6 Ways to Clean Suede Shoes Without Suede Cleaner (Because Life Happens and So Does Mud)

So you got suede shoes. Brave. Stylish. Slightly high-maintenance, but we love them anyway. Until you step in something questionable or realize that what looked like a cute walk in the park was more of a suede sabotage mission.

And then it hits you: you don’t have suede cleaner. Of course you don’t. Who keeps that stuff on hand? It’s one of those oddly specific things like a melon baller or a fondue set—great in theory, but rarely in the average human’s supply closet.

But don’t panic. Your suede babies aren’t doomed.

Here’s how to clean suede shoes without suede cleaner—using stuff you probably already have sitting around the house. Trust me, your kicks will thank you.

1. White vinegar: The multitasker MVP of your pantry

Okay, vinegar smells like feet already, so it’s kind of poetic that it fixes shoes. Don’t pour it straight on though—we’re not that chaotic. Dab a little white vinegar on a clean cloth or cotton ball. Then gently blot the stained area. Emphasis on gently. Suede is dramatic. It gets offended easily.

The vinegar might make the spot look darker at first, but don’t freak. Let it dry completely (I mean completely)—then grab a suede brush or an old toothbrush and brush it out. Stain? Who? Never met her.

2. The trusty suede brush… or a toothbrush in disguise

If you actually do have a suede brush, you win. You’re ahead of the game. Use it to bring the nap (the soft texture) back to life and lift dirt out like magic.

If you don’t, a clean, dry toothbrush works too. It’s like using a butter knife when you don’t have a flathead screwdriver—improvise and move on.

Brush in one direction. Don’t go scrubbing all willy-nilly like you’re exfoliating your elbows. Suede is a diva. Gentle strokes. Like you’re petting a tiny suede cat.

3. Rubbing alcohol: Suede’s unexpected bestie

This one’s sneaky. Rubbing alcohol dries quickly and lifts out stains without soaking the material. Use the same method as vinegar—dab it on a cloth, blot the stain, and let it dry.

Then brush it out like nothing ever happened.

This trick is weirdly satisfying because the alcohol evaporates fast and it’s like watching your mistakes disappear in real time. Honestly, if only it worked on texts sent at 2 AM.

4. Pencil eraser: Not just for middle school math tests

You know that smudge that’s not really a stain but still makes your shoe look kinda tired? Eraser. Regular old pink eraser. (Not the weird crumbly ones from the dollar store though—those disintegrate like your willpower near fries.)

Rub it lightly over the scuff mark and watch it disappear like it was never there. Is it a little weird to be erasing your shoes? Yes. Is it also kind of genius? Also yes.

5. Cornstarch: Bye-bye, greasy surprise

So you dropped something oily. Fries. Dressing. Some unidentifiable street food. It happens. Cornstarch can help soak that up like a charm.

Sprinkle a generous amount right on the greasy spot. Leave it alone—don’t touch it, don’t brush it, don’t poke at it. Let it sit overnight if you can. It needs time to do its thing.

Then the next day, brush it off. It’s a Cinderella story in powder form.

6. Baking soda: For the stuff that’s… funkier than usual

If your shoes are looking okay but smelling not okay, baking soda is your friend. You can also use it for mystery stains or weird discoloration.

Sprinkle a bit directly on the problem area, let it sit for a few hours, then brush it off. You can also stick some in a sock, tie it off, and leave it inside your shoes overnight. It’s like a spa day for your sneakers. Or a detox.

Either way, things will smell a lot better in the morning.

But wait—don’t forget this part

Once your shoes are clean, don’t just toss them back into the chaos of your hallway. Store them somewhere dry. Stuff them with newspaper to keep their shape. Give them a quick brush now and then to keep the nap fresh.

And if you do end up buying suede cleaner one day—hey, no shame. That stuff’s handy. But it’s nice to know you’ve got backup plans, right?

One last thing before you go scrubbin’…

Suede is picky. What works on one stain might not work on another. So always test a small, hidden area first if you’re trying something new. No one wants a DIY horror story on their hands (or feet).

Oh—and if your suede shoes are light beige? Maybe don’t wear them to a music festival, yeah?

Take care of those kicks. They’ve got places to go and outfits to complete.

Got a weird suede cleaning hack that worked for you? Drop it in the comments—I need to know.