How to Clean Suede Boots Before You Stow Them Away for Spring

Start with gentle strokes (remember, with the grain!), then apply more pressure as needed. Suede is a pretty durable fabric, hence its historical popularity with cowboys, so don’t worry too much if you feel like you need to get a little vigorous. Use the microfiber or flannel cloth to brush off as much of the stain particles as possible. For very new marks, this might be enough to bring your shoes back to how they looked when you first bought them.

This is when you might find you need to break rule number two and brush against the grain. If a stain is already pretty deep within the fibers, you’ll find more success in dislodging the grime if you use a back-and-forth motion. Scrub with the suede eraser, then pick up the suede brush and cloth once again to see just what kind of progress you’re making. Repeat until the stain is fully lifted.

It might seem counterintuitive to use liquid to treat suede, especially after listing “never try to clean suede while it’s wet” as rule numero uno. However, due to its acidic composition, white vinegar is actually really effective at lifting stains and is highly unlikely to leave any marks behind. If brushing hasn’t worked, dampen your cloth with a very small amount of white vinegar. Seriously, start with less than you think you need. You can always add more. Rub the vinegar into the stain by gently going back and forth, before leaving it to dry completely. Repeat steps one and two before trying more vinegar. Yes, this process is time consuming, but it’s also worth it if you want to restore your favorite booties back to their former glory. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.

Step 4: When In Doubt, Go To The Professionals

If you’ve tried and tried and tried some more, but you just can’t seem to brush that scuff out, it’s probably time to bring your boots to a shoemaker or suede specialist. They have the skills, tools, products and, let’s be honest, patience that the rest of us simply can’t match. The pros should be able to restore your shoes better than any at-home method.

How To Protect Your Suede Boots From Future Stains

Now that you’ve done all the work to make your shoes look as good as new, you’ll probably want to do everything you can to keep them looking as such. Apply a waterproofing spray or suede protector, like Bickmore Gard-More Water & Stain Repellent ($13) or Kiwi Suede Protector ($9), either as soon as you purchase a new pair of shoes or once they’ve been thoroughly cleaned and dried. These products work wonders and can protect your gorgeous footwear from needing another deep clean (although they might benefit from an annual brushing before storage). Also, be sure to read the directions and labels carefully, as you may need to reapply protector every six to 12 months, depending on the formula.