Welcome to my comprehensive guide on how to care for suede shoes. Are you too afraid to wear your beloved suede shoes because you don’t want to get them dirty? Or maybe you have some stained suede shoes now and are unsure how to clean them properly? If so, you have landed in the right place. I’m here to give you some tips on how to clean your stylish suede shoes to keep them looking good. I have been in the shoe business my entire career. Over my 30+ years of experience, I have learned how to make shoes and how to care for shoes. Please grab a cup of tea or coffee and go to school on my advice.
This guide is for women who want to know how to care for and clean up suede shoes.
TIP: Don’t risk ruining your beloved shoes by using leather products on Suede. Avoid creams, conditioners, polishes, or oils for leather when caring for your suede shoes.
You might also like these shoe care guides: Caring for Leather Shoes, Can Leather Shoes Get Rained On?, Can You Stretch Leather Shoes?, and Foot Measurement Guide, all written by our shoe experts.
Editor’s Note: Our How To Care for Suede Shoe Guide was last updated on March 1, 2024.
How To Clean Suede Shoes
We are sharing our best advice on how to clean suede shoes. First, stuff the suede shoes with newspaper or an old clean rag to hold their shape while you work on them.
Soft suede brush
A soft suede brush is your best friend for regular maintenance. Gently brush your shoes after each wear to remove dirt and dust. I suggest a soft suede horse hair brush exclusively used for suede shoes.
I like this horse hair suede brush. This brush is very soft and includes a nice natural rubber suede eraser. I don’t like the wire suede brushes sold as suede brushes. I believe they are for men’s suede boots or shoes. The Suggies brush is made for fine Italian Suede and is best for high-quality Suede.
In a pinch, a clean, soft bristle toothbrush will do the job just fine if you don’t have a suede brush. Start by gently brushing the shoe’s surface with either brush to remove any loose particles and dirt. And remember, brush in the direction the suede fibers lay naturally.
Take a moment to admire your shoes after eliminating the dust and dirt. Brushing your suede shoes may be enough to remove surface dirt, but read on if there is a stubborn stain on your suede shoes.
Suede Eraser
When dealing with tough stains, reach for a reliable suede eraser. I like natural rubber ones. Rub the eraser gently over the stain until it disappears. Treat it like a pencil eraser, pinpointing the spot and applying moderate to firm pressure to remove the stain. Run over the area with your soft brush. This is my favorite.
Cornstarch
Spot targeting with a suede eraser removes most stains, except for oil-based ones. If you’re dealing with an oil-based stain, sprinkle cornstarch on the spot. Cornstarch helps draw out oil and grease stains from Suede. This method is most effective when the stain is still fresh. Allow the cornstarch to sit for at least 2 hours, then gently brush it off with a soft bristle brush.
Suede cleaning sprays
When all else fails, give a suede cleaning spray a try. Although I’m not a fan of the toxicity, they can effectively eliminate stubborn stains. When using them, I always make sure to spray them outside.
I use Cadillac Suede Renew. The product darkened my suede shoes slightly from the original color, which I did not love. However, the oil stain did disappear.
How To Protect Suede Shoes
Despite suede shoes’ undeniable charm, suede shoes are not invincible. It is essential to know how to protect suede shoes. Over time, they will inevitably succumb to wear and lose some of their allure. While there are ways to remove stains, these cherished possessions will never be entirely impervious to the forces of rain, snow, or salt (unless they remain tucked away in your closet indefinitely). Eventually, you may get caught in the rain in them.
Guess what? If you know how to care for suede shoes properly, you can rock your suede shoes and boots without worrying about the weather (except during downpours). Just grab a suede protector spray from a shoe repair store or drugstore. It’s a fantastic shield against water and dirt.
The good news? You can take protective measures to wear Suede even with those elements present (except for days with heavy rain). All you need is a suede protection spray, which you’ll find online or at shoe repair stores.
Once you have a good spray in your possession, follow these simple steps:
- Clean the Suede by brushing with a soft brush, as noted above.
- Before using the spray, it’s always a good idea to test it on a small area first. This way, you can check for a significant color change. This simple step will ensure you achieve the desired result without any surprises.
- Evenly spray the Suede upper, noting that some slight darkening is normal. Be cautious not to oversaturate.
- Give the Suede one last gentle brush in a single direction.
- Do one last quick brush with the soft brush toward the suede nap.
- Allow the item to naturally dry on a towel in a well-ventilated space for a full day.
How To Brush Suede Shoes
Caring for your suede shoes is essential to preserve their unique texture and appearance. Brushing should play an integral role in your shoe maintenance routine.
First, get the right tools – invest in a good quality suede brush. Suede brushes come in various bristle options, including brass, nylon, and horsehair. In my experience, I prefer horsehair brushes for women’s suede shoes, particularly Italian Suede, as they offer a gentle touch without causing any harm to the material.
Suede brushes come in various sizes. Choose the perfect size for your comfort. I offer both a 6-inch and a 3-inch option. I favor the 3-inch for its ideal grip.
To revive the plushness of your suede shoes, gently brush them back and forth with a suede brush. Start at the toe and work your way up to the heel.
How To Store Suede Shoes
Have you ever pulled your favorite suede shoes out of your closet to find they have lost their luster and are dust-covered? It’s astonishing how much dust can gather in such a short time. With its unique, fuzzy texture, Suede is particularly prone to dust accumulation. The raised fibers on the suede surface, known as the nap, can easily trap dust particles.
Knowing how to care for suede shoes means storing them properly. When dust settles into Suede, it can cause the shoes to look dull and dirty. Over time, if not properly cleaned, dust can work its way deeper into the nap, making it harder to remove and potentially leading to lasting damage.
The porous nature of Suede also means that it can absorb oils or other substances, which can attract and hold more dust. This is why proper storage of suede shoes is so important.
Keep your suede shoes looking beautiful and lasting longer by storing them in boxes or shoe bags for extra protection. They do the job of preventing dust from settling into the nap.
Conclusion
Suede shoes are a great addition to your wardrobe. Using the proper cleaning and storage tools and techniques, you can keep your suede shoes looking new for years. With these tips, you will know how to care for suede shoes. Follow them to ensure your favorite pair stays clean, attractive, and long-lasting.
