Prep first
Before you start
- Fix the water source first and dry the item completely. Wet areas dried within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold.
- Put on gloves, goggles without vents, and an N-95 respirator before you touch it.
- Take the item outside to brush off loose mold, so spores don't scatter indoors.
Mold on suede is a living fungus that spreads from spores landing on damp spots, and on this material it can leave a musty smell and a mark that is partly damage to the fibers. Fresh growth may brush and erase away, but suede is delicate, and cleaning stains from suede is always risky. An old mark or lingering smell often needs a professional cleaner rather than more home work.
Keep any home work light, since a damp suede brush can flatten the nap. For a musty smell in a suede jacket or suede boots, air the piece out somewhere dry before you try anything else. If mold stains on suede shoes won't lift after one gentle round, stop and take them to a suede cleaner.
Before you start
What suede & nubuck can take
Use with care3
- Water
- Soaking
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
5 items
What you'll need
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- Suede or nubuck brushLifts loose mold and restores the nap without much pressure. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck eraser barLifts the stain itself, used dry first and then wet if needed. (opens Amazon)
- Damp clothGentle option for a dirty item, used only when needed.
- Cleaner made for suede and nubuckOnly for an item that is really dirty, tested in a hidden area first. (opens Amazon)
- Gloves, goggles without vents, and an N-95 respiratorKeep spores off your hands, eyes and breathing. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Dry the suede first
If the item is wet, let it dry at room temperature before you do anything else. Wet areas dried within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold, so don't leave it damp. Keep it away from direct heat and sun while it dries.
Careful. Heat and direct sun can damage suede, so don't speed up drying with either.
Step 2 of 7
Brush off loose mold outside
Put on gloves, goggles without vents, and an N-95 respirator before you touch the item. Take it outside if you can, and brush the loose mold off gently with a suede or nubuck brush so spores don't scatter in the house.
Careful. Brushing one spot hard or for long can damage the fragile nap.
Step 3 of 7
Erase the stain with the eraser bar
Rub a suede or nubuck eraser bar gently over the stain only, not the whole surface. Keep your strokes on the mark so the rest of the item stays untouched.
Step 4 of 7
Repeat with a wet eraser bar
If the stain is still visible, wet the eraser bar and rub the stain again. Let the suede dry completely, then brush it to restore the nap.
Step 5 of 7
Test any cleaner in a hidden spot
Before you use any cleaning product, try it on a hidden area. Cleaners can mark the suede or change its color, so check the result before going further.
Step 6 of 7
Clean the whole panel if still dirty
If the item is still dirty, use a damp cloth or a cleaner made for suede and nubuck, and only when it's really needed. Work across the whole panel, or both shoes, so the color stays even.
Step 7 of 7
Call a pro if the stain stays
If the stain remains, or you aren't sure what it is, stop and take the item to a professional cleaner rather than trying household products. A drycleaner or leather specialist can handle what the eraser and brush can't.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for mold on suede & nubuck
Buy a suede and nubuck eraser bar and a suede or nubuck brush, not a general leather conditioner. Choose a cleaner made for suede and nubuck, and use it only on items that are really dirty.
Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit
Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit, Shoe Cleaner, 2-Piece Set, Brush
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on suede & nubuck, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The stain should fade as you erase it, and the surface should look even once it is dry. If the texture looks flat or matted, brush the area again to bring the nap back up.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your suede & nubuck
Suede shoes
Dry both shoes completely before you start, and clean both so the color stays even. Brush the loose mold off outside if you can, then use the eraser bar on the stain only.
Once the shoes are fully dry, check the smell again. If the musty smell is still there, take the shoes to a professional cleaner rather than trying stronger products.
Suede jacket
A suede jacket has several panels, so clean each whole panel rather than one patch, so the color stays even. Hang the jacket to dry at room temperature before you brush it.
If the musty smell is still there after it's dry and brushed, don't keep trying home products on it. Ask a professional cleaner to check it, since they can assess the suede more safely.
Suede boots
Treat both boots the same way so the color matches, and work over each boot's whole panel rather than one spot. If the boots got wet, dry them fully before you brush or erase anything.
After they're dry, check whether the musty smell is gone. If it's still there, a drycleaner or leather specialist can tell you what's possible without damaging the suede.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
An old mold stain on suede is harder to lift, because the mark is often partly damage to the fibers. There's no safe home method for old stains on suede, and cleaning suede is always risky. Work cautiously, since mildew weakens the fibers and badly damaged material may not clean at all.
If the stain has dried, don't scrub harder to force it out. Repeat only the gentle eraser and brush steps, and let the item dry fully between passes.
If the stain is still there after that, stop and take the item to a drycleaner or leather specialist, ideally within a few days of the stain, since it gets harder to remove the longer it sets. Be realistic: a faded mark or a changed texture may be what's left, and a professional can tell you whether more is possible.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on mold on suede & nubuck?
Plenty of home remedies show up for mold, but most belong to hard surfaces or fabric, not suede. Here's what to leave out and why, so you don't damage the nap or the color.
Skip4Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't put leather conditioner on suede.
Leather conditioner is meant for leather surfaces only, so keep it away from suede. The brush and eraser bar are the right tools for this stain.
Don't rely on bleach as a routine fix.
Chlorine bleach is not recommended as a routine practice for mold. Never mix it with ammonia, vinegar or lemon juice, or with any cleaner that contains ammonia.
Don't try home removal on suede you're unsure about.
Suede is one of the materials that should go to a professional, so an unclear stain is a reason to stop. A drycleaner or leather specialist is the safer choice than testing products on it.
When to call a professional
Take the suede to a professional cleaner, such as a drycleaner or leather specialist, if the stain stays after the eraser and brush, if you don't know what the stain is, or whenever you're in doubt. Leather specialists can also handle unusual stains or damage, and color-restoring sprays exist for common shades if the color changes.
Questions
Can mold stains come out of suede completely?
Sometimes, but not always. The eraser bar and brush often lift the surface mark, while any damage to the fibers may stay visible and can't always be reversed. If it doesn't lift after careful work, a professional cleaner is the next step.
Do the same steps work for nubuck?
Yes. The same brush and eraser bar are made for both suede and nubuck, and the cleaning rules are the same. Test any cleaner in a hidden spot first, since both can mark or change color.
Can I use bleach on mold stains in suede?
It's not a routine fix, since chlorine bleach is not recommended as a routine practice for mold. It should never be mixed with ammonia, vinegar or lemon juice. Stick to the dry brush and eraser bar for suede.
Why does my suede smell musty after it got wet?
A musty smell usually means mold or mildew has started in the damp material, since mold needs water or moisture to grow. Dry the item completely first, then brush and erase the stain as described. If the smell is still there after that, see a professional cleaner.
Can I wash suede shoes in water?
Be careful, because suede absorbs water and is more sensitive to dirt and moisture. Keep wet cleaning to a minimum, and use a damp cloth or a suede cleaner only if the shoes are really dirty. Clean both shoes evenly so the color matches.
Can I use leather conditioner on suede?
No. Leather conditioner is for leather surfaces only, so it doesn't belong on suede. The brush and eraser bar are the right tools for the stain.
When should I take suede to a professional?
Take it to a drycleaner or leather specialist if the stain stays after the eraser and brush, if you can't identify the stain, or whenever you're in doubt. Bring it in as soon as you can, preferably within a few days, so the stain doesn't set.
Mold on other materials
Other stains on suede & nubuck
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.