How to Fix Suede Shoes

Co-authored by Marc Sigal

Last Updated: January 20, 2021 References

Suede is a fuzzy type of leather that looks great when worn, particularly as a snazzy pair of shoes. However, it is also delicate, and damage can be difficult to treat. If you notice problems with your shoes, clean them off right away with a suede brush. This will help you begin treating scuff marks and creases. Water damage can only be fixed by adding gentle amounts of water. You can also fix most liquid stains with vinegar and oil stains with cornstarch. Serious damage sometimes cannot be reversed on your own, so take care of your suede to prevent further problems.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing Scuff Marks and Creases

1
Use a suede brush to sweep dirt off of the suede. The softness of a specialty suede brush makes it the best tool for fixing your favorite shoes.^{[1]
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Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} When brushing out suede, work in one direction. Brush along the grain, in the direction of the suede’s fibers. Always sweep off as much debris as possible before attempting any other treatments.^{[2]
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- Consider investing in a suede treatment kit, which often comes with a brush and a cleaning eraser. You can find them online or at many general stores.
- If you don’t have a suede brush available, try using a clean nylon toothbrush instead.
2
Scrub scuff marks back and forth to remove them. Move the suede brush quickly back and forth along the scuff mark. This will lift the grain back up.^{[3]
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Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Continue brushing until the surface of the shoe looks even and clean. Then, repeat the treatment with any remaining marks to bring the suede back to its original state.
- Be careful to brush over the damaged spots only. Avoid rubbing the clean areas on the suede.
- If you can’t scrub out the scuff marks, rub them with a cleaning eraser. The eraser restores the suede's texture.
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3
Scrape the scuff mark with a dull knife if it won’t come out. Scuff marks happen when the suede fibers get too matted down. Use a butter knife or something similar to lift the fibers. Pull the edge of the knife against the grain slowly, taking care not to touch the undamaged portion of your shoe.^{[4]
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- If you don’t have a knife, you could also try using a plastic razor or an emery board.
- Stay away from sharp or serrated blades, if possible, to reduce the chances of cutting into the suede. Be very cautious if you choose to use a sharp knife.
4
Buff creases by wiping them in a circle with a brush. If your shoe still has creases on it, scrub it using the suede brush, a nylon toothbrush, or a towel. Go around the crease repeatedly to smooth it out. You can also push and pull on the suede to flatten the creased area as you massage it back to shape.^{[5]
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- Start off by going in the direction of the grain to prevent as much wear and tear on the suede as possible.
5
Heat creases and stains with steam if you still can’t remove them. Cover the shoe with a towel. Then, set an iron to the steam function or its lowest possible setting if you don’t have that option. Once the iron gets hot, move it across the towel to make the damaged portions of the suede more pliable. Remove the towel when you’re done and brush the suede out again.
- Heat can be very damaging for suede, so don’t apply the iron directly to your shoes. Also, keep the iron moving at all times so it doesn’t linger in any spot for more than 3 seconds.
- Another way to do this is to boil a pot of water on the stove, then hold the shoe over it. Let the steam hit the damaged area, then scrub it with a brush.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Repairing Water Damage

1
Blot moisture out of the shoes with a cloth or paper towel. As soon as you notice a liquid spill on your suede shoes, treat it to remove as much of the moisture as you can. Pat the damp areas. Replace the cloth or towel with a fresh one once it gets saturated with water. Keep patting the suede until you are unable to absorb more water off of it.
- By treating the suede quickly, you can lessen stains before they form. Always dry out the existing moisture before trying to treat any stains you notice.
2
Wait up to 24 hours for the shoes to dry out. Suede becomes more prone to damage when it is wet. You won’t be able to get all the moisture out by patting the shoes dry, so let them air dry on their own. Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight during this time. After the wait, check that the shoes feel completely dry to the touch.
- The amount of time you need to wait will depend on how soaked the shoes got. If you got caught in the rain, for instance, expect to need to wait the whole 24 hours.
- Treating the shoes before they dry could lead to cracks in the suede. Don’t rush to treat stains if the shoes don’t feel dry.
3
Use a suede brush to spread a light coating of water across the shoe. Dip the brush into clean, lukewarm water and shake out the excess moisture. Then, brush the entire shoe along the suede's grain. Make sure the entire shoe feels slightly moistened before you attempt to treat the stains.^{[6]
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- Adding more water may seem strange, but it is the best way to eliminate a water stain. Cleaning the entire shoe prevents more discolorations from forming.
4
Dab the suede with a rag to distribute the water evenly across it. Dampen a clean cloth by touching the moisture on your shoe. Use the cloth to pat down the surface of the shoe, ensuring every part of the suede gets wet. Pay particular attention to the water stains, since they need to be dampened again before they can be removed. The cloth will also remove excess moisture on the suede.^{[7]
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- Every part of the suede needs to be damp, not just the water spots. Doing this blends in the marks while preventing new ones from forming.
5
Stuff the shoe with paper to help it keep its shape. Set the shoe on a flat surface with the opening face up. Then, fill it with paper towels, rags, or other undyed pieces of paper. Crumple up the paper and fit as many as you can inside the shoe.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- Newspaper contains ink that could bleed off and stain the shoe, so avoid using it.
- If you have a shoe tree, insert it instead for a much simpler way to maintain the shoe’s shape.
6
Set the shoe in a cool, dark place to dry overnight. Put the shoes out in an area with good air circulation. Suede can take a long time to dry, so you may need to wait a full 24 hours if your shoes are very wet. Make sure the suede feels completely dry to the touch before you continue fixing it.^{[9]
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- Let the shoes air dry naturally. Since suede is delicate, keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Water makes the suede more delicate, so make absolutely sure it dries out. Err on the side of caution before brushing it again!
7
Brush over the shoe to finish cleaning it. Use a suede brush or a clean nylon toothbrush. Lightly brush the entire shoe along the suede’s grain. When your done, the suede should be back to its original appearance.^{[10]
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- If you still notice stains in the suede, treating them with vinegar or an eraser could help.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Treating Salt and Other Stains

1
Scrub the stain with a suede eraser to attempt to remove it. A lot of stains come out right away when you use an eraser. Buy a suede-specific eraser, then rub it across the stain. Keep rubbing the stain until it’s gone. Finish by brushing out the suede with a suede brush.^{[11]
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- Purchase an eraser by shopping online or visiting a general store. If you need a brush as well, look for suede cleaning kits that include both tools.
- If you don’t have a suede eraser, try using a regular pink pencil eraser. It’s not as effective, but it’s useful for eliminating minor stains.
2
Mix 2 parts water with 1 part white vinegar in a bowl if the stain remains. You don’t need to make a lot in order to treat stains. Try mixing about ¹⁄₄ c (59 mL) of white vinegar with ¹⁄₂ c (120 mL) warm water, for instance. If you’re worried about exposing your shoe to water, you could also dab a cotton ball in vinegar and use it to scrub out the stain.^{[12]
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- Rubbing alcohol can be used in place of the vinegar. Get it at a pharmacy, then mix it into the water or dab a cotton ball into it.
- Another option to try is micellar water, a product normally used to rinse off makeup. Add a little bit to a cotton ball and scrub away the stains!
3
Apply the mixture to the stains by using a clean rag or towel. To avoid damaging the suede, don’t pour the mixture onto your shoe. Instead, dip a clean cloth into it, squeezing out the excess moisture. Pat the cloth onto the stains you wish to treat. Finish by rubbing the stain in a circle.^{[13]
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- If you’re worried about exposing your shoes to too much moisture, get a cotton ball instead and apply the solution the same way you would with a cloth.
4
Wait overnight for the shoe to dry. The amount of time you need to wait depends on how wet the suede is. It won’t take more than a few hours for spot treatment, but make sure the suede feels completely dry to the touch. If the stains were minor, they will also be gone after the suede dries.^{[14]
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- Always let suede dry after applying moisture to it. Moisture makes it more prone to cracking.
5
Brush the suede out with a suede brush. Use a suede brush along the suede’s grain. Go over the entire shoe, paying particular attention to the areas you treated. When you’re done, check the shoe over for any remaining stains or signs of damage.^{[15]
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- You may need to treat the suede a few times to eliminate stubborn stains.
- Your shoes may smell like vinegar or rubbing alcohol when you’re done. It will fade over time as you wear them.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Removing Oil Damage

1
Pour cornstarch or baby powder over the oil. Position the shoe in a spot where you will be able to leave it undisturbed for a few hours. Then, cover the stain completely with a layer of the absorbent material. Cornstarch and baby powder are both good at drawing oils out of suede so they don’t set in as permanent stains.^{[16]
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- This treatment is effective for stains like sweat, grease, and gasoline. If you’re treating another type of liquid stain, consider using vinegar instead.
2
Leave the shoe overnight so the powder draws up the oil. It needs time to work, so wait at least 1 hour. If you have more time to spare, you will likely notice better results. Make sure the stained area stays covered by the powder the entire time.^{[17]
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- Keep your shoes away from fans or open windows, or else you may end up losing the powder before it has a chance to work on the stain. Also, avoid leaving the shoes near heat or direct sunlight.
3
Use a suede brush to sweep away the powder. Sweep the powder off into a trash bag to avoid scattering it throughout your home. Then, brush the entire shoe off along the suede’s grain. This will fluff up the fibers so the suede looks bright and clean again.^{[18]
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- If you notice a large amount of oil still on the suede, apply another coating of cornstarch or baby powder. Let it dry, then brush it off again.
4
Treat stubborn stains with a cotton ball dipped in white vinegar. Apply a little bit of the vinegar to a cotton ball or clean cloth. Make sure it isn’t soaked or dripping before you use it. Then, scrub the stains lightly in a circle. Brush the shoe off again when you’re done.^{[19]
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- Use only a little bit of vinegar to avoid soaking the suede in it. You can also use rubbing alcohol or a suede cleaner.
5
Repeat the treatment if needed to restore the suede. Use more powder to lift up oil and then repeat scrubbing stains with vinegar. You may need to do this a few times to get the suede back to normal. Finish each cleaning with a thorough brushing to lift up the suede’s fibers and blend in any permanent wear and tear.^{[20]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you revive suede shoes?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Use a suede brush or toothbrush to brush the suede back and forth for several minutes. This will help bring life back to suede that's been flattened and hardened.

Warnings

Treating your shoes improperly can cause further damage to them. Remember that suede is delicate and doesn’t respond well to water or other cleaners in most cases.

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Even with proper treatment, your shoes may not be completely fixed. Damage done to suede is permanent, although a professional cleaner may be able to restore the shoes to hide the damage.

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