Is it possible to wash suede sneakers in a washing machine: how to do it correctly, how to clean light-colored suede shoes from dirt by hand, what happens if the washing is done incorrectly?

New suede sneakers look stylish. However, over time they lose their former attractiveness.

To return them to their original appearance and remove dirt, you can use a washing machine or clean the sneakers by hand.

They need to be cleaned correctly so as not to damage either sports shoes or household appliances. We'll tell you in this article how to properly wash suede sneakers.

What happens if you wash suede?

It is not always possible to wash suede shoes in an automatic washing machine. There are a number of restrictions, including:

The presence of buckles, locks, fur inserts and other decorative elements on shoes.
Read also: How to remove super glue from plastic at home
The presence of parts that are fixed with glue.
Presence of defects or loose seams. During intensive washing they will become even more noticeable.
A very hard sole or frame of a shoe. Hard elements can damage the washing machine drum.

Contact with water may cause sneakers to lose color and shape. In addition, suede often becomes rough after washing. Therefore, it is not recommended to process a new pair in a machine.

As for manual cleaning, preference should be given to dry methods . Water should only be used in extreme cases, for example, in the presence of persistent contaminants.

What to do with light-colored shoes?

Light-colored shoes need to be cleaned especially carefully. Full washing is contraindicated for her.

Do not use force during the cleaning process. Failure to follow this recommendation will result in product deformation.

To remove dirt from sneakers, you can use the following methods:

Steaming. This method is suitable for combating stubborn stains.
Place a pan of water on the fire and bring it to a boil. The contaminated area is kept over steam for about 5 minutes. The stain is removed using a white rubber eraser. If you don’t have it at home, you can use a stale crust of white bread.
A solution of milk and soda (take 0.5 tbsp of powder per 100 ml) . Wipe the suede with the prepared mixture and leave for 5 minutes. Then the contaminated area is blotted with a sponge soaked in clean water.
Corn starch . It works great on greasy stains on light suede shoes. Sprinkle it on the contaminated area and leave it for 3 hours. The starch is then removed with a soft bristle brush.

How to get rid of stains?

Faded marks formed due to point contact with an aggressive substance and stains that cannot be removed are dealt with using aerosol dyes. Due to the high toxicity of coloring substances, the procedure should be carried out on an unglazed balcony or in the open air . Otherwise, the pungent chemical smell will cause headaches.
To clean white suede, dissolve a spoonful of baking soda in a glass of low-fat milk (the reading should be below 1.5%), soak a rag (or gauze swab) in the mixture and wipe the top material, paying special attention to problem areas. Then take an undyed cotton cloth, slightly wet it and wipe the boots.
Another way: use clear vinegar (may cause shedding, test on a small area first). A toothbrush is dipped into the essence and then brushed over the stains. At the end of the procedure, be sure to give the pile a direction.
You can also remove stains from light-colored materials using lemon. Use its zest to spot-treat the stain.

Important! Citruses can leave colorful streaks on suede. Be sure to test on an inconspicuous area before cleaning.

If the problem is whitish salt stains, then resort to the following cleaning methods:

The shoes are kept over a boiling pan for 5–8 minutes. Dirt is removed with a rubber brush.
The potatoes are peeled, divided in half and the cut area is rubbed first on the spots and then on the entire surface. Afterwards, wipe with a cleansing cloth and treat the lint with a brush.
Old contaminants of an organic and inorganic nature are removed using ammonia (a caustic substance, therefore it requires testing in an inconspicuous area of the sneakers) and semolina. The first softens the crust of the stain, and the cereal absorbs the fat. After the semolina has done its job, it will need to be cleaned off.
If during a preliminary test it turns out that ammonia causes the material to shed, it is worth diluting the liquid with water . This rule also applies to vinegar.

Ways to deal with other types of stains:

Freezing the chewing gum will help (apply ice);
apply corn flour, talc or potato starch to the greasy stains (allow the liquid to be absorbed, then brush);
brown suede is rubbed with coffee using a sponge;
to remove organic contaminants, rub half of the box with sulfur (then treat with a damp rag);
black and colored lines are removed using an eraser.

Important! To make the starch absorb better, pierce it in a frying pan before applying it to the sneakers.

Features of cleaning in the washing machine

Most manufacturers do not recommend washing suede shoes in a washing machine.

It is best to wash suede sneakers using a special bag. It will protect your shoes from damage. If there is no net in the house, then you can use an old pillowcase.

The choice of detergent matters . Do not put dry powder into the washing machine. Preference is given to gels or liquid concentrates. You need to choose products that are suitable for washing delicate fabrics.

Be sure to take into account the color of the suede. It is not recommended to soak dyed sneakers or wash them with products intended for white items.

If this cleaning method is the only possible one, you must follow some rules:

Remove the laces from the sneakers and remove the insoles.
Remove all visible dirt: stones, dust, leaves. To do this, clean them with a dry brush. The sole can be washed under running cool water.
The selected cleaning agent is poured into the washing machine compartment.
Set the toggle switch to the “sports shoes” or “delicate” (“gentle”) washing mode.
It contains parameters that are optimal for cleaning sneakers. If the washing machine does not have this function, then the setting is carried out manually. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees. The spin is turned off. This will minimize the risk of shoe deformation. The less time it is in contact with water, the better.
After finishing washing, the sneakers are removed from the machine and dried in the fresh air. It is recommended to stuff shoes tightly with light-colored, non-dying paper. This will prevent the product from becoming deformed.

How to wash suede sneakers in a washing machine, video instructions:

Is it possible to wash suede shoes at home?

When a family has a lot of fabric shoes that are subject to various stains, there will definitely be a dirty pair left in the corner. Washing will save you from the problem and return it to an attractive appearance. The prohibition on machine washing applies to the following types:

boots - winter and autumn option;
shoes, boots with a hard last;
shoes decorated with different stones, or having artificial, natural fur as a frame;
damaged or of poor quality with soles secured with glue.

Sneakers, sneakers, moccasins, sandals are suitable for active washing.

It is not advisable to wash natural suede in an automatic mode; manual care is better for it. The artificial variety is unpretentious.

Manually: which is correct?

Hand washing suede sneakers is considered the most gentle. It allows you to carefully remove even the most difficult dirt from shoes.

Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

dissolve the selected detergent in warm water;
moisten a piece of gauze in the resulting solution and squeeze it out;
apply the composition to the contaminated area - it should become wet;
leave the product on the sneakers for a few minutes;
after the specified time, rub the stain with a soft brush until it completely disappears;
remove the soap solution with a clean damp sponge;
After processing is completed, the sneakers are dried naturally.

It is not recommended to completely soak your sneakers in a basin of soapy water. They resort to this method only when the shoes are very dirty.

Products that can be used to hand wash suede sneakers:

Laundry soap . In order for it to dissolve better, it is grated.
Dishwashing liquid, for example, MYTH or Feri . It is applied to the contaminated area and left for 5 minutes. Then remove with a damp sponge.
Liquid stain removers, such as Vanish . The gel is applied to the stain and left for about 15 minutes, after which it is removed with a sponge soaked in cool water.

The less suede comes into contact with water, the better.

Wet method

It is not recommended to machine wash suede sneakers. First, try more gentle cleaning methods, and then resort to automatic washing.

Natural suede is a capricious material, so it is recommended to wash your sneakers by hand.

How to remove dirt by hand? To do this, you can use liquid powder capsules, vinegar, and ammonia. And for stubborn dirt, steam treatment is suitable.

Fresh contamination.

Any shoes wear out over time and look untidy. Noticeable stains form on it, so suede sneakers are put away in a drawer.

But they can be restored to their former form. Bring back attractiveness.

How to wash sneakers:

9% vinegar is suitable for removing salt stains. First, the shoes are cleaned of dust and pieces of dirt. Then take a soft cloth, moisten it in a 9% vinegar solution and wipe the stained areas. After removing salt stains, washing is not required; just wipe the sneakers with a clean cloth and leave to dry.
Shiny products are cleaned with coffee grounds. This method is suitable for dark-colored suede. Coffee grounds are applied to the brush and cover the entire shoe. It is then moistened with water and left to dry. When the grounds dry and become powdery, they are removed from the shoes with a special suede brush.
Another manual method for removing stains from suede products is the use of ammonia. Ammonia, in a volume of ¼ cup, is mixed with ½ cup of water. Damaged surfaces are wiped with a cotton swab soaked in the solution. You can’t leave it on your shoes for a long time. Immediately after removing dirt and drying, clean the suede with a rubber brush or eraser.
You can use a soap solution. A sufficient amount of water at room temperature is poured into a bathtub or basin that will fit both sneakers, and 1 capsule of liquid powder and 1 measuring cap of soap are placed. The product is stirred until foam forms, and sneakers are placed in it for 5 minutes. Suede sneakers should be washed using a stiff brush. After treatment, the shoes are left to dry.
A mixture of baking soda and milk is suitable for removing stains from white suede. You will need 1 tsp. soda and a glass of milk. Moisten a cloth in the prepared solution and wipe the dirty areas. After drying, soda may remain on the shoes; remove it with a rubber brush.
Gasoline with talcum powder removes grease stains. Gasoline is diluted in warm water and the soiled areas are treated with it. Then they walk over the treated surface with a soft cloth, removing any remaining product, and sprinkle it with talcum powder. The powder is removed after 2 hours and the shoes are cleaned with a brush.

These products are suitable for removing fresh stains. They won’t remove stubborn stains, so don’t even try. Just subject the delicate fabric to aggressive treatment once again.

Stubborn stains

If the degree of contamination is high or they appeared a long time ago, but there was no time to wash them, then you can use the steam method.

Algorithm of actions:

Pour a large amount of water into a saucepan and place on the stove. The liquid must be boiled.
Then move the pan to the place where you hang laundry and place it under the clothesline, or better yet, if the house has a floor dryer.
Hang your sneakers over the steam by the laces. Wait until the material is moistened inside and out.
After this, the dirt is cleaned with a special suede brush and dried.

You can hold your sneakers over the steam with your hands. But there is a risk of getting burns. Therefore, this method is recommended only if the apartment has a clothes dryer on which you can hang sneakers.

Dry cleaning from dirt

Dry cleaning can remove simple stains on suede sneakers. This is the most gentle method of removing dirt from shoes. Most often it is used when processing light suede.

There are several dry cleaning methods:

Brush for cleaning suede and nubuck shoes. It can be used to remove simple stains. They are easy enough to wipe clean. Movements should be light.
Rubber eraser .
Using this stationery, you can remove particles of dirt and dust adhering to your sneakers. Use an eraser to gently rub the stain until it completely disappears. You need to choose a white, not a colored elastic band that has not been used before.
Talcum powder or baby powder . Powder products are used to remove greasy stains that have recently been acquired. Apply talcum powder to the stain, leave it on the shoe for half an hour, and then brush it off with a brush. To completely remove dirt, you can use a damp cloth.
Laundry soap . Rub it dry onto the stain. There is no need to pre-wet it. The soap is left on the shoes for 15 minutes, after which it is rolled off using a rubber brush. All dirt will be removed along with it.

If chewing gum or wax gets on your sneakers, they should be placed in the freezer for several hours. Frozen material can be easily scraped off with any blunt object.

This video will show you how to clean suede sneakers quickly and efficiently:

Pre-cleaning

Dust and small debris must be removed before large-scale events. The work is done dry (the shoes are not wet, if necessary, they are dried), with a flannel rag or a brush (a clothes roller also helps to remove stuck debris).
Moreover, these items should be intended exclusively for a specific couple. Do not use them to care for other sneakers. When cleaning, move your hand in 1 direction. Circular or reverse movements thin out the pile, so they are unacceptable.

Important! At this stage of care, the brush can be replaced with a dry brush. For dark sneakers, use black bread; for light sneakers, use white bread.

Washing bag

The bag for washing sneakers is a mesh that is secured with laces or a zipper. There are shock-absorbing inserts inside. They guarantee additional protection for shoes and the rotating elements of the washing machine.

Mode of application:

pour the selected detergent into the washing machine compartment;
place the sneakers in the net;
run a wash cycle without spinning and drying;
After cleaning is completed, the pair is taken out of the bag and dried in the fresh air.

To wash white suede sneakers, it is better to use bags made of light fabric.

What about faux suede?

How to wash suede sneakers if they are made of leatherette? It is better to wash even stubborn stains in an automatic washing machine. Contaminants will be removed at a temperature of 40°C. It’s dangerous to put it on a large one: the sole may come off. The only restriction is that sneakers must not be rinsed in a solution of any of the following chemicals:

Bleach;
Stain remover;
Peroxides;
Ammonia;
Products based on petroleum products.

It is worth paying attention to powders that contain bleaches. It is strictly prohibited to use them for washing boots in a machine.

The dirt will, of course, go away, but the shoes will deteriorate. It is permissible to wash products made from artificial suede in a machine by adding liquid detergent.

How to dry?

Suede sneakers need to be dried correctly. If basic recommendations are not followed, the shoes will become stiff and lose their attractive appearance .

Do not place suede sneakers near heating appliances. They cannot tolerate contact with a heating radiator.

It is best to dry shoes in the fresh air, although this process cannot be called quick. It may take from 2 to 4 days.

To reduce drying time, you can put a crumpled piece of paper inside the sneaker. A few hours later he is removed. It will absorb excess moisture, allowing the shoes to dry faster.

Tips to speed up the drying process of your sneakers:

Leave shoes in a room with good ventilation and low humidity.
Take the couple out onto the balcony. However, you need to find a place for it that is protected from direct sunlight.
Use a hairdryer. This method is used only in extreme cases. The device is turned on at minimum power and the sneakers are blown with it, keeping them at a distance of at least 20 cm. You cannot expose one place to a jet of hot air for too long.

It is recommended to dry the insoles separately. Lace up your sneakers only after all the moisture has evaporated from them.

Can suede sneakers be washed in the washing machine?

Despite the popular belief that washing suede sneakers is impossible, it is still permissible to do so. In this case, it is important to understand that sneakers come in two types: made of genuine leather and synthetic materials.

Therefore, before washing your sneakers, you need to determine what kind of suede they are made of. If it is a synthetic material, then it will withstand cleaning well in the washing machine. Whereas for natural suede such a procedure is strictly contraindicated. Otherwise, the product will be deformed and lack an attractive appearance. This type of sneaker can only be cleaned by hand.

When should you go to dry cleaning?

Natural suede shoes are expensive. If your sneakers are new but very dirty, you can take them to the dry cleaner. Specialists will expose the pair to professional detergents, thoroughly remove all stains and dry it thoroughly.

Before paying for the services provided, you need to ask the dry cleaning staff if they can remove the stains without harming the shoes.

Criteria for quality work:

no stains;
softness and even color of suede, without scuffs;
removal of unpleasant odor.

For classic cleaning of sneakers you will have to pay about 1,500 rubles. For this price the client will be provided with the following range of services:

removal of stubborn dirt, salt deposits, oil stains, dust and dirt;
washing insoles and laces;
removal of pellets;
shoe deodorization;
combing suede and covering it with special compounds;
restoration of the shape of sneakers.

You can also use the shoe restoration service at the dry cleaner . Its cost starts from 2500 rubles.

The craftsmen will not only remove stubborn dirt, but also paint the pair in any color, restore damaged elements and carry out other work.

Features of the material

Suede shoes not only look great, but they are also comfortable to wear. The products are light, soft and breathable. However, during wear, dust settles on the sneakers and various contaminants appear. Shoes especially suffer in rainy and damp weather. Suede is a very delicate material and does not tolerate excess moisture, so it requires careful care every day. A new pair must be immediately treated with a special spray, which forms a protective film and greatly facilitates further cleaning.

Important Tips

To remove dirt from suede sneakers as carefully as possible, you need to take into account the following recommendations:

You should resort to treating shoes with water or washing them in an automatic machine only in extreme cases.
You should not wear wet sneakers; you must wait until they are completely dry. A lot of dust will stick to wet shoes, which will be difficult to clean.
To dry your sneakers, use only white paper. Colored newspaper can stain shoes, leaving unsightly streaks on them.
To remove dust from suede, you need to use special brushes. They are sold in hardware stores and shoe departments.
Suede does not tolerate rough handling.

If, after removing the stains, the color of the sneakers has become less bright, it can be restored using special aerosols.

Drying suede sneakers

It is important to properly dry your shoes after any type of cleaning. The further appearance of the sneakers depends on how the drying proceeds. First of all, you will need to stuff the product with paper. It is better to use white material, as colored material may leave stains. The paper layer will need to be replaced 2-3 times as it gets wet. Then leave the shoes in a ventilated area out of direct sunlight. A terry towel will help you quickly dry your sneakers by thoroughly blotting your shoes. It is also permissible to use a special electric dryer.

Removing stains

To remove minor stains from clothes or shoes made of artificial suede, you can use folk remedies:

Fat. Fresh drops should be covered with starch, baby powder, and crushed chalk. After 15–30 minutes, brush off the product and carefully wash the damaged area with a cotton pad and soap solution.
Juice, grass, pollen, any stains of organic origin can be wiped off with a cloth moistened with vinegar (9%).
Wine. A fresh stain should be blotted with a dry, clean cloth. To remove dried marks, use a thick soap solution or shaving foam. The product should be applied to the stain, left for half an hour, and the residue removed with a napkin.
Gum. Rub the sticky mass with an ice cube. When the gum hardens, carefully remove it from the fabric.
Dirt. Do not touch wet drops; you must wait until they dry. Then clean the damaged area with a brush.
Glue, varnish, traces of cosmetics. Gently rub the marks with a cloth moistened with nail polish remover without acetone.

A universal safe remedy for any contamination is ordinary laundry soap. By whipping soap shavings into a thick foam, you can treat the greasy area, remove stains, dry clean, wash things by hand or put them in the drum of a washing machine.

To revive shiny areas, you need to:

treat them with a school eraser, a crust of rye bread, a nail file or pumice;
Apply a layer of wet coffee grounds (without sugar, milk, aromatic additives) to brown items, leave for 15 minutes, remove with a brush;
Clean white shoes, gloves or a bag with a sponge and dry tooth powder or baking soda;
extensive damage should be treated with an aqueous solution of ammonia (2:1), then rinsed with running water.

After removing the stain, the material should be dried thoroughly, and then the pile should be lifted with a clothing or toothbrush. If a noticeable mark or stains remain, the clothes will have to be washed completely or taken to the dry cleaner.

Spray paint for suede will help disguise heavily damaged areas. The main thing is to choose the right color.