Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

I Finally Found Suede Cleaners That Fixed My Boots After Rain Destroyed Them

Purple Star emoji 36 items
You wore your suede boots in the rain one time and now they look like they survived a mud run. Water stains, salt lines, scuff marks everywhere. I went through five different products before landing on the combo that actually brought my boots back. I...
Sections
6
 
 
 
 
 
 

Suede Brushes That Actually Remove Stains Without Wrecking the Nap

I scrubbed my first pair of suede boots with a regular brush and basically shaved them bald. These are the ones that clean without destroying that soft texture you paid for.

 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Grab this if you keep finding mystery scuff marks after every night out. The brass bristles got out a salt stain I thought was permanent, and the rubber side smoothed everything back down in maybe two minutes.
Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Keep this by the door if you're someone who forgets to treat shoes before wearing them. I used it on a pair of tan suede chelseas after a full week of rain and the water rings vanished. Wish I had it three winters ago.
KIWI Suede Boot & Shoe Care Kit
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Toss this in your bag when you travel. Super light but the bristles are stiff enough to pull dried mud out of suede without leaving scratch marks. Saved my desert boots on a trip to Portland last October.
Fiebing's Suede Cleaner And Nubuck Kit Bars
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Use the crepe rubber side first, then flip to the bristle side. My roommate borrowed it for her suede jacket and the collar looked brand new after five minutes of gentle brushing.
JobSite Suede & Nubuck Leather Cleaning Brush
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
For anyone who collects suede sneakers and panics every time it drizzles. The nylon bristles are soft enough for delicate kicks but firm enough to actually do something. Tried it on Jordan 5 suede panels with zero issues.
Customer reviews for Angelus Suede & Nubuck Cleaner Kit
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Switch to this if you've been using a toothbrush like I was. The eraser block handles small spots while the brush covers larger areas. Got through a whole closet of suede shoes in one Sunday afternoon.
Sof Sole Suede and Nubuck Brush with Cleaning Eraser

Suede Erasers for Spot Cleaning Scuffs and Dry Stains

Sometimes you just need to rub out one annoying mark without pulling out an entire cleaning kit. These erasers sit in my junk drawer and have saved me from replacing shoes I thought were done.

 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Snag this for those dark scuff marks that show up after someone steps on your foot at a bar. I rubbed out a black streak on light gray suede in about 30 seconds. No water needed, no mess.
Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Throw one in your work bag if you wear suede loafers to the office. A coworker bumped my shoe with her rolling chair and left a nasty mark. This took it right off before my next meeting.
Sof Sole Suede and Nubuck Brush with Cleaning Eraser
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
For the person who buys suede but lives in constant fear of ruining it. It crumbles a little as you use it, like a pencil eraser, but that's how you know it's working. Pulled a grease spot off my suede clutch.
KIWI Suede & Nubuck Waterproofer Spray, 4.25 oz
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Try this on dried water stains before you resort to anything liquid. I had a ring on my suede ankle boots from stepping in a puddle and this erased it completely. Took about 45 seconds of gentle rubbing.
Fiebing's Suede Cleaner And Nubuck Kit Bars
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Pair this with a brush for the full rescue mission. My husband wore his suede dress shoes to a wedding on grass and they came home looking tragic. Eraser first, brush second, and they looked presentable again.
Customer reviews for Angelus Suede & Nubuck Cleaner Kit
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Get this one if you also need it for nubuck or fabric shoes, not just suede. Worked on my hiking boots and my daughter's canvas sneakers the same week. Versatile and cheap enough to keep a spare.
Gear Aid Revivex Suede and Fabric Boot Care Kit

Suede Protector Sprays to Stop the Damage Before It Starts

Cleaning suede after the damage is fine, but spraying it before you walk out the door is what actually keeps you from panicking every time you check the weather app.

 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Spray this on before the first wear and forget about it for weeks. I treated a pair of brown suede boots in September and they survived three rainstorms before I even thought about reapplying.
Scotchgard Suede & Nubuck Shoe Protective Spray
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Use this if you live somewhere with actual winters. Salt, slush, random puddles. I sprayed my boots once in November and the water literally beaded off during a December snowstorm.
KIWI Boot Waterproofer Tough Silicone Waterproof Spray
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
For sneakerheads who want to actually wear their suede pairs outside. Sprayed my suede Pumas before a concert and someone spilled beer near my feet. Wiped right off. No stain, no drama.
Crep Protect Shoe Spray Protection, White, One Size
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Try this on work boots if you're tired of coming home with waterlogged suede. My brother works construction and swears by it. One coat lasts him about two weeks of daily wear.
Rust-Oleum 280886 NeverWet 11-Ounce Boot and Shoe
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Grab this for suede bags and jackets too, not just shoes. I sprayed my suede crossbody before a trip to London and it survived four days of British drizzle without a single water mark.
Gard-More Water & Stain Repellent 5.5oz
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Stock up before fall hits. Last year I waited too long and my favorite suede boots got caught in a downpour unprotected. Never again. This one dries clear and doesn't change the color or feel at all.
Sof Sole 12 oz. Heavy Duty Silicone Water Proofer Spray

Suede Cleaning Solutions for Deep Stains That Brushes Cannot Fix

When brushing and erasing aren't cutting it, sometimes you need actual liquid cleaner. These saved a few pairs I was genuinely about to throw away.

 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Ditch whatever dish soap hack you saw on TikTok and use this instead. A few drops on a damp cloth pulled an oil stain out of my suede Jordans that had been there for months.
Angelus Easy Cleaner - 8 oz, Bottle
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Bring this out for the deep cleans. I do mine once a month and it keeps my suede rotation looking fresh. Works best with their brush but honestly any soft bristle brush does the job.
RESHOEVN8R Sneaker Cleaning Solution, 8oz
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Swap to this when your suede has faded so badly that cleaning alone won't help. Re-dyed a pair of black suede boots that had turned grayish and they looked like the day I bought them.
Fiebing's Leathercraft Suede Dye 4oz Bottles - Beige
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Use this on lighter colored suede where every little mark shows. Got coffee drips off cream suede flats. Applied with a cloth, let it dry, brushed it out. The whole thing took ten minutes.
Lincoln Lincoln Ez Cleaner Shoe Care As One Size
placeholder
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
For the friend who owns more sneakers than regular shoes. A little goes a long way, and it's gentle enough that I've never had it lighten or discolor any suede pair I've used it on.
Customer reviews for Jason Markk Sneaker Cleaner
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Get this if you want cleaner and protector in one purchase. Cleaned my suede Chelsea boots, sprayed them down, and they've handled two weeks of commuting through wet sidewalks since then.
SHOE MGK Clean and Protect Kit

Shoe Trees and Storage That Keep Suede From Losing Its Shape

Spent all that time cleaning your boots just to shove them in a pile at the bottom of your closet? That crease down the toe box is crying for help. These keep everything structured between wears.

 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Slip these in right after you take your shoes off. Cedar absorbs moisture and keeps the suede from getting that musty smell. My boots used to get funky after rainy days and now they don't.
Stratton Men's Adjustable Split Toe Cedar Shoe Tree 2-Pack
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Perfect if you wear suede flats or shorter boots that tend to collapse when stored. These kept the toe shape intact on my suede loafers all summer while they sat in the closet.
Cedar Shoe Tree Trees For Men & Women
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Toss these inside tall suede boots so they don't flop over and crease at the ankle. I stored my knee-high boots standing up all winter and they held their shape the entire season.
Whitmor Clear Vue Men's Shoe Box - Set of 3 - Clear PVC
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Pair this with boot shapers if your closet is small. Hangs on the door and keeps suede boots off the dusty floor. My studio apartment closet finally makes sense.
Misslo 30 Pockets Hanging Shoe Organizer, Gray
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Tuck these inside your suede shoes between wears. They absorb sweat and odor without any chemical fragrance. Way better than those weird dryer sheet hacks people suggest.
Household Essentials Cedar Fresh Spray Air Freshener
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Use this if your shoes are currently living in a pile. Suede needs airflow to stay dry and this keeps everything spaced out. Assembled it in fifteen minutes and immediately regretted not buying it sooner.
Whitmor 4-Tier Shoe Rack, 20-Pair, White, Metal Plastic

Suede Restoration Products for Boots You Almost Gave Up On

Sometimes the damage goes beyond a quick brush or spray. These are the products I pulled out when I was one bad stain away from donating a pair. Every single time, they earned a second life.

 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Grab this when fading makes your boots look five years older than they are. Re-dyed my navy suede boots and the color came back rich and even. Apply thin coats and let each one dry completely.
Fiebing's, Suede Dye, Black, Recolor and Restore Leather
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Try this when the nap is matted down and brushing alone isn't bringing it back. A few light passes restored the texture on a pair of suede desert boots I'd basically written off.
Saphir Renovateur Suede & Nubuck Conditioning Spray
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
For anyone sitting on a pair of faded suede shoes they refuse to throw out. One can covered both boots evenly and the color matched almost perfectly to the original shade.
Moneysworth and Best, Suede Renew Conditioner Spray
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Use this for custom color jobs or fixing uneven fading. Dyed a pair of tan suede sneakers to a darker brown and they looked intentional, not patched up. Comes with an applicator that makes it easy.
Angelus® Suede Dye, 3 oz. Black
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Switch to this after cleaning to add moisture back. Suede dries out just like regular leather, and dried-out suede cracks and peels. One spray every few weeks keeps things soft and flexible.
Bickmore Suede And Nubuck Cleaner, 8 oz
 
Lilith Evangeline profile picture
Snag this if you need a specific color match. They make dozens of shades so you're not stuck with generic brown or black. Found the exact cognac shade for my ankle boots and the results were ridiculous.
Tarrago Suede Renovator Spray, 250ml, #18 Black