1What is Suede Leather?
What type of leather is Suede made from?
Suede is made from the under side of animal skins such as sheep, cow, and pig. The under side of these skins is called Suede Leather.
The suede surface is buffed and then polished to increase its flatness and smoothness. This gives it a soft and smooth texture with fine fibers.
Suede is made from the under side of animal skins, commonly sheep, cattle, and pigs.
Advantages
- Suede leather is durable and thick.
- It provides warmth to the body.
- It gives a youthful, personal, and elegant look to the wearer.
- The longer we use and take care of it, the softer and more beautiful it becomes.
- It is safe for the wearer’s health and minimizes skin irritation.
Suede leather has high aesthetic qualities, creating a luxurious appearance.
Weaknesses
- Suede leather is easily damaged by external factors.
- It is prone to getting dirty and can be difficult to clean.
- Lack of elasticity limits its durability and makes it prone to tearing and damage.
- It has good water absorption, which makes it sensitive to water and prone to swelling and peeling.
- Suede leather is usually more expensive compared to other types of leather.
Suede leather is easily damaged if it comes into contact with water regularly.
Types of Suede
There are two types of suede commonly found on the market:
- Rough out: The raw leather is represented on the outside and the smooth leather is kept on the inside. It is thick, durable, and long-lasting.
- Suede: The surface of the leather is sanded and polished to increase its softness and sleekness. It is thinner but has a cool look and is more affordable compared to genuine leather.
There are two common types of suede on the market with different colors, thicknesses, and some other basic characteristics.
2Guide on How to Clean Suede Shoes for Each Type of Shoe
Suede Athletic Shoes
Preparation: Special leather shoe cleaning solution and a soft bristle brush.
How to clean:
- Step 1: Use white paper or a shoe tree tool to insert into the shoe to maintain its shape.
- Step 2: Dilute the shoe cleaning solution in water (if using) and dip the brush in the solution.
- Step 3: Brush the suede surface in the direction of the grain to remove stains.
- Step 4: Gently dab the shoe with a white absorbent cloth to absorb water and foam. Hang the shoes to dry in a cool and ventilated place.
Use a soft bristle brush to clean suede athletic shoes.
Suede Boots
Preparation: Towel, specialized shoe cleaning solution, and brush.
How to clean:
- With liquid stains: Stuff the shoes with a towel or paper and use an absorbent cloth to remove the liquid stain.
- With stubborn stains: Use a soft brush and a cloth soaked in a special boot cleaning solution to remove the stains.
Use a soft cloth to clean suede boots with liquid stains.
Black Suede Shoes
Preparation: Soft-bristle toothbrush, specialized shoe cleaning solution, and cloth.
How to clean:
- Step 1: Mix the cleaning solution or use a specialized cleaning solution.
- Step 2: Apply a little bit of the solution to a cloth and dab the dirt on the shoes.
- Step 3: After removing the dirt, wipe the entire shoe with a clean cloth.
Use a soft brush to clean black suede shoes.
White Suede Shoes
Preparation: Special leather shoe cleaning solution, soft bristle brush, lint-free cloth, pencil eraser, and leather shoe protectant solution.
How to clean:
- Step 1: Use an eraser to remove small stains.
- Step 2: For stubborn stains, use a specialized leather shoe cleaner. Then, wipe the entire shoe with a clean cloth.
- Step 3: Spray the protective solution on the shoes and hang them to dry in a cool and well-ventilated place.
Spray a protective solution on white suede shoes after cleaning.
Faux Leather Shoes
Preparation: Brush, specialized shoe cleaning solution, and cloth.
How to clean:
- Step 1: Use a brush to sweep away dirt and dust.
- Step 2: Dip a towel in the cleaning solution and wipe the stains on the shoes.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove dirt stains from faux leather shoes.
3Instructions on How to Clean Suede Shoes for Each Dirty Case
Suede shoes with dirt or mold stains
Step 1: Stuff the shoes with white paper to maintain their shape.
Step 2: Use a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and dust from the shoes.
Step 3: For stubborn stains, use a rubber pad to rub on the stain.
Step 4: If the shoes have a fur layer, use a nylon brush to lift the layer and then remove the inner white layer.
Use a rubber eraser or soft bristle brush to remove dirt stains on suede shoes or mildew.
Suede shoes with liquid stains
Step 1: Use a soft cloth to absorb some of the liquid from the stains.
Step 2: Spray a thin layer of water on the shoes and use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the stains.
Step 3: Use a damp soft cloth to clean any remaining stains.
Step 4: Hang the shoes in a cool and well-ventilated place to dry.
Spraying water on suede shoes helps you remove liquid stains more easily.
Suede shoes with grease stains
Step 1: Use an oil-absorbing cloth or paper to absorb the grease.
Step 2: Sprinkle cornstarch on the stains and leave it overnight.
Step 3: Use a soft brush to gently remove the layer of powder. Moisturize the area with Vaseline or specialized oil and then brush the surface of the leather.
Use flour to remove grease stains on suede shoes.
Suede shoes with ink stains
You can use fine sandpaper, vinegar and water solution, or specialized leather cleaner to treat ink stains on suede shoes.
Use sandpaper to remove ink stains from suede leather.
Suede shoes with rubber or wax stains
Step 1: Freeze the shoes to harden the rubber or wax stains.
Step 2: Use a brush to remove the hardened rubber or wax stains.
Remove any solid stains of rubber or wax before using a brush to remove them on suede leather.
4Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Suede Shoes
Using water to wash
Avoid soaking suede shoes in water and scrubbing them with a brush. Instead, use a brush to dry clean the shoes or a damp cloth to clean the surface.
Dry clean suede shoes instead of using water.
Airing the shoes in direct sunlight
Avoid exposing suede shoes to direct sunlight for a long time or drying them near high heat sources. This can cause the suede to fade and peel, reducing the overall appearance of the shoes.
Avoid exposing suede shoes directly to the sun for too long.
Improper shoe maintenance
Properly maintaining suede shoes is important for their durability and appearance. Store suede shoes in dry places to prevent dirt and mold from affecting them.
Store leather shoes properly to prevent them from becoming damaged.
Drying shoes at high temperatures
Avoid using a dryer to dry suede shoes at high temperatures as it can damage the suede material.
Avoid drying suede shoes at high temperatures.
Using the wrong cleaning solution
Avoid using cleaning solutions with high concentrations of cleaning agents as they can cause color fading in suede shoes. Always read the product instructions and dilute the cleaning solution if necessary.
Only use specialized cleaning solution for suede shoes to ensure their durability.
5Properly Preserve Suede Shoes
Use sunscreen/sunblock cream
Apply a protective layer such as wax or protectant cream to prevent water and dust from sticking to the suede surface.
Rubbing will protect suede shoes better.
Keep the shoes dry
Avoid wearing suede shoes in rainy weather and always check the weather before going outside with suede shoes.
Use leather shoes in dry and sunny weather conditions and avoid wearing them in the rain.
Handle with care
If you’re not using suede shoes, wipe them clean, apply a protective layer, and store them in a cool and dry place.
Store leather shoes in a bag or paper box to prevent them from losing their quality.
Avoid storing in plastic bags or wrapping too tightly
Avoid storing suede shoes in plastic bags or wrapping them too tightly as it can cause moisture build-up and reduce the durability of the material. Use paper or fabric bags for storage.
Store suede shoes in well-ventilated areas and avoid wet conditions.
Maintaining a Pleasant Scent for Leather Goods
Leather Goods’>
Don’t break the bank trying to have your leather goods and shoes professionally cleaned – try these easy techniques instead!