Cleaning suede boots

• Mar 24, 2021

• #1

handymike

Messages

10,989

Location

SoCal

Hello everyone,
I just received a pair of gently used suede boots that have a few dark smudges on the toe. Is there a way to clean and spruce them up a bit, or am I stuck?
Thanks for the advice!

 

• Mar 24, 2021

• #2

Kubatu

A-List Customer

Messages

445

This is what I've used to decent success, although mainly on jackets: https://www.kiwicare.com/en-us/products/kiwi-suede-and-nubuck-care-kit

It's just a cheap brush and eraser kit. The eraser typically gets off whatever has caused the dark spot or mark, and the brush is used to bring the nap(?) of the suede back up to look uniform with the rest of the shoe.

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #3

M Brown

A-List Customer

Messages

335

Location

N Tx

it's character!

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #4

Hurricane Jack

Messages

17,586

I would use a magic eraser on the spots followed by a dry hat sponge on the general area.

 

Last edited: Mar 25, 2021

• Mar 25, 2021

• #5

Peacoat

*

Bartender

Messages

6,311

Location

South of Nashville

Kubatu said:

This is what I've used to decent success, although mainly on jackets: https://www.kiwicare.com/en-us/products/kiwi-suede-and-nubuck-care-kit

It's just a cheap brush and eraser kit. The eraser typically gets off whatever has caused the dark spot or mark, and the brush is used to bring the nap(?) of the suede back up to look uniform with the rest of the shoe.

Click to expand...

I've used this kit before with fairly good results.

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #6

Harris HTM

One Too Many

Messages

1,802

Location

the Netherlands

https://www.schoenspanners.nl/saphir-omninettoyant-cleaner.html
Check the very instructional video, it is also subtitled in Dutch but if you need any help please ask. The product is totally recommended, I've done it myself as well.
In general you can 100% trust the Sapphir D'Or products.

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #7

D

Dmartin

New in Town

Messages

16

Will it darken the leather?

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #8

Harris HTM

One Too Many

Messages

1,802

Location

the Netherlands

Dmartin said:

Will it darken the leather?

Click to expand...

Only until it gets dry. If you are going to use it on a very light shade I would try it in the tongue first though, just to be sure.

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #9

D

Dmartin

New in Town

Messages

16

Thanks. Yes I have some tan colored Chelsea's and actually have the cleaner here, just too scared to mess them up. I will give it a try. I am a big fan of their products.

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #10

Harris HTM

One Too Many

Messages

1,802

Location

the Netherlands

Chelsea's are tricky as they don't actually have a hidden area as tongues. My experience says that it darkens only when soaked and when dry it goes back to original colour.
Good luck and let us know!

 

• Mar 25, 2021

• #11

D

Dmartin

New in Town

Messages

16

Fortunately, they are in good condition. Precautionary measures for this delicate leather

 

• Mar 29, 2021

• #12

A

Aerielle Max

One of the Regulars

Messages

114

Kubatu said:

This is what I've used to decent success, although mainly on jackets: https://www.kiwicare.com/en-us/products/kiwi-suede-and-nubuck-care-kit

It's just a cheap brush and eraser kit. The eraser typically gets off whatever has caused the dark spot or mark, and the brush is used to bring the nap(?) of the suede back up to look uniform with the rest of the shoe.

Click to expand...

This kit did amazing to mine. Definitely recommend having this.