Traditional, classy and oh-so-versatile, suede shoes have been a wardrobe mainstay for decades; if they’re good enough for Elvis Presley, then they’re good enough for us!
But, what do you do when the weather does a 180 and you get caught in the rain wearing your delicate suedes? The suede connoisseurs among us understand the sheer horror of breaking the number-one rule of owning suede footwear: don’t get them wet!
‘How to clean suede shoes’ is an age-old question which many are yet to learn the answer to. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place. Our beginner’s guide to cleaning suede trainers, boots and slippers at home features expert advice, stain-busting hacks and protection tips to help you revive your dirty suedes and keep them looking brand new.
How to clean suede shoes, trainers, boots & slippers in four steps
For those troublesome times which leave your suede shoes looking sorry for themselves, check out these four simple steps to help save them from a trip to the charity shop. If your shoes have a care label, we’d recommend following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the best outcome.
Step 1: Get prepped
First thing’s first, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Suede is a delicate material with a soft grain, and as such, should be cleaned carefully with a suede brush. These often come with special suede cleaning kits, though a clean nail brush or old toothbrush should do the job too. Suede rubbers are also great to have on hand for scuff disasters – but more on these later.
Step 2: Make sure your shoes are dry
Take it from the experts – suede is best cleaned when dry. Though you might instinctively want to deep clean your kicks in blind panic if they get wet, try to resist; removing a stain while it’s damp can make it more difficult to remove later as the dirt particles become embedded in the fabric. If the dirt on your precious suedes is still wet, gently blot off the excess and leave them to dry.
Step 3: Banish surface grime
Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to use a suede brush at first. Simply remove any loose dirt from the surface of your shoes by lightly stroking the suede repeatedly in one direction with your handy suede brush. After a few brushes, your shoes should already be on their way to looking as good as new.
Step 4: Show some TLC to scuffs & scrapes
No matter how hard you try to avoid scuffing your suedes, scrapes are inevitable with frequent wear. Brush marks back and forth with your suede brush more vigorously to help lift the flattened suede and dislodge any dirt particles.
For stubborn scuffs which refuse to brush out, a suede rubber might be your knight in shining armour (a clean stationary eraser should also do the trick if you’re in a pinch). Rub the suede with a moderate amount of pressure, increasing this for tougher marks. If the rubber isn’t helping much after a while, take a break – rubbing the material too much will damage your fragile cargo.
How to remove stains from suede shoes
Once you’ve followed the four steps above, your shoes should be looking noticeably fresher than when you started. But, if stubborn stains are still fighting to stay on your soft suedes, it’s time to take things up a notch. You’ll be pleased to know that there are a multitude of ways to clean suede shoes with household products already lurking in your cupboards.
How to get oil or grease out of suede shoes
Speaking from experience, greasy stains can be a nightmare to remove from just about anything – never mind suede! But all hope is not lost. Some carefully chosen household products could be all you need to say adios to pesky oil stains. Here are three suede cleaning methods you could try:
- Nail brush – follow the outlined process above by brushing the stain with the suede brush, before using a nail brush to scrub more rigorously at greasy marks.Â
- Corn starch – if the oil is still wet, sprinkle some corn starch over the stain and leave overnight. Then, brush off the powder and steam gently with an iron from a distance.Â
- White vinegar – for stains which really don’t know when to budge, apply white vinegar to a soft rag and rub gently. Let the vinegar dry and follow up with a suede brush.
Â
How to get water marks out of suede shoes
Water marks are unavoidable if you choose to wear suede footwear daily. While water is known to discolour suede, it can also remove stains – but only if properly applied, so tread carefully if you try these suggestions.
- Evenly wet the entire exterior of the shoe with your brush until water stains are no longer visible.
- Dab the leather gently with a dry sponge or cloth to soak up excess water.
- Stuff your shoes with paper (avoid newspaper which can transfer ink) to help blot excess water on the inside and leave them to dry overnight in a dry, well-ventilated area. Shoe trees will also help your prized suedes retain their original shape.
- Once dry, lightly use a suede brush to ensure the suede lays flat and in the right direction.
How to clean mud off suede shoes
Though we wouldn’t recommend exposing suede shoes or trainers to the football field, it’s important to know how to take care of mud splashes if they do happen.
- Gently wipe away excess mud from the suede (making sure not to rub or push the dirt further into the suede) and let the remaining dirt dry.
- Wait for larger chunks to flake off once the mud has hardened on the surface.
- Then, use your trusty suede brush to dust off remaining particles.
How to protect suede shoes
Knowing how to wash suede shoes is all well and good, but after all that effort, what should you do to keep them in great condition for as long as possible? Try our top suede cleaning and care tips:
Tip 1: Store them in a dry, dark place
When you aren’t showing off your blue suede shoes, make sure to keep them in a shoe box for maximum protection. This will prevent them from harvesting mould in humid conditions and stop their colour from fading, ultimately making your kicks last longer.
Tip 2: Prevention is better than cure
The age-old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ certainly rings true when it comes to suede footwear. Protect freshly cleaned or brand-new shoes by spritzing with suede protection spray to help prevent future cleaning nightmares.
We’d recommend doing your research on these solutions first though – some can permanently alter the colour of suede, so make sure to read customer reviews and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Tip 3: Catch water stains fast
We’d always recommend checking the weather forecast before you take your suede beauties into the big, wide world, but when surprise drizzle strikes, our advice is to act fast. Once you’re somewhere sheltered, blot moisture off your shoes with a paper towel to help minimise water stains.
We hope our handy guide has taught you how to clean suede shoes and trainers at home, but if you have any additional cleaning queries, read our complete cleaning 101 or guide to cleaning white trainers for more expert knowledge.Â
If your suede shoes have sadly succumbed to stains and scuffs, we’ve got you covered with the latest affordable styles for men and women.
