Dirty shoes are a bad calling card for a person. But keeping it clean in autumn and winter is a real skill. While some shoes only need to be wiped with a cloth, others require the use of special cleaning products. This applies to both shoes made from artificial suede and products made from natural materials. An inappropriate cleaning method can irreversibly destroy your shoes or boots. They can change their color and structure. So what to do? How to properly clean and can suede shoes be washed? Let's figure it out.
Features of suede
Suede fabric on a natural basis is obtained by tanning and impregnating the skin of calves, sheep, goats or deer with a special composition. This is a thin and elastic material with a fleecy and delicate surface, but at the same time suede is characterized by wear resistance and durability. This fabric allows air to pass through well, retains heat for a long time, and is lightweight and soft. This material never gets wet through.
However, natural suede has disadvantages:
- it costs expensive;
- quickly becomes dirty and dusty;
- shoes made of such material cannot be worn in rainy weather, since exposure to moisture negatively affects its appearance;
- special care products are required.
Faux suede is a fabric with bristles that imitates natural leather. It is characterized by less durability and strength, but with good care it can have an attractive appearance for a long time. This material repels dust well, is easy to clean from dirt, but does not allow air to pass through and does not tolerate moisture well.
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Choice of product
Products made from artificial suede and genuine leather require special cleaning products; dry laundry detergent is not suitable for washing such material. To thoroughly clean and refresh nubuck outerwear, you should choose one of the following detergents:
- Washing gel is perfect; this liquid product washes well and washes out perfectly during the first rinse.
- Paste-like powders will cope with the task remarkably well and preserve the structure of the material.
- Laundry soap, or rather its aqueous solution, also has gentle characteristics. It is prepared before the cleaning process, 40-50 g of soap is dissolved in 0.5 liters of warm water and used.
- You should avoid using chlorine bleaches, even if there are stains on the product. They are removed in other ways before washing.
- Softeners and rinses are not used.
- You can use a special shampoo or detergent for the skin.
Only recommended products will help remove stains; the use of others may negatively affect the appearance of this type of clothing.
Features of caring for natural suede
It is not recommended to machine wash natural suede. Only with your hands. And only according to the instructions.
So if you plan to wash your suede sneakers, be sure to read this article to the end. Better yet, keep it in the most visible place. Believe me, this information will come in handy more than once.
- Method for removing dirt 1. So, you have in your hands an expensive pair of natural suede that requires urgent cleaning. First, rinse your shoes under running warm water to remove dirt. Did you rinse? Now put them aside.
Next, fill a bowl of warm water, pour in (pour) hand washing powder, stir until completely dissolved and place the shoes in it. Never apply detergent directly to dirty areas of suede. Direct contact will destroy the texture of the material and then the next “stop” for your favorite boots is the nearest trash can.
We wait. After washing, be sure to dry the pair. To do this, first use a damp natural fabric (cotton) and then a dry one. It wouldn’t hurt to put paper inside the shoes so that the material inside the product doesn’t become damp.
- Method for removing dirt 2. If your suede “all-terrain vehicles” are generally in poor condition, you need to use “heavy cleaning artillery” - steaming. It sounds menacing, but in reality it looks quite harmless. The only disadvantage of this method is that its implementation requires a significant amount of time.
These are not textile sneakers for you to wash in the washing machine . So, take out a pan, pour in water and boil it. Now we take suede shoes and hold them over steam until the coating becomes soft. Next, take a damp brush and begin to remove dirt from it until it is completely removed.
- Method for removing dirt 3. There is another way to revive “dirty” suede - ammonia. Dilute the substance with water in a 1:1 ratio, apply to a natural cloth and remove dirt with gentle movements.
How to care for shoes made of natural suede?
These sneakers need to be cleaned frequently. If stains cannot be removed with a brush, liquid detergent will help remove the stains. The product must be slightly moistened, apply detergent with a sponge and rub gently. An equally effective option is to treat the product with talc.
You can wash your sneakers in a concentrated soap solution. To do this, you should cut out some laundry soap and prepare a solution. Dampen a soft cloth or sponge in it and remove dirt and stains.
Such shoes, especially suede boots, cannot be washed in a machine, since the material will quickly deteriorate and the shoes can only be thrown away.
As for the matter, when you need to remove stains, you need to do it manually. Applying detergents directly to sneakers is strictly prohibited. This will instantly ruin the product. Only on a soft cloth.
After you have washed your sneakers or boots by hand, you should wipe them dry. To do this, you need to use dry cloths. You should not use a brush after washing.
When drying, do not place sneakers near heating radiators. This will quickly disrupt the natural layer of suede and ruin the product.
If the stains are very strong, the steaming method will help remove them. Sneakers need to be held over a saucepan with steam. Of course, before manipulation, you should wash the soles of your shoes clean. To remove stains properly, you need to hold your sneakers or boots over steam until the surface of the shoe softens. Afterwards the product can be cleaned with a soft brush. It is better to do this very carefully so as not to damage the delicate suede. A gentle fleece will help in this process, which will quickly wipe away stubborn dirt from the surface of the product.
Is it possible to wash suede sneakers in a machine? No, experts give a clear answer. There are brave souls, but nothing comes of their plans. Suede sneakers immediately lose their appearance and literally fall apart. The fabric is turning pale. Do not allow suede to get wet through.
If the stains are very bright, and the material does not give in, the stains cannot be removed either by steam or by dry cleaning, a solution of ammonia in water will help. It must be diluted in a 1:1 ratio. Soak a flannel cloth in the solution and finally rub it a little with a brush.
Superficial wet cleaning
If there are small contaminated areas on your shoes, you can deal with them using improvised means. First you need to remove adhered dirt with a special brush, then start cleaning:
- Old stubborn stains can be removed using steam. To do this you will need to boil a large pot of water. First wipe shoes in dirty areas with a damp sponge, then hold it over boiling water for several minutes. When the material has steamed well, clean the stains with a special stiff brush for caring for suede. After the procedure, blot the shoes with a microfiber cloth and treat the surface with a special care product for suede products.
- Any salt stains that have appeared can be removed with ammonia. Dilute a 10% solution of ammonia with water in a ratio of 1:4, dip the sponge and clean the stains.
- Sprinkle greasy stains with cornstarch, talcum powder, or baby powder before cleaning - the powder will absorb most of the grease. Then start cleaning with a stiff brush.
- If there are stains of unknown origin on the suede surface, they should be treated with a paste made from ammonia and potato starch. Apply the mixture to the contaminated areas for a few minutes, then remove with a brush and dry.
If none of the methods work, you will have to wash your shoes.
How to Remove Stains from Suede Shoes
If your suede shoes have stubborn stains, you can remove them by steaming.
The shoes are kept over a pan of boiling water for about five minutes. The stains are then removed with a rubber suede brush. If you don't have a rubber brush, an eraser or a dry crust of bread will do.
Light suede shoes covered with stains can be cleaned with a solution of soda and milk:
- take warm low-fat milk, dilute soda in it - one tablespoon per glass of water;
- thoroughly wipe the shoes with this solution and then with a sponge soaked in clean water;
- After that, blot the shoes with a paper napkin and dry them as after washing.
If your suede shoes are shiny from greasy stains, you can treat the stains with dry cornstarch: sprinkle the starch on the stain and leave for three hours. Then clean the shoes with a dry, stiff suede brush.
Cleaning and care products
Suede, like leather, is prone to the adhesion of dust and other contaminants and absorption of moisture. In addition, every spot on it is noticeable. The appearance of suede shoes is directly proportional to their care. The sooner you start, the longer they will serve you.
But how to clean the dirt? What are the best tools and stain removers? Let's get a look.
Special devices and substances for cleaning suede can be purchased at every specialty store. These include:
- Brushes. Special brushes are rubber on one side and wire on the other. This makes it possible to clean and restore lint with one tool.
- Sponges. They are softer and suitable for people who are wary of using brushes.
- Special cleaning foam. Sold in every shoe store.
- Water and Marseille soap.
Cleaning and care process:
- Take out the laces. Wash them or replace them with new ones. You can try a different color from the original shade. You will see your shoes take on a fresh look.
- To make cleaning easier, insert tensioners. By stretching, the material is better cleaned, and the applied products are better removed.
- Eliminate surface dust. It is best to do this with a brush with dense bristles.
- Do not forget about seams and all hard-to-reach places, tongue, stitches at the sole.
- Suede tends to wear and become shiny in exposed areas. To eliminate this drawback, a crepe brush made of natural rubber is suitable.
- The next step is to use a renovator. This product nourishes the skin, makes it elastic, prevents hardening and restores color to some extent. After applying from the distance indicated on the package, leave the substance to dry (also in accordance with the instructions), brush again.
- Don't forget to take care of your soles. Their edges often need to be repaired using a special cream. It is best applied with a finger wearing a nitrile glove.
Washing in an automatic washing machine
The label of each suede pair contains information about the possibility of washing it in an automatic machine, so before loading a pair into the drum, you need to read the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If the decision to wash has been made, then processing must be carried out according to strict rules:
Remove all visible dirt from shoes, thoroughly clean the soles of small stones. You can rinse the pair under running water to rid it of dust.- Remove laces and insoles, if any, from shoes. These elements are washed separately, by hand.
- Place the boots in a washing bag. It is a mesh that acts as additional protection. If you don’t have one in the house, you can use an old pillowcase.
- Pour the selected cleaning product into the washing machine. To wash suede shoes, it is recommended to use gel capsules or liquid powders. Such compositions dissolve well in cool water and are better washed out when rinsing.
- Set the appropriate program. The best option is the “delicate” or “gentle” wash mode. If it is not there, then the machine is set up manually. The temperature is left at 30 degrees, and the spin is turned off. The optimal washing duration is 30-40 minutes.
- Remove shoes from the drum and bag and dry in natural conditions.
It is prohibited to use aggressive detergents containing chlorine to wash suede shoes.
What happens if you wash suede sneakers in a washing machine, video experiment:
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Handwash
Machine washing, even the most gentle one, will still have a slight effect on the suede. You can also clean it manually; this method will be more gentle and will not be inferior in quality to a washing machine. The main thing is to do everything quickly and correctly:
- Fill the basin with water, no higher than 35 degrees.
- Dilute detergent in water, it is better to whip up foam and clean with it.
- First of all, foam is applied to the sleeves up to the elbow, collar, and lower edges of the jacket. This should be done using a soft sponge.
- Rinse is carried out in cool water, the amount depends on how dirty the item is and the cleaning agent used.
- You can’t twist it, you can lightly press it or blot it with a terry towel.
Dry in a standard way; artificially heating the air around the product is prohibited.
Whether it is possible to wash a suede jacket is up to everyone to decide for themselves; if you strictly follow all the suggested recommendations and tips, then the cleaning of such outerwear will be done efficiently. Not every dry cleaner will return it to you in this form.
Manually
To get rid of salt deposits, soil and dust, the pair can be washed by hand. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:
dissolve laundry or liquid soap in water;- Place a thick, light-colored fabric inside each shoe - this is done to prevent water from filling the shoes, penetrating under the insoles and destroying the sole; most often, the internal elements do not need to be washed;
- moisten a toothbrush in the detergent;
- rub the contaminated areas with it;
- Dry your shoes naturally.
After drying, suede may become stiff . To give it an attractive look, it should be rubbed with a special brush. Such devices are sold in all shoe stores.
If the shoes are very dirty, cleaning will not be enough. In this case, you can soak it. Leaving the steam in the water for longer than 5-15 minutes is not recommended.
Rules for hand washing with soaking:
- Prepare a cleaning solution. This can be liquid soap diluted in water or another cleaning composition containing a surfactant.
- Rinse the shoes under running water and clean the soles.
- Remove insoles and laces, if present.
- Place the couple in a bowl of water and leave for a few minutes. There is no need to completely immerse your shoes in the solution. The less water gets inside, the better. Periodically you need to go to the container and check if the dirt has come off from your shoes. If the stains are gone, the washing process can be continued.
- Using a toothbrush or any other soft-bristled brush, rub the areas that are more dirty than others.
- Rinse the shoes under running clean water and blot with a soft cloth outside and inside.
- The steam is dried under natural conditions.
To prevent shoes from losing their shape during drying, you can place white paper or bandages inside. The filler is changed as it becomes saturated with moisture.
It is prohibited to soak winter shoes, shoes and long boots.
This video will show you how to clean suede sneakers by hand:
Important Tips
It is possible to wash suede sneakers from Adidas or another high-quality brand. But it’s better not to tempt fate and learn how to properly care for such shoes. Many people advise purchasing special products for suede. If they are not at hand, then this is also not a problem.
You can always use available suede care products:
- Small stains can be removed with a mixture of milk and soda. To do this you need to stir 1 tsp. bulk component in a glass of heated milk. Wipe the sneakers with this solution (the rag should be quite coarse, for example, burlap).
- Ammonia and water will also help get rid of stains on shoes. For 1 tbsp. warm water you need to take a quarter glass of alcohol. Wipe the sneakers with the resulting liquid.
- Gasoline will help remove greasy stains on suede sneakers. However, it should only be used with talc. To do this, the product must first be wiped with gasoline, then covered with talcum powder. After a few hours, the composition can be removed with a cloth, and then clean the boot with a stiff brush.
- It is good to clean brown suede products with coffee grounds. To do this, you need to moisten a brush in it and treat the surface. After the shoes have dried, it is important to brush off the coffee with a dry brush. If necessary, you can repeat the procedure.
- You can wash white suede sneakers using regular potato starch. To do this, you need to lightly rub the contaminated areas with powder, leave to act for 1 - 1.5 hours, and clean with a dry brush. The main rule is to choose a brush with stiff bristles.
- You can improve the cleaning effect with a mixture of starch and ammonia. With its help, you can remove even stubborn stains on shoes that cannot be washed. From these ingredients you need to make a paste, which you should generously rub on the stained areas. After this, you just need to wait for the mixture to dry and clean it off with a brush.
- When shiny areas remain on your suede sneakers after washing, you can remove them with a piece of stale bread. You just need to rub the problem area with dried crumbs and remove any crumbs remaining on the surface using a coarse brush.
- You can replace stale bread with sandpaper. It is also able to remove residual contaminants that were not washed off during washing. But in this case you need to be extremely careful, since with excessive effort you can damage the structure of the sneaker and the product will have to be thrown away.
- A pencil eraser can also clean up your shoes in areas where dirt remains after washing. Surfaces can be thoroughly rubbed with an eraser without fear of damaging the leather structure. Washing gum can be replaced with ordinary hard foam rubber; the remaining material can be easily removed from the surface of the shoe with a brush.
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Washing a suede dress or other items made from natural fabrics is easy. First of all, you need to consider:
- To wash suede clothes, do not use powder or any bleaching agents. It is better to use a special shampoo to clean suede, either regular or soapy water;
- The water temperature should not exceed 40°C; if it is higher, the product will lose its shape;
- You cannot soak suede, since this material does not like prolonged contact with water;
- Things are only completely washed. Washing certain areas will lead to streaks; You cannot wring out suede clothes.
It is safer to wash suede items by hand. This makes it easier to control the washing process. To wash, prepare a warm soapy solution and immerse the clothes in it. To clean, use a brush with hard bristles, but not a sponge, as this will allow dirt to penetrate even deeper into the material. If the item is on a thick lining and there is no desire to get it wet, then you can lay the item to be washed on a flat horizontal surface and, often wetting the brush in the washing solution, clean the entire surface of the item being washed.
To remove dirt from suede sneakers as carefully as possible, you need to take into account the following recommendations:
- You should resort to treating shoes with water or washing them in an automatic machine only in extreme cases.
- You should not wear wet sneakers; you must wait until they are completely dry. A lot of dust will stick to wet shoes, which will be difficult to clean.
- To dry your sneakers, use only white paper. Colored newspaper can stain shoes, leaving unsightly streaks on them.
- To remove dust from suede, you need to use special brushes. They are sold in hardware stores and shoe departments.
- Suede does not tolerate rough handling.
If, after removing the stains, the color of the sneakers has become less bright, it can be restored using special aerosols.
Remove stubborn dirt
How to wash suede shoes when the dirt is very ingrained into the leather? It is unacceptable to do this in a typewriter. You need to prepare a special soap solution with the addition of ammonia. This substance will not only help remove stains faster, but will also dissolve soap shavings more quickly.
How to wash suede sneakers in the washing machine if they are just a little dusty and made of artificial material? Then it is better to set the most gentle mode, which will help wash the product for 15-20 minutes. There is no need to put the spin cycle on, but it is better to dry your sneakers or boots in the open air, but not near a radiator. It is worth pre-wiping your shoes to remove excess moisture.
How to wash suede shoes by hand
If the instructions for using suede shoes are strictly followed, they should only be worn in dry weather and should not be washed.
Suede shoes must be treated with water-repellent impregnation, then, in case of dampness outside, they will not get wet or dirty.
However, life situations often contradict instructions. If it suddenly rains heavily or the snow quickly begins to melt, suede boots or shoes can become completely soaked with water and liquid mud. If, in addition, they forgot to treat the shoes with a protective agent, their condition will be deplorable.
In such cases, it is better to quickly wash your suede shoes by hand and put them in order immediately upon returning home, regardless of the recommendations of the shoe manufacturers.
How to wash heavily soiled and soaking wet suede shoes:
- wash your shoes from dirt under the tap;
- prepare a warm solution of washing powder in a basin with the addition of ammonia - twenty drops per liter of water;
- moisten the sponge in the solution, wring it out and wipe the surface of the shoe;
- Use a sponge soaked in clean water to dip the shoes and remove any remaining soap solution.
After washing, blot the shoes with a paper napkin, stuff them with dry paper and put them in a well-ventilated place to dry.
Do not dry suede shoes on a radiator or near a heater.
When the shoes are dry, you need to go over them with a special suede brush to restore softness, elasticity and velvety. Then treat with a protective water-repellent impregnation for suede.
Proper drying
After washing your shoes, you need to dry them properly. The moisture will completely evaporate no earlier than after 20 hours. You should not wear a pair until this time.
Basic recommendations to follow:
- do not expose steam to heating devices or fire sources, do not use a hairdryer;
- protect suede from exposure to direct sunlight;
- To dry quickly, products should be kept in a room with low humidity.
Suede shoes should dry naturally, at room temperature.
What products to use to care for suede shoes
With the development of modern industry, various means of protecting suede shoes from various weather conditions have been developed. The most popular brands are:
- "Salton";
- "Dividik";
- "Kiwi";
- "Salamander".
They contain special chemical elements that can quickly and safely deal with various types of contaminants. Treating shoes after cleaning with special protective sprays prevents new stains from appearing on the surface of the shoes.
It is advisable to treat shoes with such compounds in the evening, so that the product can be completely absorbed and activated overnight.
A few more methods
To manually wash natural suede, use a soap solution with the addition of:
- Vinegar;
- Ammonia;
- Ethyl alcohol.
In addition, talc and sandpaper will help to clean your boots properly. To begin with, you can try to remove dirt with ethyl alcohol. To do this, you need to moisten a cloth or use a brush in a small amount of alcohol and water solution.
If it is not possible to remove contaminants, ammonia will help. With this substance it is worth doing the same as with ethyl alcohol. When you can’t wash it this way, you need to prepare a vinegar solution. A couple of ml should be diluted in 20 ml of water. Wipe the boots with a cloth and let them dry. Vinegar will not ruin the delicate material, but will remove dirt.
If your suede shoes are brown, coffee grounds will help remove stains. After treatment with this substance, the shoes should be wiped with a rubber brush. It is advisable to clean lightly. It is correct to do this with movements in the same direction. This way it is impossible to damage the material from which shoes or moccasins are made.
You will have to remove dirt manually even if gaps are found in the areas where the upper is glued to the sole. Such shoes should be cleaned by hand, rather than washing them in a machine, and then given to a shoemaker. It will help remove dirt residues correctly if dirt still remains.
Sandpaper can be used with caution when cleaning. If this is an extreme case, sanding will help, but it is important to proceed with extreme caution.
Many housewives wash faux suede shoes with a machine, after putting them in a special bag. This is justified; experts recommend this cleaning option.
It is important to prevent bald spots from appearing on suede shoes. Nothing will help to remove them. Therefore, it is important to properly care for your shoes from the day you purchase them.
So, suede shoes cannot be washed in a machine, since expensive moccasins or shoes can be damaged. It is recommended to remove dirt manually using a soft rubber brush. When the spots are greasy or do not come off during dry treatment, a solution of ethyl alcohol, ammonia or vinegar will help. If you use the right methods for removing dirt, you can achieve not only cleanliness, but also significantly refresh your shoes, improving their appearance.
Step-by-step instructions for washing suede shoes
An important condition for safe washing of suede products is following a competent washing algorithm. In this case, the shoes should first be inspected for the presence of various types of defects on their surface: cracks, abrasions, damage.
If they are present, it is not recommended to put shoes in the washing machine. Such shoes should be “washed” only by hand.
Preparation
Before washing suede shoes, you should prepare them a little. Preparatory activities include:
- Unlacing boots.
- Removing the insoles (they are cleaned separately).
- Washing the soles from dirt.
- Primary surface treatment under running water.
The presence of complex stains on the surface of shoes requires initial manual processing of suede. In this case, you can use not only a brush with soft bristles, but also use homemade or special cleaning compounds. This treatment is especially necessary when the following types of dirt appear on boots:
- stubborn stains;
- dye;
- fat.
Proper preparation allows you to reduce the washing time of the product and get the most desired result. It is advisable to prepare shoes for washing after they become heavily soiled, so that the dirt cannot be absorbed further.
Required funds
Boots or shoes made of suede with characteristic fine hairs (the result of sanding) get marks on the surface when they come into contact with hard objects.
To protect this material from destruction, prolonged contact of the surface with moisture should be avoided. It is more difficult to remove stains formed on suede than from smooth surfaces due to its fleecy structure. In this case, you should use certain cleaning products:
- Weak soap solution.
Gently wipe the surfaces of contaminated shoes with a weak soap solution (take 10 g of soap sawdust for 1 liter of water). You can do this with a brush or soft cloth. You should not dip suede shoes in a highly concentrated soap solution, which can damage their structure (the abundance of soap leads to the appearance of lumps on the surface). Also, strongly soapy water may discolor suede paints.
- Weak vinegar solution.
In 1 l. water at room temperature should be diluted with 5 drops of 70% acetic acid. You need to dip a sponge into the resulting liquid, which you then move over the surface of the soiled shoes. Then the shoes must be kept under running water. This composition can even rid suede boots of the smell of cat excrement.
- Starch (hot talc).
You can use starch (hot talc) to clean your boots. A small amount is applied to the surface of the greasy stain and left for 10 minutes. Then the remnants of the folk remedy are shaken off, and the shoes are not worn for several hours.
At the same time, the applied powder will begin to absorb fat on the stains. Next, you should clean your shoes with a metallic shoe brush, which can remove any remaining dirt. If necessary, the procedure should be repeated.
It is not recommended to use washing powder with a bleaching effect to remove stains. This product may discolor the suede or cause white spots to form. Suede boots should be cleaned using special products:
- foam;
- cleaner;
- spray;
- shampoo.
You can purchase such products in specialized shoe stores. They often sell special brushes for suede that can remove small particles of dirt between the fibers.
It is not recommended to use the following compounds for cleaning suede products:
- acetone;
- petrol;
- alcohol.
Their aggressive components can destroy small fibers, which can cause “holes” to appear.
Temperature
Washing suede shoes requires a special temperature regime to prevail. This reduces the risk of products losing color and shape. The most favorable temperature is 40o Celsius. In such warm water, many types of stains easily come off from products and their structure is not damaged.
Drying
When washing suede shoes in a machine, it is not recommended to subject them to the drying unit available in the unit, as well as spinning. In order to remove excess liquid, you should squeeze things with your palms in separate places. This way, the fibers will no longer be exposed to water.
It is advisable to dry things naturally. To do this, lay the boots horizontally on a flat surface. Additionally, you can wipe the surface with a dry cloth. You can put crumpled paper inside the boots, which can absorb excess moisture and help maintain its shape.
At home, it is not recommended to dry suede boots on heating devices. Due to the large amount of heat they emit, shoes can become dry and wrinkled. It is better to dry your shoes away from heaters and radiators.
Note! It is not advisable to dry your boots in sunlight. Under its rays, products may become deformed and fade.
Useful care tips
Simple tips on how to restore and maintain the presentable appearance of suede products:
- You can restore the original appearance of light suede shoes using a solution of milk and soda. Mix skim milk at room temperature (200 ml) with 1 tablespoon of soda. Rub the resulting solution with a sponge into the surface of the suede. After the procedure, remove the mixture with a clean damp sponge, blot with a dry microfiber cloth and fill the shoes with crumpled paper towels.
- White suede can be refreshed using hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. To prepare the solution, mix both components with clean water in a 1:1:1 ratio. When cleaning light-colored items, it is important to use only clean brushes or sponges.
- To restore the brightness of brown suede, proceed in the same way, using water and coffee grounds in the same proportions.
- Regular copy paper will help return the rich black color of suede shoes. Before you polish faded shoes with carbon paper, you need to remove dirt from their surface and dry them if they are wet.
- If shiny areas appear on the shoes, they must first be treated with a damp sponge, then lightly moistened with castor oil, and walked over the surface again. To lift the pile, you need to rub the shiny areas with a regular eraser or hold the shoes over steam.
It is always easier to prevent the appearance of stains than to deal with them. To avoid the need to wash suede shoes, you just need to take care of them from time to time, treat them with water-repellent agents, and do not wear them in rainy weather.
Rules and Cautions
How to wash suede sneakers or boots if they are made of natural material? Worth remembering:
- Do not allow the skin to get wet through;
- It is better to avoid using harsh detergents containing bleaches;
- Stains will go away when steamed;
- Sneakers should be cleaned especially delicately, with a soft brush;
- It is better to remove dirt correctly by hand so as not to damage the delicate material of the suede product;
- You can wash boots or sneakers in a machine, but the surface will deteriorate if it is made of natural material. Otherwise, dirt and old stains can be easily removed by washing in an automatic machine.
How to wash suede shoes without causing harm when cleaning and treating them in a solution of ammonia or peroxide when removing stains? It is important to follow step-by-step instructions when each manipulation is done purposefully. Washing suede shoes made from non-natural material is useful. Otherwise, it is better to avoid such a procedure.
You can clean natural suede only after the sneakers or boots are 100% dry. Cleaning is done with a natural bristle brush. Movements should not be intense. Otherwise, the product can be thrown away after such cleaning.
How to wash suede shoes in a machine? If the owner of an excellent pair of suede sneakers dares to do such a manipulation, he should act extremely carefully and correctly. After putting the boots in the drum, you should set the most gentle mode and the temperature to no more than 30°C. It is better not to spin, as this will immediately ruin the product. It is better to set a “water stop”. This will protect the material from damage. It is better to dry properly not near the radiator, but away from the radiator, on a flat surface covered with dry rags. You should put dry paper or crumpled newspapers inside the product.
If the dirt is minor, you can use a simple office eraser. It's better to get a new one. It is correct to lightly rub the stains, but try not to rub dirt into the suede.
The answer to the question of how to wash suede shoes will be given by one more manipulation. It consists of applying specially prepared foam to the surface of the product. This will help remove stubborn dirt and use a minimum of water so as not to ruin your sneakers or boots.
To prepare the foam, you will need a spoon of powder and a little water. You need to mix the ingredients and beat everything into foam. Next, apply the solution in a thin layer to the product. No brushing is necessary. It would be correct to hold the composition on the surface for a little while and remove it with a damp cloth. It is recommended to first remove dry dirt from the product.
What not to do to avoid damaging suede shoes when washing
To prevent contamination, suede products are not recommended to be worn in bad weather. Walking through puddles and snowdrifts negatively affects the general condition of the shoes. Before leaving the house, the suede surface should be treated with a protective aerosol. If stains still appear, you should refuse:
- use of ordinary cleaning products and devices;
- drying near electrical appliances;
- automatic cleaning of products with compromised integrity.
Following the recommendations on how to wash suede sneakers and boots will increase their service life. Thanks to gentle processing, you can quickly and effectively eliminate scuffs and return damaged shoes to their former shine.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
You can remove stains from suede shoes using other methods. They are considered more gentle than machine or hand washing.
These include:
- Using a rubber brush or school eraser. Use them to remove stains on shoes. This method is suitable for removing fresh, non-ingrained stains.
- Using foam to clean carpets. It is applied to the contaminated area, left for 5-10 minutes, after which it is removed with a damp sponge.
- Steam cleaning. This method allows you to deal with greasy stains. In a suitable container, bring water to a boil, then hold the shoe over the steam. You cannot treat shoes with hot, humid air for longer than 5 minutes. When the dirt has softened, rub it with a damp brush with soft bristles. After cleaning is completed, the shoes need to be dried.
- Using talc or starch. These powders have absorbent properties, so they work great on greasy stains. They are applied to the stain and pressed down with paper. You can additionally place a load on the surface. This will enhance the fat absorption process. After 3 hours, the paper is removed and the remaining powder is removed with a brush.
Don't wait for the dirt that gets on your shoes to dry and be absorbed into the fabric. You need to start cleaning as early as possible. This will get rid of stains with minimal damage to the suede pair.