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Including what not to do 🙅 Shoe Polish
How to clean suede shoes: it's an age-old question. Especially for us Brits – there's always a risk of rain in the UK (even summer showers) ruining your suede shoes. Yet, as impractical as they may be, we can't help having a strong sartorial affinity for them. They're versatile, classy and, more often than not, super comfortable.
What we don't like, however, is when they (inevitably) get dirty and need cleaning. You'd be forgiven for thinking suede shoes once damp or dirty are a lost cause. But have no fear, there *is* a way to clean your suede shoes. All you'll need is a rubber or eraser, some white vinegar, baking soda, a flannel or face cloth, a suede brush or nail brush, and some suede protector if you have it.
Yep, this trick relies on everyday household products, meaning you won't have to fork out for some fancy equipment (though a suede brush and some suede protector can be good investments to make). And the actual process of cleaning your suede shoes is really pretty simple, too.
So much so, we've condensed it down into five steps. As long as you have the right bits and bobs lying around your house, you'll be able to salvage your suede shoes from all kinds of dirt and get them looking as good as new. And, believe us: it actually works.
Here are five easy steps to quickly and effectively clean suede boots, trainers, heels and sandals:
Scroll down for the full instructions, including materials and in-depth guides for each step.
It's important to note you wait until the dirt has dried before you start this step. Otherwise, if you try cleaning the stain while it's still damp, you'll just rub the particles further into the fabric making it harder to remove in the long run.
Begin by using light strokes in one direction to brush the surface of the shoe to remove loose particles and grit. When brushing, remember to brush with the grain (AKA, in the same direction the suede naturally sits).
For more stubborn marks, like scuff marks, apply more pressure and move the brush in a swift back-and-forth direction to help raise flattened suede fibres to further aid with cleaning.
If you don't have a suede brush, a clean nail brush or toothbrush will work just fine.
Similar to the approach we took with the suede brush for stubborn marks, a rubber or eraser is the next step up to tackling particularly difficult stains and requires the same rigorous back-and-forth pressure.
If you have a suede rubber, that's even better, but your regular pencil-case version will still work well – providing the rubber has been buffed free of any pre-existing stains first.
If, after a while, you decide it's still not working, don't force it – you don't want to go too hard on the suede and risk damaging the shoe.
While applying liquids such as white vinegar and rubbing alcohol might seem counter-intuitive, their acidic compositions mean they're actually brilliant at breaking down particle clumps – which is exactly what you want for cleaning.
Dip the corner of your flannel or wash cloth into a small bowl of vinegar or rubbing alcohol (being careful not to drench the whole cloth) and ring out any excess liquid. Delicately dab the damp corner against the stain on your shoe, massaging it into the suede. If more pressure is required, revert to the trusted back-and-forth motion.
The liquid will temporarily dampen the suede, altering the colour of the fabric before evaporating and returning it to its original colour. To determine if the stain has been properly removed, you might need to use multiple applications, allowing the suede to dry in between.
Keep working at the mark and redipping your flannel into the vinegar/alcohol, where necessary, to effectively remove the stain. The key to this step is repetition and patience – you don't ever want to soak your shoe. Remember, excess liquid is not good for suede.
Oh and one final note, don't worry about the smell of the liquids transferring onto your shoe as this will fade over time.
Having a run-in with an oily or greasy substance is not an instant game-over for your suede shoes either. There are many reasons why baking soda is a household essential, its great absorptive ability being one of them.
Before you start, you'll want to do a patch test to check how your footwear reacts to the baking soda. We'd recommend choosing a small spot at the back of your shoe where it will be least noticeable. If nothing seems off, you're ready to begin.
Carefully blot off any excess oil/grease with a clean cloth and sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain so that it is completely covered. Then leave it to sit for as long as possible. A few hours will do the trick, but leaving it overnight is ideal.
Once the waiting is over, gently remove the baking soda using a nail brush or suede brush before inspecting your handiwork. You'll want to repeat the process until you're satisfied.
The age-old saying 'prevention is better than cure' certainly rings true with suede shoes. But not all suede protectors are made equal.
Reviews often cite permanent colour changes when using particular products, so if you intend on using a protector, the best approach is to base your selection on customer ratings and reviews to avoid any unwanted results. And again, if in doubt – patch test.
Shop the top customer-rated suede cleaning products on Amazon:
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