How to Clean Suede Shoes Without Ruining Them

Quick answer

Clean suede with a dry suede brush first to lift surface dirt, then treat specific stains with a suede eraser or a small amount of suede-specific cleaner. Never soak suede in water or use standard leather cleaners: both can flatten the nap and leave watermarks.

What you need

A dedicated suede brush
A suede eraser or clean pencil eraser for scuffs
A suede-specific cleaner for stubborn stains
A suede protectant spray for prevention after cleaning

Step-by-step: clean suede shoes safely

Let mud or wet dirt dry completely.
Brush in one direction to lift dirt and restore the nap.
Use a suede eraser gently on scuffs.
For remaining stains, apply a small amount of suede cleaner to a cloth, then dab the area—do not saturate the shoe.
After the shoe is dry, brush again to restore texture.
Apply a suede protectant spray as directed by its manufacturer.

What never to use on suede

Large amounts of water
Leather conditioners or oils
Machine washing or high heat
General household cleaners that are not made for suede or nubuck

How to deal with water stains

When the shoe is completely dry, brush the entire affected panel in the same direction—not only the marked spot—to help blend the nap. For a stubborn mark, use a suede-specific cleaner sparingly and evenly across the panel according to its label.

FAQ

Can I use a hairdryer? No. Air dry at room temperature away from heaters and direct sun, using plain paper to help the shoe keep its shape.

Is suede cleaner the same as leather cleaner? No. Leather products can contain oils that change suede’s napped texture. Use products labeled for suede or nubuck.

For basic tools and material-aware cleaning choices, see our complete shoe-cleaning kits guide.

Keep learning

Explore the complete shoe-cleaning guide for the next steps, tools, and related material-specific guides.

Keep learning

Explore the complete shoe-cleaning guide for the next steps, tools, and related material-specific guides.