How to Clean Suede Shoes Without Damage (Easy Guide)

Suede looks amazing until the first rain shower, coffee drip or salty sidewalk. The good news: you can clean suede shoes at home without a trip to the cobbler. The key is working dry first, using as little water as possible, and always restoring the nap (the soft fibers) when you finish.

Quick answer: Let the shoes dry completely, brush off loose dirt with a suede brush, rub marks with a suede eraser (or a clean pencil eraser), treat stubborn spots with a little white vinegar on a cloth, then brush the nap back up once dry. Finish with a suede protector spray.

What You'll Need

Suede brush (brass or nylon bristles on one side, rubber on the other)
Suede eraser or a clean white pencil eraser
White vinegar or rubbing alcohol
Cornstarch or baby powder (for oil stains)
Clean microfiber cloths and paper towels
Suede protector spray

Step 1: Let Wet Shoes Dry Naturally

Never brush wet suede: you'll push dirt deeper and flatten the fibers. Stuff the shoes with paper towels to keep their shape and let them air-dry at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sun. Heat can make suede stiff and cracked.

Step 2: Brush Away Loose Dirt

Use the suede brush in one direction to lift surface dust and dried mud. For scuffs, brush briskly back and forth. Work gently around stitching and seams.

Step 3: Erase Scuffs and Marks

Rub a suede eraser over shiny spots, scuffs and light stains, as if you were erasing pencil. Brush away the crumbs. This alone fixes most everyday marks.

Step 4: Treat Stubborn Stains

Water spots

It sounds backwards, but the fix is to dampen the whole panel evenly with a barely damp cloth so it dries uniformly. Stuff the shoe and let it dry, then brush.

Salt stains

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Dab (don't soak) the white lines with a cloth, let dry, and brush. Vinegar dissolves salt residue.

Oil and grease

Sprinkle cornstarch over the spot, leave it overnight to absorb the oil, then brush it off. Repeat if needed. Don't use water on fresh oil; it spreads it. For clothing grease, see our guide on getting grease stains out of clothes.

Ink or dye transfer

Dab with a cotton swab barely moistened with rubbing alcohol, test first on a hidden spot (inside the tongue), then let dry and brush.

Step 5: Restore the Nap

Once everything is dry, brush the suede in small circles to lift the fibers. For very flat areas, hold the shoe over steam from a kettle for a few seconds (keep a safe distance), then brush.

Step 6: Protect Them

Spray an even coat of suede protector from about 6 inches away, let dry, and repeat. Reapply every few weeks in wet or snowy seasons.

What to Avoid

Putting suede shoes in the washing machine (see which shoes are safe to machine wash)
Soaking suede or using lots of soap
Drying with a hair dryer or heater
Colored cloths that can transfer dye

FAQ

Can I use vinegar on suede?

Yes, sparingly. A cloth lightly dampened with white vinegar helps with salt and stubborn stains. Always test on a hidden area first.

How do I clean suede sneakers with rubber soles?

Clean the suede as above, then scrub the soles with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush, keeping water away from the suede. More sneaker tips in How to Clean White Sneakers.

Does this work for UGG boots?

Sheepskin boots need a slightly different approach. Follow our UGG boot cleaning guide.