There’s something so sad about losing a precious accessory to a weather tragedy. Whether it’s the scarf that fell into a puddle or the pair of suede boots you accidentally wore in the snow, you know it’s never easy to say goodbye. It’s no surprise then that simply knowing how to clean suede shoes can mean the difference between a salvaged pair and a sorry farewell. Suede just doesn’t respond well to any sort of debris, be it moisture or dirt. Small particles are easily lodged in the material and moisture is absorbed by suede. The result is a dirty shoe that only looks worse over time, especially if you don’t take care to clean them regularly. Here’s how to attack it head on.
Try a Suede Cleaner
Or a Suede Eraser
Freeze It
It turns out, the freezer is a pretty remarkable tool for cleaning suede shoes. Certain debris, such as gum and other gooey, undefined substances, can be tough to remove manually without a little help. Place your suede shoes in the freezer for several hours — they need to be frozen, folks. Then gently scrape off the offending debris, which should be much easier to remove at that temperature.
Protect Them
Emergency Tip
According to Murphy’s Law, you will discover the massive stain on the heel of your most gorgeous shoes on the night you plan to wear them. With no suede cleansers or erasers at hand, what’s a woman to do? Grab a pencil and get rubbing. The eraser works in a pinch, making quick work of unsightly spots, although bear in mind that it probably won’t work on an old, stubborn stain.
