Suede looks brilliant right up until the first downpour. Then it's a dark tide mark across the toe, a white line of road salt along the side and a shiny, flattened patch where someone trod on you at the bus stop. The good news is that suede is tougher than its reputation, and most marks come out with a brush, an eraser and a bit of patience.
What actually ruins suede is usually what happens next: a scrub with a wet cloth, a spin in the washing machine or a night on the radiator. Here's how to do it properly. The same method works for suede trainers, boots and nubuck.
What you'll need
- A suede brush (brass or rubber bristles)
- A suede eraser, or a clean white pencil rubber at a push
- A clean sponge or microfibre cloth
- Cold water and a splash of white vinegar
- A suede and nubuck cleaner
- Kitchen roll or plain white paper for stuffing
- A suede protector spray
How to clean suede shoes, step by step
1. Let them dry completely. Brushing wet suede just pushes the dirt deeper into the nap. If they're damp, skip to the drying section and come back tomorrow.
2. Take the laces out and stuff the shoes. Paper inside keeps the shape and gives you something firm to brush against.
3. Brush off loose dirt. Work in one direction with gentle strokes. Dried mud comes off more easily if you break it up first with the edge of the brush.
4. Rub out marks and shiny patches. Use the suede eraser on small stains and flattened areas, then brush back and forth briefly to lift the fibres again.
5. Clean what's left. Dampen a sponge, add a little suede cleaner and dab, don't scrub. Work outwards and dampen the whole panel evenly rather than just the stain, or you'll swap one mark for a new ring around it.
6. Dry slowly and brush up. Leave them at room temperature with paper inside. Once they're dry, give the nap one final brush.
How to get water stains out of suede
A water stain is simply the edge of where the water stopped. The fix sounds backwards: wet the whole panel evenly with a clean sponge and cold water so there's no edge left. Stuff the shoe, let it dry slowly and brush it up. As everything dries at the same rate, the line disappears.
How to remove salt stains from suede
Those white tide marks in winter are road salt. Mix cold water and white vinegar roughly half and half, dab the line with a cloth and let it dry, then brush the nap up. Test it first on a hidden spot, such as the inside of the heel.
Grease, oil and chewing gum
For grease or oil, cover the mark with cornflour or talc straight away and leave it overnight to draw the oil out. Brush it off the next day and repeat if needed. Old, soaked-in grease rarely comes out completely, so speed matters.
For chewing gum or candle wax, put the shoe in a plastic bag in the freezer for an hour. Once it's hard, it snaps off, and the eraser and brush deal with what's left.
How to clean suede trainers
Suede trainers usually mix suede with mesh, canvas and rubber. Clean the suede first using the steps above, then do the rest. Soles and rubber sidewalls are fine with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush, as long as you keep the suede dry. If you're wondering whether your trainers can go in the machine, our guide on how to wash trainers covers it. For suede, the short answer is no.
How to clean nubuck
Nubuck is the outer side of the hide, lightly sanded, while suede is the inner side. In practice you clean them the same way. Nubuck is slightly smoother and marks more easily, so use a softer brush and a lighter touch. Suede erasers, brushes and cleaners all work on nubuck too.
Can suede go in the washing machine?
We wouldn't. Suede that's been through the machine often dries patchy and stiff, and the glue holding the sole can give way. Some trainers survive it, but you only find out once it's too late. For other shoes, see can you put shoes in the washing machine.
How to dry wet suede shoes
This is where most suede shoes are lost.
Don't:
- ❌ Put them on or against a radiator
- ❌ Use a hairdryer on a hot setting
- ❌ Put them in the tumble dryer
- ❌ Leave them in direct sun on a windowsill
Do:
- ✅ Blot off excess water with a dry towel
- ✅ Stuff them with kitchen roll and swap it once it's soaked, after an hour or two
- ✅ Leave them at room temperature somewhere with airflow
- ✅ Brush the nap up once they're dry
Air drying a soaked pair can easily take a day or two, and the toe box and insole are always last. While the inside stays damp, they'll start to smell musty. There's more on drying without heat in our guide on how to dry wet shoes.
Drying suede faster with a shoe dryer
A shoe dryer works from the inside, which is exactly where the moisture sits. With suede, temperature is what matters. The Shoefresh Opod (€129) has a LEATHER programme at 40°C, well below its 60°C SPORT setting, so the inside dries without the suede getting hot. Its active oxygen also tackles the bacteria and fungi that cause that musty smell. For suede boots, the Shoefresh Opod Mini (€79) sits down inside the shaft.
"Brilliant and means my shoes after running, cycling, going to the gym are always dry and in a good condition." Dan, March 2026
If you'd rather have something simpler, the ShoeDry Airo (around €50) is a budget option, though it lacks a lower leather setting and automatic start. Whatever you choose, steer clear of dryers that advertise UV light: the blue LEDs on cheap models do very little, and genuine UV-C isn't something you want in an open device at home. Our complete guide to shoe and boot dryers explains the different types.
How to protect suede
- Spray new shoes straight away with a suede protector, and top it up every few weeks through autumn and winter. Our guide on how to waterproof shoes walks you through it.
- Give them a quick brush every few wears so dirt doesn't settle in.
- Leave them at home in proper rain. Suede and puddles don't mix.
- Rotate your shoes so the inside dries out fully between wears.
- Store them with paper inside in a cotton bag, not plastic.
Sheepskin boots need a little extra care for the wool lining; that's covered in how to clean UGG boots.
Quick reference
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Loose dirt and mud | Let it dry, brush in one direction |
| Shiny patches | Suede eraser, then brush up |
| Water stain | Dampen the whole panel evenly, stuff, dry slowly |
| Salt marks | Dab with cold water and white vinegar |
| Grease | Cornflour or talc overnight |
| Soaked shoes | Stuff with paper, room temperature, never the radiator |
FAQs
How do you clean suede shoes at home? Let them dry, brush off loose dirt with a suede brush, rub out marks with a suede eraser and treat anything left with a lightly damp sponge and suede cleaner. Then stuff them, dry them at room temperature and brush the nap up.
Can you clean suede with water? Yes, with cold water and a sponge, as long as you dampen the whole panel evenly. Wetting only the stain leaves a ring.
How do you get water stains out of suede? Dampen the entire panel evenly, stuff the shoe with paper and let it dry slowly. Because it all dries at once, the line disappears. Brush the nap up afterwards.
Does vinegar clean suede? White vinegar mixed with cold water is good for road salt marks. Dab, don't soak, and test it on a hidden spot first.
How do you clean suede trainers? Clean the suede panels dry first with a brush and eraser, then clean mesh, canvas and soles separately with soapy water while keeping the suede dry.
Can you put suede shoes in the washing machine? It's not worth the risk. Suede can dry stiff and patchy, and the sole can come unstuck. Cleaning by hand is far safer.
How do you dry suede shoes after they get wet? Blot them, stuff them with kitchen roll and leave them at room temperature. Never on a radiator or with a hot hairdryer. A shoe dryer with a 40°C leather setting speeds it up safely.
A brush, an eraser and a bit of patience keep suede looking good for a long time. Ready for a fresh start!