How to Clean Suede Shoes: A Step-by-Step Guide

From trainers and ankle boots to over-the-knee and desert boot iterations, suede shoes are a staple of everyone’s wardrobe. Perfect for autumn/winter outfits, the suede shoe is a well-worn classic.

But what do you do when you’ve worn your suede shoes a little bit too much? Cleaning suede can be difficult, and doing it wrong could ruin your favourite pair of boots or shoes.

Luckily, we’re here to help with our step-by-step guide to cleaning green suede shoes (and every other colour, too!)

How to clean green suede shoes

Things you will need:

• Suede eraser (sometimes these come attached to the bristle brush)
• Bristle brush
• Sponge
• Suede cleaner
• Tissue paper
• Suede protector

Step 1 – Laces

• Remove the laces.
• Machine wash laces in a delicate bag.

Step 2 – Remove excess dirt

• Use the bristle brush to loosen dirt.
• Repeat on the other shoe.

Step 3 – Treat scuffs and stains

• Rub suede eraser on deep scuffs or stains.
• Repeat on the other shoe.

Step 4 – Clean the suede

• Shake the suede cleaner well.
• Apply the suede cleaner, keeping the can 15-20cm away from the shoe.
• Scrub the suede cleaner gently into the shoe using the sponge.
• Wipe away any excess foam.
• Repeat on the other shoe.

Step 5 – Stuff to dry

• Stuff the shoes with tissue paper (this helps them to keep their shape).
• Leave shoes to dry.

Step 6 – Brush the suede

• Brush gently with the bristle brush (brushing restores the softness).
• Repeat on the other side

Step 7 – Protect the suede

• Shake the suede protector well.
• Apply the suede protector, keeping the can 15-20cm away from the shoe.
• Repeat on the other shoe.
• Wait until fully dry.
• Re-lace the shoes.

If you’re feeling inspired to clean up your act – we mean with shoes – then you can shop the rest of our shoe care products here.

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for more shoe care guides, we’ve already shown you how to clean Converse, freshen up your UGG boots, and bring your Hunter wellies back to life. You could say we’re becoming seasoned pros in the whole shoe-cleaning business!