How to Clean Suede Shoes With Household Products
Suede is a luxury fabric used in handbags, clothing, furniture and shoes. Unfortunately, suede fabric is highly susceptible to dust, dirt and tearing of the delicate leather. If scuff marks, oil and ink stains appear on your favorite suede shoes, you can use common household products to lift the stains without destroying the nap. To keep the delicate leather fabric from tearing, fading or drying out, clean your suede shoes carefully. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Emery board
- Talcum powder
- Cornstarch
- White rag
- T-shirt
- Vacuum cleaner brush attachment
- Water
- White vinegar
- Suede brush
- Alcohol
- Cotton swab
- Terry cloth towel
- Teakettle
Instructions
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1
Remove scuff marks with an emery board. Gently rub the stain to remove the scuff marks from your suede shoes. Revive the suede nap by brushing the shoes or applying the emery board in one direction only.
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2
Clean oil and grease stains with talcum powder or cornstarch. Dab the stain first with a white rag or T-shirt. Apply the powder or cornstarch to the soiled area. Let the powder set overnight. Remove the powdery substance with the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner.
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3
Eliminate ink stains on your shoes with water and vinegar. Dilute one part white vinegar with three parts cold water. Apply the vinegar to the ink spot using an old cloth. Let the area dry for a maximum of 30 minutes. Remove the vinegar residue and the stain with a suede brush.
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4
Clear stubborn ink stains with alcohol. If any ink stains remain on the suede shoes after using the vinegar and water mixture, press isopropyl alcohol into the stain with a cotton swab. Remove the alcohol from the top layer of the suede with a terry cloth towel. Brush your suede shoes gently to lift the remaining alcohol and ink.
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5
Raise flattened nap with steam. Using hot water and a kettle, apply steam six inches from your suede shoes. Air-dry your suede away from the heat.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid scrubbing the suede shoes with a brush too frequently. After regular brushing or scrubbing of the fabric, the suede may disappear from the soiled area completely.
References
- Photo Credit suede female shoes image by terex from Fotolia.com
