Have you had a pair of suede shoes or loafers? If so, then you know first-hand that owning a pair takes a lot of daily care – they can’t be scrubbed, polished, waxed, or shined because they’re delicately made from the inner part of tanned leather.
The best strategy to maintaining good-looking suede shoes is to acquire two distinct pairs in your shoe arsenal: one reserved for select formal occasions, and another go-to pair for more frequent use. Some prolific users even prefer suede loafers that have seen better days with much wear and tear, to show off its known durability.
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Experts give the following nifty tips on how to care for your velvety pair:
- Immediately after buying, spray them thoroughly with suede waterproofing and stain-repellant.
- Avoid mud and puddles. Should you end there with the wrong foot, let the mud dry. Remove it after 24 hours when it becomes flaky and easier to lift without damaging the suede.
- As your classy pair begins to look dull with age, steam them over boiling water. Use a tray to hold the shoes and protect them from the boiling liquid. The steam will be useful in restoring lustre to suede.
- If you do end up with persistent stains, combine lukewarm water with a dash of white vinegar. Wet the tip of a clean hand towel and use this to wipe off the stain.
- Use a suede eraser, a small brick of rubber, to scrub out small stains.
- Restore the fine texture of suede by polishing it with a suede brush after the maintenance cleaning.
- Use a cedar shoe tree to help keep the original shape.
- When grease stains your shoes, it’s not the end for the pair. Use suede brush to remove the offending substance. Only use warm water and toothbrush as a last resort for stubborn stains.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it; especially if it’s a pair of suede shoes. The rain isn’t good enough reason to shut them inside your closet.