A gentleman’s wardrobe would be incomplete without suede shoes. The uber suede desert or Chelsea boots for smart and relaxed dressing, sophisticated Oxford and derby style suede shoes for more glam occasions, cool loafers to wear almost anywhere and anytime, and sneakers for casual outings; if you go to buy men’s shoes online, you will find yourself flooded with options in suede.
But when it comes to taking care of suede, most men find themselves in a tight spot. Contrary to what the world thinks, suede shoes are easy to clean, care for, and maintain. If you don’t find yourself on the same page with us, the piece of information shared here might help you.
Here are the ultimate “how-tos” of suede shoes.
How to clean suede shoes?
Most men do not invest in suede shoes, fearing contaminating them. However, with proper cleaning methods, suede shoes can pass the test of time and work as regular shoes. All you need is cleaning essentials and tricks.
- Gather the essentials
Start by gathering the essentials. You would need a good-quality suede brush, a good-quality suede eraser, a suede cleaner, and a shoe tree.
Stuff your shoes with a shoe tree or newspaper to retain their shape while cleaning. Also, clean your suede shoes when they are dry or you will permanently damage your shoes with stains.
- Remove dirt and debris
Work your suede brush gently on the surface of the shoes to remove all the dirt and debris covering them. Tackle scuff marks with side-to-side brush motion.
If you don’t have a suede brush, use a clean cloth.
- Rub the surface marks
Surface marks, such as watermarks, grease, and oil can be hard-to-tackle. A suede eraser goes a long way in cleaning these stains. All you need to do is rub the suede eraser on the mark using back-and-forth movements with moderate pressure.
If you don’t have a suede eraser, use a household or pencil eraser.
- Deep clean stubborn stains
While dirt, grim, and most stains will go with the above-listed measures, you might have to use a suede cleaner for stubborn stains.
Take a damp cloth and sponge your shoes lightly. Take the suede cleaner and spray it from a distance of 20 cm. Rub the product gently on the surface and wipe the surface again. Let the shoes dry. Lastly, brush in the direction of the grain to get a smooth surface finish.
If you don’t have a suede cleaner, use rubbing alcohol or vinegar.
How to protect and maintain suede shoes?
Adopting simple measures can help you maintain your suede shoes and protect them from further damage. Here is how you can protect and maintain them.
- Use a suede protector
Using a suede protector is a thriving way of preventing your shoes from rain and grime. A layer of protective waterproof spray will guard your suede shoes against rain, mud, and puddle splashes. Moreover, it will also prevent the color from fading.
- Do not wear them in wet weather
You might want to flaunt your suave suede shoes every day, but if the weather doesn’t look affirmative, it is better to ditch them for weather-appropriate shoes. So, avoid wearing suede shoes when it is raining or snowing.
How to store suede shoes?
Storing your shoes in the right way will make them last forever. Read further to know the right way of storing your suede shoes.
- Use shoe tree
Always use a shoe tree to maintain the shape of your shoes and prevent wrinkling. Invest in good quality wooden shoe trees.
- Avoid heat
Never expose your suede shoes to direct sun or heat. Even when drying them, let them dry naturally. Do not place them under the sun or near the radiator.
- Use shoe bags
When storing them, put good quality shoe trees into your shoes and keep them in a shoe bag.
Lastly, Suede shoes are a stylish investment in your wardrobe. Make sure you clean, protect, and store them using the right ways to increase their shelf life.
