How do you clean suede shoes?

One of the questions we get a lot is how to clean your suede shoes the easiest way. There are a few different methods you can use, which we will explain in this article.

There can be a big difference in the type of suede your shoes are made of. Some shoes require special care, while others can be washed with soap and water. There is also a difference in whether there is just mud or a grease stain on your suede. In this guide, I will cover some of the methods that I think are best.

The article contains:

  1. Use a suede brush + cleaning soap (not for delicate shoes)
  2. Use a crepe brush when you're on the go
  3. Remove stains with a suede eraser
  4. Remember to use waterproofing

1. Use a suede brush and cleaning soap

In my experience, this is one of the most used and effective methods. Remember that very delicate suede shoes cannot always withstand water and soap, which you should be aware of. However, the vast majority of suede shoes and sneakers can handle this without any problems. We recommend that you use a cleaning foam soap and a suede brush .

How to use the suede brush and soap:

  1. Apply a little cleaning soap to the shoe
  2. Wet the brush and scrub the shoe with the hard side.
  3. Wipe the shoe clean with a microfiber cloth or rinse the shoe in water
  4. Once the shoe is dry, use the other side of the brush to comb the hairs.

You can read more about how to use the brush and soap on their product pages.

You can buy the brush and cleaning soap in a package here.

2. Use a crepe brush to freshen up shoes on the go

A crepe brush is a brush with rubber surfaces underneath that can pick up dirt and grime. It works on suede, nubuck and leather shoes. It can be used on delicate shoes and is also easy to carry in your bag. The brush is specially developed for suede and nubuck shoes.

Remember This brush does not clean as thoroughly as other methods, but it is incredibly gentle and easy to use. 

When using it, you don't need to use water or other cleaning products. It is also one of the gentlest methods available for cleaning suede shoes. Remember that a Crepe Brush cannot remove large mud stains from your suede shoes or sneakers, but it does clean the shoe gently. It is also smart for refreshing the hairs on your suede shoes if they have become stiff over time.

How to use a Crepe Brush:

  1. Remove the worst dirt and grime from the shoe
  2. Take the brush and brush it hard across the shoe.
  3. To clean the brush, you can rinse it in water.
The brush works by the rubber underside pulling up all the dirt so that it settles between the brush's rubber rows. You can buy our crepe brush here. Alternatively, you can buy it as a 3-in-1 version here.

August 31, 2023 — Karl Faurholt
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