When it comes to the art of cleaning, we all have a trick or two up our sleeve, whether it’s using a certain soap, washing by hand or in the machine, leaving it out in the sun, or even letting it soak. Sometimes, these tips are passed down generations, so your mom does the same thing your grandmother did, and she did it the same way she was taught as a child.
However, some items and fabrics are very delicate, and few people know how to clean them. One of them is suede, especially on shoes. Their soft and comfortable texture looks amazing, but walks too long in them, and they’ll end up covered in dirt, scratches and even holes. They are definitely one of the hardest items to clean.
But don’t worry, if you have a pair of suede shoes that you wish you could wear more often, we’re here to show you the best ways to clean them, so they always look amazing.
Tips and advice to clean suede shoes, depending on the type of stain:
Dust
These days, you’re probably not wearing your nice suede shoes very often, so they are most likely gathering dust in the back of your closet. To clean them, you only need a special shoe brush with soft bristles. If you don’t have one, you can also use an old toothbrush, and it’ll get the job done very well. Brush your shoes and then wipe them with a damp cloth.
Mud
If you were out and about and got your shoes covered in mud, don’t worry. Let them dry, and do the same thing you’d do with dust: brush and wipe with a damp cloth. If it’s not coming off easily, you can resort to a nail file, filing the mud away gently to get as much of it off as possible.
Water
You were wearing your shoes outside, and all of a sudden, it started raining. If it was only a light drizzle, rub your shoes with a dry cloth to eliminate any water on them. If you got soaked, put some newspapers inside your shoes before they dry, and if the stains are already very old, you need to spray them with a little water and dry them with a dry cloth. After you have done this, brush your shoes.
Grease
This one is a little tougher, so you’ll have to use chemical products. There are three options: ammonia (diluted in water, applied with a soft brush), talcum powder (if the stain is new), and a degreaser (using a damp cloth).
Humidity
To remove humidity stains, you need tonic water; yes, the kind you use to make G&T. Dampen a cloth with tonic water and rub it on the stains. Your shoes will be wet, so you’ll need to dry them with cotton and let them air dry. Never apply heat to them.
Paint
No matter the kind: acrylic, water-based, nail polish, ink… You will have to do the same thing as with mud, only you’ll have to repeat the process a few times. If the stains don’t come off, gently rub some acetone on them with a cotton round, then wipe with a damp cloth, and finally, brush.
