A stylish pair of shoes never fail to make a bold fashion statement. Suede shoes are always an excellent choice for men who opt for stylish looks and comfortable wear. More casual than traditional polished leather, suede shoes can boost any wardrobe to the next level. Still skeptical about getting a pair? Perhaps, you think it’s hard to maintain or you’re just simply clueless about how to clean suede. So here are some easy ways how to clean suede shoes and keep them in tip-top shape longer.
Knowing About Suede
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Suede is known for its distinct velvety texture and feel. It is made primarily of sheepskin, but can also be sourced from deer and calves. Suede is the innermost layer of an animal’s hide prized for its soft and pliable qualities. Nowadays, any form of leather that’s been napped is considered suede.
Faux suede, commonly called suedette or synthetic suede, is composed of polyester and spandex materials. It is an imitation of natural suede that’s made from animal skin. Its denier fibers are mainly processed with napping, sanding, and colored with dye. This type of suede is widely used with white suede or black suede. Though made of synthetic material, keeping faux suede does require the same care as having original suede.
You can know more about different suede fabric leather materials to compare their quality and texture.
Take note that suede material is also delicate so stains and marks can easily set in. And knowing how to clean them the right way is equally valuable so you won’t damage your shoes.
Easy Ways To Keep Suede Shoes
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Cleaning suede shoes is much easier than you think. Taking time to clean shoes is worth it when it comes to suedes. They can very well be a fashion asset that can compliment any look. Suede shoes are also made to be durable and last longer with proper care and storage. You might also be interested to add a pair of Chelsea boots to your collection.
Here are easy steps you can do to keep your suedes looking at their best:
Remove dirt on the surface using a suede brush.
The stiff bristles of a suede brush act to lift out any dirt particles like mud or grit on shoe surfaces easily. Brush gently in a single direction to scrape off the dirt. To remove any deep-seated dirt on the nap, you can apply more pressure using a back and forth motion. The goal of brushing is to remove as much grime or mud from the top of the fabric.
Some tips for this step
- Allow your shoes to completely dry first before giving them a brush. Tip: Never soak or wash your suede shoes with soap and water. This can ruin the suede fibers and cause discolorations.
- If you don’t have a suede brush for shoes, a nail brush or a toothbrush can come in handy.
Next, rub off scuff marks with a suede rubber.
For deeply lodged stains and marks, a suede eraser can very well do the job. It’s specifically made to clean suede without damaging the material. Rub the eraser firmly with more pressure on the stains to draw out dirt from the suede material. Repeat until you completely get the scuff marks out. This will take some time but it’s worth the effort. Brush lightly to fluff out the nap after.
A good alternative to a suede eraser is the good old pencil eraser. Rub through the stain marks the same way you would use a suede block eraser. Do make sure that it doesn’t have any stains on it.
It’s best to know that there are different ways to treat different kinds of stains on suede shoes. A simple guide below will help you salvage your suede shoes and keep them looking good.
Give suede shoes a regular clean.
Always give your shoes a brush after each wear and make sure to remove any soil or dirt immediately. Work on the direction of the suede fiber grain to keep it from looking stringy and eventually break the fiber material. Brush in one direction all across the whole shoe. A good regular cleaning prevents dirt or stains from setting in.
A brass wire brush is a great tool to effectively clean deeper on suede fabric. You can also opt for a softer crepe brush that gives a gentler clean on suede.
Shave off stringy fibers with a razor.
If you find the naps are looking stringy and the fibers have bits of loose threads, you can trim it off with a shaving razor. Lightly scrape to remove excess threads to even out the fibers. You can finish off with light brush strokes.
Fluff to freshen the nap.
Suede can start to look flat or shiny with frequent wear. You can fluff the nap with a suede brush to lift the fibers up. You can also use a hard-bristled toothbrush or textured cloth. Rub all across the shoe surface with quick light strokes. Applying steam is also great to help soften the nap and give the suede fibers a lift.
Finish it off with a waterproofing spray.
Once you’re done giving your suede shoes a good fluff and cleaning, evenly spray a suede protector or waterproofing spray. Investing in a good suede cleaner for shoes and protectors helps keep it from water damage, makes it repel any form of dust and dirt damage. These can help seal the fibers and prevent shoe stains. Using a suede protector will also help maintain the suede texture of your shoes when you store them.
Treating Stains on Suede Shoes
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Different stains call for different measures. It’s important to know the right treatment for a specific suede stain to prevent your shoes from wearing out too soon.
Clean water stains.
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Because suede material is porous and less resistant to liquid, water stains are hard to avoid especially during winter or when you’re wearing suede shoes outdoors. If water is spilled on your suede shoes, a few quick dabs of a cloth or paper towel on the shoes will do the trick. Continue to do this until all the moisture is absorbed.
To clean water stains, tuck some paper towels inside the shoes as you clean them. This will quickly help absorb moisture. You can apply water to the shoe by using a sprayer or rubbing a thin layer of water on the shoes. Blot the shoes with paper towels. Continue to spray across the shoe surface while being careful not to drench the shoe fabric. Gently brush the shoe as you spray some more water and blot it with a paper towel to absorb the remaining moisture. Allow your shoes to completely dry then give your shoes some quick brush.
Apply white vinegar for heavy stains.
For stains that are harder to remove, applying small amounts of vinegar is the key. The white vinegar acts as an agent to lift the stain from the suede. Dampen a small soft cloth with white vinegar and apply it to the stain with a back and forth motion. Apply only small amounts with each attempt. Avoid soaking the stained spot with vinegar. Repeat the process until the stains are no longer visible. Leave it to completely dry after cleaning.
Treat tough stains with alcohol.
Another trick to remove stubborn stains is applying rubbing alcohol. Dampen a clean cloth with alcohol and gently rub over the stain in a circular motion. Apply some pressure to get more of the stains out. Let the shoes dry and fluff the nap with a brush to take off any residue.
Clean off oil stains or grease with dishwashing soap.
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The common dishwashing soap used to clean grease on dishes is just as effective to remove oil stains and grease on suede shoes. You can put small amounts of liquid soap on the stain and let it settle for several minutes. Wash the soap off with a small amount of water each time until you have removed all the soap residue. You can also use a wet soft cloth to remove soap to refrain from soaking your shoes with water.
Take off wax or gum with an art gum eraser.
How to get gum off shoes is probably one of the most annoying scenarios when cleaning footwear. While it takes extra effort to remove wax or gum from suede shoes, it can be done with a few simple steps. You can start by removing as much solid debris on the shoe surface until you’re left with just a small portion of the wax or gum. Use an art gum eraser to rub off the residue until they flake off the fabric.
Knowing how to clean suede shoes doesn’t have to be a hassle
Knowing how to clean suede shoes is really not that difficult. Suede shoes are durable and can last long with the right cleaning, care, and storage. Cleaning and keeping a pair don’t have to be much of a hassle. It only takes a few simple steps to keep it from wearing out and being damaged. Now that you know how to keep your suede shoes clean, there’s no reason not to invest in a pair of loafers for men to keep you fashionable and warm for the winter months.
