How to Clean Mud From High Heel Shoes

By: Chance Henson

Noel Hendrickson/Photodisc/Getty Images

Christian Dior once said, "The real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet." Your heels are more than footwear, they are a statement piece about your character. Your high-heeled shoes may be the latest fashion, but if they're covered in mud, they can make a bad impression. You can keep your leather, satin and suede heels in good repair with regular cleaning by addressing caked-on or accidental mud splashes with quick, decisive action.

Refresh Satin or Leather Heels

Step 1

Cover your cleaning space with newspapers or a plastic trash bag for easy cleanup.

Step 2

Wipe away loose mud from the shoe's surface with a dry cloth or soft-bristle brush.

Step 3

Dampen a cloth with warm water and wipe the shoes to remove stubborn and caked-on mud. Remember to work the cloth between crevices and all the way around the heel. Wipe the sole last to avoid smearing mud.

Step 4

Work up a lather with a fresh damp cloth and a few drops of moisturizing hand soap.

Step 5

Rub the surface of the shoes vigorously with the lather, then wipe them clean with a dry towel. Use blotting motions to remove soapy water from satin heels.

Step 6

Polish leather heels with a polishing cloth and leather polish. Blot and dab dry satin heels with a towel or use a blow dryer on its lowest setting.

Suede

Step 1

Wrap the the shoes in a clean, dry towel. Allow the shoes to dry for two to four hours.

Step 2

Brush dried mud from the surface of the shoes with a suede brush using short, gentle strokes. You may also use light, gentle strokes with an emery board to remove dried mud from suede shoes.