To clean suede shoes, let them dry completely, brush off the loose dirt with a nylon suede brush, and rub out scuffs with a suede eraser. Then clean the shoe with Angelus Easy Cleaner on a damp brush and dab any stain that's left with Angelus Spot Remover, after testing it on a hidden spot. Once it's dry, bring back the nap and color, and finish with Angelus Water & Stain Repellent. Suede is leather with a raised nap, so it wants the right brush and very little water. Vinegar, dish soap, and steam can stiffen it, leave rings, or pull out the dye.
Our family has been making leather care products in Los Angeles since 1907, and this is the process our own team uses on suede.
Start here: what happened to your suede?
Quick answer: the 6-step suede clean
- Let wet suede dry all the way first.
- Brush off loose dirt with a nylon suede brush.
- Rub scuffs and marks out with a suede eraser.
- Clean with Easy Cleaner on a damp brush.
- Revive the color: Mink Oil Aerosol for the whole shoe, Suede Renew for one faded spot.
- Spray with Water & Stain Repellent.
Shop this guide
Start here
Nubuck & Suede Kit
A suede eraser and nylon brush for lifting dirt and scuffs.
Shop the kitRevive color
Mink Oil Aerosol
Hydrates the whole shoe and brings the color back. 4.8 stars from 230+ reviews.
ShopAlso handy: Nylon Suede Brush, Suede Renew for faded spots, Spot Remover for set-in stains, the suede-friendly foams Foam-Tex and Blue Foam Cleaner, Shoe Trees, and Suede Dye.
Real reviews from Angelus customers
4.8 stars from 230+ reviews of Angelus Mink Oil Aerosol
★★★★★
"I have a lot of knappy suede shoes and mink oil spray is the best way to keep the leather hydrated. Additionally, it brings old leather back to life and makes it feel buttery soft!"
Candace R. · Verified buyer · Mink Oil Aerosol
★★★★★
"I bought the angelus suede renew to take out some white spots on my Jordan 4 Breds from 2012 and at first I didn't think anything would work... the worn spots were gone!"
Omar C. · Verified buyer · Suede Renew
★★★★★
"Just received the spray put 2 coats with 30 minute intervals on my suede new balance shoes, water glided right off of em. Exactly what I wanted."
Matt · Verified buyer · Water & Stain Repellent
How to clean suede shoes, step by step
Get the shoes ready
Take out the laces and insoles. If the suede got wet, let it dry at room temperature before you touch it with a brush, because brushing wet suede pushes the dirt in deeper and can flatten the nap for good. A pair of Angelus Shoe Trees gives you something firm to work against.
Dry brush the whole shoe
Use the Nylon Suede Brush or the brush in the Nubuck & Suede Kit in short, light strokes in one direction, then brush back against the grain to lift the flattened fibers.
Erase scuffs and marks
Rub the suede eraser over scuffs, shiny spots, and light stains with gentle strokes. It grabs the dirt stuck in the nap and pulls it out without wearing the suede thin. Brush the crumbs away when you're done.
Customer story
"Restored my water stained suede Birkenstocks to new condition... with a few swipes of the eraser stick and the brush to restore the nap, there are no more stains!" (Katier, verified buyer, Nubuck & Suede Kit)
Clean with Easy Cleaner or a gentle foam
Put a little Angelus Easy Cleaner on the Premium Sneaker Cleaning Brush and work it over one panel at a time in small circles. Wipe away the dirt it lifts with a microfiber towel. If you'd rather use a foam, Foam-Tex and Blue Foam Cleaner clean suede without soaking it.
Pro tip: the brush should be damp, not dripping. Suede that gets soaked dries stiff.
Treat spot stains
For a stain the cleaner didn't get, dab Angelus Spot Remover on with a cotton swab, working from the edge toward the middle. Blot, let it dry, and brush the nap back up.
Always spot test: try it inside the heel first and let it dry, so you know it won't change the color or feel.
Dry it, then bring back the color and nap
Let the shoes air dry with the shoe trees in, away from heat and sun. Then brush in a few directions to raise the nap.
Protect
Spray 2 to 3 light coats of Angelus Water & Stain Repellent about 30 minutes apart, and give it 12 hours before you wear them. There's also a pump version if you'd rather skip the aerosol.
You can stop here
Brushing, erasing, and a light clean handle most suede. If the color has worn away completely, Angelus Suede Dye brings it back. Our mink oil guide covers the spray in more detail.
How to remove specific stains from suede
| Stain | What to do |
|---|---|
| Dirt & mud | Let it dry, brush off the crust, erase the shadow, then use Easy Cleaner. |
| Water spots | Dampen the whole panel evenly so it dries at one rate, then brush once dry. |
| Oil & grease | Blot, use Easy Cleaner, then Spot Remover after a test. |
| Salt | Brush off the crust and clean from the outside in. Suede Renew covers any faded patch. |
| Ink & marker | Spot Remover on a cotton swab, after a test. |
| Food & drink | Blot, let it dry, erase, and clean. Spot Remover takes care of what's left. |
| Faded color | Mink Oil Aerosol for the whole shoe, Suede Renew for a spot, or Suede Dye if the color is gone. |
How to clean different kinds of suede shoes
Suede sneakers
Brush and erase the suede, then use Easy Cleaner on the whole shoe. It's safe on the suede, mesh, canvas, and rubber of Sambas, Gazelles, and New Balance runners.
Suede boots
Work from the shaft down to the toe. Boots take the most weather, so finish with Mink Oil Aerosol and Water & Stain Repellent. See the boot guide.
Sheepskin boots (like UGGs)
Brush and erase first, then clean with as little moisture as you can so the lining stays dry. Dry them upright and stuffed.
White and black suede
On white, clean early with an eraser that hasn't picked up dark dye. On black, brush gently so it doesn't go gray, and use Black Suede Dye if the color has worn off.
Mistakes to avoid when cleaning suede
- Vinegar, dish soap, and detergent stiffen the nap, leave rings, and can pull out the dye.
- Our All Purpose Foam Cleaner is built for tough materials and can lift color from suede.
- Spot Remover should always go on a hidden spot first.
- Soaking or machine washing shrinks and stiffens suede and breaks down the glue.
- Brushing suede while it's wet, or drying it with heat, can ruin the nap.
- Unprotected suede soaks up water and stains right away.
Related guides: Nubuck vs suede · Cleaning any sneaker · Choosing a brush · Shoe cleaning guide
Suede cleaning FAQ
What is the best way to clean suede shoes?
Dry brush, erase the marks, and clean with Angelus Easy Cleaner. Treat any spot that's left with Spot Remover after a test, brush the nap back up, and finish with Water & Stain Repellent.
What is the best suede cleaner?
Angelus Easy Cleaner is gentle on suede and nubuck. If you prefer a foam, Foam-Tex and Blue Foam Cleaner work too. Pair any of them with a suede eraser and a nylon suede brush.
How do you use a suede eraser?
Rub it over the scuff or mark on dry suede with gentle strokes, like a pencil eraser, then brush away the crumbs and lift the nap with a suede brush. The Nubuck & Suede Kit has both.
How do you get a stain out of suede?
Clean the area with Easy Cleaner first. If the stain is still there, test Spot Remover on a hidden spot, then dab it on with a cotton swab, blot, let it dry, and brush.
Can you wash suede shoes with water or in a washing machine?
No. Soaking or machine washing shrinks and stiffens suede and weakens the glue. A damp brush with Easy Cleaner and an air dry is all it needs.
Should you use vinegar on suede?
We wouldn't. Vinegar is acidic and can dry suede out, leave marks, and affect the dye. Easy Cleaner is the safer choice.
How do you restore faded suede?
Spray Mink Oil Aerosol over the whole shoe, or use Suede Renew on a single faded spot. If the color is gone, re-dye with Angelus Suede Dye.
Does the same process work on nubuck?
Yes. Nubuck has a finer nap than suede, and the same products and steps work on both. Here's more on the difference between nubuck and suede.
