How to Clean and Care for Your Suede Shoes Like New 2024

August 31, 2024 Sophia

Suede shoes are an essential accessory, because of their special softness, which may enrich an image. They are very fashionable since they are very thick and come in different colors. But they must be treated and washed in a special way in order to remain beautiful. It is interesting to know how to restore suede shoes when they are dirty or worn and make them look neat again.

Table of Contents

What is Suede?

Suede is leather where the nap is kept on the flesh side. The nap gives it a slightly silky appearance. The fibers on the surface are fine, allowing it to pick up more vivid dyes, but they can also snag and flatten. It is for this reason that suede requires delicate handling.

Suede vs Leather

Suede, however, has a much harsher surface that is very susceptible to water staining, accumulation of dirt and scuffing. The open nap of the suede material also makes it challenging to clean the material effectively. To avoid damage, it is essential to practice the right kind of maintenance.

Benefits of Suede Shoes

Despite being high-maintenance, suede shoes have advantages over regular leather:

Although the fit of the clothing is generally relaxed and loose, it is slightly less structured than the typically rigid and stiff look that is commonly associated with punk fashion.
In terms of temperature and ventilation, it is warmer and more breathable.
Rich, vivid colors
Matte finish with depth to create a surface appearance
Luxurious appearance

Taking good care of suede maintains these qualities for as long as possible.

How to clean suede shoes

Follow these steps to clean suede footwear gently but effectively:

Inspect for Stains

Look for dried mud, salt stains, food or grease on shoes and other items that have been worn. Concentrate more on the areas with high scuff which may be the toes and the heels of the shoes.

Remove Surface Dirt

Scrub the surface firmly using a suede brush to remove debris that may be lodged firmly in the nap. Combing should be done in a single direction only. Avoid scrubbing hard.

Spot Clean Stubborn Marks/Stains

Do not let liquid spills begin to set and should this happen, use a soft cloth to blot the area. For dried stains, one can use a suede eraser bar or if you are careful enough you can use a blunt knife and remove crusty bits.

Freshen up the Nap

When cleaning is finished, you should use a suede brush to restore the pile of the material. Use the brush with the direction opposite that of the grain first to remove the dirt and then with the direction of the grain to regain the lift.

Degrease Oily Areas

Wipe with a drop or two of vinegar, diluted alcohol or cornmeal on oily surfaces. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes then brush off. Avoid over-wetting the area.

Disinfect and Freshen

If shoes begin to stink or develop a sweaty smell inside then you can use baking soda. Depending on how long you want to leave it on your hair, which should be at least 12 hours before rinsing and then brushing. It will function to selectively absorb these odors and neutralize the bacterial spores.

Use Specialized Suede Cleaners

A better all-round clean is achieved by using a foaming suede cleaner which is also non abrasive. Rub gently with a soft cloth or brush using it in the direction of the nap. Allow it to air dry and then use a suede cleaning brush to regain the feels of the shoe.

Avoid Getting Suede Wet

Suede shoes should not be washed in water or washed with strong detergents. This means that only products that will not harm the material should be used on it. Allow suede to air dry and avoid any direct heat sources.

Taking Care of Suede Shoes After Washing

If suede gets wet accidentally, do not be alarmed as it can be cleaned. You can still rescue soggy suede shoes with a few rehabilitation techniques:

To further remove excess moisture, place paper towels or newspapers into your shoes before wearing them. Replace when saturated.
Place shoes in front of a hair dryer and blow low heat on the shoes. Be sure to keep it in motion so as not to burn the suede with the iron.
For a crushed nap, brush quickly in one direction only when shoes are very dry.
In case of persistent water marks or stains, use a suede and nubuck stain remover. Gently rub the ointment into the areas which are infected using a soft brush.
For hard and stiff patches, use a suede conditioner. Apply it gently to make the formula smoother before you start applying the brush.
If color has washed off from your shoes then you should use a restoring balm or a spray which should ideally be of the same color as your shoes. Apply lightly and evenly.

Do Not Get Water Marks on Suede

Stains: Water for example can leave black spots in suede. You can prevent permanent water damage by:

Coating shoes with suede protectant spray when purchasing new shoes provides a shield that is hard to see. Re-apply after several wears.
If shoes have been wet and then taken off, it is also important to allow them dry at room temperature, not in front of a heater for example, as this can cause leather to become brittle and crack.
Mopping spills as quickly as possible with an absorbent material to ensure it does not soak in deeply.
Other measures that help to remove internal moisture include placing shoe trees which are moisture absorbing in nature and help to maintain the softness of suede.

How to make old suede shoes look new again

Give vintage, worn suede kicks new life with these revitalizing tips:

Thoroughly wash any shoes that are dark in color, or have dust particles on them, with suede cleaner and a suede brush. Rinse and let them dry for sometime.
Rub with hands or other tools to smooth out scratches and scratches. For this, you will need to use an art gum eraser to gently rub and smoothen them out. Avoid over-rubbing.
Re-fluff matted crushed nap by using a brush to dog backward in the nap direction.
Moisturize dry leather with a conditioning product rubbed slowly onto the surface.
Brighten discolored, washed-out hues with a color-infused suede renewing balm or foaming spray. Apply thin coats.
Sudhe dye kits are ideal for masking permanently damaged areas such as toe caps and heels of shoes. Overlap by ‘feathering,’ applying less dense layers on top of denser coat layers.
Screw in or glue in missing or fallen lace tips and grommets to provide a touch of style to the completed restoration.

It is such a shame to throw away your suede shoes when you can simply clean them and make them look like new again!

Make Suede Shoes Last

Suede is known to be a fragile material and not lasting for long. But you can enjoy your suede shoes for years with these longevity tips:

Use the invisible waterproofing spray frequently to protect furniture from moisture damage from drinks or rain.
Best stored in shoe trees to maintain shape and to also help dry up any sweat that could be present inside.
These types of shoes should always be stored in shoe bags that allow circulation of air and kept in areas that are not exposed to direct sunlight or heat, or dusty environments.
Avoid using it in rainy, salty and gritty conditions to avoid scratching and staining the surface.
Bath at least twice a year and wipe after messy play or wearing soiled clothing. Do not let filth accumulate.
Use the nourishing balm 1-2 times a year to replenish the skin’s natural oils and avoid the formation of cracks.
To reduce matting in creases, brush after every wear to bring back the crushed nap.

If proper care is taken, the life span of suede shoes can be doubled or tripled, which is usually the expected life of any shoe.

Ways to give the suede item a new looking

Bring lackluster suede back to life with these instant tricks:

Wash the running shoes with cold water, then scrub the surface to raise the bristles of squashed fibers. Let the air dry.
Apply a honey-colored conditioner to parts of the hair which may appear dry or black due to accumulation of dirt. Wipe excess balm off.
To make the tone lighter, use an outgoing colored waterproofing spray. Select a shade which is still darker than the original color of the car. Re-apply every few months.
Revive lost luster with a color-infused product such as suede dye, tinted protector spray or a re-dye kit. Follow label directions carefully.
Lastly, polish the shoe by applying a revitalizing cream to the entire shoe with concentric circular motions. Wipe any globs off for an even finish.

Suedes are very rich and vibrant and with a little pampering, you can give those old shoes a new look once again.

Protect New Suede Shoes

Keep new suede shoes in pristine condition longer by:

Arriving home to shower them with a protective water proofer as soon as you acquire them. Use it again when it gets exhausted.
It entails making the garment surface unable to attract dirt and other stains by applying a barrier that is not visible to the naked eye.
Storing and transporting shoes in shoe bags to avoid contact with other shoes and exposure to dust.
Putting shoes on shoe trees for the purpose of helping to maintain the shape as well as draw moisture out from inside the shoe.
The second factor, generic to the intended use of all boots, is the avoidance of wearing in wet, muddy or dusty situations.

Suede, if taken good care of from the beginning, can look as new as ever after more than a year of gentle usage.

Cleaning of suede furniture: Home remedies

Are you interested in cleaning suede without having to use commercial cleaning products? Try these homemade hacks:

Baking soda – Used for cleaning, removing odors, and to absorb oil. Allow to stand before combing out. Do not let leather become too wet or wet for a long time.
Vinegar – This assists in removing the dirt and oil that may be on the skin surface. Wipe the shoe with a piece of cloth that has been dipped in equal vinegar and water solution. Brush once dry.
Eucalyptus oil – Kills germs and wipes out grime. Dampen a cloth with a little water as you blot or swipe. Don’t over-saturate suede.
clear cornmeal – it soaks up grease and oil. Apply in regions with oily deposits, let it sit for five minutes, then wipe off.
White bread – Cleans and conditions leather. Use soft bread to scrub the parts that are dirty so that you can wipe it with ease. Use short strokes.
Banana peel – Has a function of polishing and as well as moisturizing. After that, gently buff the peeled side on the shoe for a few minutes. Wipe residue off.

After home treatments, the footwear should be brushed with a soft brush to bring back the texture of suede. It is also very important that one should not take too much of fluids.

Restore Softness to Suede

Eventually walking compresses fibers making suede feel stiff and papery to the touch. Restore supple softness with:

Applying suede conditioner or balm in leather helps to feed the skin and make it supple as well as replenishes healthy oils that leeches with time.
A fabric softener can be sprayed lightly to help release the fibers that got tight from getting wet. Use Spritz then lightly rub and let dry for sometime until the surface dries up completely.
A strong recommendation for using vinegar is that it helps to soften hard suede. Prepare a warm water vinegar solution of 2 cups warm water to a quarter cup of vinegar. Place shoes in and dip a cloth in and gently blot on shoes. Wring out the cloth and continue this process until the leather becomes soft and supple once more. Ensure that shoes are dried properly after treatment.
Another way of relaxing fibers is steaming suede over a boiling kettle of hot water. Do not hold shoes directly in steam as this will have an adverse effect on glue and stitching.

Soft suede means cozy shoes. To maximize the range of motion and these techniques after wetting the shoes, one needs to reintroduce flexibility through periodic conditioning.

DIY Suede Shine

Achieving a high gloss shine on suede is challenging due to its fuzzy nap which requires gentle handling. But you can enhance luster subtly:

The conditioner should be beeswax based. The wax provides a water barrier and feeds the leather to make it glow from within.
You might want to try polishing the copper with a banana peel. The fruit acid extracts act as a polish while the oils on the nuts condition the skin.
After that, you simply apply a thin layer of clear paste wax shoe polish. Purchase wax that is specifically designed to be used on suede and nubuck material. When completely dry, buff lightly with a horsehair shine brush.
It is recommended to lightly mist with a water proofer which is free of silicone for enhanced richness. Since liquids may darken the color of the leather unevenly, it is recommended that thin even layers of the liquid are applied.

Bear this in mind when using suede to avoid applying pressure on the surface which leaves residue behind. You really do not have to use a lot of shiny products.

Fix Lifeless Suede

Is suede as dull, flat, and lifeless as it can get? Breathe life back into tired shoes with these steps:

Clean tough stains inside dirty shoes before washing them to restore the color and texture of the material using a brush, an eraser, and cleaner.
Moisturize dried out leather by massaging in conditioner to restore the oils that may have been lost. Wipe residue off.
To deconstruct matted fibers, use a stiff boar bristle brush and rub it against the skin with a lot of pressure going in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Clean fluff toes, heels and seams by placing shoes with tissue paper at night to expand the leather back again.
Restores faded color and shine of wear-and-tear by using tinted water proofer spray or liquid shoe dye that is closest to the original color. Start with light coats.
Use moisture-proofing spray frequently to prevent oneself from becoming dehydrated. Hang your shoes in cedar shoe trees also to retain the shape after every wear as well.

It is not very difficult to restore a depressed nap and dog-eared shoes for that soft, fuzzy, plush new suede look again.

Suede Care Don’ts

To get the longest life out of suede, avoid doing the following:

✖ Never machine wash or dry clean suede because this will lead to a situation where the material will be destroyed.

✖ Do not wear brand new suede such in the rain or snow before treating your shoes with a good waterproofing material because once the water sets it can permanently stain the shoes.

❌ Avoid exposing shoes to the sun or any form of heat to dry them because it will make leather brittle and crack irreversibly in the long run. The air is dry only.

X Do not use bleach products, stains removals, and all-purpose cleaners that are normal leather types. Do not use regular cleaning products to clean suede – use specialty suede cleaners.

✖ Do not scrub as this can cause the surface fibers to deteriorate. Use light, gentle strokes.

X Avoid cramming the shoe with paper after each use to maintain its shape. Wrinkles turn into furrows, if there is no help.

Suede is a delicate material so always be gentle when using it to get the most out of it.

Cleaning Suede – Which Liquid Is the Best?

For routine cleaning or tackling problem stains and marks, use a specialty liquid formula designed for the extra delicate fabric rather than regular leather cleaner:

Foaming suede cleaners work to dissolve the surface dirt and at the same time use micro-fine scrubbing bubbles to gently lift the dirt away from the suede’s coarse grain without allowing the pigments to come out. It is advised to rinse residues out thoroughly after a dish to ensure that they are not left on the dishware.
Suede shampoos incorporate revitalizers in the cleaning solutions. The rich creams help nourish the leather and keep it supple after washing as well.

Stain removers incorporate specific spot cleaning chemical formulae for the types of stains which may include oil, grease, food, mud, salt, blood grass among others. Stir into the stain then remove with a wipe.

For this reason, the right cleaner helps reduce how much the suede material is affected by the delicate map that leads to its quality decline in the long run.

Is the water stain on suede permanent?

Water and suede are not friends. When wet, the leather fibers are susceptible to water and tend to retain it in their structure. If left wet too long, it creates unsightly dark water marks:

Left inside, it can contribute to the inner lining, glue or stitching to become weak and ineffective. It forms bacteria and mold growth which gives off bad smells as well if not dried as soon as possible.
Wet suede stiffens and shrinks when the leather dries, and as a result, it becomes rigid and develops cracks.
The excess of fluid sands the fine surface texture leaving a paper like pulp and destroys that plush feel.
Deep marks generally develop when humidity levels are high and when the dye has seeped out of the leather to leave a permanent mark.

The thing is to dry wet suede immediately when it is still possible not to have a serious harm done to the material by thoroughly wiping it both from the outside and from the inside. Water also can leave as friend light marks that can be washed and will fade away with time as well. But deep set or prolonged exposure results in difficult to remove ugly stains and deterioration.

Suede, however, is not hard to take care of but it needs tender, loving care. Your suede shoes can remain buttery soft, bright and hard-wearing for many years, if appropriate means and methods are employed. Take these tips and you’ll be enjoying that plush feel underfoot for miles and miles down the road.