We believe that the perfect shoes strike a perfect balance between comfort, fit and style. There’s also a high chance they’ll be made of suede...
That’s because suede is a material that has everything: it’s stylish, elegant, soft to the touch, and aesthetically pleasing. There’s just one drawback: maintaining suede shoes can be tricky due to the delicate nature of the material.
In this blog post we'll give you actionable tips to keep your treasured suede shoes in excellent condition, so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What is suede and how durable are suede shoes?
- Preparing to clean suede shoes
- 3 cleaning methods for suede shoes
- Drying and maintaining suede shoes
- Tips for preventing suede shoe damage
What is suede and how durable are suede shoes?
Suede is a type of leather made from the inner part of a cow skin and is much softer than the rough leather made from the outer layers.
While rough leather has been used for shoes for centuries, suede is more recent. Named after the Swedish craftsmen who invented a method for making the material, Gants de Suede (or gloves of Sweden) were popular among French nobility in the 18th Century. Shoes from the material followed soon after.
By nature, suede is less durable than rough leather and other materials, but it is held in such aesthetic regard that it continues to be a popular choice for shoes. And while it is delicate and susceptible to stains, scuffs and water damage, suede can be made to last for many years if kept clean and maintained correctly.
Here’s how to do it.
Preparing to Clean Suede Shoes
There are a couple of steps you need to take to prepare the shoes before moving onto the cleaning methods below. They are:
- Remove dirt or debris with a soft brush. Brush in the same direction to better prepare the surface for a deeper clean.
- Do a spot test with the vinegar and shoe spray, just to make sure that they won’t damage the material (there’s no reason they should, but it’s better to check!)
3 Cleaning Methods for Suede Shoes
These steps cover regular maintenance to keep your shoes in good condition, through to removing stains and blemishes if and when they arise.
Dry Cleaning Suede Shoes
This is a great method for routine maintenance. And just to confirm: we don’t mean taking your suede shoes to the dry cleaners!
Instead, you’re cleaning them without any liquid or detergent. Just a suede brush to clean away surface dirt, or a suede eraser (or white pencil eraser) to remove more stubborn marks.
While cleaning, always brush in the same direction, and avoid vigorous scrubbing. This will avoid further damage while preparing the material for a deeper clean.
Using a Suede Brush
Suede brushes are designed specifically to clean suede. They lift dirt and restore the nap, which is the raised, fuzzy surface that makes the material so distinctive.
We recommend giving your suede shoes a gentle brush every time you take them off, but if this feels like too much work, once a week will do. The objective is to prevent a build-up of dirt, and to reduce the likelihood of dirt becoming embedded in the fabric.
Removing Stains from Suede Shoes
If you’re unlucky enough to get a stain on the surface of your suede, lightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with white vinegar (or rubbing alcohol will work too.) Rub the stained area delicately, as outlined above, then let it dry completely.
Once dry, use a brush to restore the nap: brushing all in the same direction.
If the stain is oily or greasy, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder over it and let it rest overnight before brushing.
Drying and Maintaining Suede Shoes
It’s important to dry suede shoes correctly, as doing so incorrectly can cause permanent damage to the material. Here are some things to consider when drying your suede shoes:
- Let them dry naturally: never use a hairdryer, hand dryer or similar
- Don’t leave them in direct sunlight: this can cause stiffness or discolouration, both of which will reduce the aesthetic appeal of the shoe
- Don’t leave them in direct heat: for the same reasons as the above
- Stuff shoes with newspaper to aid the drying process: the paper will gently absorb moisture from the surface of the shoe
- Only brush suede shoes when they’re dry: brushing to restore the nap is an important part of the maintenance process, but brushing when the material is wet will cause more problems than it solves
- Use protective spray: once the shoes are cleaned and dry, apply protective spray to protect against future damage
Tips for Preventing Suede Shoe Damage

Prevention is the best medicine, as the saying goes. The best way to keep your suede shoes in tip top condition is to avoid damage in the first place. Obviously, this isn’t always possible, but here are some ways to improve your chances:
- Only wear suede shoes in dry weather: water is the natural enemy of suede, and wearing the material in wet weather is asking for trouble. By the same logic, avoid walking through any puddles that linger into the dry weather!
- Apply spray regularly: as we mentioned above, suede protection spray is a great insurance policy against damage from water and other sources. Getting into a habit of spraying regularly will help to keep your shoes in optimal condition.
- Store them in a cool, dry place: this sounds like a tip to keep foodstuffs in prime condition, but it works for suede as well! Store them somewhere they won’t get light shining on them, whether sunlight or artificial, and where dryness is guaranteed.
- Use shoe trees to keep their shape: storing suede shoes on a shoe tree will help to maintain their shape and comfort levels.
- Clean regularly: this really is the most important tip: clean your suede shoes regularly to prevent a build up of dirt that will damage the fabric over time.
Follow these tips and your suede shoes will look sharp and feel comfy for years to come.
Don’t You Step on My Clean Suedes
Suede shoes are perennial favourites for a reason. They’re the perfect cross section of style, comfort, elegance, and, when looked after properly, value. Whether you’re a seasoned suede wearer looking to refine your existing care routine, or a curious suede newcomer wondering how to care for your first pair, we hope this guide has been helpful.
If you’re in the market for a new pair of suede shoes, we have an extensive selection. You can also browse our shoe care range, including the suede care products mentioned earlier in the article.
And if you have any other questions about shoes and shoe care, suede or otherwise: we’re more than happy to help. Just get in touch with our team today and we can give you the info you need.