How to clean dirt from suede shoes

Suede shoes look expensive, presentable, and classy. Such a couple is always accompanied by exquisite fashionable clothing and matching jewelry. But at the same time this the material requires special attention and is quite sensitive to moisture. However, with proper care, it can last for more than one year. Let's figure out how to wash such shoes from dirt at home, how to freshen them, what are the nuances of caring for them and how to extend their service life.

Means and tools

The simplest thing is purchase a sponge or brush for cleaning suede in a specialized store. This thing has a special structure of pores, it cleans out dust particles well and smoothes out villi without damaging the suede surface. There you can also find a roller for easy cleaning.

There are special sprays for suede. They are easy to use: just enough spray on the surface and wait a couple of hours, and then brush. During the waiting time, the substance seems to “push” dirt to the surface, which can then be easily removed.

Among household tools, it does a good job of cleaning regular toothbrush. Do not throw away old “tired” hygiene products; their soft “worn out” bristles are an excellent tool for processing suede. Eraser for erasing A lead pencil will also work. Only it's better to use white.

Cleaning methods in detail

Each method has its own nuances, but it all comes down to this:

• First you need to dry your shoes;
• then carefully clean off dry dirt using a tool;
• return to its original appearance using special or homemade methods.

We will now talk about the latter.

By regular ferry

You can't get suede wet, but hot steam can restore the surface structure. It is necessary to first dry the shoes by stuffing them with newspapers, then clean them thoroughly with a brush and hold them over a boiling pan. Afterwards, it is recommended to fill it again with newspapers.

Vinegar

It interacts well with road salts. It is necessary to treat and dry the shoes, and then walk over the surface with a sponge soaked in a solution of water and 9% vinegar (2:1). You can do this several times. When the dirty stain disappears, you need to wipe the treated areas with a slightly damp cloth.

Alcohol

Apply two tablespoons of water and one spoon of alcohol to the cleaned surface, rub and dry.

Powder/talc

If it has formed on the suede greasy stain, it can be removed using an absorbent. Ordinary pharmacy talc will handle this perfectly. You just need to sprinkle the problem area, and after two hours, clean your shoes as usual.

If the method does not help, you can try again, first heating the talcum powder in a frying pan until hot. But be careful and don't overheat it. You can also try other absorbents starch, soda.

Petrol

It also copes with greasy stains with a bang. It is necessary to clean the dirt from your shoes as usual, then rub the dirt several times with a rag soaked in gasoline. Then treat the area with a solution of ammonia and water (1:4).

Eraser

A simple office tool can be used to remove various types of dirt on suede. You need to clean dry shoes as usual, then run the eraser against the pile and smooth it again with a brush.

What to do with stubborn stains?

Complex pollution requires drastic measures. For processing use fine grain sanding cloth. Gently, without pressing it to the surface, rub the problem area. Then treat with one of the above products.

Fighting shiny areas

Most often these are greasy stubborn stains. You can remove them using liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. It should be diluted in a small amount of water, whipped into foam and treated problem areas with it. After about thirty minutes, remove any remaining cleaning agent with a suede sponge.

Important! Treat the surface only with foam and never with water.

Cleaning light-colored shoes with milk, soda, peroxide

White, gray, pink suede looks great, but gets dirty very quickly. To clean it you can use the following mixture:

• skim milk 200 ml;
• soda 0.5–1 tsp;
• ammonia 2-3 drops.

First, as usual, you need to dry the surface and walk over it with a special sponge. Apply the mixture onto the villi with gentle movements. Let dry. Brush again to remove any remaining milk and soda dust.

Important! You must first try the composition on an inconspicuous area of ​​suede. It happens that the surface “does not accept” some ingredient.In this case, just use ammonia.

In addition, you can try to remove stains on white suede a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide. Mix them in a ratio of 5 to 1, apply to cleaned shoes using a cotton pad or rag, rub several times.

How to refresh suede?

Surface treatment will help give a well-groomed appearance. Sometimes there are no stains, but the material looks dull, old, and ugly. Depending on the color, try treating it with the following:

1. Light suede – ordinary chalk, starch, baby powder, tooth powder. Rub dry shoes with one of the substances or a mixture of them, and then clean them with a special sponge after a couple of hours.
2. Black – using a spray paint for suede sold in the store. It is enough to spray it on the surface, let it dry and brush it.
3. Brown – dry coffee grounds. Dry the ground grains, apply to the surface of the shoes, rub in, and let stand for several hours. Then shake off the excess and go over the entire surface with a sponge.

Rules for cleaning suede shoes

The soft, velvety material is obtained by formaldehyde-fat tanning. It withstands temperature changes and is lightweight compared to natural leather. But Suede is very sensitive to moisture and when wet/dry it can lose its presentable external qualities, if it is not processed correctly.

When caring for this capricious material, the following rules must be observed:

1. Systematically treat with special impregnating and cleaning agents.
2. Worth purchasing for every pair your instrument. The fact is that suede stains very quickly and if you rub its surface with a sponge with traces of other colored shoes, there is a chance that stains will remain.
3. Can be cleaned only after complete drying, as dirt can become embedded in wet material.
4. When processing, do not use water or wet products. Only high-quality dry cleaning is necessary here. At the very end, you can refresh the surface with a sponge slightly moistened with water.
5. Can't be washed such shoes neither by hand nor in the washing machine.
6. Necessary be sure to impregnate suede with water-repellent agents. There is a wide selection of special sprays in stores. Dust-repellent aerosols are relevant in summer.
7. It is necessary to clean fuzzy shoes after each use.
8. Do not wear a suede pair in wet weather.
9. Do not dry it near various heat sources.. The shoes should dry naturally. You should first fill it with newspapers.

Best Industrial Cleaning Products

Suede autumn shoes - boots, boots, over the knee boots - are recommended to be treated with professional substances.

Important! Before you begin the procedure, be sure to test how the suede reacts. Otherwise, you can “lose” your shoes.

List of the best remedies:

1. Salamander Professional Combi Cleaner. Cleaning foam from the professionals in leather and suede care. Effectively removes not only water and salt stains, but also old stains.
2. Salton. Foam spray for delicate cleaning of suede products. Easy to apply and does not require rinsing.
3. Renovateur. A product that effectively restores the color and appearance of suede. Gently cleans, perfectly renews, does not require rinsing.
4. Dividik. Refreshes, improves the color of the product, removes dirty stains and marks.
5. Dasco. Foam cleaner for nubuck and suede. The product formula removes dirt and salt stains well.

A few words about prevention

For suede shoes to serve faithfully for a long time, they need careful care, attention, timely cleaning and impregnation. The latter is a prerequisite. Without such a procedure, shoes will quickly lose their appearance, absorb moisture, stretch and turn into a “wrinkled old lady.”

So:

• Before the first use, a suede pair must be cleaned of dust and coated with impregnation;
• leave the shoes for a day to interact with the product;
• Before putting it on, brush the surface again and smooth the pile.

In addition, you should make yourself a rule: “I came home and immediately cleaned my suede shoes.».