When it comes to fall dressing, breaking out your favorite suede boots is a time-honored tradition. But knowing how to clean suede shoes? That isn’t always a given. It is, however, a necessary skill. After all, who amongst us hasn’t suffered a sudden suede shoe disaster? You’re walking down the street for an afternoon coffee, when surprise! You’re hit with a splash of something on your favorite suede shoes.
It comes with the season. Cooler days and longer evenings bring puddles hidden under fallen leaves. Random bursts of rain leave mud in their wake. A stranger at a crowded party spills a drink on your feet. Annoying, yes—but no reason to stress: we’ve got all the tips you need to know to transform the mess. Read on to learn how to clean suede shoes, as well as helpful info on how to keep them pristine once you do.
1. Let them dry
Are your suede shoes still wet from the unfortunate puddle you stepped in? Stop. Put the pair of shoes down and let that excess moisture air dry before you pick up any kind of soap or suede eraser. Be sure to avoid drying the shoes under direct sunlight or with heat, as that can cause further damage. Dry time is key, because if your suede shoes are still wet when you start the cleaning process, you’ll just wind up rubbing in more grime.
2. Brush off extra dirt
Once your suede shoes are moisture-free, the first step is to brush away any superficial dirt. We recommend using a suede brush if you have one on hand; otherwise, a fingernail brush, toothbrush, or anything with soft bristles will suffice. A nail file can also work, as long as you operate gently. While brushing, try to follow the grain of the suede with a gentle amount of pressure. Should you encounter unsightly scuff marks, apply elbow grease: brush back and forth with a bit more pressure to agitate the fibers and get those dirt particles moving.
3. Use rubber for tough stains
If you have a suede rubber—also known as a suede eraser—lying at the bottom of an everything drawer, this is its time to shine. If not, you can use a pencil eraser, or any kind of rubber eraser, to rub out stubborn stains or marks that are still catching your eye. Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don’t go crazy. Rub too hard, and you risk damaging the fabric.
4. Try white vinegar or rubbing alcohol
White vinegar is often regarded as a holy grail household cleanser, for both stains and surfaces. Easily accessible and environmentally conscious, vinegar’s unique acidic makeup is a whizz at breaking down stains. Another readily available household staple that has similar effects is rubbing alcohol. Once you decide which cleaning product to use, dampen a washcloth or flannel and lightly dab the stain. And remember: the operative word is lightly.
That said, don’t be alarmed if the area you’ve patted turns a darker color. Whether you have bright pink clogs or orange suede boots, the material should return to its original color once it dries. If the stain is still there after air drying, repeat this process carefully until you see improvement. Excess liquid will only do more damage to the shoe (especially if that’s how it got there in the first place), so resist the temptation to soak or dunk your suede footwear in the vinegar or alcohol to speed up the process. Repeated, gentle patting may be slow and tedious, but it will be very worth the effort.
5. Don’t underestimate baking soda, cornstarch, or liquid dish soap for tough stains
You may feel intimidated by oil and grease stains. Conventional wisdom is that these stains are impossible to remove, so hesitation is understandable. But don’t back down from this fight! Products you almost certainly have at home—baking soda, cornstarch, and liquid dish soap—are strong enough to take on these challenging splotches.
When working with baking soda or cornstarch, be sure to do a small patch test in a discreet spot before proceeding. Once you’re ready, amply cover the grease or oil stain with the powder and let it sit overnight before gently scraping it off with a cleaning brush. Either product should help with absorbing the oil and grease, so the more time it sits, the better.