Several ways to update suede shoes
Before you begin restoration, the product must be properly cleaned of dust and dirt. Any dirt is removed only after it is completely dry. After this, take a dry sponge or soft cloth and rub the dirty areas. If the dirt is difficult to remove, you can slightly dampen the cloth. Instead of water, a foam cleaner will do. It preserves the color and texture of the material.
Restoring the original color
Even if the shoes have been properly cared for, over time they will lose their original color. It can be restored using a special spray. After painting, the product must dry thoroughly. It is better to paint in the fresh air, since the paint has an unpleasant odor that takes a very long time to dissipate. After painting, walk over the surface with a brush - it will lift the pile. Coffee grounds will help restore the color of brown suede. You can give white shoes or boots a beautiful look using regular talcum powder.
Removing scuffs
Scuffs and shiny places are crushed pile. The main task in this case is to raise it. A solution of 1 tsp will help remove excess gloss. soda and 1 tbsp. milk. After processing, go over the surface with an eraser or a special brush. Steam will also help give it a beautiful look. Hold the shoes over a container of boiling water or treat them with a steam generator.
How to remove a grease stain from suede shoes?
Soak a cloth in purified gasoline, treat the contaminated surface, apply talc and leave for 2-3 hours. During this time, the talc will absorb the fat and the stain will disappear. Residues are easily removed with a brush. There is a stain remover for suede products on sale. The method of use is described in detail on the packaging. The pile after cleaning procedures is lifted with a brush, steam or a school eraser. If the stain is old, the procedure will have to be repeated several times.
How to remove salt stains?
Winter shoes often have unsightly stains from the salt that is sprinkled on the roads. They are cleaned with table vinegar. Soak a cotton pad in the solution and wipe the dirty areas. Finally, brush the surface to restore its beautiful structure.
The modern market offers a huge range of shoes. Today you can choose models made from various materials to suit every taste.
Many people are attracted to suede products, but buyers are hesitant to make such a purchase, fearing difficulties in caring for them. Dust, dirt and wet weather can take a toll on the appearance of once beautiful boots.
Knowing how to clean suede shoes, you can preserve their beauty for a long time. The main rule when caring for boots and boots made of suede is timely cleaning of the surface from stains and dirt.
Before renewing suede shoes, you need to get rid of dirt. It is not recommended to restore the structure of the pile without preliminary cleaning - this will harm the material.
For this reason, all abrasions are removed only after removing dirt and dust from the surface of the shoes or boots.
Any type of dirt, such as grease or dirt, can only be removed when it is dry. Otherwise, the pollution will only “spread”.
To clean suede shoes, you will need a soft microfiber cloth or sponge. If using a dry sponge or cloth does not completely remove the dirt, you can lightly moisten it under the tap and clean it again. Under no circumstances should you place a suede product under a tap - this will ruin the material.
So, you have removed traces of dirt and various stains. What to do next? How to return suede to its original appearance and color after it has already been cleaned? Use one of the methods below.
Three main rules for suede shoes - must be followed
If you really like suede shoes, and you have purchased one or two pairs of this material for yourself or your loved ones, you definitely need to learn three basic rules for caring for suede.
- Minimum moisture. Both natural and artificial suede cannot tolerate excess moisture. Under no circumstances should it be soaked in a basin of water, washed in an automatic machine, or even placed under running water from a tap. An unnoticed puddle along the way can be fatal for a suede boot. Excess moisture leads to the formation of stains on suede, streaks, and changes in its structure. It will be very difficult to restore the material later. Therefore, if suede shoes get wet, intentionally or accidentally, they need to be dried as quickly as possible. To do this, wet shoes or boots are stuffed with paper and dried at room temperature - not in the sun or near a heating radiator. It is also not recommended to use a hairdryer; if you really need it, it is better to dry your shoes with a vacuum cleaner. Even in dry weather, you should treat your suede with a water-repellent spray before going outside. This will help keep the material bright, soft and velvety for a long time.
- Absolute purity. Even in summer, we must not forget to care for suede shoes according to all the rules. When you come home, you definitely need to wipe away any accumulated dust with a dry flannel cloth. And if the sole gets dirty, wipe it with a sponge soaked in soapy water, and then dry it too. If stains appear on the suede, they must be removed immediately with an appropriate product. Remember: accumulations of dust on suede can permanently change its color and damage the structure of the fibers. The shoes will become faded and rough.
- Preventive measures. Suede shoes require regular care, even if they are worn only on major holidays. Preventive care involves periodically steaming crumpled, roughened and tarnished suede. Wet steam will straighten and soften the fibers and restore the color of boots or shoes. You can steam them in different ways: over a pan of boiling water, with a hot iron (under no circumstances should you touch the surface of the shoes, keep the heated iron in steaming mode at a distance of five to seven centimeters from the suede), with a steam generator. A steam generator is generally the optimal means for caring for suede products. If you have a lot of these, then it is highly recommended to purchase such a device; it will certainly come in handy in the household.
That's all the instructions for regular care of shoes made of delicate fleecy material. The basic rules are not that complicated, they can be remembered and applied. Here's how to fix very badly damaged suede shoes.
How to restore pile?
A regular eraser is a great helper in caring for suede shoes.
After cleaning, you should renew your suede shoes and restore the lint. This can be done in several ways:
- A school eraser will help lift the worn suede fibers - it will not spoil the surface.
- Steam baths have a good effect. You need to hold the boots over steam and then lightly rub the surface with a dry cloth or a special brush.
- If abrasions have formed in the area of the boot, you can iron them from the wrong side and then “comb” the pile.
- If you don’t trust traditional methods for restoring suede shoes, you can use special chemicals that you can find in stores.
After cleaning and restoring the suede, it is advisable to treat the surface with a special water-repellent agent. Do not put on boots immediately after treatment. They should dry completely at room temperature.
Knowing how to tidy up suede shoes, you can maintain their attractive appearance for a long time.
Selecting cosmetics for the care of suede shoes
Suede shoes are so demanding that when purchasing them, it is better to immediately acquire special care products. One of the most necessary is spray paint to restore color . Use it regularly as needed.
Advice. A brush dipped in brewed coffee will help restore the color of brown shoes.
The second important tool that makes it easier to care for suede shoes is a cleaning foam. With its help, you can easily remove dust and other simple contaminants from the product.
You also cannot do without the appropriate tool for proper care of suede shoes. Such a tool is a special brush (you've probably seen them on sale). Such brushes usually consist of several parts, combining a porous sponge to remove a layer of dust, an eraser to combat greasy deposits and stubborn stains, and wire bristles to restore velvety to the suede.
Advice. If possible, purchase all the accessories needed to care for suede shoes at the same time as purchasing the shoes themselves. This way you will save yourself from the need to then run around the city in search of this or that remedy.
Removing stains from the surface of shoes
Not only shoes are made from suede. Accessories such as bags and gloves are no less in demand, and the likelihood of them getting dirty is very high.
A major alteration or purchase of new boots or accessories requires an investment that not everyone can afford.
For this reason, it is important to know how to renew and remove stains from the suede on shoes, bags, gloves and boots.
Grease stains pose a particular danger to the material, but if you know how to deal with them, they will disappear without a trace. This is done as follows:
- Soak a cotton swab in purified gasoline.
- Wipe off the dirt and then sprinkle with talcum powder.
- Wait until the grease dissolved by gasoline is absorbed into the talc and brush it off with a soft brush.
If you need to restore suede shoes and rid them of stains, you can use a special stain remover. When purchasing, make sure that the product is intended specifically for suede!
You can use a special stain remover to clean suede.
The substance is distributed on the surface of the contamination and then cleaned off with a soft brush. It is important not to overdo it when cleaning and not to rub the stains with force - this will damage the surface of the suede.
To ensure that suede products do not lose their attractiveness for a long time, they should be cleaned and updated in a timely manner.
How to remove scuffs on suede?
Many people are afraid of the appearance of shiny areas and scuffs on the surface of shoes. But this is just crushed pile. Using the means that every housewife has, it is not difficult to restore suede.
Salt will help cleanse the suede of dirt.
You can use one of the following methods:
- A solution consisting of milk and soda (in the proportion of 1 teaspoon of soda per glass of milk) copes well with abrasions on suede fabric. Wipe the surface with the resulting product, then leave the shoes to dry.
- If the surface of the boots is noticeably worn, treat the suede with fine salt, and then remove any remaining salt with a brush.
- You can restore lint on suede shoes using a vinegar solution (4 parts water to 1 part vinegar). After this treatment, the shoes are wiped with clean water, and then again with a vinegar solution, but a weaker one (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water).
- You can use steaming the surface with caution. To do this, you need to hold your shoes over a boiling kettle or steam generator. Afterwards, problem areas are treated with a brush.
Remember that you should not immediately put on cleaned shoes; they must be dried by placing crumpled paper inside.
How to get rid of cracks?
How to tidy up white or black shoes, and what to do if the leather cracks? To remove cracks from leather shoes, you need to know some useful points:
- Cracks on the surface of leather products can be removed using special products. The main purpose of water-repellent cream is to prevent cracks from occurring. Cover the surface with a thin layer of cream, and after complete drying, polish the product with a brush.
Important! Classic leather care is the use of shoe polish, which perfectly protects this material from the effects of adverse factors. Perhaps you have dried cream and you don’t know how to restore it, to decorate your shoes, look at some tips on this topic.
- A piece of leather that has been torn off on a product can be repaired yourself. To do this, lubricate the damaged area (from the inside) with nail polish (or glue) and, pressing with your finger, hold for a couple of minutes. This procedure can also be carried out to remove scratches: lubricate them with glue and press.
- To refresh the color, wipe it regularly with a cotton pad soaked in ammonia. Once completely dry, sand the surface using fine sandpaper.
How to restore the color of suede shoes at home
Milk and baking soda will help restore suede shoes to their original color.
Suede items can not only get dirty, but also fade in the sun or fade after using the wrong cleaning methods. How to quickly and correctly restore suede shoes if the product has lost its original color?
You can use special paint, performing the work in accordance with the instructions. But there are also folk ways to restore color:
- To prepare the product, you will need ½ cup of skim milk and half a teaspoon of soda ash. The resulting solution is used to treat problem areas. If necessary, you can repeat the procedure.
- To restore the color of the product, use a solution of ammonia (1 part ammonia to 4 parts water). Treat the surface of the shoes with the resulting product, then wipe the suede with a damp cloth and leave the shoes to dry.
To avoid damaging your boots, test the effect of the selected product on a small area of suede before starting to treat the entire product.
How to clean suede shoes
Suede cleaning can be mechanical or chemical.
. Remember that products made from rough leather have a porous structure and do not like to get wet, so dry cleaning is not for daily use!
For dry cleaning, we recommend using Shampoo Tarrago foam for dry cleaning - this is a universal product for all types of leather. Suitable not only for suede shoes, but also for boots made of smooth genuine leather or textile sneakers.
Clean suede shoes
in a few simple steps:
- Remove excess dirt with a clean suede brush.
- Test the cleanser on a hidden area.
- Apply product and clean according to instructions.
- Leave to dry.
- Raise the pile with a special brush.
Suede brush
The best brushes for cleaning rough rubber
. They are usually more expensive and become dirty during use, because rubber, due to its properties, collects all the dirt.
Cheaper brush options that contain rubber are not as effective at removing dirt, so cleaning will take longer.
The suede on the shoes has completely peeled off. How to redo it?
You can update your suede shoes with rhinestones and stones.
If you do not properly care for your shoes during use, sooner or later the suede will begin to peel off. This can also happen due to the poor quality of the material from which your shoes are made.
What to do in this case? The easiest way is to purchase a new pair of shoes, but what if your financial situation does not allow you to make a purchase?
You can solve the problem in different ways, and as a result you will get original shoes. Try the following:
- Cover shoes with rhinestones. You can choose stones of a wide variety of shades, shapes and sizes and, using superglue and tweezers, create a unique model of shoes or sandals.
- Decorate the toe with bows, buckles or satin ribbons. In sewing accessories stores you will find a huge number of similar accessories.
- “Tie” the shoes with thick threads. For this you will need a crochet hook and an awl. You need to make holes in the designated places, and then use a hook to thread the threads into them. You can create any patterns on the surface of your shoes by combining threads of different colors.
By being creative, you can give your well-worn shoes or boots a second life.
Many people in their closets have products made from suede, which looks quite attractive, whether we are talking about shoes, bags or clothes. However, suede is considered to be a capricious material, which, despite its high cost and quality, after a certain time loses its attractiveness, loses color or becomes scuffed. Don’t rush to part with your favorite things if you encounter similar problems, as there are a number of proven tips that will help restore suede at home.
Sometimes we hesitate to purchase shoes or other things made of suede, especially in big cities, where there is so much dirt and dust that this material cannot tolerate. In addition, in winter it is quite difficult to walk in suede shoes, since they constantly come into contact with water and lose their original appearance. In order for it to serve for a long time, this fleecy thin leather needs careful care. Use cleaners, brushes and paint sprays, as well as water-repellent gels or impregnations.
If you look at your suede boots and find that they are scuffed or dirty, don't give up on the shoes right away; there are a few tips to help refresh their look. Of course, the most suitable option would be to contact their dry cleaning specialists or shoemaker, where they would offer you ways to professionally renew the material and help you restore it.
How to expand suede shoes yourself
Any shoes, regardless of the material from which they were made, are subject to mechanical stress when worn. For this reason, the product begins to increase. When the question arises of how to stretch suede shoes, it is not recommended to choose the breaking-in method as a priority. While the material takes on the required shape and size, corns and blisters may appear.
To stretch the shoes, you need to soften the suede. Only this technique will allow you to safely enlarge the product.
Soaking with water
To stop boots or shoes from squeezing your feet, you can try to increase them by soaking them. To do this, you need to wet a clean napkin with water, wring it out (so that it doesn’t drip) and wipe the inside well. It is not recommended to wet suede material on top, because its appearance may change. After treatment with water, the shoes are put on. You need to walk around the room in it, but not for long. Staying in tight shoes for a long time can cause foot injuries. To get the desired result, the manipulation will need to be repeated several times.
Shoes made from artificial suede will not absorb moisture as intensely as those made from natural material. For this reason, you should treat it with a wet cloth several times so that the product absorbs water well, and then put it on.
Putting on wet socks
Soaking can be done using socks. This method will give a positive result faster than the previous one, but you should be careful. The product can stretch greatly, and then you will need to look for a way to make suede shoes smaller.
To do this, soak cotton socks in warm water. If shoes put a lot of pressure on your feet, it is recommended to take a product made of dense material. After spinning, the socks are put on your feet and put on your shoes. To break in suede shoes that are too tight, you will need to spend about 2-3 hours.
Filling with wet paper
Paper will help stretch shoes made of artificial suede, as well as natural ones. This method does not require wearing tight boots. The product must be cleaned of dirt and dust. The paper is soaked in water, wrung out and tightly filled with all available internal space. Shoes must be placed in a well-ventilated area. The paper should dry naturally. If you place a pair of boots or shoes near the heater, then the quick drying process will not give a positive result. In addition, the product may be further deformed.
Updating at home
If you decide to start restoring suede products yourself, you need to clarify exactly what actions need to be performed.
Clean the surface. It is necessary to remove dirt using sponges made of synthetic materials. To do this, just walk across the suede surface, moving the tool arbitrarily.
Remove stains. You can remove grease stains using talc and a rubbing alcohol solution. It is necessary to sprinkle the problem area with talcum powder and give it a few minutes to act. After this, you should shake everything off. You will need to wet a cloth with alcohol solution and rub it over the remaining traces of the sprinkle. You can then clean the suede using a brush.
In addition, you can eliminate contaminants using semolina.
- You will need semolina, a small amount of which should be sprinkled on the problem area.
- Take a brush or sponge and scrub the area.
- Afterwards, you can take brushes that have metal teeth and walk them over the surface.
Note! A product that is very dirty should be held over steam for some time, and then cleaned with a brush. Leave it to dry away from the sun and other heat sources, such as radiators.
After this, eliminate the bald spots.
- You can remove areas that have become shiny using ordinary baking soda, as well as milk.
- It is necessary to mix the indicated ingredients in the ratio of 1 teaspoon with soda and 3 tablespoons of milk (preferably warm).
- You will need a soft cloth, which you need to soak in the solution and wring out.
- After this, you should walk through the shiny places.
- Let the boots dry for about half an hour.
- Next you will need a brush that has a rubber end.
- It is necessary to walk the tool along the surface of the product.
The next important stage is the impregnation stage. Shoes or other items should be thoroughly soaked with a water-repellent agent that protects against moisture.
Note! Once you have applied the impregnating agent to your shoes, you should leave them to dry (it is better if the room is at room temperature).
After this, paint the product. It is necessary to apply the coloring agent to the suede surface, choosing the appropriate color.
Be careful! In the event that you do not find the color you need, it is best to use colorless paints.
The last stage is final cleaning.
- You need to leave the suede item (outdoors) until the paint is completely dry.
- After this, you should go over it again with a brush made of synthetic material.
- Done, you can wear the item again or put it on the shelf.
Rules of care
Artificial suede should be cleaned every time after returning from the street - this will preserve the appearance of the shoes. To do this, you can use a regular shoe brush and soap solution . The solution is made from warm water, a small piece of soap and two drops of ammonia. The brush is moistened in the solution and the suede surface is cleaned with light movements.
Please note that there is no need to soak boots or shoes in the solution
After this, the shoes must be wiped with a damp, clean cloth and left to dry. Never dry boots or shoes made of artificial suede near a radiator or other heating devices, so as not to spoil the lint.
If suede boots or shoes begin to shine, then you can use ammonia. Moisten a clean cotton pad with ammonia and wipe the shiny areas. There is another, but more labor-intensive method: areas on the shoes that are shiny can be held over steam.
You can use ammonia to care for faux suede shoes.
Restoring color
In order to restore the attractiveness of suede items, as well as update the color, you need to mix the following ingredients:
- You will need half of 1 tbsp. l. milk (it’s better to take low-fat milk), as well as half of 1 tsp. soda (you need to take soda ash).
- Mix the resulting solution and wipe problem areas with it using cotton swabs. If stains or contaminants become embedded, the process should be repeated.
In addition, color restoration can be done independently using another method:
- Prepare a mixture of 1 tsp. ammonia and 4 tsp. water at room temperature.
- You should clean the desired area with the mixture, and then wipe it with plain water and let it dry.
Restoration of heavily soiled surfaces
If your shoes are too dirty and it seems to you that it is difficult to help in this situation, do not get upset ahead of time. You can restore it using the following steps:
- Take a small container of warm water and add some liquid detergent into it.
- Wash the product in the resulting solution.
- Then you need to take it out and wipe it with a cloth.
- After this, you should stuff the shoes, for example, with dry paper or rags.
- Place the product to dry (wait for it to dry on its own).
- Next, you need to treat the suede with an aerosol product that repels water.
- Next, you will need a soft brush to clean the suede.
Be careful! The use of such aerosols and special dyes helps restore suede products, which will subsequently serve you much longer.
If you cannot restore suede yourself for some reason, contact a specialist.
Sooner or later, the owners of a pair of fashionable boots or shoes are faced with a problem - they need to restore suede shoes, which were so beautiful and elegant, but - alas - have lost their impeccable appearance. Even if such shoes have been carefully looked after, over time they can still change their color, acquire unnecessary shine, and lose lint in places. In order for these problems to arise as late as possible, you need to understand that a texture such as suede needs special treatment.
How to care for suede shoes?
Deep color, velvety surface, softness and plasticity - all these qualities have made suede shoes a fashion favorite. In order for it to remain this way in everyday use, without suffering from exposure to reagents or frequent changes in weather, proper care is necessary. Natural suede is a fairly durable material; just like leather, from which it is derived, it is very breathable.
You should not wear such shoes or boots in rainy weather or at temperatures below 30 ⁰C, especially if they are not made of natural material.
After purchasing such a pair of shoes, you need to apply a special spray to it to protect it from adverse factors: dust, wet snow, salt, dirt. It is sprayed repeatedly; between sprays, the shoes must dry thoroughly so that the spray is absorbed.
Strengthening “suede immunity”
A brand new pair of boots (boots, shoes) made of suede, as soon as it appears in your home, requires preventative care .
A special protective nanospray (impregnation for suede) will help to avoid possible damage to shoes . It will create a transparent layer on the surface of the product that will protect shoes from moisture, snow, salt, dirt and more.
During initial use, the nanospray should be applied several times, in between allowing the shoes to dry thoroughly and the spray to be absorbed. The spray should be sprayed at a distance of no closer than 30 cm from the product.
Advice. Moisture completely leaves the suede only after 20 hours. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes every day, give the product a chance to dry.
Solving problems with suede shoes
Anyone can restore suede shoes on their own. It is advisable to purchase color restoration paint in the form of a spray and a special brush for caring for suede and nubuck in advance. This brush combines a sponge for removing dust, a brush for restoring lint, and an eraser for removing stains.
Problem #1 – shoes are very dirty
This problem can be solved simply - just wipe the pair with a soapy solution with the addition of ammonia (1 part ammonia to 5 parts water), and then rinse with cold water and wipe with a dry cloth. Under no circumstances should such boots or shoes be dried near a heater or radiator. You need to use special shoe dryers that gently and delicately distribute heat, or the old, but no less reliable, old-fashioned method - stuffing shoes with newspapers.
You can replace soap with powder for delicate washing.
Ready-made products for removing dirt from fleecy surfaces are available for sale. This is a foam cleaner in the form of an aerosol that does not damage the structure and color of the material. It's very easy to use. The foam is sprayed onto suede shoes, left for several minutes, and then removed with a napkin along with dirt and dust. With the help of such cleaning, you can return suede to its previous appearance, damaged by intense wear.
Problem No. 2 – suede has lost its former color
Solving this problem is not at all difficult; you can restore the previous color with a special spray selected according to the tone. It is inexpensive and sold in every shoe store. The spray is sprayed at a distance of 20-25 cm from boots or shoes, then the surface is dried, and we can assume that the previous appearance and bright deep color have returned. After proper dyeing, the pile will have to be lifted with a special brush.
After spraying the spray, stains from microscopic splashes may remain on the floor, so it is better to cover it with oilcloth, old newspapers, or move this procedure outside.
If suddenly the store does not have the spray of the desired color, you can use coffee grounds for brown boots and talcum powder for white ones as a short-term alternative. Available products are applied to the surface to be painted, then the excess is removed with a dry and soft brush.
Problem No. 3 – scuffs appear on suede shoes, the pile is shiny
Shiny stains and abrasions are nothing more than crushed pile, the former appearance of which must be restored without damaging the structure of the material. For this purpose, there are simple and affordable means in your home arsenal.
- You can remove scuffs by wiping the shiny surface with a solution consisting of a glass of milk and a teaspoon of soda.
- Clean shoes are wiped with fine dry table salt.
- In order to restore the pile, you can wipe the scuffs with a solution of vinegar (1:4). Everything is washed with clean water, and then again with a vinegar solution, but much weaker - a teaspoon of vinegar per liter of water.
To restore the fresh appearance of a velvety surface, you can gently steam it over a boiling kettle or using a steam generator.
After such procedures, you need to treat problem areas with a special brush to restore the homogeneous structure of the material.
Problem #4 – stains appear on the suede surface
It's not just boots and shoes that can suffer from stains - bags and gloves are much more susceptible to stains. Grease stains pose a particular danger, however, they can be effectively dealt with. A greasy stain can be removed using purified gasoline (the so-called “Galosh” gasoline), treating the surface with a cotton swab, and then sprinkling it with regular talcum powder. In a few hours, talc will absorb the fat dissolved with gasoline. Residues of talc are removed with a soft brush.
You can try to remove the stain with a regular school eraser, simply by gently rubbing it onto the affected surface.
To remove stains from such shoes, you can purchase a stain remover for suede and nubuck. The product is applied to the stain, left for some time, and the remaining stain remover is removed with a brush. The fleecy surface is restored by combing or a special eraser.
In order to wear suede shoes for a long time and with pleasure, you need to avoid exposing them to intense moisture, clean them in a timely manner and eliminate problems. You can update your favorite shoes or ankle boots using special devices and care products that will help return your shoes to almost their original appearance.
Suede shoes are very beautiful, but, unfortunately, they can deteriorate and lose their original appearance. And in this case, you shouldn’t rush to throw it away; you can try to give the shoes or boots a new life. Find out how to restore suede shoes.
Proper cleaning
Suede quickly absorbs dirt, and some of it is very difficult to remove. But it is still possible, and cleaning can be done in several ways:
- To remove grease stains, use purified kerosene. Soak a cotton pad in it, thoroughly treat particularly contaminated areas, then sprinkle them with talcum powder or another bulk product, such as starch. After some time, remove the powder: it should absorb all the fat, including stubborn fat.
- Use a soap solution to remove dirt. Dip a soft rag or sponge into it, wring it out and gently wipe the shoes to prevent them from getting too wet.
- To clean white shoes, you can use a solution prepared from one glass of warm water, a teaspoon of ammonia and a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Soak a piece of soft cloth in this mixture and carefully clean the surface of the suede, being careful not to rub it or damage the lint.
Elimination of scuffs and gloss
How to restore suede if the shoes have scuffs or an unsightly gloss that spoils the natural texture? Use one of the following methods:
- The most common soft school eraser will help: just rub the material with it. This unusual method will allow you to eliminate dirt and plaque, preserve color, and also lift the fibers and return the shoes to their former velvet texture, ridding them of gloss.
- Steam will help remove scuffs on boots. Hold the shoes over a container of freshly boiled water or treat the material with a steamer. But the steam jet should not immediately hit the suede, this can lead to its deformation. To avoid problems, do not bring your shoes too close to the steam source.
- In stores you can find specialized products for restoring suede pile and the natural texture of such material. They usually come in spray form and are sprayed evenly onto the surface. After complete drying, the appearance of the shoes will noticeably improve.
- To remove shine at home, you can use regular salt. Gently rub the suede with it, then shake off any residue.
- Use clear 9% vinegar diluted with two parts water. You can spray this solution onto the surface of your shoes, carefully and gently rub them with a soft cloth, and then remove the residue with a dry cloth.
- Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm milk. Treat heavily worn or shiny areas with this product.
Dry cleaning
There are several ways to clean light suede. Professional products show good results: foams and aerosols - their components carefully care for the material, helping to cope with even stubborn stains.
If you don’t have special products on hand, you can clean them at home. It comes in two types: dry and wet. To maintain the proper appearance of shoes, it is recommended to give preference to dry cleaning, but if this does not work, you can resort to the wet method.
If after a walk there are traces on light-colored items, you need to blot them with a dry cloth (under no circumstances rub them, spreading the dirt) and wait until they dry completely.
- If you have a rubber brush, clean the dirty area with it; if you don’t have one, use a regular eraser .
- Starch, talc or baby powder. Such products absorb fat well. It is enough to sprinkle them on the dirt and leave for 1-2 hours. Then shake it off or clean it with a brush.
- Bread crumb. Light suede shoes or gloves can be cleaned with white bread. Use it to wipe away dirt without applying strong pressure, otherwise you will leave shiny marks on the products.
There is also a dry cleaning method called carbon paper, but it is only used for black suede.
Color restoration
Bright suede shoes may fade, fade, or change color over time. If this happens, a special paint designed for suede and sold in shoe stores and hardware departments will help restore the shade. But it is important to choose the right tone, otherwise unattractive spots or stains will remain after treatment.
Some shades can be restored using folk remedies. For example, you can refresh the brown color with coffee grounds. It is applied to the material, gently rubbed in, left for half an hour, and then removed with an unnecessary soft cloth. And if the shoes are white, then use talc or powdered chalk. Black suede can be treated with mascara.
Important Rules
Finally, a few important rules:
- Do not dry suede shoes with a hairdryer or near heating devices, otherwise they will lose their shape and become deformed.
- Do not allow the material to get wet or be directly exposed to water, as suede does not tolerate moisture.
- Do not rub your shoes with rough materials to avoid damaging the lint.
- Before each time you leave the house, treat your suede shoes with specialized water-repellent agents.
If your suede shoes have lost their original attractive appearance, this can be fixed. Use the means described above to restore.
How to care for suede
The porous surface of suede makes it absorbent of other substances, and it becomes easily contaminated by simple friction, rain or dust. To save the material from rapid wear, follow our tips.
First, let's define what suede loves and what is strictly prohibited.
Lifehacks that ruin shoes
The Internet is full of unprofessional advice on caring for suede. Let us remind you why such tips can ruin your shoes:
- Do not steam suede with an iron!
- Do not wash with milk!
- You can't stretch it with ice!
When exposed to steam, water, milk or ice, shoes will not last long, and the appearance will be immediately ruined - suede cannot tolerate dampness
.
This does not mean that you need to give up suede shoes. The world does not stand still; the shoe care industry is also developing. Scientific laboratories at major manufacturers constantly study the materials of shoes, clothing and accessories in search of solutions to care problems. Products have been created to protect shoes from getting wet, mud and salt stains.
Remember, prevent contamination
easier than cleaning shoes. Use water- and dirt-repellent impregnations to protect your shoes.