Repairing Guides

how to repair water damaged suede

by Jaron Jacobson Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • If you think you might have applied too much water, use a dry cloth to absorb some of the excess moisture.
  • Let the suede dry naturally and avoid putting it near a heat source.
  • If you’re fixing suede shoes, put a shoe tree or piece of newspaper in the shoe so it keeps its shape.

If you still have stains try mixing equal parts white vinegar and warm water and gently wipe away with a brush (dip the brush into the cleaning solution, not the suede) and blot with a towel to help absorb some of the water. We've also used Dawn dish soap with warm water. Take your pick.Sep 2, 2017

Full Answer

How to restore suede or nubuck shoes at home?

  • If you think you might have applied too much water, use a dry cloth to absorb some of the excess moisture.
  • Let the suede dry naturally and avoid putting it near a heat source.
  • If you’re fixing suede shoes, put a shoe tree or piece of newspaper in the shoe so it keeps its shape.

How to restore water stained Suede Shoes?

Water stains:

  1. A small bowl of water. A suede brush. ...
  2. Dry the shoes. The sooner the shoes are dry, the sooner you can start cleaning them.
  3. Confirm the shoes are dry. ...
  4. Take a little water in a bowl. ...
  5. Stuff the shoe trees or wads of clean and dry non-colored paper on the inside of each shoe. ...
  6. Spray a layer of suede protector over your shoes. ...

How to repair torn Suede?

Use fabric tape to hold the suede together while it dries.

  • You could also try fitting a clamp over the repaired area. ...
  • If you notice a lot of excess glue that might cause the tape to stick in place, try stuffing the shoe full and then placing a solid weight on top ...
  • If you’re unable to find a way to keep the torn suede together, glue it and leave it to air dry. ...

How to fix scuffed or stained Suede Shoes?

Save Your Suede: How to Properly Care for & Maintain Suede Shoes

  1. Get tough with scuffs. Scuffs can be a particularly unappealing blemish on your suede shoes. ...
  2. Brush them regularly. Brushing can (surprisingly) rid the suede of all sorts of regularities. ...
  3. Use vinegar or talcum powder for tough stains. ...
  4. Add a layer of protection. ...
  5. Store them properly. ...

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Can wet suede be repaired?

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.

Does water permanently damage suede?

The nap is made of small leather “hairs” which become stiff and brittle when they get wet, or when they dry after being wet. Brittle hairs are more likely to break off, and once that happens the suede has been permanently damaged.

Can ruined suede be fixed?

Water damage can only be fixed by adding gentle amounts of water. You can also fix most liquid stains with vinegar and oil stains with cornstarch. Serious damage sometimes cannot be reversed on your own, so take care of your suede to prevent further problems.

How do you revive damaged suede?

To restore your suede shoes at home, gently brush them with a suede brush using a back and forth motion, which will clean and restore the nap. You can use a soft-bristle toothbrush if you don't have a suede brush. If your shoes have stains, try dabbing them with white vinegar. Let the vinegar dry, then brush the area.

How long does it take for suede to dry?

It will take up to 24 hours. Pro tip will be to place a folded paper or cloth underneath the shoe for better results.

What happens when suede gets wet?

If part of your suede shoe gets wet, you might end up with water stains or a tidemark on the suede after drying.

How to prevent suede from getting wet?

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.

How to get suede back to normal?

Spruce up the dried suede with a suede brush to return the soft texture to normal. Once the shoes are clean and completely dry, grab a suede brush and massage the fibers back into position. Work in small circles, massaging each area of the shoe until the fibers are soft and glowing.

How to clean wet suede shoes?

If your shoes are soaking wet, pack them full with tissue paper so they don't shrink as they dry. When the shoes are dry, brush away any dirt or mud with a nylon brush. If you spot any stains, scrub the shoe in a circular motion with a suede eraser. Finish cleaning your shoes by applying a suede-protecting spray to prevent future damage. For tips on how to remove salt or oil stains from your shoes, read on!

How to clean mud off suede?

Lightly brush off any mud or dirt with a suede brush or gentle nylon brush. You can also use a nailbrush or a toothbrush if it is all you have around. Gently, working with the nap (the direction of the suede hairs), brush away any major mud stains. Don't worry about getting them perfectly -- you don't want to to scrub suede while it is still wet if you can help it.

What are suede shoes?

Suedes are fair-weather shoes . Try to avoid wearing them on wet and muddy days.

Why do shoes need water?

Water makes leather (and thus its cousin, suede) a little more pliable, and weaker. Working on wet shoes can lead to warping or cracking. Only add a touch of water when needed for cleaning; otherwise, work on dry shoes. ...

Can you wash suede shoes with water?

Know that water will not ruin your suede shoes if you take your time letting them dry. Do not wipe, rub, or scrub your suede vigorously. When the soft, delicate hairs get wet they will tense up and become brittle, making them easy to rip off. When your shoes get stained or wet, resist the urge to start scrubbing until they are fully dry. With a little bit of patience you can fix most damage to suede shoes.

What to do if you spill water on suede?

For example, if you spill water on the suede, blot it up with a dry towel to absorb as much of the water as possible. The suede will likely dry perfectly fine after that.

How to clean suede?

Brush the suede material using gentle back and forth motions. Stroke the suede with the cleaning brush using gentle sweeping motions many times, covering the entire surface evenly. This will brush off any dust or dirt that's on the suede without causing damage.

How to clean suede leather?

Select a suede brush with soft bristles to get rid of light dirt. Purchase a special cleaning brush designed specifically for suede. These brushes have soft bristles that will clean the suede without damaging it and are perfect for this type of leather.

How to get a wet stain out of suede?

If you spill something on your suede or it somehow gets wet, use a paper towel or clean cloth to blot up the moisture as soon as possible. This will help prevent the wet stain from setting in and drying on your suede, which would make it harder to get out.

What to use to absorb a sanded sand?

Use a thick layer of the cornstarch or talcum powder to be sure it absorbs as much as possible.

How to keep suede shoes from slipping?

1. Remove the laces and insert shoe trees if you're brushing suede shoes. Taking the shoe laces out of your suede shoes will make it easier for you to brush them thoroughly. Either place a shoe tree in each shoe before you brush it, or stuff the shoes with newspaper so they keep their shape.

What is suede used for?

Suede is a type of beautiful, soft leather that's often used to make things like shoes, furniture, or clothing items. If you have a suede item that needs a little fixing up, a suede cleaning brush is a great tool to get rid of most dirt.

How to restore suede?

Bring your suede to a good dry cleaner or leather restorer for treatment. The process takes longer than normal dry cleaning, but an experienced dry cleaner can at least partially restore the quality of your suede. A leather restorer will do the best job and can recommend products to you for future use.

How to get water out of suede shoes?

Brush the shoes with a soft-bristle brush. A suede brush is ideal for this, however, any brush that is not too stiff will work. The brush brings up the nap on the suede, which negates some of the water damage. Do not use a lot of pressure or fast motions.

How to get water stains out of shoes?

Use a clean, dry pencil eraser to lightly rub at any water stains on the shoes. Do not rub too vigorously.

Can you fix suede shoes after water damage?

If you wait too long to repair water-damaged suede, you risk permanent damage. It may be impossible to fix everything, but it is fairly simple to make your suede shoes look a lot better.

How to dry suede if it's wet?

Instead, if your suede is soaking wet, try to absorb as much water as possible with a sponge or towel. but be gentle. Let dry completely at room temperature.

How to get suede back to life?

Once the suede is completely dry you can gently brush it back to life with a suede brush. Work in small circles until the nap is soft and comes back to life.

How to save velvet boots?

If you are trying to save a pair of our velvet boots, I recommend you absorb as much water by blotting with a towel. Then gently brush if needed and allow to dry.

What to do if your hair is dry?

If it still seems dry in places, add additional conditioner.

Can you put a garment out in the sun?

DO NOT apply heat or set your garment out in the sun/heat to dry.

How to get water spots off suede?

It might seem counterintuitive, but water can help you remove any dried water spots on suede. Dampen a clean cloth with water, and gently dab the damp cloth onto the existing stains. Or, use a spray bottle to spritz a light layer of water on the suede. Use the same method with the suede brush to brush away the stains.

What is the best way to clean water spots on suede?

If you have a suede garment or accessory that you love, a suede brush is must. A suede brush can spot treat stains with its soft bristles and easy-to-handle wooden base. Before your water spots dry, gently brush them away.

How to get stains out of suede shoes?

Place the suede shoe or garment on a soft surface -- either stuff shoes with newspaper or place a clean towel inside the lining of a jacket. Then, gently rub the spot with the brush in one direction until the stain disappears.

How to keep suede shoes from drying out?

Let the suede dry fully before adding more water. Let your freshly cleaned suede garment or shoes dry completely before wearing them. Fill your suede shoes with stretchers or newspapers so they maintain their shape while they dry.

How to clean suede before brushing?

If your suede garment got hit with more than just water, make sure it's clean before brushing it. Wipe away any dirt or mud with a soft, dry cloth before taking care of those unsightly water spots.

Is suede soft or hard to clean?

Suede is soft, supple and flexible, but it does have a few drawbacks. Most notably, its napped surface can be hard to clean. Water damage, in particular, is immediately apparent on suede -- you'll notice dark spots and a surface that feels stiffer and less supple. Removing water stains is essential to improving the look and texture ...

How to get water stains out of suede?

How to fix water stains on suede in 4 easy steps. Clean the shoes from loose dirt with a brush (with soft [Amazon link] or brass bristles [Amazon link] – I prefer the soft ones). Make sure that your shoes are dry. Here is the time to take out lases, if you have any.

What happens if you get wet suede?

If part of your suede shoe gets wet, you might end up with water stains or a tidemark on the suede after drying. The good news is that you can easily fix such water-damaged suede following five easy steps.

How to get suede color out of shoes?

Dampen the whole shoe with water using a brush or a sponge. This evens out the color of the suede. Remove any excess water with a towel (I recommend using an old towel since wet suede might release some dye) or a sponge.

How to keep shoes soft?

Put a shoe tree or some white paper inside the shoe to keep the shoes’ shape and let them air dry in a breezy spot in the shade. (If your shoes are very wet, a newspaper is not recommended since it might color your shoes.) When dry, brush your shoes with a suede brush [Amazon link] to make the suede soft again.

Can you wash suede shoes wet?

In fact, when washing suede (or nubuck), you should dampen the whole shoe to clean it, so suede can definitely get wet. But there are some limitations to that statement. Keep reading to find out more. If you want to learn how to clean suede (or nubuck), check out my other post, where I explain in detail how I have revived my 4 years old faded black ...

Can suede get wet?

Generally speaking, yes, suede will not ruin if it gets wet. The same applies to nubuck, which is a similar type of leather. You don’t have to put back your suede shoes because it is raining or snowing outside. In fact, when washing suede (or nubuck), you should dampen the whole shoe to clean it, so suede can definitely get wet.

Can you recolor suede?

The suede dye started to come off, which resulted in a faded color. The good news is that you can recolor suede/nubuck to its original color. For the tutorial in my other blog post, click here. Here are two products that you can use for black shoes (you can select there also a different color option):

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