Suede has always had a reputation for getting dirty easily. Typically, if there is bad weather, or you are going somewhere that could be dirty you will avoid wearing suede.
That is because suede is a tricky material, especially when it is used to make shoes.
The issue is that some of the nicest shoes that are produced are made using suede. So, you will often find yourself torn between wanting to wear them, and not wanting to damage them.
But, when you spend money on a pair of shoes, this is not the position that you want to be in.
A lot of people don’t wear their suede shoes because they are under the impression that their shoes will be ruined if they get dirty.
But that isn’t the case. In fact, you can actually clean a commercial cleaner lot of dirt and stains off your suede shoes, as long as you know how to do this.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at how to clean suede shoes. So, to find out more, keep on reading.
Does Suede Get Dirty Easily?
Yes, suede does get dirty easily. Out of all the materials that are used to make clothing and furniture, suede is one of the most vulnerable to dirt.
This is because of the design of the suede. Unlike some materials such as cotton and leather, dirt does not easily wipe off suede. That is because the material of the suede is perfect for allowing dirt to stick to it.
But, the main issue with suede isn’t so much that it gets dirty easily. It is more so that it is difficult to clean.
As we have said, suede has a terrible reputation when it comes to cleaning, and this reputation alone is enough to deter people from buying suede clothing and furniture.
There are lots of materials that are difficult to clean, likewise, there are lots of materials that get dirty easily. But, unfortunately, suede has both of these properties, and this is why it is such a tricky material to work with.
So, if your suede shoes get dirty, can you clean them? Let’s find out.
Can You Clean Suede Shoes?
Even though it is difficult, it is not impossible. So, yes, you can clean suede shoes. Of course, the effectiveness of the cleaning will depend on a number of factors.
This will include how ingrained the stains are, how dirty your shoes were in the first place, and what you use to clean them.
But, with the right tools, you will usually be able to remove almost any stain off of your suede shoes. It is just important to remember that cleaning tasks such as this one will require a lot of patience, and often a lot of time too.
So, you should know this before you begin cleaning your shoes.
However, as well as having the right cleaning tools, you also need to know what you are doing. So, how do you clean suede shoes? Well, let’s find out.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
Cleaning suede shoes is difficult because it is a very tedious process, but in reality, it only takes around 4 steps to clean your suede shoes.
Cleaning your shoes will be more difficult if the stains are worse, but generally, you will be able to remove any stain from your suede shoes. So, let’s take a look at what you need to do this, and how to get started.
What You Need
- Suede brush.
- Eraser.
- Face cloth.
- White Vinegar.
- Suede Protector.
What To Do
Once you have gathered all the tools above, you will be ready to start cleaning your suede shoes. You can do this in just 4 steps, here they are:
Step 1 – Use The Suede Brush
First, you should take your suede brush and use this to remove as much dirt as possible from the surface of your suede shoes.
You should do this by using light strokes on the shoes as this will allow you to remove any loose grit and dirt that is clinging onto the shoe.
Suede is a material that has a natural grain, so when you do this, it is important to brush with the grain, not against it. Start with light strokes, then apply more pressure if you encounter areas where the stains are tougher.
If need be, you can even brush in a quick back-and-forth motion to loosen tough dirt.
Step 2 – Use The Eraser
Next, you should take your eraser to try to remove any marks that remain on the surface of your shoes.
The first step should have removed any loose dirt and debris from the shoes, so this step should aim to remove any of the stains that they leave behind.
When you are using the eraser, you should use a swift back-and-forth motion to try to remove as much dirt as possible. It is essential to be vigorous when doing this if you want to remove any stains.
Step 3 – Use The White Vinegar
When it comes to any stain, white vinegar is pretty good at removing it, and suede stains are no different.
So, if any stains remain on your shoes after the first two steps, you should take your face cloth and dip the corner into the white vinegar.
Ensure that you only apply a small amount of white vinegar to the cloth, it shouldn’t be soaked in it.
Then, you should take the face cloth and begin to use that corner to scrub the stains that remain on your shoes. To do this, you should use gentle but swift back-and-forth strokes if you want to loosen the stains.
This should leave your shoes looking as good as new.
Step 4 – Use The Suede Protector
Finally, you should apply a suede protector to your shoes. Every suede protector works slightly differently, so it is important to follow the instructions for the specific product that you have bought.
This might seem like an easy step to skip, but we would always recommend using a suede protector if you want to keep your shoes protected in the future.
Summary
In short, cleaning suede shoes is difficult, but it isn’t impossible. In this guide, we’ve taken a look at how to clean your suede shoes in just 4 steps. So, if you want to find out more, check out the guide above.
