You should avoid using water directly on suede (especially tap water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals) and instead opt for a specialized suede cleaning solution like our Ready-to-Use Foam Cleaner. The light and fluffy foam will clean the suede without over-saturating the material. 

1. Apply a liberal amount of foam onto the bristles of your Delicates Cleaning Brush. 
2. Using light pressure, scrub the entire upper of the shoes using a circular motion. 
3. Be sure to give heavily soiled areas a bit more attention. Don’t forget to give your midsoles a good scrub and wipe as well!

If you’ve ever worn suede in the rain, you know that suede and water generally don’t mix. When suede gets wet, it can develop water stains, lose its soft texture, and become stiff. It can also cause the dye to run, causing blotchiness and fading. 

Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid getting outerwear and shoes wet. If your suede gets wet, gently blot the moisture with a clean microfiber towel. Once the suede is dry, use the Suede Handle Brush (included in the Suede Cleaning Kit) to restore its softness.

Finally, use a waterproofing spray like Repel to protect suede from the elements, including dirt, scuffs, and rain.

To dry suede, use a microfiber towel to dab and twist the suede for a few minutes, soaking up as much dampness as possible. The suede will begin to evenly dry and the nap of the suede will begin to lift. At this point, use your Suede Handle Brush to work the nap of the suede back-and-forth to restore its buttery nap.

The drying process is a time consuming step, but very necessary. If you leave the shoes to air dry and skip this step, the nap of the suede will mat down and it will be extremely difficult to bring back.

Repel is a water resistant protectant spray that comes in a non-aerosol can that sprays a continuous fine mist. It's PFAS-Free, so you don’t have to worry about breathing toxic “forever chemicals.” 

You can spray up to 4 coats (be sure to let them dry fully in-between) on your suede shoes or garments, making them more resistant to water. Keep in mind that no product can fully waterproof a shoe made out of a porous material like suede, but as long as you’re not wading in puddles, your feet should stay dry.

The most part, you can clean nubuck the same way you would suede. For both materials, the Suede Cleaning Kit is an excellent choice. Its gentle brush and eraser work well on both suede and nubuck, removing dirt without damaging delicate surfaces.