First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Let the item dry at room temperature, away from heat and sun.
- Brush loose dirt off gently with a suede brush.
- Rub the eraser bar over the stain only.
- If it is still there, take it to a professional cleaner.
Suede stains are best handled quickly, before they set, since the nap can be damaged by the wrong treatment. Knowing how to remove stains from suede starts with timing, and old marks don't have a home method at all. When you're in doubt, a professional drycleaner or leather specialist is the safer call.
Let wet stains on Uggs dry away from heat, then brush the nap up once they're fully dry. When you get stains out of suede shoes, a suede eraser does the lifting while a brush keeps the surface even. Don't soak the spot, since a wet patch can flatten the nap and leave a ring.
Before you start
What this material can take
Use with care3
- Water
- Soaking
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
4 items
What you'll need
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- Suede or nubuck brushLifts loose dirt and brings the nap back up once the stain is treated. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck eraser barLifts the stain itself, used dry or slightly damp. (opens Amazon)
- Clean damp clothFor gentle cleaning when the item is really dirty.
- Cleaner made for suede and nubuckOnly for a really dirty item, and only after a test on a hidden area. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Let the item dry first
Wet suede has to dry completely before you touch the stain. Let it sit in ordinary room air until it is fully dry.
Careful. Direct heat and direct sun are not safe for suede or nubuck.
Step 2 of 7
Brush off the loose dirt
Brush the area gently with a suede or nubuck brush to lift loose surface dirt. Work in short, even strokes across the whole area.
Tip. Brush in one direction to keep the texture even.
Careful. The nap is fragile, so brushing one spot hard or for long will wear it down.
Step 3 of 7
Rub the eraser over the stain
Rub the suede or nubuck eraser bar gently over the stain itself. Work in short, light strokes and stop once the mark lifts.
Step 4 of 7
Repeat with a damp eraser
If the mark is still there, wet the eraser bar slightly and repeat on the stain only. When the area is dry, brush it to bring the nap back up.
Step 5 of 7
Test any product first
Before you use any product on the stain, try it first on a hidden spot, like the inside of a tongue or the back of a cushion.
Careful. Cleaning products can mark suede or change its color.
Step 6 of 7
Clean the whole panel
Only when the item is really dirty, use a barely damp cloth or a cleaner made for suede and nubuck, and keep any dampness to the spot you are treating.
Tip. Let the area dry fully before brushing it again.
Step 7 of 7
Call a professional if it stays
If the stain is still there or you cannot name it, take the item to a professional cleaner rather than trying household products. A drycleaner or a leather specialist can handle what the steps above cannot.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best stain removers for suede & nubuck
Use a cleaner made for suede and nubuck, and only when the item is really dirty. Test it on a hidden spot first, as the steps describe.
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 →Know the stain? Use its own guide
Every stain on suede & nubuck
Water, rust & minerals2
Oil & grease2
Discoloration & marks4
Mold & outdoor3
Ink, marker & crayon1
Food & drink7
Body fluids2
Paint, glue & adhesives2
Makeup & personal care1
No match. Try the main search for anything else.
How to tell it's working
The treated spot should blend back into the nap once it is dry and brushed. If it still looks dark or feels stiff, stop and move on to the next step rather than repeating the eraser over and over.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your suede & nubuck
Sheepskin boots like Uggs
Sheepskin boots follow the same steps as suede, so start by letting them dry at room temperature and brushing off loose dirt. Use the eraser on the stain itself, and test any product on a hidden spot first.
Because the boots come as a pair, treat both boots the same way so the color matches. If the stain survives the steps, a professional is the safer next move.
Suede shoes
Suede shoes respond well to the dry method, so the brush and eraser come first. Take the laces out so you can reach the whole front, and keep the eraser on the mark.
Clean both shoes the same way, even if only one is stained, so the color stays even. Let a wet shoe dry fully before you start.
Suede boots
Tall boots need the same brush-then-eraser sequence, worked in sections so you don't go over the same area too many times. Work from the top down so the shaft stays even.
Clean both boots together so the shade matches, and only use a cleaner when the boots are really dirty.
Suede couches, sofas, and seats
Work on upholstery the same way: brush first, then the eraser on the stain only. Furniture is large, so test any product on a hidden part, such as underneath or on the back.
Clean the whole panel rather than one spot so the color doesn't look patchy. For a large stain across a cushion, a professional cleaner is the safer choice.
Denim, salt, and other specific stains
Dye transfer from jeans or a salt line starts with the same dry steps: let the item dry, brush away loose residue, then use the eraser on the mark. Don't reach for household products, since they are not safe on suede.
If the mark does not lift after a few rounds with the eraser, stop and take the item to a professional cleaner.
Suede jackets, bags, and purses
Jackets, bags and purses follow the same brush-then-eraser order, and the eraser should only touch the mark. Work around seams and any hardware so the brush and eraser stay on the suede.
Test any product on an inside seam or the lining first, and clean the whole panel if you need to so the color stays even.
Sheepskin slippers and low-cut styles
Slippers and low-cut styles use the same steps as the boots: dry, brush, then the eraser on the mark. Work gently around the seams and don't scrub.
Treat both slippers together so they match, and keep wet slippers away from heat while they dry.
Faux suede
Faux suede is not real leather, so the steps above are a starting point and may not fully work. Start with the lightest step, a gentle brush, and test any product on a hidden spot before using it.
If the stain does not lift with the brush and a test, a professional cleaner is the safer next step than trying stronger products.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old stains on suede have no safe home method in the steps above, and trying one can do more harm than good. Stained items should go to a drycleaner as soon as possible, ideally within a few days, so a fresh mark is far easier to lift.
Dried stains are harder, but the same order still applies: let the item dry, brush, then use the eraser on the stain. Repeat the eraser only a few times before you stop.
Never put suede in a dryer or dry it with heat to speed things up, because heat is not safe for suede. If the stain is still there after the steps, the realistic result is a lighter mark, and a professional is the right next step.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on suede & nubuck?
Plenty of household remedies get suggested for stains, but suede is a poor match for most of them. When in doubt, leave the remedy off your suede.
Skip5Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't put leather conditioner on suede
Leather conditioner is meant for leather surfaces only, not suede. Keep it off the item, even after the stain is gone.
Don't guess at an unknown stain
If you can't name the stain, don't start with household products. Take the item to a professional cleaner, since the wrong product can make a stain worse.
Don't soak suede to clean it
Suede and nubuck absorb water, so the more you put on, the more the surface takes in. Keep any dampness to the spot you are treating.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
The nap looks flat and shiny after erasing
Brush the area lightly in several directions to lift the fibers. Stop rubbing that spot and let it rest.
A water ring formed after damp cleaning
Let it dry completely, then gently clean the whole panel with a damp cloth so the moisture evens out. If the ring remains, take it to a professional.
The eraser isn't moving the mark
The stain may have soaked into the fibers. Try one round with a wet eraser, then stop and consult a professional cleaner.
The color looks lighter in one area
Stop cleaning that spot. Leather Naturally notes that color-restoring sprays exist for common shades, and a leather repair business can help with unusual cases.
When to call a professional
Take the suede to a drycleaner or leather specialist for any stain the eraser and brush don't remove, any stain you can't identify, or whenever you are in doubt. Leather repair businesses also handle unusual stains or damage, and color-restoring sprays exist for common shades if the color has changed.
Questions
Does suede stain, and does rain leave marks?
Yes, suede can stain, and rain or snow can leave marks on it. Let wet suede dry at room temperature, then brush and use the eraser on any mark that is left.
Can I use water on suede?
Water is not a first step, because suede absorbs it. Keep any moisture small, let the item dry at room temperature, then brush and use the eraser on the mark.
Can I use vinegar on suede?
No, skip vinegar on suede. Use a cleaner made for suede and nubuck, tested on a hidden spot first.
Can I put suede in the dryer or use a hairdryer?
No. Direct heat and direct sun are not safe for suede or nubuck, so let it dry at room temperature instead.
What if the stain is still there after the eraser?
Wet the eraser bar and repeat on the stain, then let the suede dry and brush the nap back up. If the mark still shows, take the item to a professional cleaner.
How do I tell if an item is faux suede?
Check the care label or the item's material listing first. If you still can't tell, start with the brush and test any product on a hidden spot.
Can jeans dye come out of suede shoes?
Dye transfer from jeans is handled the same way as other marks: dry first, brush, then the eraser on the mark. If it doesn't lift after a few rounds, a professional cleaner is the next step.
Should I clean a whole suede couch or just the stain?
Clean the whole panel only when the furniture is really dirty, so the color stays even. Test any cleaner on a hidden part first, such as underneath.
Related
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.