Cleaning Suede Boat Shoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Suede boat shoes are a popular choice for many, but they can be a little tricky to clean. Suede is a soft leather with raised fibres, known as a nap, which requires special care to keep it looking clean. To wash your suede boat shoes, start by removing any caked-on dirt with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush. Be sure to brush in the same direction as the nap to avoid scarring the suede. For more stubborn stains, you can use a suede bar, white vinegar, or a suede eraser. Always allow your shoes to air-dry naturally and avoid direct heat or sunlight, as this can cause the suede to fade and ruin. You can also stuff the shoes with newspaper while they dry to help retain their shape. With the right care, your suede boat shoes will stay looking clean and fresh for years to come!

Use a suede brush to gently scrub the shoes

To wash suede boat shoes, you'll need to use a suede brush to gently scrub them. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

Invest in a suede-cleaning brush designed specifically for cleaning suede. If you don't have one, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush as a substitute. Ensure your brush has stiff bristles that can reach the fabric underneath the nap of the suede. Some suede brushes have brass bristles on one side for removing dirt and rubber on the other side for cleaning scuff marks.

Before you start scrubbing, stuff the insides of your shoes with crumpled paper, such as newspaper or used computer paper. This helps the shoes retain their shape during the cleaning process and also toughens up the supple suede material, making it easier to clean stubborn spots.

When you're ready to start scrubbing, ensure your shoes are completely dry. Even a bit of moisture can leave a permanent stain on suede. Gently brush your shoes with the suede brush, applying gentle pressure. Always brush in the direction of the suede's nap, working from one end of the shoe to the other. Go over the same areas a couple of times to effectively remove dirt and restore the look of your suede shoes.

If you encounter stubborn scuff marks or stains, you can use additional tools like a suede eraser or a suede bar. For scuff marks, apply gentle pressure and rub the eraser back and forth over the suede. After rubbing with the eraser, use the suede brush again to smooth out the fabric and clean off any eraser shavings. For stubborn stains, use a suede bar, which is a soft rubber bar designed for removing dirt from suede without damaging it. Dampen the suede bar and gently rub it against the stain until it disappears.

After scrubbing, finish off by treating your suede shoes with a protective spray. This adds a layer of waterproofing to prevent future stains from setting in. Allow the spray to dry for about 30-45 minutes before wearing your shoes again.

Remember to always brush in the same direction as the nap when cleaning suede. Using multiple directions while brushing can cause the suede material to fray and scar. Additionally, ensure your suede brush is only used for cleaning your shoes to avoid transferring residue that could ruin the fabric.

Treat tough stains with white vinegar

White vinegar is a holy grail household cleanser for both stains and surfaces. Its unique acidic composition is highly effective in breaking down stains.

To treat tough stains with white vinegar, start by dipping a washcloth or flannel into a small bowl of vinegar. Be sure to wring out any excess liquid. Then, gently dab the cloth against the stain on your shoe, massaging the vinegar into the suede.

It is important to note that the vinegar may temporarily alter the colour of the suede while it is damp. However, as the moisture evaporates, the material should return to its original colour. Allow the vinegar to dry, and then check if the stain remains. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process carefully until you see improvement.

Remember, excess liquid can damage suede, so always use a gentle dabbing motion and avoid soaking or dunking your shoes in vinegar.

Remove scuff marks with a suede eraser

To remove scuff marks from your suede boat shoes, you can use a suede eraser. This is a small, handheld tool designed to clean and maintain suede shoes. It is made from a unique crumbly rubber material that can penetrate the nap of the suede to remove dirt and restore the fabric's original texture.

• Inspect your suede shoes for any stains, scuffs, or areas where the nap has become flattened or matted.
• Ensure your shoes are completely dry before you start cleaning. Cleaning wet suede can lead to further discolouration and damage.
• Identify the stains or scuff marks you want to remove. If there are multiple marks, focus on one at a time.
• Hold the suede eraser as you would a pencil eraser. Gently but firmly rub the eraser back and forth over the stain or scuff mark.
• Periodically check your progress. The stain or scuff mark should start to fade, and the nap should begin to fluff up and regain its original texture. This process may take several minutes, so be patient.
• Once you have finished using the suede eraser, use a suede brush to sweep away any crumbs, residue, or loosened dirt and dust.
• Inspect your work. If the stain or scuff is still visible, repeat the process. For stubborn spots, you may need to use a suede nubuck cleaner or seek professional cleaning advice.
• Allow your shoes to air dry completely before wearing them again.

It is important to note that suede erasers are different from pencil erasers. Pencil erasers are made from synthetic rubber or vinyl and are designed to remove pencil marks from paper. Suede erasers are specifically designed for cleaning and maintaining suede items.

In addition to removing scuff marks, suede erasers can also be used to remove water stains and to fluff the nap of your suede shoes, restoring their soft, fuzzy texture.

Stuff shoes with newspaper to retain their shape while cleaning

Stuffing shoes with newspaper is a great way to retain their shape while cleaning. It's a simple and cost-effective method that can be used on suede boat shoes and other types of footwear. Here are some detailed instructions and benefits of using newspaper:

Instructions for Stuffing Shoes with Newspaper:

• Start by removing the laces from your shoes if they have them. Loosely pull out the laces from around the tongue to create more space inside the shoe for the newspaper.
• Crumple or wad up old newspaper sheets and tightly pack them into the shoes, especially in the toe area. You can also wrap the newspaper around the outside of the shoes and secure it with rubber bands for faster drying of the exterior.
• Press down on the toe area to check if the shoe holds its shape. If not, add more newspaper until the shoe retains its form.
• For wet shoes, replace the newspaper every few hours or as it becomes saturated. Fresh newspaper will absorb more water and help the shoes dry faster.
• Leave the newspaper in the shoes overnight or for about 12 hours for effective drying.

Benefits of Stuffing Shoes with Newspaper:

• Newspaper helps to maintain the shape of the shoes, especially when they are wet or being transported.
• It absorbs moisture from the shoes, aiding in faster drying and reducing the formation of odours.
• Newspaper is a readily available and inexpensive material, making it a convenient option for shoe care.
• Using newspaper is a great alternative to wooden shoe trees, especially if you're on a budget.
• It helps to restore the cushioning of the insole by reducing moisture.
• Newspaper can also be used to eliminate odours from shoes by absorbing them and allowing fresh air to circulate.

Apply a leather conditioner to re-moisten the leather

After cleaning your suede boat shoes, it is important to re-moisten the leather. This can be done by applying a leather conditioner to the exterior of the shoe. This will help to protect the shoe and keep it in good condition for longer.

To begin the process of conditioning, take a soft cloth and dip it into the leather conditioner. Gently apply the conditioner to the shoe in a thin layer, ensuring that you cover the entire exterior surface. You can use circular motions to work the conditioner into the leather. Once you have applied the conditioner evenly, allow it to dry. After the conditioner has dried, you can use a clean cloth to buff the shoes to a shine.

It is recommended to use a soft cloth for this process, rather than applying the conditioner directly to the shoe. This will help to prevent over-saturation and ensure that the conditioner is applied evenly. It is also important to note that leather conditioner should not be used on suede. Therefore, if your boat shoes are made of a combination of leather and suede, take care to only apply the conditioner to the leather sections.

Additionally, it is important to allow your shoes to dry completely before applying the conditioner. This will ensure that the conditioner is absorbed effectively and will help to prevent over-saturation. Conditioning your leather boat shoes on a regular basis will help to maintain their condition and appearance over time.

Frequently asked questions