# How do I clean my suede shoes?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 12, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379 "2004-11-12T14:23:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/1 "2004-11-12T14:23:59Z")
I have a pair of (very comfortable) tan suede boots. I never waterproofed them and the, of course, I splashed dirty rain puddle water on them. This has left a light stain. How do I clean these? Are there things around the average household I can use becuase I really don’t want to go buy any expensive cleaners from a shoestore?
Thanks!
The Chao
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### Author:  [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/2 "2004-11-12T14:47:13Z")
You got 'em dirty? I’m all shook up.
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### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/3 "2004-11-12T14:50:13Z")
:rolleyes:
😃
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/4 "2004-11-12T15:37:50Z")
You should get a [Nubuck Block](http://www.birkenstockexpress.com/Products/Accessories/hero.cfm/cat123.36). It is good for getting most of the dirt off of suede and even helps restore the texture to a degree. It won’t remove stains like if something oily got on the shoes it won’t clear up the discolouration.
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### Author:  [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/5 "2004-11-12T15:39:09Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#):
>
> :rolleyes:
>
> 😃
Don’t be cruel.
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/6 "2004-11-12T16:02:00Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#):
>
> How do I clean my suede shoes?
Don’t let anyone step on them!
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/7 "2004-11-12T16:06:05Z")
Good lord. I am the only one who hasn’t made an Elvis joke in this thread. You all must now have Suspicious Minds.
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### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/8 "2004-11-12T16:21:35Z")
Arrgh! I think I’ll just set the damn shoes on fire.
They’re not blue!!!
Can I use vinegar? What would vinegar do to them?
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### Author:  [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/9 "2004-11-12T16:30:25Z")
Generally, you clean suede shoes by brushing them with a stiff-bristled brush. You can buy a special “suede brush” but it is nothing more than an inexpensive wire brush. Brushing will remove surface dirt, but stains are basically a forever kind of thing. Even if you had “waterproofed” them, the damage might well have happened anyway. Suede footgear and wet conditions are never a good mix.
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### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/10 "2004-11-12T17:21:44Z")
> [@Scumpup](#):
>
> Generally, you clean suede shoes by brushing them with a stiff-bristled brush. You can buy a special “suede brush” but it is nothing more than an inexpensive wire brush. Brushing will remove surface dirt, but stains are basically a forever kind of thing. Even if you had “waterproofed” them, the damage might well have happened anyway. Suede footgear and wet conditions are never a good mix.
damn. well thanks for the info.
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/11 "2004-11-12T17:34:23Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#):
>
> damn. well thanks for the info.
Fine. Don’t acknowledge my Nubuck block suggestion.
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### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/12 "2004-11-12T17:40:14Z")
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> Fine. Don’t acknowledge my Nubuck block suggestion.
sorry! thank you, dear sweet, adam for your Nubuck suggestion. I was remiss. 😃
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### Author:  [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/13 "2004-11-12T17:57:33Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#):
>
> Arrgh! I think I’ll just set the damn shoes on fire.
Do it, man. It’s now or never.
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2004, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/14 "2004-11-13T03:29:58Z")
> [@Scumpup](#):
>
> Generally, you clean suede shoes by brushing them with a stiff-bristled brush. You can buy a special “suede brush” but it is nothing more than an inexpensive wire brush. Brushing will remove surface dirt, but stains are basically a forever kind of thing. Even if you had “waterproofed” them, the damage might well have happened anyway. Suede footgear and wet conditions are never a good mix.
Almost correct.
Correct: Suede and footgear are never a good mix.
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/15 "2004-11-13T03:55:30Z")
Use this advice at your own risk. Cold water applied to a nail brush, then _lightly_ used to wet and clean clean the suede surface has worked for me in the past. Wetting the _entire_ surface of the leather also tends to make any darkening uniform. Using a solvent like “Goo Gone” or lighter fluid applied to the entire surface will also make the leather one of two shades darker (permanently) than water alone, and will tend to hide water staining. Do this outdoors and away from flames.
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### Author:  [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/16 "2004-11-13T21:24:54Z")
You wouldn’t want to wear stained shoes. You would appear to be in the ghetto.
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### Author:  [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/17 "2004-11-13T21:29:05Z")
Did you clean them yet? Tomorrow may be too late.
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### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-suede-shoes/274379/18 "2004-11-15T13:34:26Z")
I’ll start cleaning them tonight. I guess if I ruin them, oh well. I got them on sale a year ago for $30.00 so if they die, I’ll just go out and get another pair.
I hate shoe shopping.