You probably don’t know this, but suede shoes are actually not so hard to care for. However, a lot of people don’t know how to maintain suede and go as far as either abandoning their suede shoes the moment they get dirty or totally staying away from buying suede.
Because we keep getting queries from clients all around Nigeria on how best to care for their suede shoes, we figured we should put this article together.
- Protect suede with a good sealant
This is an especially useful tip as the 2018 rainy season is here – suede and water just do not go well together. A layer of good suede spray can protect your shoes for months. especially when you remember to brush the shoes with a suede brush before and after spraying.
- Don’t clean suede with water alone
In line with the tip above, it is very important not to clean your suede shoes with water alone, as this negatively affects the look and feel.
- Tackle wet stains with talc / dry stains with vinegar
If you get liquid spilled on your suede shoes, pat the affected area dry with a soft cloth and sprinkle talcum powder on the area. Let it stay overnight and then remove the caked powder using a suede brush. For dried stains such as dirt, try removing the cake with an emery board, then dab the area with vinegar until the stain disappears.
- Scuff marks? Try vigorously brushing
If your shoes get scuffed, try brushing briskly with a soft brush, preferably a suede brush. This will help lift up the grain that may have been matted down when the shoes got scuffed. For those marks that won’t go off by brushing, try using a pencil eraser (yep!) or you can also use a special suede eraser.
- Dry paper helps when your shoes get unavoidably wet
If your suede shoes get unavoidably wet, use a dry cloth to gently remove the excessive water. After this, put dry paper inside the shoes to soak up the water that may be inside. It’s advisable to use plain paper NOT newspaper to avoid your shoes being damaged by ink. Leave the shoes in a well ventilated area to dry out.
Hope these tips help you keep your suede shoes in ship-shape! Got any tips of your own? Feel free to share them in the comments section below!