Suede is a staple of women’s fashion this fall. But if wearing a suede shoe is essential this season, so is knowing how to clean the stain-friendly material. Cooler days and longer evenings bring puddles hidden under fallen leaves. Random bursts of rain leave mud in their wake. We’ve been there: Walking down the street for an afternoon coffee pick-me-up, styling a pair of suede clogs with a cozy outfit, you get hit with a splash of something on your shoes (and probably even socks). Suddenly, not even a cup of your favorite mocha will make up for the grunt work of restoring that suede footwear to its original, pristine state. Lucky for you, we’ve got a few tips to make that task just a little bit easier.
Brush Off Extra Dirt
Are your suede shoes still wet from the unfortunate puddle you stepped in? Stop. Put the pair of shoes down, and let that excess moisture air dry before you pick up any kind of soap or suede eraser. Be sure to avoid drying the shoes under direct sunlight, as that can cause further damage. Dry time is key, because if your shoes are still wet when you start the cleaning process, you’ll just wind up rubbing in more grime.
Once the shoes are moisture-free, your first step is to brush away any superficial dirt. We recommend using a suede brush if you have one on hand; otherwise, a nail brush, toothbrush, or anything with bristles will suffice. While brushing, try to follow the grain of the suede with a gentle amount of pressure. Should you encounter unsightly scuff marks, apply elbow grease: brush back and forth with a bit more pressure to agitate the fibers and get those dirt particles moving.
Use Rubber for Tough Stains
If you have a suede rubber lying at the bottom of an everything drawer, this is its time to shine. If not, you can use a pencil eraser, or any kind of rubber eraser, to rub out stubborn stains or marks that are still catching your eye. Apply additional pressure while attempting to rub out these stains, but don’t go crazy. Rub too hard, and you risk damaging the fabric.
Try White Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol
White vinegar is often regarded as a holy grail household cleanser, for both stains and surfaces. Easily accessible and environmentally conscious, vinegar uses its acidic makeup to break 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.
Don’t be alarmed if the area you patted turns a darker color. Whether you have bright pink clogs or orange suede boots, the material should return to its original color once it dries. If the stain is still there after air drying, repeat this process until you see improvement. Excess liquid will only do more damage to the shoe (especially if that’s how you got here in the first place), so resist the temptation to soak or dunk your suede footwear in the vinegar or alcohol to speed up the process. Repeated patting is slow and tedious, but very much worth the effort.
Don’t Underestimate Baking Soda, Cornstarch, or Liquid Dish Soap
You may feel intimidated by oil and grease stains. Conventional wisdom is that these stains are impossible to remove, so we understand your hesitation. But don’t back down from this fight! Products you almost certainly have at home—baking soda, cornstarch, and liquid dish soap—can take on these most challenging of splotches.