How to Clean Suede | Whirlpool (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to clean suede? ›

We recommend wetting the corner of a dry cloth with a small amount of suede cleaner, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Be sure not to drench the shoe in liquid, but rather lightly dampen the suede. Massage the shoe with a rapid side-to-side motion, and then allow the suede to dry.

Can You Clean Suede with Soap & Water? Honestly, soap isn't really the way to go because of potential staining. Even worse, suede tends to stain with water. We always recommend using a brush and cleaning kit, but water could work if you need to tackle surface marks (like a hand sanitizer stain on suede).

Plain white vinegar or rubbing alcohol can easily remove spots without staining the suede. Pour either liquid onto a soft cloth and rub it into the stain. After letting the fabric dry, brush with a dry towel to fluff the suede. To protect your suede belongings in the future, you can purchase a suede protectant spray.

No, do not clean suede shoes with Dawn dish soap. Dawn is a powerful grease-cutting soap, and the formula is too harsh for suede. It can leave behind stains or residue. Only a drop of Dawn diluted in water might be effective on spot treating your shoes, but it's safer to stick to suede soap or suede shampoo.

Natural suede can be cleaned using distilled white vinegar diluted with water. When applying the solution, use a cloth that is a light color so you can see if any discoloration or color bleeding occurs, says Fierman. Vacuum the couch using a vacuum with the brush attachment to loosen dirt and dust.

You'd be forgiven for thinking suede shoes once damp or dirty are a lost cause. But have no fear, there *is* a way to clean your suede shoes. All you'll need is a rubber or eraser, some white vinegar, baking soda, a flannel or face cloth, a suede brush or nail brush, and some suede protector if you have it.

Don't: Use Water

It's tempting to dip a rag into the water and try to spot clean, especially if it's just small stain. However, water can ruin suede, damage the look of your shirt or shoes, and cause other unsightly issues like wrinkles and texture changes.

Apply enough baking soda to the greasy spot to completely cover it. Allow the baking soda to absorb the fat for a few hours. Using a suede brush, remove the baking soda and absorbed grease. After the suede has dried, check for grease stains, and repeat the process if necessary.

You can't use water-based cleaning methods to clean suede, so vinegar and alcohol are great substitutes. Pour a little bit of white vinegar or rubbing alcohol onto a washcloth, gently rub the stained area, then let it totally dry before reassessing. If the stain is gone, use a suede brush to retexture the treated area.

So most of the things you tried—the laundry stain remover, dish soap, WD-40, Goo Gone—shouldn't be used on suede.

Can you clean suede with shampoo? ›

After loosening surface debris, it's time to give the shoe an even deeper clean. You can use a specially formulated suede shampoo or normal household kitchen products like white vinegar or a gentle dish soap.

Can Suede Get Wet? Yes, suede shoes can get wet and still be wearable, but in order to prevent damage, you need to to treat them quickly afterward, which can be time consuming. If you know it's going to rain, or you know you'll be at a place where your shoes may get wet, it's best to avoid wearing suede shoes entirely.

The suede can appear a bit dull after all that brushing and rubbing. To fix this, rub the material with a cloth dampened with vinegar or alcohol and let it dry naturally. Once dry, fluff up the suede using the brush. This way you'll keep your suede boots looking clean and lustrous.

Another common issue with wearing suede in the rain is the appearance of watermarks. These are dark spots that appear on the surface of the suede when it comes into contact with water. Water stains are difficult to remove and can permanently damage your shoes.