How to Clean Suede Shoes and Boots at Home—and Keep Them Looking Great

It's no secret that suede is one of the more delicate materials in fashion. From suede flats and booties to suede jackets and purses, suede can be tricky to keep clean. As such, it requires special care to ensure it stays in tip-top shape.

"The first rule of thumb when treating suede is to know the material and to avoid ruining it while attempting to clean it," says Jason Mark Angsuvarn, the founder and president of Jason Markk, a shoe cleaning company geared towards sneaker lovers. "For example, excessive water can ruin the soft buttery texture and possibly even fade the color away if the suede is dyed."

If you have suede shoes that are in need of a decent cleaning, we spoke to Angsuvarn and another renowned cleaning expert for their advice on keeping beautiful suede shoes looking their best.

How to Clean Suede Shoes

Expect to clean your suede shoes at least once a month to prevent any scuffs or dirt build-up. Of course, if you wear your suede shoes frequently, you may need to clean them more than that to keep them looking good as new.

Step 1: Start with a Dry Brush

Dry brush the exterior dirt and dust off before adding any moisture to the equation. "Oftentimes suede can be cleaned without any moisture added," Angsuvarn says.

Step 2: Treat Stains

If there are still stains after the initial impurities have been swept away, Angsuvarn says it's time to apply a gentle cleaning solution. Squeeze a pea-sized drop of product onto the shoe and brush it back and forth with a damp brush to lift the stain and refresh the texture without fraying or damaging the suede. And, as the saying goes, if you don't succeed at first, try again. Just make sure to absorb any excess soap or water as you work through the process. Letting a solution sit for too long can make the stain look worse.

According to Joseph Hallak Jr. of Hallak Cleaners, you can also effectively clean suede shoes at home with a soot sponge. "It raises the nap of the suede nicely without causing any damage," he says. With this method, you might see some color transfer onto the sponge, but that's totally normal. To play it safe, Hallak Jr. says it's best to have sponges for each pair of suede shoes you own. His tip: Cut each sponge into three to four pieces.

Step 3: Soak Up Excess Moisture

Use a microfiber towel to soak up any excess moisture on the shoe. The most important thing to keep in mind when cleaning suede is how much liquid you're allowing to sink into the fabric. "Always be cautious of how much water and/or solution you are using," Angsuvarn says. "The key is to have a microfiber towel handy to soak up the moisture shortly after it's applied to the shoes and not let too much moisture set into the suede."

Step 4: Treat With a Shoe Protector

Spritz each shoe with a suede protector after you've finished cleaning them. That way, when liquid comes in contact with the suede, it's more likely to roll right off the fabric than sink in to cause a stain.

Tips for Keeping Suede Shoes in Good Condition

There are a few things you can do to keep your suede shoes in tip-top shape, aside from deep cleaning them when they need it.

1. Dry brush your shoes after each wear to prevent dust and dirt from building up.
2. Store your shoes in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
3. Only wear your suede shoes in the right weather conditions—if it's raining, it's best to skip the suede. If you find yourself caught in the rain in your suede shoes, then be sure to remove excess moisture as soon as possible.
4. Use shoe trees in your suede shoes when you're not wearing them to help keep their shape and prevent the suede from wrinkling.