This article was co-authored by Penny Simmons and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star.
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You love the soft and velvety look of your new suede shoes, but when they get scuffed or stained? Not so much. Even though suede is delicate and can quickly get dirty or stained, it’s really easy to clean your shoes at home. Usually, brushing your suede shoes is enough to remove surface dirt, and rubbing vinegar on a stain will help lift it up, but there are even more ways to safely maintain your kicks. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through basic cleaning and stain removal so your suede shoes look good as new!
Things You Should Know
- Scrub your shoes with a suede brush to break apart dirt in the fabric’s nap.
- Get rid of scuff marks on your shoes by rubbing them with a suede eraser.
- Remove general stains by dabbing them with vinegar. Draw out an oil stain by sprinkling it with cornstarch.
- Spray your shoes with a suede protectant to keep them safe from damage in the future.
Steps
Cleaning Dirt & Scuff Marks
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1Stuff your shoes with newspaper to retain their shape. Crumple up a few old newspapers and tightly pack them inside the toes of your shoes. Press down on your shoe’s toe, and put more newspapers inside if you notice the shape distorting.[8]
- Alternatively, use a shoe tree to help hold the shape of your kicks even better.
- Newspaper will also absorb moisture and help your shoes dry faster if they’re wet. Avoid cleaning your shoes until they’re dry so you don’t spread dirt around.
- Some experts recommend using blank newsprint paper to prevent any ink from smearing onto the fabric.
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2Scrub your shoe with a suede brush to break apart loose dirt. Press the brush bristles into the fabric and apply gentle pressure. Follow the direction of the nap’s pattern when you brush the fabric, working from one end of the shoe to the other. Go over the same areas a couple of times to restore the look of your suede.[9]
- Suede brushes have stiff bristles that reach the fabric underneath the nap. Some suede brushes have brass bristles on one side to remove dirt and rubber on the other to help clean up scuff marks.[10]
- If you don’t have a suede brush, use a new stiff-bristled toothbrush on your shoes.
- If your shoes are entirely made of suede, remove the laces before you start brushing so you can clean underneath them.
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3Use a suede eraser to get rid of marks and scuffs. Apply gentle pressure and rub the eraser back and forth over the suede. As soon as you rub the eraser over the scuff, use your suede brush to smooth out the fabric and clean off the shavings. If you still see the scuff mark, try going over it 1–2 more times to fully remove it.[11]
- In a pinch, you can use a regular pencil eraser as long as it doesn’t have any other marks or stains on it.
- Look for a suede cleaning kit that has a brush, eraser, and cleaner for an all-in-one package of everything you need.[12]
- If you still can’t get scuff marks out with your eraser, try using a different stain removal technique.
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4Spray your shoes with a suede protectant to keep them clean. Hold the protectant about 12 inches (30 cm) away from your shoes and press down on the button to spray it.[13] Keep moving the protectant to evenly spray it over the entire surface of your shoe. Then, just let the spray dry for about 30–45 minutes before wearing your shoes again.[14]
- Suede protectant adds a layer of waterproofing to prevent stains from setting in.
- The color of your shoes may look different when you first apply the spray, but it will look normal once it dries.
- When you reapply suede protectant depends on how often you wear your shoes. Try sprinkling a drop of water on your shoes. If the water beads and runs off, then it’s still okay. If the water absorbs, then it’s time to clean and reapply.
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs using a toothbrush okay?
Community AnswerYes, clean toothbrushes can be used to clean suede. Brush off as much dirt and debris, including salt from sidewalks, when the shoes are completely dry. Try to avoid any type of "cleaner" if you can and stick with water. If the suede is extremely stained from salt, then use a toothbrush and water. Blot afterward with a clean, dry cloth. -
QuestionHow do I get an oil stain out of my suede shoe?
Community AnswerTry using cornstarch to soften the stain. Then lightly wet the rest of your shoe in the area around the stair in order to match the hue of the shoe with that of the stained portion of the shoe. -
QuestionWhat is the spray I should use for suede?Community AnswerSilicone sprays are good. They darken the color slightly but evenly if you apply them with reasonable care. They can make a big difference, especially in making water roll right off. Once you try this, you will never wear a pair of suede shoes without spraying them first!
Warnings
References
- ↑ https://www.edelmanleather.com/sites/default/files/Edelman%20Leather%20Care%20%26%20Cleaning_79.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/srtj-NAy094?t=363
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-suede-boots-shoes-jackets-and-accessories.html
- ↑ https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2015/01/05/suede-shoe-care/
- ↑ https://www.tumbltrak.com/content/pdf/CARE%20INSTRUCTIONS%20FOR%20YOUR%20SUEDE%20PRODUCT.pdf
- ↑ https://www.shoethority.com/how-to-get-gum-off-a-shoe/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/nct8d2DdduE?t=172
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_tCD7OVNzdk?t=149
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/clothing-care/how-to-clean-and-care-for-suede-shoes.html
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/3H35IWO36-w?t=60
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ba5k6Ii70kY?t=460
- ↑ https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2015/01/05/suede-shoe-care/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vBJp3VKl7_M?t=74
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/clothing-care/how-to-clean-and-care-for-suede-shoes.html
- ↑ https://www.tumbltrak.com/content/pdf/CARE%20INSTRUCTIONS%20FOR%20YOUR%20SUEDE%20PRODUCT.pdf
About This Article
To clean suede shoes, first make sure they’re completely dry so you don’t spread any moisture around and cause a stain. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to brush off any dried-out mud or dirt on your shoes. Brush in the direction of the fibers and avoid brushing back and forth to keep the nap looking smooth. For stubborn stains, pour a small amount of white vinegar on a cloth, and carefully wipe the stain with it. Let the vinegar dry, then go over the stain with a soft-bristled brush. You can also try gently rubbing the stain out with a pencil eraser. To protect your suede shoes from stains, Good Housekeeping recommends treating them with a waterproof spray every 6 months and to avoid wearing them when it’s wet outside. For help getting water and oil stains out of suede shoes, read the article!
