How to Clean Suede Shoes (Without Ruining Them)

As a shoe lover who has quite a few suede shoes in her closet, I was always scared to wear my suede shoes out unless the weather was perfect. Suede can be so tricky because of it’s delicate nap that absorbs moisture making them so easy to damage.

However, I’m in the camp of either wear it or get rid of it so I had to figure out how to clean suede shoes at home. And lucky for us all, it’s not that hard! With the right tools, you can get most stains out of your pair of shoes at home. To help you out, I’ve created an easy to follow guide on how to clean suede shoes in six easy steps so that you can wear your suede shoes without worry.

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A Few Things to Know Before You Clean Suede Shoes 

Suede is a type of leather made from the underside of animal skin. Despite the fact that it’s made from leather, its look and feel are entirely different. Unlike leather’s smooth, solid, and polished appearance, suede has a fuzzy, delicate nap finish that looks soft and velvety.

Because the nap is porous, suede absorbs moisture easily. This can cause staining, discoloration, stiffness, or uneven texture once the shoes dry. This is why you don’t want to use water when cleaning your suede shoes.

In terms of durability, suede falls in the middle ground between general fabrics and tough leather. Generally used for shoes, jackets, bags, furniture, and other items, suede is lighter and more affordable than leather.

Before cleaning your suede shoes, it’s also important to know when not to DIY:

• Deep grease or oil stains that have fully soaked in
• Severe dye transfer (like dark jeans bleeding onto light suede)
• High-end or designer suede shoes, where improper cleaning could permanently damage the material

In those cases, a professional suede or leather cleaner is the safer option.

Let’s move on to how to clean your suede shoes!

Products You’ll Need

Before getting to the step-by-step instructions, here are some tools to have handy:

• Soft-bristle brush
• Hard-bristle suede brush (this brush is both soft and hard!)
• Clean towel, paper towels or a soft cloth to wipe off stains, dust, and smudges
• White vinegar
• A suede eraser
• Shoe tree

Step 1. Dry Brush to Remove Surface Dirt

The first thing to know about cleaning a pair of suede shoes: Never clean them when they’re wet. Always start with dry shoes.

Using a soft bristle suede brush, gently rub the shoe’s surface in one direction to scrape the grime off the top layer. A soft bristle brush is used for daily maintenance and light cleaning. This can (and should) be done regularly to keep your shoes clean.

Before you start rubbing, take note of the suede’s natural resting direction of the fibers and make sure to brush in the same direction and not against it to prevent undue stress to the fabric.

Use your hard bristle brush for set in stains or spots that need a little extra cleaning. A cleaning brush can often times get a lot of the dirt and minor stains out!

Step 2. Lift Scruffs With a Suede Eraser

Use a suede rubber or a regular pencil eraser to remove stains or scuff marks that are deeper in the suede (as you can see in my suede boots). Since erasers contain a chemical compound that disintegrates upon contact with suede, it’s easier to pluck deeply sunken dirt and contaminants from the material’s fiber.

To do this, you’ll want to firmly rub the eraser over the stain until it’s gone. Rub gently to slowly build friction and brush again after to restore the texture.

Step 3. Treat Stubborn Stains the Right Way

Are you battling specific stains on your suede shoes? Here’s how you can get rid of some of the most common stains:

Water Stains

The key to fixing water stains is even moisture, not soaking the shoes.

Start by lightly misting the entire surface of the shoe with clean water. You want the suede to be evenly damp—not wet. This helps blend the stain into the surrounding area so it doesn’t dry with harsh lines.

Next, gently blot the shoes with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Avoid rubbing, which can flatten or damage the suede nap. Allow them to fully dry than brush them out.

(Find some of my favorite waterproof shoes here!

Dirt or Mud Stains

Regardless of where you walk, small particles of mud can accumulate on your shoe’s surface. When it comes to mud stains, you need to let the mud dry completely before trying to clean it. Dried mud crumbles off the shoe surface easily and you can use a brush to break off the dried dirt.

Oil or Grease

Oil and grease stains can set quickly, so it’s best to treat them as soon as possible. Start by gently blotting the area with a clean cloth to absorb excess oil but don’t don’t rub. Next, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda over the stain, fully covering it with a light mound. These powders help draw the oil out of the suede without damaging the nap.

Let it sit for 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the severity of the stain. Once it’s had time to work, lightly brush or tap away the powder and reassess. If the stain is still visible, you can repeat the process.

If the oil doesn’t lift after a couple of attempts or if the shoes are light-colored or high-end, your safest option is to take them to a professional suede cleaner.

Ink Stains

Ink stains on suede are tricky and often best handled by a professional, especially if the shoes are light-colored or high-end.

If the ink is still wet, gently dab the area with a paper towel to absorb excess ink but remember, don’t rub. For dried ink, lightly blot the stain with a clean cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol, using minimal pressure.

Let the area dry completely, then use a suede eraser to lift any remaining marks and restore the nap. If the stain doesn’t improve quickly, stop and take the shoes to a professional suede cleaner to avoid making it worse.

Step 4: Spot Clean With Vinegar or Alcohol (If Needed)

If a stain is still lingering, you can spot clean using white vinegar or rubbing alcohol.

Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with your chosen cleaner and gently dab the stain, working from the outside edges inward. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing, which can spread the stain and damage the suede nap. Use only enough product to treat the area—do not soak the suede.

It’s normal for suede to look darker or slightly discolored while it’s wet. Don’t panic! This typically fades as the vinegar or alcohol evaporates.

Once you’re done, allow the shoes to air dry completely away from heat or sunlight. Avoid dish soap or household cleaners unless they’re specifically formulated for suede. After the shoes are fully dry, use a suede brush to restore the nap.

Step 5: Let Them Air Dry

After cleaning, let your suede shoes air dry completely before moving on. Stuff them with paper towels or plain paper to help absorb moisture and keep their shape as they dry.

Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area and keep them away from heaters, direct sunlight, or hair dryers. Heat can stiffen suede, flatten the nap, and even set stains permanently, making them much harder to remove. Patience here matters! Fully drying your shoes naturally helps preserve both the texture and color of the suede.

Step 6: Fluff the Suede Back Up

Once your shoes are completely dry, finish by lightly brushing the suede to revive the nap. Use gentle strokes with a suede brush, work in one direction to restore the soft, velvety texture.

Be gentle, this step is about lifting the fibers, not scrubbing. A quick brush is often all it takes to bring suede back to life and give your shoes a clean, finished look.

Ongoing Care for Suede Shoes (So They Last Longer)

A little regular maintenance goes a long way with suede. Keep your shoes looking their best with this simple checklist:

• Brush lightly after every few wears to remove dust and keep the nap lifted
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and humidity
• Use a suede protectant spray to help guard against water and stains
• Avoid rain, snow, and slush when possible (and rotate shoes if the forecast isn’t suede-friendly)
• Let shoes dry completely between wears to prevent stiffness and odor

Consistent, gentle care is the easiest way to keep suede looking fresh and wearable for years.

FAQ

Keep Your Suede Shoes Looking Great

Now that you know how to clean suede items, you don’t have to let stains keep you from buying new shoes or wearing those cute ones in your closet! Suede may seem like a delicate and tricky fabric to own, but knowing how to take care of it will keep your kicks looking new for longer and will allow you to get more use out of them.

While you’re cleaning your shoes, why not clean your white Converse sneaker? Make them look brand new again!

Have a lot of shoes and no good system for storing them? Get new ideas for organizing the shoes in your closet!

Find some of my other cleaning guides like how to wash a down jacket here!