How to wash suede shoes in an automatic washing machine, is it possible and how to clean them manually, what rules to follow when washing and drying suede?

Suede shoes will never lose their relevance. However, it looks stylish only until it gets dirty.

Caring for suede requires knowledge of certain points. If you do not follow them, then the likelihood of irreparable damage to boots, shoes or sneakers increases.

From this article you will learn whether and how to wash suede shoes in an automatic washing machine and by hand to preserve the original appearance of your favorite pair.

Can it be washed?

Machine washing is not the best option for cleaning suede shoes.
It can only be used in emergency cases. A pair made of artificial suede can withstand such an impact. You cannot load into the drum:

Shoes made of natural suede.
Shoes with stiletto heels or hard soles.
A pair designed for winter wear.
Shoes and boots decorated with rhinestones, stones, and reflective stickers. These elements can come off and render the equipment unusable.
Shoes that have serious defects, for example, tears, loose seams, unstuck areas.
A new pair. Machine washing causes the fabric to become linty. This will negatively affect the external characteristics of the shoe.

It is allowed to wash sneakers, moccasins, sandals, flip-flops, slippers, sneakers in an automatic washing machine, but only if they are intact.

Hand washing without soaking is a priority. It can be used for any type of shoe. However, you need to remember that natural suede does not like contact with water, so it is kept to a minimum.

Natural suede is leather whose top layer has been sanded , resulting in characteristic fibers appearing on its surface. Lack of smoothness makes the material susceptible to dampness, dust, sand and dirt. Therefore, you need to take proper care of your shoes.

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Regular home care will extend the life of the item and protect it from the appearance of complex, persistent stains and gloss.

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To take care of your shoes, purchase the following products:

Dye. To maintain the color saturation of the shoes, it is recommended to apply the dye once every two weeks.
Brush. To remove stubborn dirt, a silicone tool is used; hard bristles are needed to comb the surface.
Spray with water-repellent properties. Creates a coating from which water flows over the top and does not penetrate into the material. Apply half an hour before going outside. Recommended in dirty, damp weather.

Remember, you can wash suede boots, but from such exposure they quickly become unusable; it is better to protect them from the negative influence of the environment.

Washing in an automatic washing machine

The label of each suede pair contains information about the possibility of washing it in an automatic machine, so before loading a pair into the drum, you need to read the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If the decision to wash has been made, then processing must be carried out according to strict rules:

Remove all visible dirt from shoes, thoroughly clean the soles of small stones. You can rinse the pair under running water to rid it of dust.
Remove laces and insoles, if any, from shoes. These elements are washed separately, by hand.
Place the boots in a washing bag. It is a mesh that acts as additional protection. If you don’t have one in the house, you can use an old pillowcase.
Pour the selected cleaning product into the washing machine. To wash suede shoes, it is recommended to use gel capsules or liquid powders. Such compositions dissolve well in cool water and are better washed out when rinsing.
Set the appropriate program. The best option is the “delicate” or “gentle” wash mode. If it is not there, then the machine is set up manually. The temperature is left at 30 degrees, and the spin is turned off. The optimal washing duration is 30-40 minutes.
Remove shoes from the drum and bag and dry in natural conditions.

It is prohibited to use aggressive detergents containing chlorine to wash suede shoes.

What happens if you wash suede sneakers in a washing machine, video experiment:

Manually

To get rid of salt deposits, soil and dust, the pair can be washed by hand. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

dissolve laundry or liquid soap in water;
Place a thick, light-colored fabric inside each shoe - this is done to prevent water from filling the shoes, penetrating under the insoles and destroying the sole; most often, the internal elements do not need to be washed;
moisten a toothbrush in the detergent;
rub the contaminated areas with it;
Dry your shoes naturally.

After drying, suede may become stiff . To give it an attractive look, it should be rubbed with a special brush. Such devices are sold in all shoe stores.

If the shoes are very dirty, cleaning will not be enough. In this case, you can soak it. Leaving the steam in the water for longer than 5-15 minutes is not recommended.

Rules for hand washing with soaking:

Prepare a cleaning solution. This can be liquid soap diluted in water or another cleaning composition containing a surfactant.
Rinse the shoes under running water and clean the soles.
Remove insoles and laces, if present.
Place the couple in a bowl of water and leave for a few minutes. There is no need to completely immerse your shoes in the solution. The less water gets inside, the better. Periodically you need to go to the container and check if the dirt has come off from your shoes. If the stains are gone, the washing process can be continued.
Using a toothbrush or any other soft-bristled brush, rub the areas that are more dirty than others.
Rinse the shoes under running clean water and blot with a soft cloth outside and inside.
The steam is dried under natural conditions.

To prevent shoes from losing their shape during drying, you can place white paper or bandages inside. The filler is changed as it becomes saturated with moisture.

It is prohibited to soak winter shoes, shoes and long boots.

This video will show you how to clean suede sneakers by hand:

Proper drying

After washing your shoes, you need to dry them properly. The moisture will completely evaporate no earlier than after 20 hours. You should not wear a pair until this time.

Basic recommendations to follow:

do not expose steam to heating devices or fire sources, do not use a hairdryer;
protect suede from exposure to direct sunlight;
To dry quickly, products should be kept in a room with low humidity.

Suede shoes should dry naturally, at room temperature.

Features of suede and its difference from other materials

To understand the features of caring for suede products, let’s figure out what kind of material it is.

Natural suede is soft, specially crafted leather. To obtain it, the skins of elk, deer, and small cattle are used, subjected to fat tanning. Due to this treatment, suede stretches well, allows air to pass through, and has a soft pile.

Suede has good stretch and breathability

Artificial suede is a new generation material that imitates the appearance of natural leather. It is made from polyester fiber with the addition of cotton impregnated with Teflon. This gives the material strength and resistance to sunlight, moisture, chemical and mechanical damage. Unlike natural suede, artificial suede does not allow air to pass through, does not fade, and is difficult to tear.

Artificial suede is a new generation material

Another material that is often confused with suede is nubuck. For its production, cattle hides are used, grinding them from the cut side with fine abrasives. The result is leather with low, fine pile, not protected from moisture, dirt and greasy.

Nubuck is afraid of moisture, is not protected from dirt, has low pile

Methods and means for cleaning these materials directly depend on their characteristics. For all three types they are similar, but each has its own characteristics.

Depending on the problem, you should select the means to eliminate it.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

You can remove stains from suede shoes using other methods. They are considered more gentle than machine or hand washing.

These include:

Using a rubber brush or school eraser. Use them to remove stains on shoes. This method is suitable for removing fresh, non-ingrained stains.
Using foam to clean carpets. It is applied to the contaminated area, left for 5-10 minutes, after which it is removed with a damp sponge.
Steam cleaning. This method allows you to deal with greasy stains. In a suitable container, bring water to a boil, then hold the shoe over the steam. You cannot treat shoes with hot, humid air for longer than 5 minutes. When the dirt has softened, rub it with a damp brush with soft bristles. After cleaning is completed, the shoes need to be dried.
Using talc or starch. These powders have absorbent properties, so they work great on greasy stains. They are applied to the stain and pressed down with paper. You can additionally place a load on the surface. This will enhance the fat absorption process. After 3 hours, the paper is removed and the remaining powder is removed with a brush.

Don't wait for the dirt that gets on your shoes to dry and be absorbed into the fabric. You need to start cleaning as early as possible. This will get rid of stains with minimal damage to the suede pair.

How to Remove Stains from Suede Shoes

If your suede shoes have stubborn stains, you can remove them by steaming.

The shoes are kept over a pan of boiling water for about five minutes. The stains are then removed with a rubber suede brush. If you don't have a rubber brush, an eraser or a dry crust of bread will do.

Light suede shoes covered with stains can be cleaned with a solution of soda and milk:

take warm low-fat milk, dilute soda in it - one tablespoon per glass of water;
thoroughly wipe the shoes with this solution and then with a sponge soaked in clean water;
After that, blot the shoes with a paper napkin and dry them as after washing.

If your suede shoes are shiny from greasy stains, you can treat the stains with dry cornstarch: sprinkle the starch on the stain and leave for three hours. Then clean the shoes with a dry, stiff suede brush.

Important Tips

In order to wash a suede pair with minimal losses, you must follow the following recommendations:

during hand washing, it is necessary to control the friction force; if you work with the brush too actively, you can remove the top pile, as a result, “bald patches” will appear on the shoes;
you should stop using aggressive detergents;
Light suede sneakers and boots should be washed separately from dark ones;
You can’t put on a pair that hasn’t dried out - street dust will instantly stick to the wet suede and the cleaning procedure will have to be repeated.

If faded spots appear on your shoes after washing, the situation can be corrected with a can of spray paint. It is gently sprayed over the surface of the suede and left to dry.

Extending the period of use

In order for your favorite suede jacket to last longer, you need to provide it with proper care and follow a number of simple rules that will help keep things in their original appearance:

To preserve the structure of suede fabric, it is necessary to regularly dry clean it using a specialized brush for this material, thereby removing any dust deposits that appear.
It is not recommended to wear suede items in wet or rainy weather. This type of fabric is extremely sensitive to moisture.
A product made of natural suede should not be washed frequently; the jacket may begin to deform during this procedure.
As is the case with most materials, it is recommended to remove stains from suede as quickly as possible, while you can avoid resorting to aggressive substances.
Under no circumstances should you use products containing acetone.
Do not dry suede items near radiators or other heating devices, as this can not only damage the fabric, but also ruin the color.
To store a suede jacket at home, you must use a special fabric cover that protects from dust and moths.