Washing suede shoes takes more time and effort than cleaning leather shoes. But this process can be greatly simplified and accelerated if all cleaning procedures are performed correctly. With careful care, suede boots will shine on your feet even 2 years after their purchase.
Can suede shoes be washed in the washing machine?
Products made of natural suede are usually washed by hand. After machine washing, they lose their appearance, shape, and the material becomes like a faded rag. Perfectly tolerates washing in the machine shoes made of faux suede. As a rule, these are sneakers, sandals or slippers with suede trim elements. These shoes can be washed at a water temperature of 40 degrees with the addition of liquid soap. But even here there are exceptions: you can not use ordinary powder, bleaches and cleaners, which include petroleum products.
All ways to wash suede shoes
When washing any suede shoes, there are 3 principles:
- Wait until all dirt is completely dry before cleaning.
- Do not use bleach for washing.
- Suede should not be rubbed, and it is better to remove all dirt with light circular movements.
You must follow these rules no matter what type of cleaning you prefer: steaming, washing in water, using special products for suede or dry cleaning.
Dry wash
If you're not sure if suede shoes can be washed with minimal damage, choose the dry cleaning method. For the procedure you you will need a regular sponge for washing dishes. Dried stains are removed with the soft side of the sponge very quickly, and the pile itself remains undamaged. This cleaning method will help remove dirt from the surface of the shoe.
Steaming
More difficult pollution can be removed by means of steam. The water in the pan is brought to a boil, and dirty shoes are kept in a cloud of steam for 2-3 minutes - this procedure helps soften the suede. While the material remains elastic, all impurities must be removed with a special suede brush.
Washing in water
If salt marks appear on your shoes, washing in water will help to completely remove them. Shoes must be rinsed under running water before cleaning., paying special attention to white stripes from salt. After that, the shoes are placed in a solution of water and a small amount of liquid powder for 10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, the shoes are washed under water and blotted first with a damp and then with a dry cloth.
Use of specialized tools
If your earnings allow you to purchase expensive cleaners for suede shoes, washing should be done only with their help. Manufacturers have specially developed unique products that remove pollution from suede shoes and do not cause any harm to it:
- Foams - help to carry out express cleaning, if you need to put your shoes in order in half an hour.
- Shampoos - fight old stains.
- Suede stain removers are products for removing stubborn stains (traces of glue or chewing gum).
Local cleaners
If your boots are in order, but you notice an unpleasant stain in one place, do not rush to completely wash the shoes. For cleaning, you can use local cleaners that will remove the stain in a specific place. For this you can use a mixture of alcohol and water or vinegar. All components are mixed in equal proportions, and contaminated areas are wiped with the finished mixture.
To remove greasy stains or shine, you can use talcum powder. The product is applied to the place of contamination and after 2-3 hours of waiting, it is removed with a brush with a hard bristle. Talc can be replaced with a matchbox: just rub the spots with gray.
Suede care
The lifespan of your shoes depends on proper care. In order for your shoes to please you even longer, you need to know everything about the proper care and drying of suede products.
If your boots get wet from a long walk, just stuff them with paper when you get home. Do not forget that it must be replaced with a dry one according to the degree of wetting.
Each owner of suede products in his arsenal should have special care products:
- Brush - comb: gives shoes a neat look.
- Dye: Helps maintain rich color. To get the effect, you need to apply 1 time in 2 weeks..
- Water Repellent Spray: Keeps the material and your feet from getting wet.Apply to shoes in rainy or wet weather 30 minutes before leaving the house.
You can keep the nice velvety feel of suede if you take care of your shoes regularly and remove any dirt properly!
