First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Blot the excess with a dry cloth. Don't rub.
- Sponge lightly with cool water, using only a little.
- Keep the suede out of the dryer and away from heat.
- Treat it even if you can't see the mark.
Soda on suede is easy to miss, since the color and sugar don't show until the spot dries into the nap. Water can only come in briefly on suede, so the work is mostly about lifting the mark with an eraser and a brush. A fresh spill gives you the best chance, while an old dried mark may need a professional's hand.
Getting soda stain out of suede boots starts with the eraser, and you should never soak the material. Once the spot is dry, brush the nap back up in one direction so it doesn't look flattened. If the mark is still visible after a few light passes, a suede cleaner is the safer next step.
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 eraser barLifts the stain from the surface without soaking the material. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck brushRemoves loose dirt and brings the nap back up. (opens Amazon)
- Clean, dry cloth or paper towelBlots the excess before anything else touches the spot. (opens Amazon)
- Soft clothLets you dampen the spot lightly and clean it without leaving lint. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck cleanerFor an item that is really dirty, used only after a test in a hidden area. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Blot up the spill
Press a dry cloth or paper towel onto the spill to soak up what is sitting on the surface, then sponge the spot lightly with cool water. Work from the outside edge toward the center so the stain doesn't spread.
Tip. Use a clean section of the cloth each time so you don't push the stain back into the suede.
Careful. Suede absorbs water, so use only a little and blot instead of soaking.
Step 2 of 6
Let the suede air dry
If the suede is wet, leave it to dry at room temperature, away from direct heat and sun. Wait until it is fully dry before you brush or rub it.
Careful. Heat sets soda stains and can mark suede, so keep it away from dryers, heaters and sun.
Step 3 of 6
Brush off loose dirt
Brush the surface gently with a suede or nubuck brush to lift loose dirt and raise the nap. Keep the strokes light and move across the area rather than staying on one spot.
Tip. Brush in one direction so the nap lies flat and even.
Careful. The nap is fragile, so don't brush one spot hard or for long.
Step 4 of 6
Lift the stain with the eraser
Rub a suede or nubuck eraser bar gently over the stain only, not the whole surface. Use short, light strokes until the mark starts to lift.
Tip. Keep the eraser dry for this first pass.
Step 5 of 6
Repeat with a damp eraser
If the stain persists, dampen the eraser bar and repeat the rubbing on the same spot. Let the suede dry, then brush the nap up again.
Tip. Dampen the eraser lightly, not until it's soaked.
Step 6 of 6
Test, then clean the whole panel
Test any cleaning product in a hidden area first, since it may mark or change the color. If the item is really dirty, use a damp cloth or a cleaner made for suede and nubuck, working over the whole panel or both shoes.
Tip. Let the test spot dry fully before you judge the color.
Careful. Cleaning just one spot can leave the color uneven across the item.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for soda on suede & nubuck
Buy a suede and nubuck eraser bar and a suede brush, and pick a cleaner labeled for suede and nubuck.
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.
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
When the spot blends into the surrounding suede and the nap looks even, the job is done. A faint shadow that doesn't lift after the eraser and brush is the point to stop, not keep rubbing.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your suede & nubuck
Uggs and other suede boots
Uggs are usually suede or nubuck, so the steps above apply to them. Blot the soda first, then work only on the visible spot, and let the eraser bar do most of the lifting.
If you can't tell whether the boots are suede or nubuck, skip any cleaner and take them to a professional. Clean both boots of a pair, even if only one is stained, so the color stays even.
Suede jackets and clothing
Clothing follows the same dry-first approach: blot, let it dry away from heat, then brush and use the eraser bar on the mark only. Work on one small area at a time so you don't wet a large section of the garment.
Reach for a suede cleaner only if the garment is really dirty, and test it on an inside seam or hem first. Clean the whole panel, such as the entire front of a jacket, so the color stays even.
Dark or dyed suede
Dark or dyed suede can show a color change from a cleaner, so the test step matters most here. Put a small amount of the cleaner on a hidden spot and let it dry fully before you judge the color.
If the test spot changes, don't use the cleaner on the stain at all. Stick to the brush and eraser bar, and call a professional if the mark is still visible.
Suede couch and upholstery
Blot and brush the suede upholstery first, and use the eraser bar only on the mark. Keep any water to a small amount so the material isn't soaked.
The rest of the couch depends on its cushions and fabric, so the Couch & Sofa guide has the full process. Check it before you apply any cleaner to the upholstery.
Old, dried or set-in stains
An old soda stain on suede is the hardest case, and there's no home soak you can safely use on it. Soaks are for washable fabric, and suede absorbs water, so skip stronger liquids on an old mark.
A stain that has dried can still lift with the eraser bar, so go back over it with the damp eraser, lightly. Let the suede dry away from heat, then brush the nap up.
If a faint mark remains, that's the realistic result on old suede, and it's better than risking the color. If the stain is still clearly visible after the eraser and brush, take the item to a drycleaner or leather specialist.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on soda on suede & nubuck?
Plenty of kitchen remedies work on drink stains, but most are for washable fabric or hard surfaces. Suede needs dry tools first and only a little water, so most kitchen remedies are a poor fit. Anything marked Skip or Avoid stays off the suede.
Helps1Skip4Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use soap or detergent on the stain.
Soap makes tannin stains harder to remove, and that includes bar soap, soap flakes and detergents with natural soap in them. Read the ingredient list on any cleaner before you use it on suede.
Don't put leather conditioner on suede.
Conditioner is made for leather surfaces only, and suede is not one of them. If the suede looks flat afterward, brush the nap back up instead, since that is the fix that suits it.
Don't let the spill sit.
Soda sets the longer it sits, and the mark gets harder to lift once it dries in. Blot it as soon as you notice it, even if the spot looks faint.
When to call a professional
Take the suede to a drycleaner or leather specialist if the eraser and brush don't remove the stain, if you can't identify it, or whenever you're in doubt. A professional leather repair service can also handle unusual stains or damage, and may be able to address a color change.
Questions
How do I get soda out of Uggs?
If your Uggs are suede or nubuck, follow the steps here, starting with blotting and a little cool water. If you can't tell what they're made of, skip the cleaners entirely and take them to a professional.
Can I use vinegar on a soda spill on suede?
No. Vinegar belongs to washable fabric soaks, and suede absorbs water, so it stays off. The eraser bar and brush are the tools to reach for instead.
Does a soda stain on suede become permanent?
It can if it's left to set, and it gets harder to lift once it dries in. A fresh spill is much easier to deal with than one that has been sitting.
Is nubuck handled differently from suede?
No, the same steps work for both. The eraser bar and brush are made for suede and nubuck, so use the one labeled for your material.
What if the color changes after cleaning?
Color-restoring sprays exist for common shades, but that is a question for a professional leather specialist. Stop cleaning once a color change shows and get advice before trying anything else.
Can I use household products on suede?
Household products are a gamble on suede, so stick to the suede tools and a suede cleaner. If those don't work, a professional is the next step, not a stronger household product.
Soda 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.