When it comes tofall dressing, breaking out your favorite suede boots is a time-honored tradition.
But knowing how to clean suede shoes?
That isnt always a given.
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It is, however, a necessary skill.
After all, who amongst us hasnt suffered a sudden suede shoe disaster?
Youre walking down the street for an afternoon coffee, when surprise!
Youre hit with a splash of something on your favoritesuede shoes.
It comes with the season.
Cooler days and longer evenings bring puddles hidden under fallen leaves.
Random bursts of rain leave mud in their wake.
A stranger at a crowded party spills a drink on your feet.
Let them dry
Are your suede shoes still wet from the unfortunate puddle you stepped in?
Be sure to avoid drying theshoesunder direct sunlight or with heat, as that can cause further damage.
A nail file can also work, as long as you operate gently.
While brushing, have a go at follow the grain of the suede with a gentle amount of pressure.
Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don’t go crazy.
Rub too hard, and you risk damaging the fabric.
Easily accessible and environmentally conscious, vinegars unique acidic makeup is a whizz at breaking down stains.
Another readily available household staple that has similar effects is rubbing alcohol.
Once you decide which cleaning product to use, dampen a washcloth or flannel and lightly dab the stain.
And remember: the operative word is lightly.
That said, dont be alarmed if the area youve patted turns a darker color.
If the stain is still there after air drying, repeat this process carefully until you see improvement.
Repeated, gentle patting may be slow and tedious, but it will be very worth the effort.
Conventional wisdom is that these stains are impossible to remove, so hesitation is understandable.
But dont back down from this fight!
For grease stains that youve just noticed and aren’t sure how old they are, try dish soap.
Again, dont soak the shoethe rule about excess liquid applies to soap and water, too.
This is also a good trick for salt stains.
With salted sidewalks and melting snow, these pesky marks become more common as the season progresses.
Mix cold water and a dash of dish soap before dampening a paper towel and patting the stain.
Friendly reminder: Pat, dont rub.
Use water to combat water stains
Yes, it is very important not to soak your suede shoes.
Grab an empty (and clean!)
spray bottle to lightly spray water on the surface of the shoe.
Water is the top reason suede gets ruined, so be careful when spritzing.
What not to do when cleaning suede?
As mentioned, its important to avoid soaking your suede shoes in water or anything else.
Let the shoes dry completely before handling them or trying to remove any stains.
Do not put suede in the washing machine.
Its also important to avoid using harsh chemicals orhousehold cleaning productson suede.
Shoe polish is another big no-no.
A Magic Eraserwhich is also primarily made of baking sodacan be super useful for removing stains on suede.
However, avoid using it in excess and always be gentle when rubbing anything on suede.
Another thing to avoid when it comes to suede is heat.
Can suede get wet?
In a word, no.
It can also cause shrinkage.
Try your best not to wear suede on days where it might rain or drizzle.
Dont wear suede in the snow.
