How do you get stains out of suede

No matter what you’ve got on your suede, clean it immediately by rubbing it with a clean towel. Then, for a dry stain try rubbing a white pencil eraser over it. If you’ve got a water stain, blot it with a dry cloth. Trying to remove a coffee, tea, or juice stain? Put a couple of paper towels over the stain and apply pressure with your hands or by putting a book on top. If you’re dealing with oil or grease, try blotting the excess, sprinkling baking soda on it, and letting it sit for 2-3 hours before brushing it away. If you want to learn how to use a suede brush to clean, keep reading!

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How to clean suede shoes: it's an age-old question. As impractical as they may be, we can't help having a strong sartorial affinity for them. They're versatile, classy and, more often than not, super comfortable - just ask Elvis Presley.

What we don't like, however, is when they (inevitably) get dirty and need cleaning. You'd be forgiven for thinking your dirty suedes are a lost cause. After all, how do you clean something that you can't even get wet? But have no fear, as there is a way to clean your suede shoes, and it's possible to salvage them from all kinds of dirt.

Even better, the trick for cleaning your suede shoes is actually pretty simple, and it uses everyday household products, meaning you won't have to fork out for some fancy equipment (though a suede brush and some suede protector can be good investments to make).

All you'll need is a rubber or eraser, some white vinegar, baking soda, a flannel or face cloth, a suede brush or nail brush, and some suede protector if you have it.

So, as long as you have the right bits and bobs lying around your house, you'll be all set to get your suede shoes looking as good as new. And, believe us: it actually works.

Here are five easy steps for quickly and effectively cleaning suede boots, trainers, heels and sandals:

1. Start by using a suede brush to remove any excess dirt and grit from the surface of the shoe
2. Next, use a rubber/eraser to try and shift the remaining marks
3. If a stain still doesn't budge, try white vinegar
4. If a stain is from oil or grease, try baking powder
   
5. Finish with a suede protector
   

Scroll down for the full instructions, including materials and in-depth guides for each step

What you'll need:

• A suede brush/nail brush
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• A flannel or face cloth
• Eraser/Rubber

Instructions:

1. Start by using the suede brush to remove any excess dirt and grit from the surface of the shoe

If you don't have a suede brush, a clean nail brush or toothbrush will work just fine. Begin by using light strokes to brush the surface of the shoe to remove loose particles and grit. When brushing, remember to brush with the grain (AKA, in the same direction the suede naturally sits).

For more stubborn marks, like scuff marks, apply more pressure and move the brush in a swift back and forth direction to help raise flattened suede fibres to further aid with cleaning.

If the dirt is still wet, wipe off the excess and leave it to dry before removing the particles with a brush. If you try cleaning the stain while it's still damp, it can often work the particles deeper into the suede, making it harder to remove in the long run.

2. Next, use the rubber to try and shift the remaining marks

If you have a suede rubber, that's even better, but your regular pencil-case version will still work well, providing the rubber has been buffed free of any pre-existing stains first.

Think of this as a slightly more rigorous approach for clearing scuff marks by using constant, back and forth pressure to help dislodge any surplus particles. If, after a while, you decide it's still not working, don't force it - you don't want to go too hard on the suede and risk damaging the shoe.

3. If the stain still won't budge, try white vinegar or rubbing alcohol

While applying liquids such as white vinegar and rubbing alcohol might seem counter-intuitive, their acidic compositions mean they're actually brilliant at breaking down particle clumps - which is exactly what you want for cleaning.

Dip the corner of your flannel/face washer into a small bowl of vinegar or rubbing alcohol (be careful not to drench the whole cloth) before applying to the stain and massaging it into the suede in a back and forth motion. The aim here is to dampen the suede, not soak it.

Keep working at the mark and reapplying vinegar/alcohol, where necessary, to effectively remove the stain. The key to this step is repetition and patience. While both liquids have their own smells, this will fade over time.

Note: Vinegar and alcohol will temporarily dampen the suede, altering the colour of the fabric before evaporating and returning it to its original colour. To determine if the stain has been properly removed, you might need to use multiple applications.

4. If a stain is from oil or grease, try baking powder

Having a run-in with an oily or greasy substance is not an instant game-over for your suede shoes either. There are many reasons why baking soda is one of the most useful household products to have at home, and its great absorptive ability is one of them.

Before you start, you'll want to do a patch test to check how your footwear reacts to the baking soda. If nothing seems off, you're ready to begin.

Carefully blot off any excess oil/grease with a clean cloth and sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain so that it is completely covered. Then leave it to sit for as long as possible. A few hours will do the trick, but leaving it overnight is ideal.

Once the waiting is over, gently remove the baking soda using a nail brush or suede brush before inspecting your handiwork. You'll want to repeat the process until you're satisfied.

5. Finish with a suede protector

The age-old saying 'prevention is better than cure' certainly rings true with suede shoes. But not all suede protectors are made equal.

Reviews often cite permanent colour changes when using particular products, so if you intend on using a protector, the best approach is to base your selection on customer ratings and reviews to avoid any unwanted results.

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