How to clean suede: shoes, jackets, and accessories

First, use a suede brush to get rid of any surface dirt from your boots or shoes. This is a great way to help get the suede cleaner before more intensive treatments. Always brush with the grain of the fabric, rather than against.

If your boots are quite scuffed at the edges, again, use the suede brush. However this time use a vigorous back-and-forth movement to remove any loose fibres. Try to stay as close to the scuffed area as possible, instead of scrubbing at undamaged suede.

Stubborn stains do need to be treated with water – carefully! Since spot cleaning can create watermarks, always clean the entire boot so that any discolouration isn’t noticeable.

Use the suede brush to apply a small amount of water to the whole shoe, scrubbing at the stained area. Insert a shoe tree, or some rolled up paper to keep the shape of the boot and allow it to dry naturally. Don’t use newspaper, as the ink could transfer to the fabric.

If your boots have been left with salt marks from water, use a small amount of white vinegar as suede cleaner. The smell of the vinegar might be quite prominent the first few times you wear the boots, but it will fade over time.

Again, start with a suede brush to loosen the fibres of the fabric. This will get rid of any surface dirt, and give greater access to deep, ground-in stains.

To remove stains – particularly oily residues or sweat marks – apply a thin layer of cornflour to the garment and leave for a few hours. For the best results, leave the cornflour to do its work overnight. The cornflour will absorb the stains and lift them out of the material. Then, use a suede brush to remove the flour.

Steam cleaning also works well for removing stains from suede jackets, but be careful not to over-saturate the material. The best way to steam clean a suede garment is to hang it in a steamy bathroom, following a hot bath or shower.

Finally, if you need to use heavier duty suede cleaner, you could check out dedicated leather cleaners that are suitable for suede. As with water, however, you’ll want to use the solution all over the garment, rather than simply spot cleaning, to avoid any discolouration, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions found on the label.

Suede protector products can be purchased from a variety of stores and shoe shops. They act as a barrier against dirt and water stains. It’s best to apply protector when you first get your suede boots or jackets home, and again after each clean.

Always check the weather forecast before heading out, and if it’s due to rain, choose a different material. Suede and rain do not mix well, so opt for more waterproof garments when the weather is bad.

When you’re not wearing your suede garments, store them in a suitable way. Don’t put them anywhere prone to damp – such as attics, garages, or damp cupboards.

If you’re packing up your suede to take on a trip, don’t try to transport it in plastic bags, or any other form of non-breathable material that will cause the suede to sweat. Instead, use a cotton tote bag, or even an old pillowcase.