Prep first
Before you start
- Let the mud dry, then brush, scrape or vacuum off as much as you can.
- Start with dry methods; wet cleaning comes last.
- If a mark remains after brushing, go to the eraser bar before anything else.
Suede and mud are a tricky pair, because fine soil particles work deep into the nap and the material only takes water with care. Brushing and an eraser do most of the work on dry mud, and water should only touch the spot. An old stain that has set may not come out at home, and any unknown mark is a job for a professional cleaner.
Before you go further, check whether the boots or shoes are light-colored, since pale suede shows a damp mark far more than darker leather. Get dirt off suede shoes while it's still crumbly, because brushing a half-dry patch can push it deeper into the nap. If a rough patch or dark ring is still there after a few rounds, stop and hand it to a pro.
Before you start
What suede & nubuck can take
Use with care3
- Water
- Soaking
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
4 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Suede or nubuck brushLifts loose dirt and brushes the nap back up once it's dry. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck eraser barLifts the stain itself without soaking the suede. (opens Amazon)
- Clean clothGives you a damp cloth for an item that is really dirty.
- Suede or nubuck cleanerOnly for an item that is really dirty. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Let the mud dry first
Wait until the mud is fully dry before you touch it. If the item is wet, let it dry at room temperature, away from any heat source.
Careful. Machine drying or direct heat sets the stain, so keep the item off the dryer, radiators and sunny windowsills.
Step 2 of 6
Brush off the loose dirt
Use a suede or nubuck brush to lift the loose dirt, moving gently across the stain. Don't stay on one spot for long, and brush the surrounding area lightly so the nap stays even.
Step 3 of 6
Lift the stain with an eraser
Rub a suede or nubuck eraser bar gently over the stain only, not the whole surface. Use small strokes so the cleaned spot doesn't spread into the rest of the panel.
Step 4 of 6
Repeat with a damp eraser
If the stain is still there, wet the eraser bar and repeat the rubbing over that same spot. When the stain is gone, let the suede dry and brush the nap back up.
Step 5 of 6
Clean only if it's dirty
Only when the whole item is really dirty, use a damp cloth or a cleaner made for suede and nubuck. Clean the whole panel or both shoes so the color stays even, not just the marked spot.
Careful. Test any cleaner in a hidden area first, since it may mark or change the color.
Step 6 of 6
Call a pro if it stays
If the stain is still there, or you aren't sure what it is, stop and take the item to a professional cleaner. That is safer than trying more household products on it.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for mud on suede & nubuck
The two product types this method needs are a suede or nubuck brush and a suede or nubuck eraser bar. A cleaner made for suede and nubuck is the third, and only for an item that is 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
A fading mark and a nap that lifts back up after brushing mean the method is working. If the mark looks darker, it is probably still damp, so let it dry fully before you go on.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your suede & nubuck
Suede shoes
Shoes take the same brush and eraser steps, and you should keep the same order for each shoe. Brush both shoes before using the eraser, so loose mud doesn't get pushed around on the second one.
Keep the eraser to the stained spot, and let each shoe dry fully before you wear it. If the marks come back after drying, brush again rather than adding more liquid.
Boots
Boots have more surface area than a shoe, so brush the whole boot before you work on the stain. Use the same eraser steps on the stained area only.
Let the boot dry at room temperature before you judge the result, and brush the nap back up once it's dry.
Light-colored suede
Light suede shows every mark, so brush gently and lift the stain with light strokes. Keep the eraser small and move in short passes so you don't spread the mud into the clean area.
Let it dry fully before you decide whether the mark is gone, because damp suede looks darker. If a faint mark is left, brush the nap back up before trying anything else.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
There's no safe home method for old mud on suede, and trying one risks the material. Mud that has sat for days is harder to lift, and the brush and eraser may only get part of it.
Once it's dry, repeat the eraser and brush steps on the same spot, and stop when they stop helping. Don't soak the suede to speed things up.
If the stain still shows after that, stop and take the item to a drycleaner or leather specialist. Bring it in as soon as you can, ideally within a few days, so the stain doesn't set further.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on mud on suede & nubuck?
Most kitchen fixes for mud don't belong on suede, so this list is short. Start with a suede brush, and use a suede or nubuck eraser bar only over the stain.
Skip4Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't brush the same spot hard or for long
The nap on suede is fragile, and heavy brushing can flatten it and leave a worn patch. Brush lightly, check the result, and stop as soon as the loose dirt is gone.
Don't rub wet mud in
Wet mud sinks into the weave, and rubbing it pushes it further in. Blot it, let it dry, and only then start brushing.
Don't use leather conditioner on suede
Leather conditioner is made for leather surfaces only, so it has no place on the stained area. Stick to the brush, the eraser bar, and a cleaner made for suede and nubuck.
When to call a professional
Take suede to a professional cleaner, such as a drycleaner or leather specialist, for any stain the eraser and brush don't remove, any stain you can't identify, or whenever you're in doubt. Leather repair businesses also handle unusual stains or damage. If the color has changed, they can point you to a color-restoring spray made for common shades.
Questions
How do you clean mud off of Uggs?
Let the mud dry, brush off what you can, then lift the rest with a suede or nubuck eraser bar over the stain only. If it's still there, wet the eraser bar, repeat, and brush the nap back up once it's dry.
How long should mud dry before I brush it?
Wait until the mud is fully dry, not just on the surface. Brushing damp mud spreads it and pushes it deeper into the nap, which makes it harder to lift.
Can I put suede in the washing machine?
No. Suede absorbs water and marks easily, so keep the cleaning dry and brush-based. If the stain won't lift this way, take the item to a professional cleaner.
Will light suede show the mud?
Yes, light suede shows marks more clearly than dark, so it's worth taking your time. Work in light strokes and let it dry fully before you judge the result.
Can the mud stain come out completely?
Fresh mud often lifts with brushing and the eraser bar alone. Dried-in or old mud can leave a faint mark, and a professional cleaner has more options than home methods.
Is an eraser bar the same as a cleaner?
No. The eraser bar lifts the stain itself, while a cleaner made for suede and nubuck is only for an item that's really dirty.
What if I'm not sure what the stain is?
Take the item to a professional cleaner rather than trying household products on it. Suede is risky to clean at home when you don't know what you're dealing with.
Mud 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.