How to Clean Suede Shoes Without Ruining Them

Suede shoes can be a challenge to clean if they get dirty, but it can be done with some care. The most important basic principle is: always clean suede when it is dry. Suede fibers contract and expand with moisture, so trying to brush a wet shoe can just damage the material. Suede should be cleaned when it is dry in order to restore the messed-up-feeling of its nap, and there are safe steps to follow:

Dry First, Then Brush

Before using a dry brush or clean, lint-free cloth, let shoes air dry on a level surface to get them fully dry. Choose a well-ventilated area and avoid heating elements, but leaving shoes wet in a crumpled bag won't work either. Once your shoes are thoroughly dry, use gentle brush strokes in the direction of the nap to lift fibers and remove loose dirt. For minor scuff marks, rub back and forth.

Lift Scuffs Without Soaking the Shoe

Some scraps and marks can be lifted with a suede eraser, using gentle back-and-forth strokes against the grain of the nap. Brush up the fibers in the nap's direction after using the eraser; test a new brush first in an inconspicuous spot. Never use leather or suede suede heal patches or suede shoe stretchers, because they can shine suede. And avoid any approach that includes shoe polish, shoe wax, shoe cream or waterproofing ingredients.

Handle Dampness and Drying

If suede gets wet, let it air-dry completely. Do not use a hairdryer or put your shoes near a heater. A wet spot can sometimes look shiny, but this will fade as the shoe dries. Never put damp suede in the dryer; if this happens, let the shoe air-dry naturally.

Finish With Protection

Some suede-care guides recommend applying a protector spray after cleaning. Some shoe-care guides recommend spraying suede with a waterproofing treatment after cleaning, although the effectiveness of any particular spray is not always tested. avoid using heel patches or other shine products on suede.

What Product Instructions Should Say

Always clean suede when it is completely dry, and never on a counter or in a washer. Satisfactory suede care requires brushing, with either a suede brush or a dry, lint-free cloth. If a mark is dry, spot clean with water and a cloth, or spot clean with water and a cloth, for water-based stains. Allowing suede to dry naturally helps maintain its texture. Finishing with a waterproof spray is general protection, but insufficient to diagnose effectiveness