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TIPS FOR CLEANING SUEDE
Prevention is Better Than Cure
After doing a lot of research on the subject of cleaning suede the first thing you will discover is that you want to protect your suede item when it is new. This is best done with a spray designed for this purpose and is usually for sale where you purchase your suede shoes, suede jackets or other suede items. Such a product is for sale above: Shoe M-G-K Water and Stain Repellent.
But if you are reading this article then the odds are that you have already past the point of
preventative measures, or despite your efforts to protect your suede item when it was new, it has still gotten dirty or stained anyway. For those of you in this category, numerous tips and
suggestions for cleaning suede and removing stains in suede are included below.
What is Suede?
To properly care for your suede it might help to know what it is.
Suede is produced by buffing the flesh side of the hide. This is the opposite side of the hide used for most shiny leathers such as those used on leather shoes and jackets. Buffing the flesh side raises the fibers and produces a velvet nap effect.
Nubuck is produced in a similar manner but in this case the grain side or outer side of the hide is buffed to produce a velvet nap effect.
How to Clean Suede
As covered above, the best way to clean suede is to not have to clean it at all. In other words, protect it when it is new before you start wearing or using your suede item.
Failing that the choice is between getting the item professionally cleaned or cleaning it yourself.
If it is a very expensive item, you may want to get it professionally cleaned, just to be sure.
For those of you who want to clean it yourself, the following are offered as tips and suggestions only and while they have worked for some, they may not work for you. It is the responsibility of the reader to test and judge these procedures for themselves.
Tenderly Leather Cleaner & Conditioner:
One suggestion is to apply Tenderly leather cream to the entire suede shoe (or suede item) with
the sponge applicator provided. Any stubborn or stained areas can be rubbed with extra pressure using the sponge applicator to help lift or remove the stain. Leave it overnight to fully dry and then buff lightly with a bath towel to return some of the nap and remove the dirt and other impurities. A suede brush can then be used to fully raise the nap.
The advantage of doing the whole shoe or item is that you don't end up with "clean spots" with
some parts looking lighter than others due to being cleaner.
Steam:
If you have a steamer (such as those used to steam shirts and suits) you can hold the suede item about 6 inches above the steam jet. Keep the amount of moisture penetrating the suede leather to a minimum, and just leave it in the steam long enough to heat the suede. Once heated use a special suede brush to brush the nap back up. This should also brush out most dirt and other particles, remove stains and give the suede a clean new look.
Another suggestion is to create the steam you need by boiling a pot of water and placing your
item over the pot and follow the procedure described above.
Rolled Oats:
Using the oats that you would get for making oatmeal or porridge, rub the suede all over with the oats. Leave the powder overnight and the next morning brush the item with a suede brush (such as that offered for sale at the top of this page).
Talcum Powder:
For oil and grease stains, try sprinkling talcum powder on the area and leave it overnight to
absorb it. Then use a suede brush to raise the nap.
Pencil Eraser:
Many suede stains can be removed with a white pencil eraser. First rub the suede with a bath
towel to restore some of its nap. Then rub the affected area(s) with a white pencil eraser, then brush with a suede brush. You will find this will remove many stains.
The eraser bar that comes with the "Suede Magic: Suede Brush & Eraser Bar" in our suede products section is designed for this purpose and will work better then the pencil eraser.
Sandpaper/Nail File:
Using very fine sandpaper or a nail file (not a metal nail file) you can get most stains to come right off. Gently rub the nail file or sandpaper over the stained area until the stain disappears.
Vinegar:
As a last resort you can use white vinegar. This could be considered a "homemade suede cleaner". It is important that it is properly applied and only a very small amount is used. Take a damp cloth and add a small amount of vinegar to the cloth. Gently rub the surface of the suede shoe or suede item and then allow it to air dry.
This may result in a mild odor due to the vinegar.
Protecting Suede Shoes
Waterproof sprays or "Suede Guards" need to be re-applied from time to time. If you read the
instructions on the product you purchase, you will usually see such information. Waterproofing sprays are not permanent and will wear off.
If your suede shoes ever get excessively wet, due to rain or puddles, it is best to let them dry overnight with paper stuffed inside of them (newspaper will work in most cases, but make sure the ink won't run and stain your shoes). The paper helps absorb the moisture, but will also help the shoes keep their shape when they dry. Failure to do so could result in the toe of the shoe curling up and cracks forming across the top of the shoe.
* Due to demand from our customers, we have recently added an entire range of suede care products to our website as covered at the top of this page. We are however always on the look out for new effective suede care products and these will be added to our store from time to time. If you would like to be informed when new products are added to our product list, follow the below link and select "New Products" at the bottom of the sign-up page. Feel free to sign up for any other newsletters or lists that may also interest you:
Sign up to be informed of new products.
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How to Clean Suede. Clean Suede Shoes. Clean Suede Jackets.
How to clean suede shoes, jackets and other suede items. Tips for removing stains from suede. How to remove oil and grease from suede shoes. Homemade suede cleaner.
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How to Clean Suede. Clean Suede Shoes. Clean Suede Jackets.
How to clean suede shoes, jackets and other suede items. Tips for removing stains from suede. How to remove oil and grease from suede shoes. Homemade suede cleaner.
How to clean suede, how to clean suede shoes, how to clean suede boot, how to clean suede jacket, clean suede furniture, you clean suede leather, how to clean a suede couch, you clean suede sofa, clean suede coats, spot clean suede, how to clean suede purse, clean faux suede, suede cleaner, suede shoes cleaner, suede leather cleaner, homemade suede cleaner, you clean suede leather.
How to Clean Suede. Clean Suede Shoes. Clean Suede Jackets.
How to clean suede shoes, jackets and other suede items. Tips for removing stains from suede. How to remove oil and grease from suede shoes. Homemade suede cleaner.
How to clean suede, how to clean suede shoes, how to clean suede boot, how to clean suede jacket, clean suede furniture, you clean suede leather, how to clean a suede couch, you clean suede sofa, clean suede coats, spot clean suede, how to clean suede purse, clean faux suede, suede cleaner, suede shoes cleaner, suede leather cleaner, homemade suede cleaner, you clean suede leather.
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