Tips for restoring suede shoes, stages of work

“And they are still fighting for the honorary title of a house of high culture and life!” - said Anton Semenovich Shpak to the search dog in the immortal comedy “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession.”

You will not find information on what to do if your suede jacket is stolen in this article. But you can find out how to restore old suede shoes! Let's find out!

Suede is a soft, velvety leather made by fat tanning (to give the material elasticity and strength) from the skins of small animals.

What happens to suede during wear?

In order for a product made of suede fabric to please its owner longer, it needs proper care. Due to the fact that we are talking about capricious material, special attention is required. During operation, the following defects may appear:

1. Regular use leads to the appearance of “bald spots”, due to which the appearance of the product significantly deteriorates. At the same time, getting rid of them is much more difficult than getting rid of other types of damage.
2. The main enemies of suede are precipitation and slush on the roads. Increased moisture content in the air causes water stains on the product. If it penetrates deep into the fabric structure, it will be very difficult to remove stains.
3. The use of special reagents on roads to prevent the appearance of ice can lead to the formation of salt stains and streaks.
4. If the product does not receive the necessary care during prolonged wear, this becomes the cause of internal abrasions. It is important to pay attention to this in a timely manner and carry out restoration work so that the structure and length of the pile is not damaged in the future.

Regular use leads to bald spots

Precipitation and slush on roads cause water stains

Formation of salt stains and stains

Violation of the structure and length of the pile, the appearance of abrasions

Care devices

To restore the canvas and give it its original appearance, the following tools will be required:

1. Eraser. Using it, you can eliminate scratches on suede shoes, raise the pile and improve the color. You can use both regular stationery and special ones for products made from this material.
2. Brushes. Their range varies depending on the material and type of pile. There are 3 main types: metal (for old worn surfaces), polymer and rubber (for new products). The effect is achieved by raising the pile, which gives it a more noble appearance and eliminates various contaminants.
3. Specialized sprays of two types: for protection and painting. The latter are able to restore the color of suede shoes by dyeing them to the desired shade. The most common colors are black, blue and brown. The colorless protective agent forms a thin transparent film on the surface, due to which moisture is repelled from the pile and does not penetrate deeper.

Eraser for eliminating scratches, raising lint, improving color

Brushes for raising lint and removing dirt

Specialized sprays for protecting and painting suede
To restore suede shoes, you should also use:

• milk with a high percentage of fat content;
• sodium bicarbonate;
• laundry soap;
• turpentine;
• semolina;
• ethyl, ammonia;
• talc;
• sponge;
• soft fabric;
• magnesium sulfate.

When removing greasy stains, alcohol can be replaced with kerosene.

How to restore color

It is quite easy to return the color saturation to the previous color. A special color restoring spray is produced for suede shoes. How to use it:

1. First of all, choose a spray that matches the shade of your shoes.
2. Cover the floor with newspaper to avoid accidentally staining it.
3. Move your hand with the spray can at a distance of 25 cm from your shoes. Spray the product evenly onto the suede.
4. Dry the painted product.
5. Comb the pile.

It happens that your favorite shoes or boots need urgent help, but there is no color-restoring spray. Then use the substances at hand: they will not spoil the structure of the material, but will make the color deeper and brighter.

Whatever substance is chosen, the essence of the method is the same: apply the product to the surface of the shoe, you can rub it in lightly. Remove any remaining substance with a dry brush with soft bristles.

For white suede, use regular talcum powder. Use coffee grounds to tint brown suede boots. To restore black boots, take shoe polish or a marker.

Stages of material recovery

In the absence of proper care and unwillingness to spend money on restoration using chemical cleaning, you can listen to popular advice that explains how to renew suede. The process itself takes place in several stages:

• returning the product to purity;
• removing stains;
• elimination of greasy stains;
• restoration of pile in places of scuffs and bald spots;
• drying;
• return to original color;
• subsequent treatment for preventive purposes.

The restoration of natural suede on shoes is carried out according to the same rules as for an artificial product.

Cleaning

Before restoring suede shoes, it is imperative to clean the surface of various contaminants. This is done using a dry soft cloth, a dish sponge, a special brush or eraser. A very dirty product needs to be washed. Rub the sponge with soap, rinse with water and lather thoroughly. Foam helps get rid of dirt under the pile and refresh suede shoes. It is necessary to carefully walk over the surface with a sponge, and then rub it with a rubber brush. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the canvas from getting too wet, otherwise the desired result will not be achieved. If you don’t have the soap you need in your house, shower gel and regular laundry detergent are suitable substitutes.

When cleaning suede, movements should be in different directions. This helps to raise the pile and facilitate further cleaning of the product.

Removing stains

The appearance of stains on a product does not depend on its style and the type of fabric used. Suede fabric is one of the materials most susceptible to contamination. You can remove greasy stains using regular dishwashing detergent. You need to pour it on the boot, and after 20 minutes wash it off with a wet rag.

There are several other effective methods for cleaning products. To remove greasy stains, you can use baby talc. The contaminated area is simply sprinkled with the product, and after 15 minutes the residue is shaken off. Then, using a small piece of cloth soaked in alcohol or kerosene, this area is wiped and treated with a special brush. This is done in order to achieve the correct location of the villi. Semolina will help remove stubborn dirt. As with talcum powder, you just need to cover the stain and after 10-15 minutes, work the surface with a wire brush to lift the lint on the suede boots.

If you can’t wipe off the stain, you can hold the surface of the stain over steam. After this, repeat the cleaning procedure again. In this case, it is better to hold your shoes over the spout of a boiling kettle due to the more precise concentration of steam in one place. A saucepan will not work as there is a high risk of getting burned.

One of the most common ways to clean surfaces from stains is a soap solution with a few drops of ammonia. It helps maintain the length of the pile and its location. You just need to carefully wipe the surface with the mixture. To remove excess moisture, you can use a soft cloth.

To prepare a soap solution, it is better to use liquid detergents or special powder for delicate items.

You can remove greasy stains using dishwashing detergent.

You can use baby talc to remove greasy stains.

You can clean your shoes with alcohol or kerasin.

Semolina will help remove dirt

Hold your shoes over the steam

Removing stains with a soap solution with a few drops of ammonia
The line of products aimed at restoring suede boots is distinguished by its diversity. These include:

• foam;
• water repellent spray;
• spray paint;
• universal colorless spray;
• special deodorant.

Instructions for each of them are included in the package. At the end of the specified exposure time, the residues should simply be removed with a paper napkin. It is worth noting that the effectiveness of the listed products is approximately the same, but aerosols are slightly better.

Foam cleaner

Spray paint

Water repellent spray

Special deodorant

Getting rid of scuffs and restoring pile

A common reason for owners looking for a way to renew suede shoes at home is the violation of the correct placement of the pile. It is difficult to eliminate abrasion, but it is quite possible. The main thing is to work carefully and especially carefully so that the restoration procedure does not have the opposite effect.

A milk-based soda solution will help restore the original location of the villi and remove abrasions on suede. For 250 ml of liquid, 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate is needed. You need to mix everything thoroughly. Apply the resulting mixture to problem areas using a soft cloth, then use a special brush to give the pile the desired location. After the procedure, shoes should dry naturally.

Ammonia solution is one of the most effective ways to renew suede boots at home. You need to mix 1 tablespoon of alcohol and 4 tablespoons of warm water, and then wipe the product with the resulting mixture. In addition to giving the suede fabric its original appearance, the solution helps in removing stubborn dirt.

When the pile of a product just begins to lose its original properties, you can try to prevent further development of the defect with the help of steam. Restoration of suede boots involves the use of a special generator, which can be used to carefully treat the entire surface of the product. As a result, all bald spots will disappear.

If the device is not available, then a regular steam bath will help. To prevent the fabric structure from deteriorating as a result of the treatment, you need to use fine table salt. It must be applied to the boots after the cleaning procedure, and the residue must be brushed off with a brush.

Removing creases from suede shoes can also be done using steam treatment.

A milk-based soda solution will help restore the original location of the villi and remove abrasions on suede.

Ammonia solution helps in removing stubborn dirt

Creases can be removed using steam treatment

Proper drying

The next step is to thoroughly dry the product. First of all, the degree of wetting is determined. The product, thoroughly saturated with moisture, is tightly filled with old paper, after removing the insoles. This is done so that the boots do not lose their shape. The paper needs to be changed periodically as it becomes saturated with moisture. Insoles are dried separately.

You should also consider several important nuances:

1. The product completely dries in 20 hours, so it is better to take several pairs of shoes for the season.
2. To speed up the process, do not use a hair dryer or direct sources of fire.
3. The product is dried exclusively from the inside.
4. Boots should be placed in a room with good air circulation and dim lighting.
5. You cannot dry suede on a radiator.

You should not use newspaper as drying paper - ink marks may remain.

It is better to take several pairs of shoes for the season

Do not use a hair dryer or direct flame sources

The product is dried exclusively from the inside

Dry shoes in a room with good air circulation and dim lighting

You can’t dry suede on a radiator

Color preservation

Loss of color may be due to fading in direct sunlight or improper use of cleaning methods. You can restore the color of suede using special products that, among other things, prevent moisture absorption and the formation of heavy dirt. Traditional methods are no less effective, for which you do not need to purchase any special components. To restore dull pile on suede shoes of various shades, improvised means will help, which are selected depending on the color of the product. The table describes several popular methods.

For the restoration of suede boots to be more effective, the milk must have a high percentage of fat content.

Brown suede shoes can be restored using coffee grounds

For white shoes you will need a mixture containing talc, milk, turpentine

Cleaning shiny suede shoes

Shiny suede shoes can be restored using several methods.

1) The easiest and fastest way is to hold the product over a boiling pan or treat it with steam; you can also rub it with an eraser. Such manipulations allow you to raise the pile.

2) Ammonia works well for scuffs on shoes; to do this, dilute alcohol in water in a ratio of 2:1. Dip a clean cotton pad or gauze into the resulting liquid, and then thoroughly wipe the problem areas.

The remaining product is washed off with a small amount of plain water, after which the shoes are treated with a brush dipped in a mild vinegar solution.

3) Finally, you can raise the pile using fine-grained sandpaper, just work the worn area, but do not overdo it, so as not to completely ruin the shoes.

Tips for care and prevention

After completing all the procedures aimed at updating suede shoes, boots, boots, it is necessary to treat them with a special water-repellent spray, after first brushing the surface. The product can be put on or stored for storage only after the protective agent has been completely absorbed. Manufacturers of suede shoes have made a number of recommendations for users:

1. Try not to wear boots or shoes in high humidity. As a last resort, it is necessary to apply water-repellent impregnation to them and use a suede anti-scuff agent.
2. After each use, remove dirt using a lint-free cloth.
3. Even if there is no visible dirt on the bristles, you still need to use a double-sided brush. This is done to avoid the appearance of stubborn stains and bald spots.
4. It is recommended to store the product in special packaging from the manufacturer. Plastic bags are not suitable due to the high probability of mold formation, which is subsequently very difficult to remove.
5. Before putting shoes in boxes, you should make sure that the applied products are completely dry.

Despite some problems, suede shoes are loved by everyone. The products are especially popular among fans of fashion trends. If you remember a few simple rules and tips on how to restore suede shoes at home, then use will only be a pleasure.

In wet weather, apply water-repellent impregnation

Clean from dirt using a lint-free cloth and a double-sided brush

Store the product in packaging from the manufacturer

Cleaning light-colored shoes

Light suede shoes need regular cleaning. As soon as stains appear on the surface and it becomes untidy, wipe the dirty areas with a cotton pad soaked in ammonia or peroxide. The stronger and older the contamination, the more concentrated the solution should be. Please note that cleaning with concentrated ammonia or peroxide should be carried out no more often than once every six months.

Sometimes a stiff brush or a clean piece of rubber is enough to remove salt and reagents. If there is no result, then you need to add a little vinegar, and then comb the dried shoes with a brush.

Light suede can be cleaned well with a crumb of white bread; you need to roll it into a ball and lightly wipe off the dirt. Do not press too hard so that the pile does not lose its velvety quality.

The following mixture works great for removing dirt on white shoes: one teaspoon of soda, 100 ml of milk and a few drops of ammonia. Soak a cloth in the solution and wipe away the dirt.