How to Clean Suede Sneakers Without a Suede Cleaner

You can clean suede sneakers without a suede cleaner using a soft brush or old toothbrush, a clean pencil eraser, a little white vinegar on a cloth for stains, and cornflour (cornstarch) or baking soda to draw out grease. Vinegar and baking soda are both fine on suede if you use them sparingly on the surface and never soak the shoe, and you should always test them on a hidden spot first.

What household items clean suede sneakers?

Most homes already have everything you need. A dedicated suede kit is convenient, but the tools inside it do the same jobs as ordinary household items.

• A soft brush or old toothbrush for removing dry dirt and lifting the nap (the soft, fuzzy surface of suede).
• A clean white pencil eraser or art eraser for scuffs and small marks. Avoid coloured erasers, which can leave their own mark.
• White vinegar for water marks, dried mud stains and winter salt lines.
• Cornflour (cornstarch), baking soda or unscented talc for oil and grease.
• A clean, pale microfibre cloth for dabbing. A dark cloth can transfer dye onto light suede.
• Plain white paper or paper towels for stuffing the shoes while they dry. Newspaper can leave ink behind.

Keep a dry towel nearby, and work somewhere with good light so you can see the colour of the suede change as you go.

How to clean suede sneakers step by step

This routine suits general grime and light marks. Work through it in order and stop once the shoes look clean, since the less liquid you use on suede, the better.

1. Let the shoes dry completely. Wet mud smears deeper into the nap. Dry mud flakes off.
2. Remove the laces so you can reach the tongue and eyelets.
3. Brush the whole upper with a soft brush or toothbrush, using short strokes in one direction to lift surface dirt.
4. Rub marks with the eraser using light, firm pressure, as you would on paper. Brush away the crumbs as you go.
5. Treat any remaining stains with the vinegar or grease methods below.
6. Brush the nap back up once everything is dry, working in small circles or back and forth to restore an even texture.

Cleaning the laces and soles

Laces can be washed by hand in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid (dish soap), then rinsed and left to air-dry. For rubber soles and midsoles, use a toothbrush dipped in soapy water, and hold the shoe so the suede upper stays dry. A melamine sponge works well on white rubber, but it is abrasive, so keep it well away from the suede itself.

Can you use vinegar on suede?

Yes, white vinegar is one of the most common home remedies for suede, and it is gentle enough for most marks if you apply it carefully. Its mild acidity helps loosen dirt and the mineral residue left behind by water and road salt.

1. Test first on a hidden area, such as the inside of the heel collar or under the tongue, and let it dry to check the colour.
2. Dampen a corner of a clean cloth with white vinegar. It should be damp, not dripping.
3. Dab the stain gently. Do not scrub, as scrubbing flattens and can tear the nap.
4. Blot with a dry part of the cloth.
5. Leave the shoe to dry naturally, then brush.

The smell fades as the vinegar evaporates. Use plain white vinegar only. Malt, cider and balsamic vinegars carry colour and sugars that can stain.

Can you use baking soda on suede?

Baking soda is safe on suede when used dry, as an absorbent. It is useful on fresh grease or oil and can also help freshen the inside of trainers that smell. Cornflour (cornstarch) does the same job and is a little finer, so some people prefer it on pale suede.

How to lift an oil or grease stain

1. Blot any fresh oil with a paper towel. Do not rub it in.
2. Cover the mark with a generous layer of cornflour or baking soda.
3. Leave it for several hours, or overnight for a heavier stain, so the powder can draw out the oil.
4. Brush the powder away with a dry brush.
5. Repeat if the mark has faded but not gone.

Avoid mixing baking soda with vinegar or water into a paste on suede. The wet mixture soaks into the leather, can leave a white residue in the nap, and may change the colour. Old oil stains that have already set are hard to remove fully at home, and a specialist cleaner or cobbler is the better option for those.

How do you remove water marks from suede?

Water marks, or tide lines, often form because a small area got wet and dried unevenly. The fix sounds odd: you dampen the whole panel evenly so it dries at one rate.

1. Brush the shoe to remove surface dirt.
2. Lightly dampen a clean sponge or cloth with water, or water mixed with a little white vinegar.
3. Moisten the entire panel that has the mark, from seam to seam, so there is no hard edge between wet and dry areas.
4. Blot away excess moisture and stuff the shoes with plain paper to hold their shape.
5. Let them dry at room temperature, then brush the nap.

This works best on shoes in one solid colour. On trainers with contrasting panels, keep the dampening within one panel so dyes do not run into each other.

What should you avoid when cleaning suede?

• Soaking or machine washing. Suede can stiffen, shrink, lose colour or come unglued from the sole.
• Direct heat. Radiators, hairdryers, tumble dryers and strong sun can make suede hard and brittle, and heat may weaken the glue in the sole.
• Harsh chemicals. Bleach, strong solvents and all-purpose sprays can strip colour.
• Coloured cloths and hard brushes. Both can damage or mark the surface. If you use a stiffer brush, keep the pressure light.
• Skipping the patch test. Suede is dyed in many ways, and a method that works on one pair can lighten another.

Some guides suggest holding suede over the steam from a kettle to revive a flattened nap. It can work, but it adds moisture and heat at once, so keep the shoe at a safe distance, limit it to a few seconds, keep your hands clear of the steam, and brush the nap as soon as it cools. If the shoes matter to you, try it on a hidden area first.

How to keep suede sneakers clean for longer

Once the shoes are clean and completely dry, a suede protector spray will help them resist light rain and spills. It reduces how much water and dirt the suede absorbs, but it does not make it waterproof, so avoid puddles and heavy rain anyway. Our guide to sneaker and clothing care in the Journal covers wet-weather suede in more detail.

A quick brush after every few wears stops dirt from settling into the nap, and storing the shoes with paper or shoe trees inside helps them keep their shape. If you are replacing a pair that is past saving, it is worth checking your size with the shoe size converter, since brands can differ by up to half a size. Our current suede trainers are in the shop.

FAQs

Can I use a normal toothbrush on suede sneakers?

Yes. A clean, soft or medium toothbrush is a good substitute for a suede brush, especially around seams and the toe. Use light strokes so you lift the fibres rather than flattening them.

Is rubbing alcohol safe on suede?

Some people use a little rubbing alcohol on stubborn stains, much like vinegar, but it can dry the leather and may affect some dyes. If you try it, dab a small amount on a cloth, test on a hidden area, and let it dry before judging the result.

Can I put suede trainers in the washing machine?

No. The water, detergent and tumbling can shrink the suede, fade the colour and loosen the sole. Clean them by hand with the dry-first methods above.

How long does suede take to dry after cleaning?

It depends on how much moisture you used and the room temperature. Lightly dabbed spots may dry in an hour or two, while a fully dampened panel can take most of a day. Wait until the suede feels completely dry before brushing or wearing.

Why does my suede look darker after cleaning?

Damp suede always looks darker. Once it is fully dry and brushed, the colour usually returns. If a patch stays darker, the nap may be flattened, so brush it again firmly in several directions.