How to Clean Suede Shoes, Boots and Jackets

Brush off dry dirt with a suede brush, rub marks with a suede eraser, and only if a stain stays, dab a barely damp cloth with suede cleaner, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol (Nike). Never soak suede or machine wash it. For a suede jacket, take stains to a professional leather cleaner instead of treating them at home (Iowa State University Extension).

Key takeaways

Start dry: a suede brush, then a suede eraser, before any liquid touches the shoe.
Use liquid sparingly: dampen the corner of a cloth, never the shoe, and repeat if the mark is still there.
After a cleaner, let suede dry for about 30 minutes, then apply a protector spray.
Wet suede dries away from heat: no dryer, no radiator. Stuff shoes with newspaper to keep their shape.
Suede jackets with stains go to a professional leather cleaner, not the washing machine or the kitchen sink.

What is the easiest way to clean suede shoes?

The easiest method is dry first, liquid last. Work in this order and stop as soon as the mark is gone ( (Nike; Clarks)).

Prep the shoe. Put a shoe tree or crumpled newspaper inside so the shoe holds its shape, and let mud or moisture dry before you touch it (Nike).
Brush. Use a suede brush or a clean toothbrush. Short side-to-side strokes lift the fibers and loosen debris (Nike). A stiff brush also raises the nap, the soft pile that makes suede look like suede (University of Florida IFAS Extension).
Erase. Rub remaining marks with a clean suede eraser, using a back-and-forth motion with a little more pressure, but not hard enough to damage the surface (Nike).
Dab. If the stain stays, wet only the corner of a dry cloth with suede cleaner, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, then massage the spot side to side and let it dry (Nike).
Finish. Brush gently with the grain, the direction the nap naturally lies, and leave the shoe to dry for around 30 minutes before applying a protector spray (Clarks).

What is the best cleaner for suede?

A cleaner made for suede is the first choice, and the shoemakers' own guides start there: Clarks uses a suede and nubuck foaming cleaner, scrubbed lightly with the grain, and Nike lists suede cleaner ahead of vinegar or alcohol ( (Clarks; Nike)). Use only a small amount and test it somewhere hidden first.

Can you use vinegar, dish soap or a cleaning eraser on suede?

It depends on how much liquid and how hard you rub. The fewer wet products you use, the less risk to the nap and the dye.

Can you use vinegar on suede?

Yes, in small amounts. Nike lists white vinegar alongside rubbing alcohol as a stain treatment on a lightly dampened cloth (Nike). Clarks suggests a water and vinegar mix, wiped in the direction of the grain, and then drying naturally (Clarks). Do not drench the shoe either way.

Can you put Dawn dish soap on suede?

Skip it. Nike advises against hand washing suede shoes in soap and water (Nike), and Iowa State University Extension warns that stain removal methods that are safe for ordinary fabrics can damage leather's structure and remove dye (Iowa State University Extension).

Can a household cleaning eraser clean suede?

Only as a backup. Nike says a pencil eraser or a household cleaning eraser is the next best option when you don't have a suede eraser, and the eraser itself must be clean (Nike). A dedicated suede eraser is gentler on the nap.

What should you never do to suede?

Never soak it, wash it or dry it with heat. The Canadian Conservation Institute says most skins and leathers are damaged by direct contact with water (Canadian Conservation Institute), and Nike recommends against the washing machine and the dryer for suede shoes (Nike).

Machine washing. Not recommended for suede shoes (Nike). Washable sneakers are a different story: see how to wash shoes in a washing machine.
Heat. Let wet suede air dry away from heat (Iowa State University Extension). Localized heat makes leather lose moisture and can cause shrinkage, distortion and tears (Canadian Conservation Institute).
Cleaning wet suede. Let mud and moisture dry before brushing, or you may cause a stain (Nike).
Rubbing harder to fix a stain. Leather is very absorbent, so stains sink in, and stain removal can mean dye removal (Iowa State University Extension).

How do you remove specific stains and water marks from suede?

Match the method to the stain, and start with the gentlest option. Nike's guide gives these treatments for common suede stains (Nike).

Stain	What to do
Oil or grease	Cover with cornstarch and leave for a few hours. Wipe or hand-vacuum it off instead of brushing.
Gum or wax	Freeze the shoe until the gum or wax hardens, then peel or scrape it off.
Blood	Dab with a cotton ball dipped in a little hydrogen peroxide, let it dry and repeat if needed.
Mud	Wait until it is fully dry, then brush it away.
Scuffs	Brush side to side, then use a suede eraser.

How do you fix water spots on suede?

Let the spot dry completely, away from heat (Iowa State University Extension), then brush to raise the nap again (University of Florida IFAS Extension). Liquid spills can leave rings from migrating dye that are difficult or impossible to remedy (Iowa State University Extension), so if a ring stays after brushing, a pro is the safer choice.

How do you clean a suede jacket?

Brush it often and take stains to a professional. Iowa State University Extension says frequent brushing with a soft brush removes surface soil, and that staining should go to a professional suede and leather cleaner as soon as possible rather than be treated at home (Iowa State University Extension).

Wear a scarf. It protects the collar from sweat and body oils (Iowa State University Extension).
Tell the cleaner what happened. Point out every stain and hand over any care information; old, set stains cannot always be removed safely (Iowa State University Extension).
Expect a consent form. Cleaners may ask you to sign one when there is doubt about whether the garment can be cleaned (Iowa State University Extension).
Expect small changes. Cleaning can make color variation, wrinkles and texture differences more visible (Iowa State University Extension).

A professional dry cleaner who handles leather, or a specialist they send it to, is the right stop for a jacket. For a specific mark, ask about professional stain removal.

How do you read a suede care label?

Look for the exact words on the label, because they decide who should touch the garment. Oregon State University Extension's glossary defines "leather clean" as cleaning only by a professional cleaner who uses special leather or suede methods (Oregon State University Extension).

Spot clean only. Only stain removal is safe; do not immerse or fully clean the item (Drycleaning & Laundry Institute).
No label, or an unreadable one. More risk, so ask a cleaner before you try anything (Drycleaning & Laundry Institute).
Imitation suede. Check its label too: some fabrics are fragile and the coating or adhesive can fail in cleaning (Iowa State University Extension).

A label lists only one safe method, even if others would work, so a cleaner's different advice can be sound, but it carries some risk and you may be asked to approve it (Drycleaning & Laundry Institute). Our laundry symbols guide explains the other markings.

How do you protect and store suede?

Protection is easier than cleaning. Clarks recommends a protector spray and keeping suede boots away from wet weather, grass, mud and gravel (Clarks).

Use shoe trees. They help boots keep their shape and soak up moisture (Clarks).
Store cool and ventilated. Dry heat dries leather out and a hot, humid space invites mildew; never store it in a plastic bag (Iowa State University Extension).
Watch humidity. Mould can grow on leather when relative humidity is above 65%, and poor air circulation raises the risk (Canadian Conservation Institute).
Skip the conditioner. Suede typically does not need conditioning (University of Florida IFAS Extension).

Frequently asked questions

How do you condition suede?

You usually don't. University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that suede typically does not need to be conditioned. Brush it to raise the nap and use a protector spray instead.

How do you clean white mesh sneakers with suede panels?

Treat the suede panels with the dry method: brush, then a clean eraser, then a barely damp cloth. Avoid soaking the shoe, since suede should not go in the washing machine. Check the maker's care instructions for the mesh.

How do you clean a New Balance 327?

Sneakers that mix suede and mesh need the suede routine on the suede parts: dry brush, eraser, then a lightly dampened cloth with suede cleaner or white vinegar. Do not drench the shoe or use the dryer.

What not to clean suede with?

Avoid soaking water, soap and water, the washing machine, the dryer and radiators. Nike advises against machine washing and soap-and-water hand washing, and heat dries and shrinks leather.

Can you wash a suede jacket?

No. Iowa State University Extension advises taking stained suede garments to a professional suede and leather cleaner as soon as possible and not removing spots at home.

How we researched this

We read care guidance from Iowa State University Extension, Oregon State University Extension, University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute and the Canadian Conservation Institute, plus shoe-care instructions from Clarks and Nike for their own suede products. We cited 7 sources and prioritized extension and conservation sources for cautions and shoemakers for step-by-step shoe methods. We have not lab-tested any method, and this guide does not cover dyeing, re-napping badly worn suede or repairing damage. Sources were read on October 13, 2026.

Explore states

Browse services