How to Clean Stains on Suede Shoes, Clothing, and More

Follow these easy steps to remove moisture, adhesives, oily substances

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Suede needs special treatment if you want to remove dirt, oil, or sticker residue stains. Suede is natural, soft, velvety leather that is thin, porous, and less durable than solid hide leather. Common household ingredients can clean minor stains from suede and microsuede (synthetic suede) upholstery, boots, clothing, slippers, and clogs. Never use bleach on suede, and avoid using water unless sparingly.

How to Remove Stains From Suede

The Spruce

Always test cleaning solutions on a small, hidden area first to check for discoloration or damage before proceeding with the stain treatment.

Follow these steps to remove many types of stains, from oil and water to dirt and adhesives—on natural and synthetic suede shoes, clothes, upholstery, and more.

Stain Type Various
Detergent Type None
Water Temperature Avoid using water

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Suede brush or soft-bristle toothbrush
  • Soft, white, clean cloth
  • Pencil eraser or art gum eraser (for removing adhesives)
  • Blunt knife or plastic edge (for removing adhesives)
  • Emery nail file or emery cloth (optional)
  • Commercial glue remover (optional for synthetic suede)

Materials

  • Baby powder or cornstarch (for oil stains)
  • Commercial glue remover (optional for synthetic suede)

Instructions

tools for removing suede stains

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Removing Stains From Suede

Each of the following steps gets progressively more abrasive, so try the gentlest first. These techniques also work for minor scuffs on suede.

  1. Removing Dried Stains

    • Gently rub the stain with cloth: Using a clean, soft cloth, rub off any dried-on surface stain. The cloth will also restore some of the texture to the nap.
    • Try a pencil eraser: Rub any remaining stains gently with a pencil or art gum eraser.
    • Use an emery file: If the stain persists, carefully scrub with an emery nail file.
    using a cloth to rub the suede stain

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using an eraser on a suede stain

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using an emery board on suede

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  2. Removing Oily Stains

    • Sprinkle the stain with powder: Sprinkle the stain with baby powder or cornstarch to absorb the oil and let it sit for an hour. The powder may appear oily after sitting. Brush away the saturated powder with a soft brush.
    • Repeat: Repeat until the powder no longer changes color or texture within an hour. Brush off the loose powder and scrub lightly with a suede brush to restore the nap.
    sprinkling powder on a suede stain

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using a soft brush on a suede shoe

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  3. Removing Liquid Stains

    • Blot the stain: Blot away as much moisture as possible with a clean, soft cloth. Put the cloth directly over the stain and apply some pressure to draw the moisture away from the suede and into the cloth. Keep turning the cloth to a clean, dry area and continue blotting until the area appears dry.
    • Air dry: Allow the suede to air dry away from direct heat or light.
    • Use powder to dry the stain: If traces remain after air drying, follow the steps recommended above for removing a dry stain.
    blotting a wet suede stain

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    letting suede shoes dry

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    Tip

    Suede can be waterproofed using a specially formulated spray to help prevent moisture stains. Before using, test on an inside seam because it can change your suede garment's color, look, and texture.

  4. Removing Sticker Residue

    Stickers, sticky name tags, and tape can be tough on suede coats, shoes, and furniture. Quite often, when the tag or tape is pulled off, some sticky glue or residue is left behind on the nap of the suede.

    • Dampen the area: Dampen the sticker or tape and the surrounding area lightly with a wet paper towel.
    • Scrape away the sticker: Lift one corner of the sticker or tape carefully with the edge of a blunt knife or a credit card. Continue prying the entire sticker and gently scrape it away.
    • Air-dry: Allow the area to dry away from direct light or heat.
    • Erase the residue: Remove the remaining sticky residue with an art gum eraser. Use a gentle touch and lots of patience. Do not rub too hard; lightly rub the surface, and the eraser will pick up the leftover glue in the nap.
    • Use emery file: If residue persists, rub the area gently with an emery board nail file as a last resort.

    Tip

    Avoid stain removers like Goo Gone or other chemical glue removers because they can damage natural suede. The key to removing the adhesive is to work carefully and slowly to loosen the sticky stuff from the fibers of the nap.

    dampening sticker residue on suede

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using a blunt edge to scrape away residue

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    Allowing the suede jacket to air dry completely

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using an eraser on sticker residue

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using an emery file

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  5. Removing Adhesive Residue From Synthetic Suede

    Microsuede and Ultrasuede are artificial microfiber fabrics with a brushed finish resembling natural suede leather's nap. These materials are easier to clean and more resistant to spills and stains than natural suede. Most synthetic suede fabrics can be machine-washed. Follow the directions on the care label.

    • Use a gum eraser: Lift away the sticky residue with an art gum eraser. Gently rub the surface, and the eraser will pick up the leftover glue in the nap. This method works especially well with microsuede shoes or upholstery that cannot be tossed in the washer.
    • Try commercial glue remover: Follow the product instructions for a commercial glue remover, which is generally safe for synthetic suede fabrics.
    using a gum eraser on synthetic suede

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

    using a damp cloth on synthetic suede

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Additional Tips For Handling Suede Stains

  • Prevent suede stains: Use a soft-bristled brush to remove loose particles from the suede surface each time you finish wearing the item or at least weekly. Suede can easily absorb oils and soil that sit on the surface. Prompt removal means fewer stains.
  • Other home remedies: Use plain white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to remove stains on suede. Wet a soft, clean white cloth with either liquid and rub it into the stain. Allow it to dry, then fluff the suede with a soft towel.
  • After-cleaning care: Once you remove a stain or scuff from the suede, brush the stained area with a suede brush to restore and smooth out the nap or the natural, soft texture of the suede. Brushing should be your last step for each of the suede treatment methods.
  • Get professional assistance: If the stain is large or unusual, take the suede garment to your dry cleaner as soon as possible. Point out and identify the stain to help your professional cleaner choose the proper treatment. 
FAQ
  • What is the best way to remove water stains from suede?

    Moisten a clean sponge or towel with water or spritz a little water on the water stain, then use the towel, sponge, or suede brush to gently brush the stain and the surrounding area. Let it dry and evaluate. If the stain persists, do it again.

  • How do you clean suede without harming the texture?

    When cleaning suede, use a gentle touch. When brushing the surface, use a suede or soft-bristle brush to fluff up the nap after it has been cleaned and is dry.

  • Do you need to use suede cleaner to clean suede?

    You do not have to buy a commercial suede cleaner to get suede clean. Household items are just as effective, if not more gentle, than commercial products.