
- Use a suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in the same direction as the material rather than going against the grain.
- Use suede rubber (or a pencil eraser) to rub away any marks on the surface of the shoe.
- For stubborn stains, use a cloth dipped in white vinegar to scrub the fabric in alternating directions.
How to clean Suede Shoes in 5 Easy Steps?
- Use a suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in the same direction as the material rather than going against the grain.
- Use suede rubber (or a pencil eraser) to rub away any marks on the surface of the shoe.
- For stubborn stains, use a cloth dipped in white vinegar to scrub the fabric in alternating directions.
How to clean Suede Shoes at home?
Cleaning with Isopropyl Alcohol or Vinegar. These items are commonly found in many homes and you can easily use them for cleaning your dirty suede shoe. They help get tough grime off the suede material and make your footwear appear great again. Rubbing alcohol or vinegar can help treat stains that you have been unable to get off.
How to restore Suede Shoes at home?
Tools to Restore Nubuck/Suede Shoes
- Nubuck/Suede brush (with soft or brass bristles – I prefer the soft one); You can use an old toothbrush as an alternative.
- Rubber nubuck/suede brush or a regular eraser
- A soft brush, a toothbrush, or a sponge (for washing)
- Soap
- Bowl
- Old towel
- Paper towels or old newspaper
- Gloves (definitely recommended!)
What is the best suede shoe cleaner?
What is the Best Suede Shoe Cleaner?
- Best Overall: Jason Markk 3691 Suede Shoe Cleaner Eco-friendly, Non-toxic and biodegradable, Effective results
- Best-Budget: Angelus 8 Ounces Suede Shoe Cleaner Multi-purpose cleaner, Affordable, Easy to use
- Best for Suede: Crep Protect 200 ml Suede Shoe Cleaner Easy to use, Great results, Versatile cleaner

How to Clean Stained Suede Shoes
Some of the most common reasons for cleaning suede shoes are scuff marks, spills, watermarks, dirt, and other staining that makes them look old and worn.
How to Clean Suede Shoes With Vinegar
You don’t have to worry about damaging suede shoes and boots when you clean them with quickly evaporating cleaning solutions. Since you’ve had to dry your suede shoes before cleaning them, you might have guessed by now that cleaning suede with water is a no-go.
How to Clean Suede Shoes With Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a safe and effective cleaning and sanitizing solution that can tackle everything from i nk-stained shirts to dirty suede boots. You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean scuff marks on the sides of shoe soles and get them looking new again.
How to Get Grease Out Of Suede
Whether it’s a dollop of butter or a spatter of cooking oil, greasy substances will soak into suede very quickly and imbed themselves into the fibers. As with most stains, treating stains on suede while they’re fresh is recommended to avoid further damage.
How to protect suede shoes from stains?
Once they are clean (or when you first get them), spray a coat of suede protector spray on your shoes. This will help prevent further stains and marks. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Brushing and weatherproofing can really increase the lifespan of your suede.
How to keep suede shoes from getting moldy?
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0. If you're not going to be wearing your shoes for an extended period, wrap them in tissue paper and place them in a shoe box. Store them away from excess humidity and light, as suede can become moldy in moist conditions, and bright light may discolor your shoes.
How to get rid of scuff marks on shoes?
Use an eraser for stubborn marks. Scuffs and marks that won't brush out can often be removed by rubbing with a pencil eraser or a piece of crepe rubber (the crinkled rubber that many shoe soles are made from). You can also by a special suede eraser designed for just this task. Apply a moderate amount of pressure and increase as tougher marks require.
How to get scuff marks off suede shoes?
When you scuff your shoes, the suede's grain can get pressed down in one direction. Lift the grain by brushing scuffed areas vigorously back and forth. Again this is best done with a suede brush.
How to clean suede shoes?
Brush gently to remove dirt. Use the suede cleaning brush to lightly brush away dust or dirt that has accumulated on your shoes. Don't go back and forth: brush repeatedly towards the same direction. Once you get off this layer of grime, your shoes will already look newer. Try using the rubber side of your brush first.
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How to keep shoes from getting watery?
Stick paper and shoe trees in your shoes. Especially if you used a large amount of water, put dry paper in the shoes to help blot out excess water on the inside. Shoe trees (or just wads of paper) will help the shoes retain their original shape. Do not use newspaper because excess ink can soak into your shoes.
How to clean suede shoes in four steps
1. First, use a suede brush or toothbrush to gently brush off any dirt or loose particles on the surface of the shoe. Use light brush strokes to brush in the same direction as the grain/pattern, and for stubborn grime, use a back-and-forth motion to gently remove set-in dirt.
How to remove oil or grease stains from suede shoes
When you have an unfortunate grease stain on your shoes, it can be a nightmare. However, applying cornstarch to the area can soak up the grease and save the day! Simply leave the cornstarch on for a few hours before gently scraping off with a brush. Repeat until the stain has gone.
How to clean a suede kick?
I’ve had stains on suede kicks come right off with this tool! Lightly erase the mark on the suede that you are trying to clean. I like to use a slight lifting motion to move the dirt up and out of the suede. After a pass or two with the eraser, use the suede brush to sweep any bits of loose dust and dirt away from the sneaker.
How to use a suede brush?
Use of these brushes is simple, lightly brush the suede on the sneaker from front to back. You should not need to make too many passes on one area. You want to brush the dust and minor bits of dirt off and away from the suede. I use this tool often when I get a pair of suede kicks out of the box that have been sitting for a while. Within seconds, the suede brush will infuse those dull, dingy kicks with life!
How to clean dust off suede sneakers?
Sometimes you pull a pair out that you haven’t worn in a while, only to see the suede looks dull and maybe even a little dingy. The nylon brush can be used to dust off and freshen up suede sneakers.
What happens if suede gets wet?
If suede gets wet, one possible outcome is that the suede might harden and lose its texture once dry. For more serious times like this, a wire suede brush (Amazon Link) is a secret weapon. It’s not guaranteed to get the suede looking and feeling brand new again, but it can at least restore some texture to the sneaker and usually is under $10. This tool also works for materials like nubuck, as a nylon brush might be too soft for this type of suede.
How much does a nylon cleaning kit cost?
These nylon brushes usually come in a Suede Cleaning Kit (Amazon link). This kit should not run you more than $5-10. Besides the brush, the suede cleaning kits typically include a suede eraser (more on that later).
How to get texture back on suede?
The wire brush is used the same way as the nylon brush. If the shoe is wet, wait until it is completely dry before using this tool. Gently brush the suede or nubuck from front to back. With effort and a bit of luck, you may be able to get some texture back onto that suede!
What brush to use for kicks?
Basically, the stiffer bristles of the metal brush help with getting the surface of the kicks textured again. Proceed carefully with this brush, as you can damage the material with heavy or excessive use.
How to remove suede stain from a sandpaper?
Rub the eraser over the stains and don’t be afraid to apply a little pressure. Keep rubbing until the stain is gone. It can take a few minutes, so be patient. After you’ve removed the stain, bring out your brush and gently brush the suede , bringing back some of the nap and color lost during cleaning.
How to get scuffs out of suede?
For simple scuffs and marks, all you need is your suede brush. Just gently brush the suede to remove the stains. Be sure to brush the suede in one direction. This helps keep the material’s smooth appearance.
What is suede made of?
For those unaware, suede is actually a type of leather that is made from the underside of an animal’s skin. It is softer and more pliable, however, not as durable as the outer layer that is used to make smooth leather. In the guide below, we outline what you need to get started, how to clean and maintain leather, ...
Why do you dry clean suede shoes?
When cleaning suede, it’s important your shoes are dry. Suede is almost always dry-cleaned because water can have an adverse effect on the material.
How to get bubbles out of a brush?
Dip your brush into hot water and pour some cleaning solution on it. Apply the brush to the upper and gently scrub back and forth, working up a lather so the bubbles get to work.
How to clean a shoe midsole?
On the midsoles, you can use the cleaner and brush combination or — our pro-tip — a magic sponge. Apply more solution to the wet brush or magic sponge and scrub lightly until the midsole is clean. Wipe down the shoe with your towel and set it aside to dry.
How to remove dirt from sneakers?
Sorry, the video player failed to load. (Error Code: 104152) First, remove any excess dirt from your sneakers by knocking together the soles and using a soft brush to rub off any dirt. If you have shoe trees, use them to stuff your sneakers.
How to get oil stains out of suede shoes?
However, you can get out oil stains with a nail brush. Start off by scrubbing the stain with a suede brush, like you would for a scrape.
How to get grain back on suede shoes?
Place them in a well-ventilated area and let the shoes dry overnight. Once the shoes are dry, use the suede brush to gently brush the nap of the suede and release the grain back to its original look. If any stain remains, use the suede eraser to gently erase the marks.
How to remove scuff marks from suede?
You can lift the grain and remove scuff marks by vigorously brushing the scuffed area back and forth with your suede cleaning brush.
How to clean scuff marks off suede shoes?
To clean dirt and scuff marks off your suede shoes, you’ll need to get a suede brush. Before you begin, make sure that your shoes are dry to avoid damaging the material and spreading stains.
What to use on suede purses?
Using a leather conditioner on your suede purse will help it to maintain its attractive looks for much longer. A conditioner will also give your purse a new look and extend its lifespan.
What is suede made of?
Keeping your beautiful suede items presentable can be a bit of a challenge thanks to the material’s delicate nature. Suede is usually made from pig, doe, or cowhide, and can scuff easily, making it one of the more difficult materials to clean.
Why do you need to clean suede boots?
Suede is especially sensitive to dirt, water, and salt and should be routinely cleaned and cared for to help prevent unsightly stains and damage. If your boots are discolored, have blemishes, or are visibly dirty from wearing, they need to be cleaned.
1. Use a Dry Brush
Remove loose dirt from the outsole, midsole, and uppers using a dry, soft-bristled shoe brush. No shoe brush? No problem, an old toothbrush works fine.
3. Hand Wash the Laces
Remove the shoelaces and apply a small amount of the mild cleaning solution to them. Massage the laces with your hands, rinse, then dab dry with a soft cloth.
4. Wash the Soles
Apply the mild solution to a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or a wash cloth. Clean the outsole and midsole thoroughly, taking your time to clean every part of the soles. Dry with a soft cloth.
5. Wash and Blot the Uppers
Use the mild solution and a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush, or a soft damp cloth to clean the uppers. Take your time and don't scrub too hard.
6. Air Dry
Be sure to brush off loose dirt with a shoe brush or toothbrush before you wash the shoe with a cleaning solution.
