How to Clean Suede Sneakers
Restore delicate suede sneakers safely using dry-brushing, specialized foam cleaners, nap-resetting techniques, and protective weatherproofing spray.
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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Soft horsehair brush
- ✓ Medium nylon or suede brush
- ✓ Suede eraser
- ✓ Adjustable shoe trees
- ✓ Microfiber towels
- ✓ Small water bowl
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Suede-safe sneaker cleaner solution
- ✓ Water-repellent suede protector spray
- ✓ Clean water
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Work in a well-ventilated area when applying water-repellent spray.
- • Never soak suede directly in water to prevent permanent fiber damage and dye bleeding.
- • Keep heat guns or hair dryers away; high heat shrinks and stiffens suede leather.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Insert Shoe Trees and Dry Brush
Insert adjustable shoe trees to maintain the sneaker's shape and tension the toe box. Take a dry, soft horsehair brush and sweep across the entire upper in a single direction to remove loose surface dirt and dust.
- • Shoe toe box is taut and uncreased.
- • Surface dust is cleared, leaving the suede texture uniform.
- • Scrubbing back and forth aggressively, which grinds dust deeper into the fibers.
Erase Stubborn Scuffs
Use a specialized rubber suede eraser on visible stains, oil spots, or scuff marks. Apply firm, circular pressure over the stain, allowing the rubber shavings to pull out embedded debris.
- • Eraser shavings visible on the suede surface.
- • Targeted scuff mark is significantly lightened or gone.
- • Pressing too hard on worn suede, creating bald patches.
Lather with Controlled Foam
Dip the bristles of a medium brush lightly into water, shake off all excess, and apply a drop of suede cleaner. Scrub the bristles against your hand or a towel to create a thick, low-moisture foam, then work the foam into the suede in light circular motions.
- • White foam resting on the surface without puddling or drenching the suede.
- • Even lather coverage across entire panel sections.
- • Applying a dripping wet brush directly to the shoe, saturating the leather.
Blot and Extract Moisture
Immediately press a dry microfiber towel into the cleaned suede to extract dirt-infused foam and water. Dab and twist the towel firmly across the panel; do not rub violently.
- • Microfiber towel pulls away damp with extracted dirt stains.
- • Suede surface looks damp-matte rather than glossy or wet.
- • Letting the soapy lather air dry on the suede, which causes crusty residue.
Dry Completely and Reset the Nap
Allow the sneakers to air dry completely for at least 8 hours with shoe trees inside. Once dry, stroke the suede with a medium suede brush or crepe brush in alternating directions to lift the matted fibers and restore a soft, buttery texture.
- • Suede nap visibly stands up and shifts color/tone when brushed back and forth.
- • No stiff or hardened patches remain on the panels.
- • Brushing the suede while it is still damp, which tears or curls the fibers.
Apply Water and Stain Repellent
Hold the suede protector can 6 to 8 inches away from the sneaker and spray a continuous, even mist over the entire shoe. Allow the first coat to dry for 15 minutes, then apply a second light coat for maximum protection.
- • A fine, even, non-dripping mist settling across all suede panels.
- • Complete coverage without heavy wet drips running down the sides.
- • Holding the can too close, causing aerosol pooling and dark wet spots.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by RESHOEVN8R — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Suede eraser? Clean white vinyl pencil eraser
- No Shoe trees? Tightly balled paper towels packed firmly inside the toe box
- No Specialized suede cleaner? Distilled white vinegar diluted 1:1 with water on a barely-damp cloth