How To
How to Clean Suede Shoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
From trainers and slip-on clogs to over-the-knee and desert boot iterations, suede shoes have some serious range – and it’s no secret that they’re the perfect match for autumn/winter ‘fits. But there is one tiny catch: suede has a habit of making every splash, scuff, and mystery mark look pretty obvious.
The good news? Cleaning suede shoes is way less stressful than it looks. The main rule is to keep water to a minimum and resist going full scrub mode. With the right brush, a little patience, and a few minutes of TLC, you can get your favourite pair looking fresh again without flattening that signature suede texture.
Ready to give your rotation a glow-up? Let’s get into it.
How to Clean Suede Shoes
Before you start, check the care instructions for your shoes – suede finishes can vary, and any cleaning product should be tested on a small, hidden area first. One rule that applies pretty much across the board? Keep suede shoes out of the washing machine.
What You’ll Need
- A suede brush or soft-bristled shoe brush
- A suede eraser
- A specialist suede cleaner
- A clean sponge or cloth
- Plain paper or tissue paper
- Suede protector spray
You can find brushes, cleaners, protectors, and more in our shoe care collection.
Step-By-Step
How to Clean Suede Shoes
- Remove the laces
First things first: take the laces out. This gives you better access to the tongue and eyelets, while stopping cleaning products from collecting around them.
Fabric laces can usually be cleaned separately in lukewarm, soapy water. Leave them to air dry completely before relacing your shoes. - Brush off dry dirt
Caught in the rain? Festival field left your favourite pair looking worse for wear? Don’t panic – and definitely don’t immediately attack wet mud with a cloth.
Let any dirt dry completely, then gently work over the suede with your brush to lift away loose dust and mud. Brush lightly rather than pressing down – think sweep, not scrub. For best results, work in one direction to help lift the suede’s nap (aka those soft fibres that give suede its signature texture). - Tackle scuffs and stubborn marks
For marks that aren’t shifting with a brush alone, grab your suede eraser and gently rub it over the affected area using light pressure. Avoid aggressively working one spot for too long, as this can change the suede’s texture or colour. Once you’ve finished, give the area another light brush to remove any residue.
- Use suede cleaner for a deeper refresh
Still dealing with a stubborn mark? A specialist suede cleaner is the move. Follow the instructions on your chosen product, remembering to test it somewhere inconspicuous first. Apply as little moisture as possible, then work gently rather than soaking the upper.
Suede and water aren’t exactly an elite combo. Too much moisture can leave watermarks, affect colour, or flatten the finish, so controlled = key. - Stuff and air dry
Once you’re finished cleaning, lightly stuff the shoes with plain paper or tissue paper. This helps absorb excess moisture while keeping their shape as they dry.
Leave them somewhere cool and well ventilated until completely dry. Radiator? Nope. Hair dryer? Also no. Direct sunlight? Skip it. Strong heat can affect the material, adhesives, and shape, so natural air drying wins every time. - Brush the suede
When your shoes are completely dry, go back in with your suede brush. Gently brushing the upper again helps lift any flattened fibres and bring that soft suede texture back to life. A few light passes should do it – no arm workout required.
- Finish with suede protector
Clean shoes = secured. That means it’s time for a little future-proofing: apply a suede protector spray (following the specific product instructions), making sure you’re somewhere well-ventilated, and allow the shoes to dry fully before wearing them again.
Suede Cleaning FAQs
We wouldn’t recommend it. A washing machine exposes suede to too much water and movement, which can affect its colour, texture, shape, and construction – stick to controlled, gentle cleaning instead.
Use water very sparingly. Excess moisture can cause watermarks or flatten the suede’s texture, so a suede brush, eraser, or specialist cleaner should usually be your first choice.
Different stains need slightly different treatment. For dried mud, let it dry fully before brushing it away. For minor dry scuffs, start with a suede eraser. If you’ve spilled something on the shoe, blot excess moisture gently with a clean, dry cloth rather than rubbing it further into the fibres.
Avoid reaching straight for household cleaning products, bleach, or soaking wet cloths. If a stain is particularly stubborn, use a specialist product that’s suitable for suede and follow its instructions carefully.
Once the shoes are completely dry, gently brush the upper with a suede brush in one direction – this helps lift the nap and restore that soft finish.
There’s no strict schedule – it depends on how often you wear them and where they’ve been. Brush off surface dirt whenever it appears, then save deeper cleans for when your shoes genuinely need one. A quick refresh after particularly messy wears can also stop dirt from building up and make future cleaning way easier.
A little regular TLC goes a long way. Give damp pairs plenty of time to dry before putting them away, alternate your favourites rather than wearing the same pair continuously, and use a suitable protector spray to give them a head start against everyday marks and unexpected weather.
Storage matters too. Keep suede somewhere cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight, and avoid squashing shoes together at the bottom of your wardrobe. If boots or softer styles are losing their shape, a little plain paper inside can help.
A suede-friendly protector spray can help reduce the impact of everyday dirt and moisture. Apply it to clean, dry shoes according to the product instructions, and reapply when recommended.
Keep Your Rotation Fresh With schuh
Suede = officially sorted. If the rest of your footwear rotation could use the same treatment, check out our guide on how to clean trainers – or dive into our specific tips on how to clean running shoes, how to clean Converse, and how to clean New Balance trainers.
We’ve even got guides on how to clean BIRKENSTOCKs, how to clean UGGs, and how to clean Dr. Martens, so you’re covered no matter the season. And to make sure you’ve got everything you need to keep your rotation looking fresh, don’t miss our shoe care collection.