Suede shoes are a classy addition to every person's shoe collection. But the problem is that it's ve...
Suede shoes are a classy addition to every person's shoe collection. But the problem is that it's very easy to stain them or ruin them due to bad weather.
After all, such a leader-type shoe is susceptible to stains and perhaps permanent damage if it's not cleaned properly.
Suede itself is a delicate material that requires special attention. This is why it's crucial to both clean and maintain your suede shoes.
In this suede shoe care guide, we will go over how you can clean your suede shoes at home, going over the process step by step.
We will cover how to remove loose dirt and debris, and how to treat stains and scuffs. In the end, we will go over some of our best tips for maintaining suede footwear.
You'll require a few essential supplies and follow the cleaning process.
Otherwise, you risk damaging your shoes with improper methods or not knowing the nitty-gritty details of cleaning suede shoes.
Here are the tools and supplies you will need:
●Suede cleaning brush or a microfibre cloth
●Suede rubber or a pencil rubber
●Suede cleaner or white vinegar
●Soft cloth
If you don't have special suede cleaning tools, that's fine. You can use the proposed alternatives.
First, make sure that your suede shoes are not wet. You do not want to let mud or moisture dry before brushing, as it could cause a long-term stain.
This is why you first need to dry your shoes, but do not use a dryer as it can damage them.
It's also recommended to put crumpled newspaper inside your shoes to retain their shape.
Now we are set up to begin cleaning with the suede brush. If you do not have one - do not worry - you can use a toothbrush for that.
Your goal is to remove the excess dirt and the debris that has stacked up over time.
Gently remove the dirt and the debris without using much force.
It's also possible to use a clean cloth for that if you do not have a handy toothbrush.
Remember our advice to keep your suede shoes dry? This is why in this stage, we do not want to use any water or soap because it can damage the shoe.
If the marks are stubborn, you can apply slightly more pressure. For that, you can use side-by-side or back-and-forth brushing motions to lift the suede fibers away and loosen the debris.
The next step is to use a suede rubber. Our goal is not to rub away the surface marks.
You want to keep using low pressure in back-and-forth movements with the rubber. You can also use a pencil rubber for that.
Tip: Do not use too much force or overdo it, because you risk damaging the shoe.
If you followed all of the steps above and there are still some stubborn stains left on your shoes, there are still things you can do.
A best practice for heavy stains is to use an acidic liquid to remove the stains that do not want to come out.
Other things you can try is to use white vinegar or to rub alcohol.
All you have to do is to wet a dry cloth with either a suede cleaner, white vinegar or alcohol.
Do not go too hard on it, as you do not want to liquify the whole shoe. You want to softly massage the surface of the shoe with back-and-forth movements.
Lastly, you should let the suede shoe dry. Repeat this process until it is cleaned for good.
Do not worry if the liquid alters the color of the fabric, as it will return to its original color after evaporating.
You can keep your favorite suede shoes for years if you follow some of the long-term maintenance best practices.
You should store your suede shoes in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.
The delicate fabric of suede can be damaged by the sunlight itself, causing fading and moisture damage.
As a bonus step, you can use shoe trees or you can stuff tissue paper to maintain the shape of the shoe and help absorb moisture.
You can read our guide on where you should put your shoes, where we cover the ideal places to store your shoes.
Just like with any other shoe that you choose, you should pay attention to the quality of the suede material.
The fabric should be soft and free from existing scuffs.
I personally like to spend a little bit more on suede shoes from trusted brands in order to ensure longevity.
Quality is the reason why our partners choose Joes Footwear in order to manufacture private-label shoes for them.
We believe that shoes should be crafted with only the finest materials and attention to detail.
The suede protectant prevents dirt from penetrating the suede material, which makes it easier for you to clean and upkeep your shoes.
It's an added layer of protection against stains and water damage, especially during the rainy seasons.
You can use a suede protectant regularly in order to extend the life of your suede shoes.
No, it's not advisable, as you risk leaving permanent damage on your suede shoes.
Putting the shoes in the washing machine wouldn't work either. This is because suede absorbs water and washing the suede shoes with water can cause stains on the material.
However, you could use a mild detergent that is specifically designed for suede cleaning.
You should clean your suede shoes when they need to be cleaned, but there's no real need to do it if there are no stains.
I would usually clean my suede shoes once per month or when the problem becomes noticeable.
Try to avoid rain, as wetting your suede shoes leads to no good.
In the unfortunate situation that you get caught in rainfall, you should let the shoes dry and then brush them to restore their texture.
Suede-specific tools and supplies such as the suede cleaner are very helpful, but there are alternatives.
You can clean your suede shoes with everyday tools such as a toothbrush or a pencil rubber.
It’s similar to how you would clean shoe soles by using a toothbrush.
When it comes to heavier stains, you can use white vinegar or acidic liquid on a cloth before letting it dry.
Yes, it's possible. You'd first need to brush off any dry salt left on the shoe with a suede brush. That would help avoid further damaging the fibers.
After that, you can use our trick with white vinegar and water on a clean cloth to gently apply the liquid to the problematic place.
Then, you want to leave it to dry naturally without direct contact with sunlight or any other heat sources. And lastly, you can use a brush to restore the texture of the shoe.
You do not need to buy new shoes just because of stains or moisture.
There are various suede shoe-specific tools that you can use, such as a suede brush, cleaner, and rubber, that have proven to be an excellent investment.
If you do not have such tools at hand, you can use other alternatives such as white vinegar, toothbrushes, or a pencil rubber to gently brush off the stains from the shoe.
You can also ensure longevity by using a suede protectant and by properly storing your suede shoes.
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