How to Clean Your Suede Boots: 6 Tips to Make Them Last

When you have the perfect pair of suede boots - such as the soft yet durable Cozy Top for instance - you want to take the best possible care of them. When you choose Taos boots, you know that you’re getting quality construction and materials as well as style and comfort. Even so, taking care of suede is the best way to get the most longevity out of your boots.

Proper care for your comfortable boots will help you wear them for years, making them a worthwhile investment.

The following are some tips if you’re looking for how to how to protect suede shoes or how to clean suede boots.

Tip #1: Pretreat

A lot of what you do to take care of your suede boots is going to start as soon as you buy a new pair. You want to use a water-resistant spray on your boots, and make sure you don’t do this after they’ve already gotten wet. If you do a water-resistant spray on your boots once they’ve gotten wet, it can seal in water stains.

If you do get water on your suede boots, use a suede brush and move in circular motions across the affected area once it’s already dried. This will help remedy the discoloration of the water spot.

Even once you’ve pretreated your suede shoes and boots, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing them on wet days.

Tip #2: Get a Suede Brush

Most of the important things you can do to take care of and clean your suede boots rely on having a suede brush. When you have a good quality suede brush you can keep your boots as clean and well-maintained as possible.

Make time once a week to give your suede boots and shoes a good overall brush. This will remove loose dirt and debris that could end up diminishing the quality of your boots if left over time.

Tip #3: Buy a Suede Eraser

Along with having a suede brush as part of your toolkit, you should have a suede eraser too. A suede eraser can work well for the stains that you can’t manage to get rid of using your suede brush alone. Suede erasers are like a spot-cleaner for your shoes, and you can deal with stubborn water marks and also grease stains.

Tip #4: Use Suede Cleaner

Once you’ve tried brushing and spot-cleaning your suede boots and shoes, if you think they still need some more maintenance, you can use a suede cleaner. Suede cleaner is like giving your shoes a shampoo.

First, thoroughly but gently brush your shoes. Then dampen them slightly and spray your suede cleaner. You can then use your brush to rub your shoes.

Wipe them once again with a cloth, and then allow your shoes to dry. After they’re dry, brush them along their grain to smooth them out. Never use any heat when you’re cleaning or drying suede. They have to dry naturally, out of the sun.

It’s also a good idea to spot test suede cleaner before using it to make sure it doesn’t affect the color.

Tip #5: Use a Shoe Tree

When you aren’t wearing your suede shoes and boots, put them on a shoe tree. A shoe tree helps keep their shape, and if you have a cedar shoe tree, it will eliminate any odor in your shoes. A cedar shoe tree can also soak up moisture that may be lingering inside your shoes after you wear them.

Tip #6: Protect Your Soles

Finally, we tend to overlook the importance of maintaining your shoe soles. If your soles get too worn out, you can have them re-soled. You can also take your shoes to a cobbler, and they can add a rubber outsole to your leather sole.