When talking about suede, we have to distinguish between suede, the leather, and suede, the fabric. The fabric only imitates the rough surface of suede leather. Apparel made of suede fabric may be laundered or dry cleaned, simply by following instructions on the garment’s label.
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Suede leather is used in a number of products, including upholstery, gloves, jackets, and handbags. Also used for shoes, probably the best known brand of suede shoes is Hush Puppies, made from pig hide. Suede shoes may also be made of doeskin and cow hide.
Suede shoes, because they have a nappy surface, scuff very easily. Scuffs can be difficult to clean, so it’s best to keep people and pets from stepping on them. But scuffed or not, suede is going to get dirty at some point and must be cleaned.
Keeping Suede Clean
When leather is produced, it’s usually the outermost layer of skin that gets used, which is tougher and more durable than the inner surface used for suede. Suede is more supple and flexible than full grain leather, but the wearer pays a price. Suede gets dirtier faster and is more difficult to clean. It also stains easily; even water stains it, so suede shoes and jackets are not appropriate for exceedingly wet climates. Water also damages the leather, making it darker, less supple, weakening the leather by removing oils, and making it look scuffed. Suede may be waterproofed or stain-proofed, but it’s no guarantee against possible staining and damage.
Should you get a suede article soaked in a downpour, you should blot as much water from the garment as is possible with paper or cloth towels, then simply let the article dry at room temperature. Do not apply heat to speed drying. Stuff wet shoes with absorbent paper so that they hold their shape as they dry. Same with suede hats; in fact, for any kind of hat that gets wet, it’s good to have a wooden form the size of your head to put it on while drying.
The very best way to clean suede leather shoes and garments of any type is to take them to a dry cleaner. This might get expensive over time, of course, but so would replacing your garments. You can mitigate costs by performing minor cleaning jobs at home.
How to Clean Suede at Home
To clean suede:
- Rub the surface of the garment with a clean bath towel. This brings up the nap.
- Try to remove small, dry stains through the judicious use of a clean pencil eraser. Small stains that are still wet should be blotted up by putting a paper towel on it and a weight on top of the towel. For either kind of stain, avoid using a chemical stain remover.
- Stains may also be rubbed off with a damp towel and some white vinegar. Allow the leather to dry before assessing your success. After drying, the garment will reek of vinegar for a while – but it will eventually fade.
- If there are lumps of dirt or dry scuff marks that won’t come off this way, try rasping them off with a fingernail file. Be gentle.
- Your last step (if cleaning suede shoes) is to brush the shoe gently with a wire suede brush.
- Body oil stains on clothing and suede furniture can be attacked with a degreaser leather cleaner made especially for suede.
Be warned: Attempting to clean suede on your own can cause irreparable damage, it is always safer to take the garment to a professional dry cleaner.
Colors in suede fade quickly, and it’s best to store them in the dark. Make sure it’s not damp, because the moisture will attract mildew, and mildew is a bear to remove from suede or any other kind of leather. Never store or transport suede shoes in plastic; cover them, instead, with a pillow case. Should suede lose its color, it can be dyed. First, clean the garment thoroughly. Using a commercial cleaner may be enough to restore the original color. If not – or if you would like to change the color – once the garment is cleaned and free of stains, it will take a commercial dye which may be obtained at leather repair centers.
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Old toothbrushes work great on suede. They are soft enough not to create damage, but are strong enough to rub out the dirt.
use a metal nail file to remove dry stains and spots from suede, then rub with a rough dry towel. It looks great, your done!
I used the eraser trick on my favorite Anne Klein’s that have a beautiful blue suede wedge heel. It was perfect for the tiny water stains around the heel. Worked like a charm!
I had a pair of Ugg boots in pink that needed the toe section cleaned. I first used a dry toothbrush to bring up the nap, then I took a slice of white bread and just rolled it around on the area. It’s messy but it works. I used about a loaf to clean them. They look great and it’s cheap to use bread!
I used my dry toothbrush to rub soup stains off of my favorite suede handbag.
It totally worked!
I then dabbed it with a damp paper towel before rubbing it with a dry towel.
Wow!!! I did the eraser thing. My UGGs were badly water stained. Although they don’t look perfect, they look a million times better than they did before I “erased” the water stains. You can barely notice them now!!!! AMAZING!!! Probably saved myself a lot of money too.
I have a poncho that is made out of suede that has been rained on years ago and want to get water spots out is it possible? Please help very much appreciated. Thank you!
Becky
Great tips on here!
I have a fantastic Wilson’s suede coat – 5 or 6 seasons old, shearling style. My favorite. Over the years, it’s gotten increasingly grungier. Any tips on how to remove blue ink marks on tan suede? Random, but I had a toddler who tried to put a pen in my jacket pocket and it’s been there for years now.
Also, any tips on cleaning the shearling parts on a jacket like this? I’m finding the cuffs and neck are the dirtiest. Many thanks!
I was a candlelight church service and candle wax dripped on my suede coat. HELP!! Does anyone have a recommendation?
To Jill, who posted on December 12, 2008
I had gotten wax on a suede jacket of mine almost two years ago. I put my jacket into our chest freezer and was able to crack off the wax and then brush the suede with a suede brush we had purchased at a shoe store for a pair of suede shoes. Best of luck to you.
Help! My Tan Suede Coach Sneakers are stained from the indigo dye from my jeans. What does anyone recommend! PLEASE!!!
Bought a nice pair of brown Rockport shoes at a local thrift shop for $5. They were in good condition but dirty on the side suede panels. I just used a regular pencil eraser the pink kind and it came off great. Just like new. Now I have to clean the regular leather part of the shoes and they’ll be like new!
Can anyone tell me what is a better color suede to buy out of olive green, khakhi, camel – in terms of maintenance? …and which one will look good?
Any advice on getting mud out of Reindeer Suede? Slipped in the snow and now I’ve got nice mud patches on the upper arms.
I also have a problem with the indigo dye from my jeans staining my brown suede boots. I had used a protective spray on them and seem to have avoided any salt or water stains, but the suede looks discolored blue. I’ve tried using the suede leather eraser thing that I bought too, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Does anyone have any suggestions to try next?
I took a dry toothbrush and rubbed it all around my UGGs (I had major water damage) and a bunch of dirt came on the toothbrush, but my UGGs looked a lot better.
Okay, so I had some pretty bad water damaged Uggs (from wearing them in the rain). They are a darker gray and you can STILL see how bad it is. Anyway What I did was let it dry over night and once it was dry, I got a clean dry white cloth and just rubbed/scrubbed it on the damage. Next, I got an old soft tooth brush (you can use any but I think the soft might work better) rubbed/scrubbed the damage with that (to get the nap up). Next just got a new clean pencil eraser and basically just “erased” the water damage. It works great! I suggest this on Uggs and any other suede things. Thanks (:
Sydneyy!
I have a pink suede top that has numerous stones and beads all over it and the dry cleaner has refused to clean it due to the decorations. Any suggestions on how to clean it? it doesn’t just have a few stains it has been worn to its fair share of rodeos and when you are riding out in the arena it can be quite dusty. Please help with any suggestions. Thanks!
Another tip re: cleaning suede (sandels/inside)
Toothbrush, eraser, etc. Also, a single edge razor. Carefully rub it sideways to bring up the “suede”. Then brush it off. I’ve used it on the bottom of my shoes because the creme and grease from softening my feet in the summer made my sandals feel disgusting and greasy. This should also work on wallet, jackets, etc.
Suede leather boots stained!
Hi! I went out in my camel color suede leather boots and came home with black marks all over them! I rubbed them out with a damp cloth, not knowing this made the surface feel rough. They look a little better but they are still a bit discolored by the toes! I had them scotch guarded and am worried this will make them more difficult to clean! Any suggestions?
Faded suede shoes
HELP! I bought a purple pair of shoes but one is really faded, what can I do to match the color? Is dyeing best?
Repair boot heel in black suedette
I have a pair of black suedette boots that have been badly scuffed on one heel how can I get this repaired it needs patching?
Nasty Suede jacket
OK, I have one for everyone … I bought a suede jacket, with the sleeves being black and the body being orange. I’ve had it for 4 years now and the black dye from the sleeves has rubbed off on the body of the jacket. I can’t find a dry cleaner here in Calgary who will touch it. Any ideas? I love the coat, but my wife says I shouldn’t be wearing it, as it looks pretty nasty. HELP !?!?!?!? =0)
Name tag on suede jacket
I put a name tag on my suede jacket and the adhesive is still on jacket. How do I get it off? Erasers? Vinegar? Towel?
Dog pee on my uggs
What’s the best thing to use? I used leather cleaner and no luck. Should I try the vinegar?
How do I clean my 100% leather coat. It has a soft suede look. But the interior is faux fur. The faux fur part is matted and looks very dirty. It’s a dark brown coat. I know I am not supposed to put liquid on the leather part so how should I clean the inside fur part?
Leather coat with fur interior
When a coat is a mixture of materials, such as this, it is best to have it professionally cleaned. Take it to a cleaner who is experienced with both leather and fur products. They will be able to use their dry cleaning methods to clean the fur without damaging the leather portion of the coat.
Black faux suede boots
I used my dad’s suede shoe cleaner from footlocker to clean my black faux suede boots and scrubbed them with the brush it came with. I think it was chemical foam. Now my boots are faded and look kinda gray instead of black. Should I wash them with water because it looks like the foam just stained them and never came off. Please help!!
Inside of suede boots
I found a fantastic pair of old suede boots at a thrift store, but the inside is dirty. The dried up old suede flakes off in to this grainy dust, and I can’t figure out what to do about it. I haven’t wanted to wear them because they get my feet and legs all dirty and dusty looking when I take them off. There is a thin layer of nylon on the inside so I can’t scrape it at all, and a damp sponge only does so much. Ideas?
Mildew or mold on suede?
I have a full length vintage black suede coat that has been stored in a fairly damp environment for a couple of years. There is a grayish mildew or mold in the front and hems now and I’m wondering the best way to clean it up.
The article says that mildew is ‘a bear’ to get off but doesn’t suggest a method – is it a pointless exercise? It looks like it would just wipe off with a damp cloth, but I want to make sure I kill whatever’s causing the problem.
Thanks, appreciate all suggestions.
Anyone know how to fade dye?
I got new moccasins and they’re dyed suede but they turn your feet the color of the dye. Does anyone know how to fade the dye some without just wearing them all over? I heard for fabric it works to soak things in salt water to fade the dye but I’m not sure if that will work as well on these shoes. I’ve had a pair before and I’m not worried about keeping them clean and tidy looking, I just don’t want to deal with my feet being orange!! Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Not all suede requires dry cleaning
I purchased a Bebe brand suede coat that is cream color and super soft -it is very supple and I always worried about tearing it. That is until I read the cleaning instructions: Machine wash gentle cycle, cold water, tumble dry on low, remove promptly! Shell Fabric = 100% suede/leather. lining = polyester. So, after much worry, I went ahead and followed directions… the coat came out good as new, soft and clean. I decided to try this with a pink suede jacket I have with faux sheepskin lining: it too came out clean and soft! So I cleaned the other 5 suede coats I own this way and they all came out just fine! I don’t know if ALL suede can be cleaned this way, but I was willing to take the risk. I wouldn’t recommend that you throw a $300.00 coat into the wash, but if you have an old beater you think is beyond hope, you might want to give it a shot in the wash before giving up on it.
Suede Cleaners Source
Call Neiman Marcus Dept Store. They refer a leather cleaner to customers that you can contact. You pop your item in a bag and mail it off for the company to clean. They are the best in the nation. Sorry I don’t remember the name, so contact the designer or sportswear dept of Neimans.
Goooood!
I tried the eraser trick on my grey UGG boots. They did have a very noticeable black scuff on them but after about 30 minutes of erasing the scuff, it’s almost gone, not completely but it looks so much better than it did before! Thanks!!
To Katie... ewww bad kitty
I have Minnietonka boots and have hand washed them then used a wet vac with the hose on the exhaust port starting from the inside @ the toe and force blowing out the water through the suede (just like drying a pet @ the salon, lol. I’m a veteran groomer). BUT FIRST you need to get an odor remover especially for animal odors, check @ your local pet stores. Even skunk off would be good, and follow the directions saturating the urine spot. Then hand wash & force dry. You’ll need to further dry them by turning them upside down on a heat source like a heat register (as they are double materials). Mine have come out great each time I have had to do this. I do treat them with a protectant / water-proofer. But after a few wearings & them being light and sometimes muddy they need special care.
Good LUCK!
PS: Our NATIVE ANCESTORS didn’t have DRY CLEANERS…lol & all our clothes where SUEDE, LEATHER & REAL FURS
Nothing of mine goes to get CHEMICALS put on it!
Thanks for all these comments being on here. I’m definitely going to try the pink pencil eraser.
I have a light-coloured very supple suede shirt (I wear as a jacket) beautifully decorated with “Navaho” beads. I can send it for drycleaning with, of course, a 0% guarantee. Once one bead comes off the shirt will lose its “appeal.” Drycleaning shrunk a super simple suede suit last time. I’m extremely hesitant.
I’ve seen some other questions in here that may help me, but unfortunately the answers aren’t posted.
What would you recommend for the dirt, in general … and especially a red spot from a marker (I do presentations/seminars/workshops A LOT with markers!) ?
And if any readers have a tried-&-true tip, thank you for sending it along to me at.
And to the creators of this forum … Thanks for being here!
I purchased a beautiful quilt from an estate sale that has suede in it. At the time I didn’t consider the cleaning factor and now I notice the tags have been removed. The suede pieces are about 8-10 inches in diameter with 4 on this cotton quilt. I hesitate to wash it or dry clean. I would really appreciate some input please.