Recommend ways to clean suede

[DJ_Flame]

I have been continously frustrated by the inability of suede to keep clean. Does anyone know a way to clean them without having to spend on a suede cleaning kit (yes blasphemy I know)

My lovely pairs of Polo suede bluchers and UNLV dunks have a dirt stains on them and this is preventing me from wearing them for the fear of messing them up further. So any help is welcomed.

- Hey Jimmy!

[HEWSINATOR]

I got this thing, I think it is called a suede brush, for a few buck at the shoe store. It looks almost like an eraser, and cleans very well.

Maybe this is what you are speaking of when you say a cleaning kit.

Edited by HEWSINATOR on May 23, 2006 at 11:46 PM

[high_contrast]

Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser removes stains for lighter-coloured suede and is worth a try for darker-coloured as well. For oil stains, rubbing vinegar onto the stain works wonders but it takes more than one coat.

[englandmj7]

I use Kiwi suede cleaner and a suede brush/cleaner. As noted above, the cleaner is essentially a huge rubber pencil eraser......I also make sure that when I first buy a pair of new suede shoes I spray them with Kiwi suede protectant. It helps a little and doesn't discolor the suede....

[englandmj7]

That is what the suede brush is for. It is very rigid and basically 'scuffs' up the nap again. You can get the eraser/brush tool by Kiwi at your local drugstore/grocery store

[KFC ONE]

Anyone tried that stuff Angeles (sp?)?

[watchman]

Champs sells an eraser/brush tool for like 5 dollars, and seems to work well on all my suede shoes.

[lestat]

eraser and brush takes care of most stains, but u gonna need the spray too. it will protect ur suede from water damage and such

[psyence]

i use SHOE MAGIK for all my shoes. works on suede, nubuck, leather... whatever. doesn't discolor either. i'm able to purchase worn shoes and make them look like new. it all depends on how you use it. you might see people at the mall trying to sell this stuff at a kiosk and offering to clean one shoe that you're wearing... leaving the other dirty.

to clean suede, just apply the cleaner to the wet brush and scrub the stained areas. try to keep the suede fibers loose my constantly scrubbing. dry the area with a terry cloth towel and then brush the suede again to separate the fibers. let it dry for about an hour or so and brush again. it should look like new again.

[englandmj7]

I bought that garbage last time I was at the mall for some of my sneakers and it was the worst $25 I have ever spent, didn't work near as well as they claimed.......

[pilot]

I've always wondered, if these sprays and such protect suede so well, why don't manufacturers put the solution on the shoes at the factory? I understand it can discolor if over used but that could be accounted for when dyeing the suede.

[englandmj7]

^^ I guess it would be the same reason as why all clothes don't come with the stain protectant stuff they put on Dockers for instance.........I am sure they want them to get fucked up so you have to buy new ones? I think it is the same reason why they still haven't made a gore-tex/ballistic nylon/kevlar skate shoe..........

[obsessis]

it would cost money to buy the protectant spray and machinery to apply it, people to maintain the machines, a bunch of extra cost that isn't needed, plus your shoes will wear out quicker so you'll have to get another fresh pair.

[englandmj7]

It may do the job, but is not even remotely as rigid as a suede brush (think a VERY hard nail brush). How 'tough' is your suede? On my buttery soft Coach boots I actually thought the brush scuffed them up a bit more than I would have liked, you should be okay with the horse brush.

and yeah, erasers aren't all that great in my opinion, they do take some stains off though.