Q&A for How to Fix Wet Suede Shoes

In most cases, yes. Blot all the areas that got wet to soak up as much of the water as you can. Then, take a suede brush or toothbrush and brush the suede back and forth for several minutes. You can also put a hairdryer a foot away while you're brushing to bring life back to the shoes.

Liquid can ruin suede. To prevent this, use a suede protector when you first buy the shoes. This way, you make sure the shoes are protected before they get wet. If suede dries incorrectly, it hardens up and can change the shape of the shoe. If your shoe does get wet, place a cedar shoe tree inside each shoe to help keep the right shape.

If your suede shoes have not been protected by adding some sort of appropriate waterproofing spray to them, then it is more likely than not that they will be ruined in the rain, especially if it’s a heavy soaking. This is because suede shoes do not have a natural protection against water and will easily stain when wet. Once water stains have marked suede shoes it is very hard to make them look good again.

Start by drying the shoes gently, then brushing off any mud or dirt that has caked onto the shoes. To remove stains, purchase and use a suede eraser, moving it gently in circular motions. It is very important to avoid scrubbing or rubbing the suede because this will damage the felt and once it has been damaged, it cannot be restored. To finish, use a suede brush to try to restore the texture. For more details on fixing the shoes after they’ve been soaked with water and for specific stains like oil, salt or vinegar, see the steps above.

If the suede shoes have been covered with an appropriate waterproofing substance, then the shoes should be able to withstand getting wet; just set them out somewhere warm, away from direct heat, to dry. On the other hand, if the shoes have not been protected, it is highly likely that the suede will be spoiled, with water stains marking it. For treatment options, see the steps above.

While there is some advice out there that it is okay to toss your suede shoes into the washing machine, it’s not recommended unless you’re prepared for the shoes to look worse after washing. Suede is a particularly delicate shoe material and the best thing you can do is to spray waterproof or Scotch-guard for shoes on them, to protect them from getting stained and dirty in the first place. The best way to clean them is spot cleaning, using a suede eraser, a suede brush, and gentle methods (see the steps above for help with this). They are a high maintenance shoe, but this can be reduced by adding protection on them from the outset, rather than risking stains long term. If they are in bad condition, get them cleaned professionally.

Follow the same steps, but rub your shoes with a solid scented wax or dry bar of soap to get rid of the smell.

First, cover your feet with one or two pairs of socks, the thicker the better! Then, put on your shoes and blast them on medium heat for 30 seconds. You want to move the nozzle to different spots on your shoes to avoid overheating any particular area.

Slowly brush the sand off the shoe, then blow on the shoe to remove any stuck-on pieces.

With a warm, slightly damp cloth, insert your hand into the shoes and apply pressure to the tight areas, coaxing them to expand. Press the cloth against the suede. The warmth and slight moisture will encourage it to become more pliable.