How to clean and care for suede – complete guide

The complete guide to safe, gentle and effective care

Suede is one of the most elegant materials in shoes and accessories. The soft, matte texture gives a luxurious look – but also makes the material more vulnerable. This is because suede is actually real leather that has been sanded/scratched on the surface to create the familiar soft texture.

This treatment makes suede beautiful, but also sensitive to improper cleaning. Therefore, it is important to use both the right methods and the right products to avoid damaging the fibers.

In this guide, you'll learn how to clean suede properly - and how products like Sneakers Leather Cleaner , suede brushes and suede erasers help you maintain your shoes' beautiful finish.

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Why does suede require special tools?

Suede has small, open fibers that both attract dirt and are easily flattened. If you clean too roughly, use too much water, or the wrong tools, you can cause:

• Dark spots

• Wear marks

• Permanent damage to the texture

• Uneven areas

Therefore, it is recommended to use products that are developed specifically for suede – so you can care for the material gently and safely.

In my webshop you will find:

• Small suede brush (with steel bristles)

• Large suede brush (with rubber)

• Suede eraser (for dry cleaning and stain removal)

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How to clean suede – step by step

1. Remove loose dust and dirt

Start with a thorough but gentle brushing.

• Use Small suede brush with steel bristles for details, corners and areas with stubborn dirt.

• Use the Large Suede Brush with Rubber for larger surfaces – the rubber lifts the fibers without damaging them.

Always brush in one direction to keep the surface even.

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2. Remove stains with suede eraser

Before you start wet cleaning, you can often remove stains with dry cleaning.

Suede erasers are perfect for:

• Dark spots

• Superficial marks

• Oily areas

• Small shields

Rub the eraser lightly against the stain in small movements – without pressing too hard. This will lift the dirt from the fibers, without the use of water.

This step can often save a shoe, avoiding a deeper cleaning.

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3. Use Sneakers Leather Cleaner for gentle wet cleaning

Once the shoe has been brushed and any stains have been removed with an eraser, you can proceed with a mild wet cleaning.

Sneakers Leather Cleaner is a Danish handmade natural product that:

• Gently cares and cleans

• Is based on natural ingredients

• Does not dry out suede

• Can be used on delicate materials

How to do it:

1. Brush the shoe first to remove any loose dirt.

2. Lightly dampen a sponge – it should not be soaking wet.

3. Apply Sneakers Leather Cleaner and lather in small, gentle circular motions.

4. Wipe the foam off with a clean, slightly damp cloth.

5. Repeat the process for stubborn stains.

6. Let the shoes air dry – never near hot springs.

7. Brush the fibers up again when the shoes are completely dry.

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4. Restore the suede's texture

Once the shoes are dry, you can give them back their beautiful texture by using:

• Large suede brush for larger surfaces

• Small suede brush for details and corners

• Suede eraser to lift the fibers on worn areas

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How to make suede last longer

If you take good care of your suede shoes, they can stay looking great for many years. Use your products in this order:

1. Suede brush for loose dirt

2. Suede eraser for stains

3. Sneakers Leather Cleaner for deep, gentle cleaning

4. Final brushing to restore the structure

The combination of these products makes cleaning safe, effective and gentle – and prevents the typical damage that often occurs when suede is cleaned incorrectly.