How To Clean Suede Shoes
5 Ways To Clean Suede Shoes
Regardless of the day you choose, suede shoes remain a fashion statement. They are a testament to class, style, and spunk. Even more, they give swagger to a formal outfit and dress up a casual outfit. It also helps that you get to look dapper whilst still keeping warm. Good deal, right? Two for the price of one!
As stylish as they come, suede shoes demand their fair share of commitment. Knowing the right way to care for them determine, to a large extent, how long you get to keep your beautiful treasures. I am going to walk you through the journey of appropriate suede shoe care. Once you are exposed to the facts, you’ll be surprised at how incredibly easy and affordable it is to give your beauties proper taking care of.
Invest in a shoe brush
This is necessary for basic shoe care, but suede shoes will do more than just glitter from the attention they get from a brush. A handy alternative to an actual shoe brush is a toothbrush. Before using the brush, ensure that the shoe is completely dry. You do not want to brush any stain deeper into the fibers. Ensure there is sufficient lighting to reveal the natural direction of the suede and brush consistently in that direction. Also, resist the urge to brush back and forth. It will destroy the natural lay of your darling suede shoe. If muddied, clean off the excess mud and leave the shoes to dry before patiently using your shoe brush.
Vinegar at home always come in handy
White vinegar should be ordained, the chief household savior! Vinegar’s acidic property is the very reason why it is every home’s go-to when tackling tough stains. For suede shoes with difficult stains, such as wine stains, pour some vinegar directly on the stain and allow it to dry before going at it with a brush.
The acidity of the vinegar would seep into the grain and break down the chemical composition of the stain, allowing you to do the rest of the work with ease. To determine the effectiveness of the job, you may need to go through the process of cleaning and drying a few times. Don’t fear if the shoe changes color after the vinegar, it’s only temporary.
Towels are a must-have
Suede shoes are not high maintenance, they just require your attention. So, it’s wise to get a towel specifically dedicated to your suede shoes. Towels are gentle and perfect for wiping off dust, as well as. loose particles. You can also use a shoe cleaning wipe. If you wear your fancy shoes for a casual day in summer, a towel rub, down is all it requires to gleam again.
Altogether, if you went at your shoe with a shoe brush first to get out tough stains, a towel wipe is the next point of call. Always remember to clean in the direction of the grain, this particularly applies to natural suede.
Erasers do more than you think
If you thought erasers were only good for wiping off pencil marks on paper, you have another thing coming. There are suede erasers made specifically for the purpose, but pencil erasers work just as well, provided they don’t leave behind color. For this reason, its best you test the eraser first. An eraser works well for gentle stains, simply apply pressure as you rub-down back and forth on the stain. Tada! You have it.
Swing by the dry cleaners
If you have done all the previous methods and you don’t get the desired result or you just can’t make out the time to do it yourself, you may need to call in the big guns. They are there to reduce the burden you carry while you concentrate on enjoying the comfort and suave suede shoes provide.
Naturally, professionals don’t come cheap but you can be assured of the best care for your shoes. They’ll treat, color, and condition your suede show depending on its needs, then deliver the shoes to you in perfect condition. The upside to going with professionals is that your shoes will do well without that degree of attention for a considerable time, except, of course, it gets doused by some super tough stain.
