SUEDE shoes and boots are a staple of any fashion lover's cool-weather wardrobe.
However, their smooth material is often susceptible to water stains, salt residue, scuff marks, and general grime.
How can you clean suede shoes?
If you struggle with the pain of stains on your favorite suede shoes, have no fear; we've rounded up the best techniques and tools you'll need to make them look brand new.
How you clean them will likely vary based on what kind of stain you're trying to remove from the shoe.
Water stains
If you've ever cringed when you stepped halfway into a puddle and ended up with a water line on your favorite suede shoes, then this section is for you.
All you'll need is:
- a spray bottle with lukewarm water
- a suede brush (or a toothbrush, if you're in a pinch)
- paper towels
- bonus: weatherproofing spray
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While it might seem counter-intuitive, getting water stains out of suede shoes is actually most straightforward with more water.
Simply spritz your shoes, then rub gently in the same direction as the suede runs with your brush.
Finally, blot the shoes with paper towels, and stuff them with paper towels too, to absorb any excess water from absorbing into the material.
Let them dry, and repeat if necessary.
Bonus tip: treat your suede shoes with a waterproofing solution, and reapply as often as you wear them in rainy conditions.
This will keep you from getting major water stains on your shoes in the future.
Dirt and mud
No matter how hard you try, you'll probably end up with a dirt or mud stain on your precious suede boots at one time or another.
All you'll need is:
- a suede brush or toothbrush
- a nail file
- a suede leather eraser or clean pencil eraser
- bonus: a steamer and paper towels
Start by letting any fresh mud dry.
Next, you'll want to brush off any of the dirt with your toothbrush or suede brush, going back and forth with the grain of the material.
If there's still some deeply caked dirt, grab your eraser and gently get down into the spot.
If the dirt doesn't come out completely, use a nail file and very gently rub the stain.
Bonus tip: if you own a steamer, you can simply steam the area where the dirt is and then blot it out with paper towels.
Let it dry, and repeat if necessary.
General Stains
For general stains, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol can remove the residue built up on your suede shoes.
All you'll need is:
- white vinegar or rubbing alcohol
- a soft cloth
- a dry towel
Pour the white vinegar or rubbing alcohol onto a soft cloth and begin slowly rubbing it into the stain.
Allow the fabric to dry and brush the area with a dry towel that will fully remove the stain.
To protect your suede belongings from future stains, you can purchase a suede protectant spray.
The protectant spray can be purchased on Amazon or at your local Walmart, Target, or in some drugstores like CVS or Walgreens.
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