First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Blot with a clean, dry white cloth. Don't rub.
- Test any paste on a hidden spot first.
- Keep heat away until the stain is gone.
Oil on suede sinks into the nap, and rubbing it only makes the patch look worse. Water is only a careful option on suede and heat is a no, so the job is lifting the oil before anything wet touches it. Fresh oil comes up far more easily than oil that has dried, and an old mark is risky to tackle at home, so a cleaner may be the safer call.
Suede shoes and Uggs need a light touch, so brush the nap up gently once the spot is dry. A butter stain on Uggs gets the same handling, and it should never be soaked. A suede eraser and brush beat household cleaners here, and if the mark spreads, stop and call a cleaner.
Before you start
What suede & nubuck can take
Use with care3
- Water
- Soaking
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
6 items
What you'll need
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- Clean, dry white cloth or white paper towelsLifts oil up without rubbing it deeper into the nap. (opens Amazon)
- CornstarchMakes the paste that draws oil up out of the suede. (opens Amazon)
- WaterMixes the paste; use only enough to make it spreadable.
- CornmealSoaks up leftover grease when the paste isn't enough.
- Soft brush or vacuumClears off the paste and cornmeal without crushing the nap. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck eraserHandles the last traces; it's the main dry method for suede. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Blot up the excess oil
Press a clean, dry white cloth or white paper towel onto the spot to pull up as much oil as you can. If there's any solid residue, scrape it off gently with a blunt edge, taking care not to tear the suede.
Careful. Rubbing spreads the oil and can damage the fibers.
Step 2 of 7
Test the paste on a hidden spot
Mix a small amount of the paste and dab it onto an inconspicuous part of the item, such as the inside of a strap or the back of a shoe. Let it dry completely, then check for color transfer or change.
Careful. If color transfers or changes, stop and take the item to a professional.
Step 3 of 7
Apply the cornstarch paste
Stir cornstarch with just enough water to make a spreadable paste. Work it onto the oil spot, cover it fully, and leave it until it's completely dry.
Careful. Suede absorbs water and is sensitive to moisture, so keep the paste thin and never soak the area.
Step 4 of 7
Brush off the dried paste
Once the paste has dried fully, brush it off with a soft brush. If the spot still looks oily, repeat the paste and brushing before moving on.
Step 5 of 7
Cover what's left with cornmeal
If a grease mark is still visible, cover it with cornmeal so it can keep absorbing the oil. Leave the cornmeal on the spot until you're ready to remove it.
Step 6 of 7
Brush away the cornmeal
Gently brush or vacuum the cornmeal off the suede. If the mark is still there, repeat the cornmeal step.
Step 7 of 7
Finish with a suede eraser
Rub a suede or nubuck eraser lightly over the spot, since that's the main dry method for suede. Then brush the nap back up so the area blends with the rest of the item.
Careful. Brushing the same spot hard or for a long time damages the fragile nap.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for oil on suede & nubuck
The only product this method needs is a suede or nubuck eraser, so you can skip store-bought oil removers and suede cleaners.
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.
See what to do for what you're seeing →If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
A good result is a spot that no longer looks dark or greasy and feels the same as the suede around it. If the nap looks flat, brush it gently until it lifts. If the mark still looks oily after you've repeated the steps, the stain has likely set and needs a professional.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your suede & nubuck
Uggs, Ugg boots, and Ugg slippers
The outside of these boots is suede, so the steps above apply to the outer surface. Keep the paste off the inner lining and the seams, since water there can spread the oil.
Blot and pretest first, because you're treating the outer suede. Butter is a common stain on boots like these, and it's oil-based, so the same steps lift it.
Suede shoes
Take the laces out and set the shoe on a clean towel so you can reach the spot without pressing it into the upper. Work the paste on the outside, and keep it off the sole and any stitched seams.
Leave the shoes at room temperature while they dry, away from radiators and direct sunlight. Check the spot only once it's fully dry.
Suede boots
Stand the boots upright and work on one section at a time, keeping the paste from running down into the lining. Use only as much cornmeal as the spot needs, and brush the whole panel evenly afterward so the nap doesn't show a patch.
Let the boots dry at room temperature before you check the result.
Suede couches, bags, purses, jackets, and clothing
Check the care label first, and if you can't confirm what the suede is, take the item to a professional. On a couch, work only on the stained cushion and keep the paste away from the frame and stitching.
Jackets, bags and purses follow the same steps on the stained panel. For the full sofa, the Couch & Sofa guide covers the rest of the piece.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old oil is harder to remove than fresh oil, and a stain that has dried on suede has usually soaked deeper into the nap. The only home approach that suits suede is repeating the paste and cornmeal steps, because some stains need many rounds. Stronger liquids aren't a safe next step on suede.
If the item has already been through a dryer, the heat may have set the oil, and that can make the stain impossible to remove completely. Stop there and don't add more liquid, because moisture is what suede is most sensitive to.
Realistically, an old stain may fade to a faint mark rather than disappear, and that is a good result at home. If the mark still shows after repeated rounds, a professional cleaner or leather specialist is the next step.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on oil on suede & nubuck?
Butter, olive oil and cooking oil all behave like the oil stains above, so the same steps apply to them. Most kitchen remedies don't fit suede, which is why the steps stick to a cornstarch paste, cornmeal and an eraser.
Skip4Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't rush the drying with heat
Hair dryers, radiators and sunny windowsills push suede to dry too fast, and heat can set the oil. Let the item dry at room temperature and away from direct light.
Don't use leather conditioner on suede
Conditioner is made for leather surfaces only, and suede is a different finish. Keep it away from the spot even when you're trying to fix a dull patch.
Don't reach for household cleaners or homemade mixes
None of the cleaners or mixes you'd find under the sink are covered for suede, so skip them. Mixing products, such as chlorine bleach with ammonia or vinegar, can also release toxic fumes.
Don't wait to act on the stain
Oil sets the longer it sits, so start blotting now rather than tomorrow. If the spot isn't clearly improving after the steps above, take the item to a drycleaner or leather specialist within a few days.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
The stain spread into a bigger, lighter ring
Cover the whole ring and a little beyond it with fresh cornmeal so the oil is drawn out evenly, then brush or vacuum away gently.
The nap looks flat and shiny after treatment
Use a suede eraser lightly on that spot, then brush gently in one direction to lift the fibers again.
A faint shadow remains after several rounds
Stop home treatment and take the item to a drycleaner or leather specialist, telling them it is an oil stain.
The suede color changed
Leather Naturally notes color-restoring sprays exist for common shades. A professional leather repair business can also help match the color.
When to call a professional
Take the item to a professional cleaner, such as a drycleaner or leather specialist, if the eraser and brush don't lift the stain. Do the same for any stain you can't identify or whenever you're unsure the suede can take a treatment. A professional can also handle damage or unusual stains that a home method can't reach.
Questions
Can I use dish soap on suede?
No. The cornstarch paste and cornmeal do the lifting without it, so skip the soap. Stick with the steps above and skip the soap.
Does cornstarch really work on oil?
Yes, cornstarch is an absorbent, so once the paste dries it draws oil up out of the nap and lets you brush it away. It works best on fresh oil, and older stains usually need several rounds.
How do you get old oil out of suede?
Repeat the cornstarch paste and cornmeal steps, because older oil takes more than one round. If the mark still shows, a faint result is realistic, and a professional is the next step.
Does butter come out of suede?
Yes, butter is an oil-based stain, so the same steps apply: blot first, use the cornstarch paste, then cornmeal, and finish with a suede eraser. Keep the item at room temperature while it dries.
Are olive oil and cooking oil stains treated differently?
They're treated the same way, with the cornstarch paste and cornmeal steps. Repeat as needed, and don't reach for more cooking oil to loosen the stain, because cooking oil that isn't fully removed ages and turns yellow.
Will the stain come out completely?
Fresh oil often lifts fully with the steps above, while old stains may only fade to a faint mark. The sooner you start, the better your chances are.
Oil 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.