Step-by-step guide to cleaning suede shoes

Beautiful suede shoes: they are a sight to behold. Until they get dirty. Is there a stain or have they gotten wet? That's unfortunate, and naturally, you want to do something about it. However, cleaning suede isn't that easy. Before you know it, you might cause more damage than was already there. That's why we explain the best way to go about it.

Shoes made of suede, leather, and, for example, canvas deserve special treatment. If you consider the material used, it becomes easier to clean them properly. Use a special brush, be cautious with too much moisture or water, and always use a clean cloth. Moreover, it's generally not a good idea to put the shoes in the washing machine. It's better to clean the shoes by hand.

What is suede?

To clean suede shoes properly, it's initially important to know what it is. It's a delicate material used for both shoes and other clothing. It's the 'backside' of the leather you might know, used for bags and shoes. The inside is known as suede and has a slightly hairy texture. This gives it a beautiful appearance and makes it susceptible to moisture and dirt.

Good suede shoes have a long lifespan and stay beautiful for a long time. That's precisely why it's worth cleaning it properly if it accidentally becomes damp, wet, or dirty. In this article, we explain how to do that.

Cleaning suede: here's how

If you want to clean suede, it's important to use a special brush for that. This brush is specifically designed for the short hairs, to clean them without causing damage. This is how you clean suede shoes and have the opportunity to restore the material.

Follow these steps to clean your suede shoes

1. With a suede brush
2. Restoring suede
3. Removing water stains

1. With a suede brush

To clean suede shoes, you can order a suede brush and a complete cleaning set. This is useful because the materials are specifically designed to clean suede shoes. The brush has a steel bristle on one side and a rubber bristle on the other. This way, you can clean and treat the suede properly without damaging the material. Use the brush with metal bristles in one direction over the shoes. You'll notice they immediately start to look neat. And if you notice wear spots? Then it helps to brush a bit more vigorously or roughly. This loosens the hairs and makes them stand upright again, restoring the shoes to their original appearance when you bought them new.

2. Restoring suede

Does the suede require a more robust approach, so you want to restore it? Use the soft side of the brush to roughen the material and the hard side to clean the suede. Special brushes and other sets are available to clean the suede properly. Always do this carefully, especially with wear spots. Gradually apply more pressure until you see the hairs again. This way, you restore the suede, making it look like new.

3. Removing water stains

Are there water stains on the suede or do you have rings? That's very annoying, but you can probably solve it. Use the suede brush with metal bristles by adding a little water to it. Apply this over the entire shoe and rub it in lightly. Then dab off the excess water with a dry cloth. Applying the water evenly will remove the rings or stains.

Use this step-by-step guide to clean suede shoes

Use our step-by-step guide to clean suede shoes or models with a mix of materials. If you clean the shoes neatly, you'll keep them looking new for as long as possible.

And if you order new suede shoes? on dressed.com We collaborate with more than 100 online stores. Use the tips above to keep your shoes looking nice for a long time.