Shoe cleaning looks simple until you stand in front of three bottles that all say clean on the label. Suede, nubuck, leather and canvas react differently, and a product that suits one can ruin another. Most bad results come from choosing by the word shoe instead of the material. The front of the bottle tells you very little about whether a cleaner suits your shoes.
Start with what the shoe is made of, then check what the maker says the product is for. Read the warning line before you open the bottle. Each pick below is explained by its maker's own words.
Sponsored links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. No brand pays for placement.
4 products
Our picks at a glance
- Angelus Nubuck & Suede KitBest overall for suede and nubuckSuede and nubuck shoes · Suede boots and jackets · Scuffs and dirt on suedeCheck price of Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit on Amazon
- UGG PROTECTORBest protector for bootsBoots after cleaning · Guarding against spills and moisture · Keeping a pair you already own in good shapeCheck price of UGG PROTECTOR on Amazon
- Crep Protect EraserBest eraser for sneaker uppersScuffs on suede uppers · Discoloration on nubuck sneakers · Targeted spot workCheck price of Crep Protect Eraser on Amazon
- Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit, Shoe Cleaner, 2-Piece Set, BrushBest dry clean for suedeSuede and nubuck that need a dry clean · Restoring the nap · Dyed suede that water could bleedCheck price of Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit, Shoe Cleaner, 2-Piece Set, Brush on Amazon
Best overall for suede and nubuck
1. Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit
Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit
The Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit pairs a suede eraser with a nylon suede brush. The maker says it is for suede and nubuck shoes, boots, jackets and accessories.
It fits the most common job, lifting scuffs and dirt from a dry suede item. The maker directs you to a different product for smooth or finished leather.
Best for
- Suede and nubuck shoes
- Suede boots and jackets
- Scuffs and dirt on suede
Best protector for boots
2. UGG PROTECTOR
UGG PROTECTOR
The UGG Water & Stain Protector is a spray the maker sells for its boots. The maker says it helps improve water resistance and reduce the risk of marks from spills and moisture.
It is a protector, not a cleaner, so it does not replace a cleaning step. Use it on a pair that is already clean and dry.
Best for
- Boots after cleaning
- Guarding against spills and moisture
- Keeping a pair you already own in good shape
Best eraser for sneaker uppers
3. Crep Protect Eraser
Crep Protect Eraser
The Crep Protect Eraser is a suede and nubuck eraser that comes with a sneaker brush. The maker says it removes scuffs, discoloration and dirt from suede and nubuck uppers.
Its FAQ also says it works on midsoles, but the uppers are the main job. It suits a pair of suede or nubuck sneakers with marks in one spot.
Best for
- Scuffs on suede uppers
- Discoloration on nubuck sneakers
- Targeted spot work
Match the product to the job
How to choose
Suede and nubuck
Suede and nubuck take dirt and scuffs best when they stay dry. The Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit is the top pick here, since its eraser and brush are made for these materials.
The Jason Markk kit fits if you want a dry clean and you are careful about water on dyed suede. The Crep Protect Eraser is the choice for sneaker uppers, and its maker says to use it only on suede and nubuck.
Sneakers and white shoes
For sneakers, check the material on the upper before you pick anything. The Crep Protect Eraser is made for suede and nubuck uppers only, so it is not a fit for canvas or smooth uppers.
None of the five picks lists canvas or white rubber as a use, so these products do not cover white canvas stains. Check the label for the material before you buy anything for white shoes.
Boots and protection
Boots need a cleaning step before a protection step. The UGG Water & Stain Protector is a spray the maker sells for its boots, meant to help with water resistance and marks from spills.
Let the boots dry completely after you spray them, and test a small area first. Protection is a finishing step, so it works best on a boot that is already clean.
Odor and deodorant
None of these five products is sold as a deodorizer, so this set does not pick one for smell. Nothing in the maker directions for these picks mentions odor. If smell is the problem, look for a product whose label says it deodorizes, and read its directions before you use it on your shoes.
Use it safely
Test every product on a hidden spot first, since suede colors and finishes vary and one maker warns about dyed suede. Use one product at a time so you can see what each one did to the material. Do not use an eraser on smooth or finished leather, and keep the eraser's coarse surface away from anything you do not want to scuff.
Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or other acids, ammonia or rubbing alcohol. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
Would a home method do?
A dry brush and a clean cloth handle fresh dirt on many shoes, so you may not need a product at all. Reach for a kit when the mark is set in or the material needs a specific finish. The step-by-step guides for each method are linked below.
How we chose
Every product here earned its place on fit, not on who pays: it is made for this job by its maker's own description, its maker doesn't warn against the surfaces this list covers, and its directions agree with the methods in our stain guides. We put the clearest, best-documented products first and limit each brand to two picks. Our editorial standards.
We compared each pick on its maker's product page, label and safety data sheet. Prices and photos come directly from Amazon and can change. Sources for each pick:
Questions
What is the best shoe cleaner for suede?
The Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit is the top pick, because its suede eraser and nylon brush are made for suede and nubuck. If you want a dry clean with a different feel, the Jason Markk kit is the alternative. Test either one on a hidden spot first.
Can I use a suede eraser on sneakers?
Yes, if the sneakers have suede or nubuck uppers, since the Crep Protect Eraser is made for those materials. The maker says to use it only on suede and nubuck uppers. Rub gently, because the eraser is coarse.
Is there a stain remover for white shoes?
None of the five picks lists white canvas or white rubber as a use, so this set cannot promise a stain remover for them. Check the label for the material and the surface it is made for. Test any product on a hidden area before you use it on the whole shoe.
Does a shoe deodorant spray remove stains?
None of the picks in this set is sold as a deodorizer, and their maker directions do not mention odor. For smell, look for a product whose label says it deodorizes. Read its directions before you use it, and test it on a hidden spot.
Does the UGG protector make boots waterproof?
No. The maker says it improves water resistance and reduces the risk of marks from spills and moisture, which is not the same as making boots waterproof.
Test a small hidden area first. Reapply every 3-4 months, or more often if required.
Should I use water on suede?
Be careful with water on dyed suede, since water-based cleaners can bleed the dye. The Jason Markk kit is built to work dry, without water. Never brush damp suede, because that flattens the nap.
How do I avoid damaging the material?
Test every product on a hidden spot first, since suede colors and finishes vary. Work slowly and check your progress often, especially with a coarse eraser. Use one product at a time so you know what worked.