How to Clean Faux Suede Shoes: For Your Ease!

If you are a vegan and prefer to wear faux suede shoes, then you are the animal savior. That’s a good sign. Despite of hard work for keeping them clean while on the go, they will get dirty or grubby. So we will give you a thorough guide about the cleaning and maintenance of your special shoes. Before starting this discussion, first thing should be first!

What is the difference between Suede and Faux Suede Shoes?

You will be curious to know about it. Are you? Let’s have a closer look on both types of shoes. Suede shoes are made from traditional leather that is originated from animal hides and very expensive. Suede gets grubby and filthy very easily and sensitive to water. On the contrary, Faux Suede shoes are not only strain-resistant but also water repellent, so they can be easily cleaned. This hand made synthetic fabric also named as Suedette is more durable and cheaper than genuine Suede fabric. Although, Faux Suede shoes will get muddy or dirty as you will wear them in a rainy day. Yet, it is relatively easy to do regular cleaning, and maintenance for there long life.

Faux Suede Shoes Cleaning Process

Whether your shoes are dirty or not, make a rule of thumb to brush them with soft bristles suede brush right after use. It will not only help to stop dirt settling into the Faux Suede fabric, but it will rise the nap too.

Pro-Tip: Faux suede shoes can be stained, muddy all over so can require special treatment. It is best to see manufacturer’s provided guide for cleaning these shoes with other products only prepared for them.

Warning: Stuff your shoes with old cloth or paper during cleaning process and let them dry completely. Then brush them again to restore the softness.

Method for Cleaning Small Stains

1. Brush your faux shoes to wipe away any dirt from the suede nap.
2. Blot the small stains with clean and dry cloth.
3. Dab the area with wet and soapy cloth for several times.
4. Again blot the stain with dry cloth till the time the stains get removed.

Pro-Tip: The best approach to clean stains is to deal with them as soon as they appear. Otherwise they will get permanent.

Method for Cleaning Stubborn Stains

If the stain is oil-based or greasy, use de-greasing dish washing soap or sand eraser to clean such stubborn stains.

1. Brush your shoes thoroughly for any dust entrapped in the nap.
2. Then apply sand eraser directly or synthetic shoe cleaner with a dry, clean cloth on the area of stain only. Pro-Tip: Test shoe cleaner on some hidden area of the shoes for half a minute to avoid discoloration. Check out some of the best shoe cleaners in our latest review here.
3. Finally rub the stains very gently with slightly damped cloth until stains are gone. Pro-Tip: Apply the sand eraser very gently and make sure the fabric is not getting damaged.
4. Use suede brush again to rise the fibers on the shoes.

Method for Cleaning with Home Made Things

Faux Suede shoe cleaners are mostly chemical enriched products. It is not the best approach to use them all the time. Here check steps of action to clean them with home made things.

1. Remove dirt from your shoes as described above.
2. Make a foamy mixture of dish washing soap and water in a bowl.
3. Apply the mixture evenly on your shoes with the toothbrush in small circular motion. Pro-Tip: Do not saturate your shoes with foamy mixture because it will create some water marks on the surface of fabric. Solution: If you have ugly water marks on the shoes, remove them first with sand eraser.
4. Wipe away the foam from the shoes with a clean and dry cloth.
5. Allow the shoes to get air dry. Make sure the shoes are not in direct sunlight.
6. Brush your shoes thoroughly with suede brush for better look.

Faux Suede Shoes Maintenance Process

Faux Suede shoes can look more beautiful and can last longer with some extra maintenance. All that you have to do is a step by step process given below:

1. Clean your shoes thoroughly with water repellent suede cleaner.
2. Cover all the embellishments and buckles before applying spray. As sprays can damage their material.
3. Take a silicone based waterproofing spray and coat your shoes evenly. Pro-Tip: Hold the spray at a distance of 6 to 8 inches for proper application. Do a patch test especially on heels to see if spray will change the color or not. Make sure that you apply one coat of spray. Let it dry and then apply second coat for more protection.
4. Dry your shoes for at least 24 hours before wearing them.
5. Brush in the end for the same look and feel of new Faux Suede.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You are now well aware of the cleaning and maintenance process of your favorite Faux Suede shoes. If you are wearing them on daily basis, then brushing them with suede brush once in a week will give them bright and clean look. Try these ways and easily clean your shoes.