Ways How to Remove Stains from Suede Shoes – Safe & Easy

Suede shoes are sleek and gorgeous but the downside is that they can get stubbornly stained. And, because of the velvety nap material, you need to be careful when cleaning them. So, how do we easily and safely remove stains from our suede shoes?

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Types of Suede Stains

The soft, fuzzy material of suede is susceptible to stains from moisture, dirt, oil, food, and other grime, especially if you wear them in terrible weather.

The soft, plush material makes it easy for stains to settle deeper into the material. Therefore, stains become a particular pain in the butt when owning and wearing suede shoes.

How to Remove Stains from Suede Shoes

Using a suede cleaner is probably the best and safest way to remove stains from suede shoes since they are designed specifically for different kinds of suede shoes and different types of stains.

But However, if you cannot get your hands on a suede cleaner, there are a few simple household things that you can use to remove stains on your suede shoes:

White vinegar,
Rubbing alcohol,
Water, and baking soda.

A tip to remember before you start cleaning your shoes: Put enough crumpled paper (like a newspaper or used computer paper) inside the shoes so they keep their natural shape while you work on them.

Recommended suede cleaner to clean suede shoes

The UGG Shoe Care Kit is a great all-in-one suede shoe cleaning kit that comes with everything you will need to clean your suede shoes.

Click here to check out the UGG Shoe Care Kit on Amazon.

How to Get Water Stains Out of Suede Shoes

There are two kinds of water stains that you may be faced with: dry and wet. Both can be cleaned.

If your water stains are still wet, use a soft bristled suede brush and gently brush the stained area in one direction until the stain is removed. This will get rid of the moisture from the fibers of the material without damaging them. If your shoes got hit with more than just water, ensure any dirt or other grime is cleaned first.

If your water stains have dried, you will need to add some water. That sounds counterproductive, right? But hear me out. You are not going to saturate your shoes until they are dripping. Instead, put some clean water in a spray bottle and spritz some over the stained area.

The moisture will soften the stiff stained area and make it easy to brush out. You may need to add more water but let the material fully dry each time before you add more. You can use a blow dryer to dry the shoes and then use your brush to brush the fibers.

Video: HOW TO CLEAN & MAINTAIN SUEDE SHOES (AT HOME)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x08lOAK7waQ

HOW TO CLEAN & MAINTAIN SUEDE SHOES (AT HOME) – 3 EASY WAYS | JAIRWOO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x08lOAK7waQ)

How To Get Dirt Stains Out Of Suede Shoes

Dirt stains can be surface-level or deeper. This will determine how you need to clean them.

For surface-level stains, the cleaning process is simple:

Make sure your shoes are dry.
Use a clean towel to brush up the fibers of the suede, This will loosen up the material and expose any dirt hiding under and between the fibers.

Use a pencil eraser to erase stains. Yes! That sounds crazy but it works. The rubber eraser removes dirt and stains.
When finished, use your suede brush to brush the material in one direction and let it set.

For deeper stains, you can use white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or baking soda.

Here is what to do:

After brushing your shoes with a suede brush or clean towel, pour some white vinegar or rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth.
Gently rub the liquid into the stained area and keep rubbing for a few minutes. You do not need to apply too much pressure.

Let the material dry and then use a clean towel or a suede brush to brush the fibers out.
If you are using baking soda instead, just sprinkle some onto the stain and use a suede brush or a soft toothbrush to brush the area. Let the powder sit on the stain for about 15 minutes and then brush it off.

How to Get Oil & Grease Stains Out Of Suede Shoes

For oil and grease stains on your suede shoes, you will need some baking powder.

Here is what to do:

Start by making sure your shoes are dry.

Then use a suede brush to brush away excess dirt or grime.
Do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of your shoes using baking soda first to make sure it will not damage the shoes.
If it is safe, then blot away any excess grease or oil with a clean cloth.

Then sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stain until the whole area is covered.
Let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
Then use the suede brush to brush off the baking soda. The oil and grease should roll right off with the baking soda.

Repeat until you are satisfied.

How To Get Food Stains Out Of Suede Shoes

For food stains, salt stains, or even wine stains on your suede shoes, you can use white vinegar.

The acetic acid in white vinegar will be strong enough to get rid of the stains without damaging the suede material.

Here is what to do:

After brushing your shoes with a suede brush or clean towel, pour some white vinegar onto a clean cloth.
Gently rub the liquid into the stained area and keep rubbing for a few minutes. You do not need to apply too much pressure.

Let the material dry and then use a clean towel or a suede brush to brush the fibers out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can water stain suede shoes?

Yes, water can stain suede shoes, especially if it is dirty water.

The water will get the material stiff and the watermark will be visible on the shoes. However, this can be cleaned. Check the section above in the article that says “How To Get Water Stains Out Of Suede Shoes”

Can I use a magic eraser on suede shoes for stains?

Yes, you can use a magic eraser on suede shoes for stains, but you need to be gentle.

Magic erasers are abrasive, so you do not want to scrub too hard. It may also remove some of the dye from the shoes, so it is best to stick to white suede or suede that has not been dyed.