Quick answer
Clean suede dry first. Let the shoe dry completely, brush off loose dirt, then work on remaining marks with a suede eraser. Use a suede cleaner only for what dry cleaning leaves behind, and wipe it over the whole panel instead of soaking one spot. Nike and Jason Markk both start this way, and Nike doesn’t recommend putting suede in the washing machine.
The Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit covers the dry steps with an eraser and a brush. Jason Markk’s own advice is that, when you can get away with it, the best way to clean suede is without water.
Before you start
Wait until the suede is dry. Nike advises against cleaning suede shoes while they are wet and says to let mud or other moisture dry before brushing, because brushing too early can cause a stain.
Hold the shape. Nike suggests a shoe tree or crumpled newspaper inside the shoe while you clean.
Test somewhere hidden. Jason Markk, Angelus and Leather Honey all tell you to test first on a small or inconspicuous area. Jason Markk says suede can be unpredictable because of its texture, open pores and different grades.
Be careful with dyed suede. Jason Markk doesn’t recommend cleaning dyed suede, which it says is likely to bleed from any contact with water.
Step 1: Brush off loose dirt
Start with a suede brush. Jason Markk says to brush the upper gently back and forth to remove loose dirt and top-layer dust. Nike says a suede brush or toothbrush works, and that a clean cloth will do if you don’t have a brush, but to avoid soap or water at this stage because they can make the mess worse.
For minor scuffs, Nike uses a quick side-to-side brushing motion to lift the fibers and loosen debris. Angelus instead says to brush in one direction. The makers agree on light pressure, so keep it gentle whichever stroke you use. Common suede brush mistakes covers what heavy brushing does to the nap, and the bristle-type guide explains brush materials.
Step 2: Erase marks that brushing left
Use a suede eraser on marks that are still there. If you don’t have one, Nike names a pencil eraser or household cleaning eraser as the next best thing and says the eraser itself should be clean. Nike allows a little more pressure here than for brushing but warns that rubbing too hard can damage the suede. Jason Markk says to use very light pressure.
Angelus’s directions for its Nubuck & Suede Kit are to rub the eraser gently over stains or spots, then use the brush to lift dirt and restore the nap, repeating as needed. Jason Markk also finishes by brushing the loosened dirt away.
Step 3: Use a suede cleaner on what’s left
If marks are still noticeable after dry cleaning, the makers move to a liquid. Their methods differ in detail, but Nike warns against drenching the shoe and Jason Markk recommends foam because it cleans without over-saturating the suede.
- Foam on a brush. Jason Markk says to put its Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner on a brush, scrub gently and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. For suede, its FAQ says to scrub the entire upper with light pressure, giving heavily soiled areas more attention.
- Cleaner on a cloth. Leather Honey says to put its suede cleaner on a clean, dry cloth, not directly on the suede, and to wipe the entire surface rather than spot treat. Then use the eraser on stubborn stains, wipe away the excess with a dry cloth and let the suede dry.
- A lightly dampened cloth corner. Nike’s last resort is wetting the corner of a dry cloth with a small amount of suede cleaner, white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, then massaging with a rapid side-to-side motion and letting the suede dry. Nike says to lightly dampen the suede rather than drench it, and to repeat if the stain is still visible.
Fixes for specific stains
| Problem | Maker method | Who says so | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mud and loose dirt | Let it dry, then dry brush | Nike, Jason Markk | Suede brush |
| Scuffs and surface marks | Suede eraser, then brush | Nike, Jason Markk, Angelus | Suede eraser and brush |
| Marks left after dry cleaning | Suede cleaner over the whole panel | Jason Markk, Leather Honey | Suede cleaner, cloth or brush |
| Oil and grease | Cornstarch for a few hours; wipe or vacuum, don’t brush | Nike | Cornstarch, cloth or hand vacuum |
| Gum or wax | Freeze until hard, then peel or scrape | Nike | Freezer |
| Blood | Dab with a little hydrogen peroxide; dry; repeat | Nike | Hydrogen peroxide, cotton ball |
| Rain or spills | Blot, then brush once dry | Jason Markk | Microfiber towel, suede brush |
Methods as each maker publishes them, checked October 5, 2026.
Dry it without matting the nap
Jason Markk says to dab and twist the suede with a microfiber towel for a few minutes to soak up as much dampness as possible, then brush the nap back and forth once it starts to lift. It warns that if you skip this and just leave the shoes to air dry, the nap will mat down and be very hard to bring back.
Keep the shoes out of the clothes dryer. Nike warns that the dryer can damage shoes and recommends stuffing them with newspaper or airing them out in front of a fan instead.
Protect it afterward
Nike says a suede protectant can help prevent water stains. Leather Honey’s method ends with a thin coat of protector, left to dry naturally, followed by a final brush to fluff the nap. Jason Markk says Repel can go on in up to 4 coats, each dried fully before the next, and adds that no product can fully waterproof a porous material like suede. The shoe protector spray list compares suede-safe sprays.
How to choose what to use
For routine upkeep, a brush and eraser are enough. Jason Markk describes its eraser and brush kit as daily and weekly maintenance. Angelus adds that brushing regularly after wearing suede helps keep dirt from setting in.
Add a liquid only if dry cleaning fails. A suede-specific foam such as Jason Markk’s Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner fits that step. Jason Markk says its foam is safe on most colors and materials, including suede and nubuck, but to take extra care with dyed suede.
Buy a complete kit if you’d rather not assemble one. The Leather Honey Suede & Nubuck Care Kit contains a cleaner, a protector, a horsehair suede brush and a suede eraser, and the maker says it is for suede, nubuck and sheepskin.
The suede brush and cleaning kit list compares these kits side by side.
FAQ
Can you wash suede shoes in the washing machine?
No. Nike doesn’t recommend machine washing or hand-washing suede shoes in soap and water, because suede absorbs water and washing can set stains.
Can I use vinegar on suede?
Nike lists white vinegar as one option for stubborn stains, applied to the corner of a cloth so the suede is only lightly dampened. It is Nike’s last resort, after a brush and an eraser.
Which direction should I brush suede?
Makers differ. Angelus says to brush in one direction. Jason Markk describes gentle back-and-forth brushing for loose dirt, and Nike uses quick side-to-side strokes on minor scuffs. All of them keep the pressure light.
Can I clean nubuck the same way?
Jason Markk says that, for the most part, you can clean nubuck the same way as suede, and the Angelus and Leather Honey kits are sold for both materials.