all kinds of shoes. The velvety texture adds a softness and contrast to your outfits, until the inevitable happens and they get dirty. But this doesn’t mean they have to go to the back of the wardrobe – once you know how to clean suede shoes you’ll be able to revive them and wear them as much as you want.
In fact, you might already have what you need at home. So, here are seven methods to help you clean suede shoes at home, plus tips to keep them that way.
1. Set Your Shoes Up For Cleaning
Before you clean your suede shoes, make sure they are completely dry as even a small amount of moisture could lead to staining. Air-drying or using a fan are two of the safest ways to dry suede.
If they’re wet inside, fill them with scrunched up newspaper or something similar to help absorb the moisture (you may need to change the paper every few hours). Newspaper can also help keep the shoes in shape as you clean them.
But before that, take time to check out the areas that need cleaning and decide what type of dirt or stain you’re dealing with so you can choose the best way to clean your shoes. For example, you could easily clean dried mud or dirt from them with a suede cleaning brush, but would need to use water, vinegar or other cleaning techniques for water or oil.
2. Get A Suede Cleaning Brush (Or Use An Old Toothbrush)
A suede cleaning brush is made specifically for taking care of shoes or other items made from the fabric. They typically cost around $7-$30 and can be made of horsehair or other soft bristles. You could also use an old toothbrush, as long as it is clean.
When you use this method to clean suede shoes, be sure to brush only in the direction of the fibres and avoid moving the brush back and forth over the surface. It’s ideal to brush your suede shoes after each wear (once they are dry), but if that’s not possible aim to do it at least every few wears.
3. Spot Clean Suede With An Eraser
A suede eraser is ideal for removing minor scuffs or stains on your shoes. You can usually buy one for $10-$20 and just need to rub it over the area you want to clean. Apply a bit of pressure as your rub and increase as needed for tougher stains.
You could also do this with a pencil eraser if you don’t have a suede eraser handy. But just make sure the eraser is clean before using it on your suede shoes.
4. Treat Water Stains With Water
It might sound odd but one of the easiest ways to get rid of a water stain on suede shoes is with more water. Start by using a spray bottle of water on the stained area. Then, gently brush the area with your suede brush or clean toothbrush, use a cloth to blot up excess water. Crunch some paper and place it inside the shoes so they won’t lose their shape as they dry. Once they’re completely dry, go over them lightly with your (dry) suede brush to restore the grain to its original look.
5. Use Vinegar To Fight Tough Stains Or Mould
White vinegar is an amazing household cleaner for both surfaces and fabrics, including suede shoes. The acidity of the vinegar helps break down dirt, mould and some other stains but you do need to be mindful of how you use it. Undiluted, it could potentially affect the colour of your suede, so it’s best to do a spot test first and use only a small amount to dampen (not soak) the suede.
Gently wipe the shoes using a side-to-side motion, then let them air dry. If it’s a stubborn stain, you may need to repeat the process a few times.
6. Treat oil, grease and other stains with cornstarch
Like vinegar, this pantry staple is great for cleaning and when it comes to suede, it can help remove grease, oil and other stains. Just sprinkle the cornstarch (also sold as cornflour in Australia) over the affected area of your shoe, leave it for a few hours and gently shake or brush off the residue.
7. Try Micellar Water
Known for its backstage beauty magic, micellar water is actually a great option for cleaning suede shoes. Similar to vinegar, you just need to dab a small amount onto the shoes and let them dry.
We tried it ourselves and can happily report that a pair of millennial pink Country Road slides, once dotted with dirt stains, have never looked cleaner – all thanks to a couple of quick dabs with a cotton wool ball dipped in micellar water.
What Not To Do When Cleaning Suede Shoes
Suede is one of the most sensitive materials to clean. So here are X things to avoid when you’re trying to remove dirt or stains from them.
- Don’t soak suede shoes. It might work for fabric shoes, but soaking suede is almost guaranteed to ruin it because of its delicate nature. Instead, take a “less is more” approach to moisture when you’re cleaning them.
- Don’t forget to do a spot test. Dyes and decorative elements on your shoes could be affected by the cleaning option you choose. So always test a small part of your shoe before cleaning to make sure it won’t discolour or change parts of the shoe that don’t need cleaning.
- Don’t put suede shoes in the drier. While it could seem like a fast way to dry your shoes, suede is always best left to air-dry. If you really need to speed up the process, use a fan.
- Don’t give up! Suede can be tricky to clean but there are plenty of ways to remove dirt, stains and mould. These days, brands sell their own suede cleaners and cleaning products. If that fails, you could also look for a specialist shoe or leather repair store in your area.
How To Keep Suede Shoes Clean?
As with most things, prevention is key, so the best way to save yourself from having to perform suede cleaning repeatedly is buying some sealant and spraying your shoes every few months to repel dirt. It’s also a good idea to brush them after each wear, and store them is a dry area to keep them mould-free, clean and velvety soft.
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