Cleaning suede sneakers: basic steps and tips for cleaning at home

What is this text about? In this text we will answer the following questions: how to clean New Balance sneakers How to clean suede shoes?

On the pages of our blog, we have already touched on several important topics related to shoe care. Now, delving into the details, we would like to tell you about how to properly clean suede shoes , what rules need to be followed during such cleaning and, of course, what cleaning products can be used for this. Here we go.

The first thing to say is this: before you put on your brand new suede sneakers or any other suede shoes to school, university or work, do not forget to treat them with a special protective agent, such as Crep Protect water-repellent spray.

Important! Such impregnations (mostly sprays) need to be applied in several layers: apply your product from a distance of 30 cm, then let the shoes dry and repeat the procedure (minimum 1, maximum up to three times).

Why is such impregnation needed? It's very simple: impregnation will protect the original appearance of your suede shoes. Thanks to it, your shoes will get less wet and dirty. In addition to this, it will be much easier to clean dirt from your shoes in the future.

Now let's talk directly about cleaning, because regardless of whether your suede sneakers have been treated with protective agents or not, you will have to clean them. We will tell you how to do this later.

Basic rules for cleaning suede sneakers

To prevent suede sneakers from losing their appearance, you need to know how to properly care for them.

Basic cleaning rules:

Water-repellent suede care products, which are applied to shoes regardless of the time of year, help to increase the cleaning efficiency. Impregnation protects the material from dirt and the negative effects of water, and prevents the appearance of shiny and worn areas.
Although suede shoes are often cleaned with folk remedies, you should not overuse them, since it is unknown how this will affect the material. It is better to use special products designed for cleaning suede, which can be purchased at any shoe store.
Wet dirt from suede sneakers should be removed with a brush after it has dried.
To clean light and dark shoes, use different brushes, otherwise the light-colored material will become dirty with a dirty accessory.
To eliminate abrasions, during cleaning you need to move the brush in different directions, in other cases - in one direction.

Should New Balance sports shoes be washed?

If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations, placing New Balance sneakers in the drum of a washing machine is strictly prohibited.

Moreover, this rule applies to products made from various materials:
The manufacturer gives the following recommendations for caring for sneakers:

Clean their surfaces daily to remove dust and dirt. For this purpose you need to use a soft cloth or brush.
Wipe dyed leather sneakers with a damp cloth.
Do not allow shoes to come into contact with water. It is strictly forbidden to wash it.
When removing dirt from textile shoes, you can use professional stain removers and aerosols.

If there is no other way out, then you can still resort to using a washing machine. However, you should not count on warranty service after such treatment.

Why you can’t wash New Balance sneakers in a washing machine, this video will tell you:

When is it possible and when is it not?

Under no circumstances should New Balance sneakers be placed in the washing machine if:

Products made of genuine leather, suede or nubuck.
Shoes made of polyurethane, nylon or polyvinyl chloride.
Shoes that have a lot of colored elements, stickers, reflective overlays, rivets.
Sneakers that already have any damage, for example, torn seams, protruding threads, or a loose sole.

Shoes made from natural fabrics require careful handling. If a pair is expensive and needs high-quality cleaning, then it is better to seek help from professionals . Minor stains can be removed manually.

Choosing a brush for cleaning suede

It is better to clean suede sneakers with special brushes, with which you can quickly and effectively get rid of the most difficult stains.

There is a wide range of accessories made from different materials on sale:

Universal brush for suede shoes

Universal brushes - made of artificial or natural hard bristles. They cope well with dirt and are suitable for cleaning heavily worn shoes.

Read more ► How to soften your shoes so that they don’t cause calluses on the back; you don’t want to throw your shoes away?

Crepe brush for cleaning suede shoes

Crepe model - equipped with hard steel fibers located on the underside of the product, thanks to which you can easily remove dirty stains and dust. There are rubber strips on top. If you rub this area over erased stains, the material will again become velvety. There is also a nylon insert on the side of the brush, with which you can even out the pile.

Double wire brush

Double metal - one side of the brush is equipped with metal bristles located in the center of the product, on the other side there are natural bristles. Often used to clean old shoes that are heavily soiled.

Triangular suede brush

Triangular model - the product has rubber side ribs, the surface is covered with nylon pile, which includes brass. The back of the brush is equipped with rubber.

Preventive measures

First, let's discuss how to care for suede Adidas or Nike sneakers so as not to spend a huge amount of time on washing in the future! Agree, following simple recommendations will help save a lot of effort and extend the life of your favorite pair of sneakers:

Do not wear shoes in rainy weather, avoid contact with water;
At least 1-2 hours before going out, apply a special moisture-proof composition to the surface;
Avoid products designed to protect leather products;
Carry paper napkins with you to quickly blot up moisture or dirt;
Clean your shoes from dust every day with a special brush;
Be sure to store the pair in a fabric bag, in a ventilated box - choose a dry, warm place;
Never dry the product near a heating source;
Before starting care procedures, dry the item completely to avoid damage to the material.

We've sorted out the basic rules - now we can talk about how to wash suede sneakers at home!

Steam cleaning

You can clean suede sneakers at home using hot steam - it softens the lint, improves the appearance of the shoe, and allows you to remove creases. We recommend the following actions:

Boil a kettle or pan of water or use a steam generator;
Hold the product over the steam jet for 10-15 seconds;
Gently comb the pile with a special suede brush to remove dirt;
Wipe the surface with a dry cloth.

Here is a general article on how to clean suede shoes, check out these methods as well.

You can buy a special brush at a shoe store!

Ammonia

Ammonia will help you clean sneakers made of natural suede from dirt or oil traces at home! Remember the rules for preparing the solution:

Mix ammonia with water in a ratio of one to four;
Soak a cotton or gauze swab in the liquid;
Gently wipe the damaged area and leave the steam to dry.

Ammonia can be replaced with regular alcohol - these products are used if it is necessary to remove complex stains.

Petrol

You can clean suede sneakers at home using gasoline - don’t be afraid of such radical measures! Ideal for getting rid of old stains of any origin:

Soak a cotton pad in gasoline;
Gently, without pressing, wipe the surface area;
Sprinkle the wet area with talcum powder and leave for 10-15 minutes;
Brush off any remaining powder with a dry brush.

Instead of talc, you can use baby powder or starch. How to properly clean salt or dirt stains on suede shoes at home? There are several options!

Coffee grounds

The grounds from a cup of coffee will help you clean suede sneakers from dirt at home - the drink can be not only tasty, but also healthy! The algorithm of actions is as simple as possible:

Apply a little thickener to a sponge;
Clean the stained area;
Rinse off any remaining product with a slightly damp soft cloth.

An important point is that the coffee must be drunk recently; you won’t be able to clean suede sneakers with old grounds.

Laundry soap

You can wash suede sneakers at home with laundry soap - this proven product does an excellent job of removing stubborn stains:

Rub the desired area with a bar of soap;
Remove the remaining soap with a regular eraser so that there are no streaks left.

The second answer to the question of how to wash suede sneakers with laundry soap at home is to make a strong soap solution and wash off the dirt with a soft sponge. The remaining product should dry, then you can clean it off with a brush.

We discussed methods that are ideal for owners of dark-colored crosses. It's time to talk about how and with what to clean light suede sneakers!

Caring for wet sneakers

Any actions with wet suede shoes are unacceptable. First, you need to dry it thoroughly and only then start cleaning. Otherwise, the dirt will be heavily smeared and deeply absorbed into the fabric.

Drying rules:

Do not dry wet suede shoes near electric dryers and radiators. Due to uneven and rapid heating, it will immediately swell and become deformed. Moisture is removed with a dry paper towel or piece of cloth.
The best option is to put wet sneakers on the lasts and wait for them to dry.
In addition, shoes can be filled with plain white paper. The filling needs to be changed a couple of times. This will allow the sneakers to dry faster.

With light shades

Washing or cleaning white suede sneakers at home is more difficult than dark models, and this is logical! You need to approach the issue delicately and carefully so as not to spoil the structure and color - arm yourself with the following methods!

Prepare a soap solution - dissolve a few drops of detergent in a small amount of water;
Mix the resulting liquid with milk in equal proportions;
Add a few drops of ammonia;
Soak a brush in the resulting mixture and carefully clean the stained areas.

Take a handful of washing powder and thoroughly dissolve it in water;
Make sure there are no abrasive particles left;
Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide;
Dip a soft cloth into the liquid and begin wiping the stain.

Mix water with nine percent vinegar in a ratio of five to one;
Dip a sponge or cloth into the container and wipe the surface.

If you are not sure that you can clean white suede on sneakers yourself at home, contact a trusted dry cleaner. The professionals will be able to handle the moody pink or white fabric, you will get the perfect suede sneakers!

Let us remind you! After you have been able to clean, scrub and bleach your suede pair, apply a water-repellent spray to the surface, which will minimize the number of washes.

How to get rid of dirt at home

At home, you can clean suede sneakers from dirt in different ways, each of which has its own characteristics. Cleaning is carried out with folk remedies or professional cleaners.

Getting rid of fresh stains

Any fresh stains on the surface of a suede product can be easily removed with a paper towel. To prevent dirt from penetrating deep into the fabric during cleaning, it is cleaned with soft, smooth movements without pressure.

Read more ► How and how to seal or restore the soles of sneakers, boots, winter and summer shoes

If the stain remains from water, then it is also removed with water, which is sprayed over the entire surface of the sneaker. To prevent the product from deforming, paper is first placed tightly inside.

Water from the surface of the fabric is blotted with a dry cloth, then the shoes are sent to dry at room temperature. After drying, apply a protective cream.

How to remove stubborn dirt from sneakers

A homemade cleaning product can help remove dirt that has soaked into your sneakers.

Preparation and use:

In a small container, mix a small amount of liquid soap with water. Ammonia (2 tablespoons) is added to the mixture. Everything is mixed.
Dip a rag in the prepared mixture, then wipe the contaminated shoes.
After removing dirt, the product is rinsed in cold water. Add a few drops of table vinegar to the rinse water.

To remove stubborn greasy stains, just use talcum powder. The substance is applied to the stain, then removed with a rubber brush. You can use a special eraser. If the shoes are very greasy, clean them with a crepe brush. After processing, the material becomes velvety again.

How to Clean Light and White Suede Sneakers

You can remove stains from light-colored materials using milk and soda.

Application:

Heat 100 ml of milk, add 1 tsp. baking soda, mix thoroughly.
Shoes should be cleaned with a soft cloth soaked in the prepared milk solution.
After removing the dirt, the product is washed under running water and sent to dry.
To restore the structure of the pile, just brush over the fabric. The procedure is carried out after the shoes are completely dry.

Drying

Sneakers need to not only be washed properly, but also dried. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following points:

Do not expose steam to high temperatures. Do not use hair dryers, heating devices, radiators or heaters for drying.
Fresh air should be given preference. However, you need to protect your shoes from direct sunlight.
If it is impossible to take the pair outside, they are left in a dry and well-ventilated area.
The inside of the shoe is stuffed with fabric or paper. Any material must be white, without dyes. As the fabric gets wet, it is changed to dry.

You can speed up the drying process of shoes by using a fan by directing a stream of air at them. The device itself is turned on at full power.

Products for protecting suede sneakers

To minimize the contact of suede sneakers with dirt and water, you need to use special protective products for shoes.

Shoe stores have a huge range of different suede care products:

Foam cleaner. The main active ingredient is tensides. The foam is applied to the shoes, then wiped dry with a rag. This includes products called: Aquastop, Kivi, Shtrikh.
Impregnations . These are water-repellent products containing fluorocarbon resins. Thanks to the substance, the material retains its color and remains soft. Shoes are treated once every 14 days. The most popular impregnations: Salamander, Nikwax, Twist.
Restorative paints. These are liquid products with strong penetrating power. They soften the fabric and effectively renew the color. These include: Tarrago, Shtrikh.
Erasers Cleaner, ECCO, Collonil. Designed to remove stains. If the dirt is too strong, the eraser is moistened with water. Rubber crumbs that remain on the suede after cleaning are removed with a brush.

Read more ► How to soften your shoes so that they don’t cause calluses on the back; you don’t want to throw your shoes away?

Important Tips

To prevent damage to your sneakers during manual or machine cleaning, you need to take into account the following recommendations:

Light-colored shoes are washed separately from colored ones.
It is recommended to load no more than 1-2 pairs of shoes into the machine. For gentle processing, you can throw unnecessary white fabric into the compartment. It will reduce the friction force between the shoes and the drum.
If you can avoid machine washing, you should use it.
Colored shoes should not be washed with a detergent for white fabrics.

Dry cleaning methods

There are several dry cleaning options that can be implemented at home.

Carbon paper

Rubbing black suede with carbon paper allows you to return it to its original color and remove greasy stains.

However, this method is only suitable for dark material.

Eraser

White suede sneakers can be cleaned from dirt and excess shine using special rubber bands.
If they are not there, then instead of them at home it is permissible to use a regular office eraser. They work well on small stains on suede shoes, but are not suitable for removing large stains.

When cleaning with an eraser, there are a few rules to remember.

For white shoes, use only a white eraser, otherwise it will leave a colored mark on the material.
You need to take an expensive and high-quality eraser. This reduces the likelihood of staining the material.
Do not press the elastic into the material. Movements should be light, without force.
It is necessary to clean in one direction so that the suede does not end up looking sloppy.

Foam rubber

Foam rubber will help get rid of oily, shiny stains that appear on suede. They are carefully passed over problem areas in one direction. Clean until it returns to its salable condition.

Brush

To clean suede, it is recommended to purchase a special brush: it is soft enough, does not damage the material, but still copes with its duty.
This brush can be easily passed through the dirt several times. It is not recommended to use toothbrushes, as even the softest variations can irreversibly damage delicate suede.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that the brush is clean. A small speck of dirt on it can only make the situation worse.

Black bread

To clean suede, only dry crusts of black bread are used. They are gently rubbed over the dirt until the suede is clean.

The crumbs remaining after the procedure are brushed off with a brush.

Talc

Talc helps deal with greasy stains on suede, which are among the most difficult to remove.
The problem is that the fat must first be drawn out of the material, and only then removed. Apply talcum powder or baby powder generously to the problem area and leave for 3-8 hours. After this, clean the sneakers with a suede brush.

Starch

Starch is sprinkled on the fatty areas of the shoes, then left for an hour. Afterwards, the starch is removed with a brush.

Sandpaper

Helps remove worn, shiny areas on suede. When using sandpaper, it is important to control the pressure.

After cleaning, you need to go over the suede with a special brush.

The most commonly used type of sandpaper is black sandpaper. It is suitable for cleaning only dark suede, since it will leave dirty marks on light ones.