How to Wash Suede

How to Wash Suede

Washing Steps

  • Brush off dirt and sand.
  • Apply shampoo to the brush first.
  • Apply an appropriate amount of shampoo to the shoes.
  • Gently wash with the dedicated brush.
  • Wipe off foam and dirt with a towel.
  • Allow to dry for several hours.

Washing Tips

The key is not to wash everything at once — instead, wash and wipe section by section:

  • Wash left sole → wipe
  • Wash right sole → wipe
  • Wash right upper → wipe
  • Wash left upper → wipe
  • Wash front upper → wipe

Materials that discolor when wet or are dyed require caution. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.

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Step 1
1

Brush off dirt and sand

Start by brushing to remove dirt and sand.

Step 2
2

Apply shampoo to the brush first

The shampoo lathers best when there's a good balance of detergent and moisture. Since the brush starts dry, applying shampoo to the brush first improves lathering. Make sure foam gets thoroughly into the brush.

Step 3
3

For highly absorbent fabrics

Highly absorbent fabrics may produce less lather. This is because the shoe shampoo's moisture content is adjusted to work with minimal water, which doesn't pair well with absorbent materials. For absorbent fabrics, pre-wet the surface with water before washing.

Step 4
4

Gently wash with the dedicated brush

Spread the shampoo evenly and wash gently. Scrubbing too hard can damage the shoe surface, so be gentle.

Step 5
5

Wipe off foam and dirt with a towel

After washing, wipe with a towel before the shoe absorbs the foam. We recommend using a well-dried towel or highly absorbent microfiber towel.

Suede absorbs water and shampoo easily. If you leave the lathered shampoo sitting, the shoe will absorb the dirt back in — so wash section by section rather than all at once. For stubborn stains, repeat the process. We recommend using a highly absorbent microfiber cloth.

Step 6
6

Allow to dry for several hours

For suede, gently brushing during the drying process after shampooing results in a better texture. If left to dry without any treatment, suede will dry stiff and hard. Brushing while drying — raising the nap as you go — restores the original texture. We recommend using a soft-bristle brush like a horsehair brush for drying.

1

Wash section by section

Suede absorbs water and shampoo easily. If you leave the lathered shampoo, the shoe will absorb the dirt back in. The key is to wash section by section, starting with the soles. Wash left sole → wipe, wash right sole → wipe... work through each section methodically. Rinse the brush with water after use.

2

Prevent water stains

Prevent water stains

If suede dries while partially wet, water stains will appear. If left to dry as-is, the stains will set permanently. To prevent this, ensure the entire surface is evenly wet when shampooing — don't just wet parts of it. We recommend pre-wetting the entire shoe with water before starting.

3

Use moisturizing spray

Use moisturizing spray

The washing process for leather products (including suede) has three main steps: 1. Wash, 2. Dry, 3. Moisturize. The washing step can be easily done with shoe shampoo. For suede, we recommend using a suede-specific moisturizing spray. Think of washing and moisturizing as separate processes — using moisturizing spray will extend the life of your leather products.