We can say that everyone loves variety when it comes to shoes. Hence, we see people having different kinds of shoes to match their activities and outfits for different types of occasions. One type of footwear that everyone loves to sport is Suede Boots. While these are down to give you the feel of elegance and complement whatever look you are trying to pull off, we cannot deny the fact that it is one of the most challenging shoes to clean, especially when stained by oil. If you have a pair of suede boots, we have a couple of good and effective methods to help your remove stubborn stains like oil. You will be surprised to know that removing oil stains is not as hard as you have imagined.
How to Clean Oil Stains From Suede Boots
Understanding the Making of Suede Shoes
The difference between leather shoes and suede shoes is their source. Leather is taken from the outer layer of an animal’s skin, while suede is taken from the layer below the hides of pigs, deer, cows, lambs, goats, and other animals. Given its source, you can expect that it is softer and more susceptible to stains as the material itself is very porous.
What to Do When Oil Gets on Your Suede Boots?
The first few seconds are critical when it comes to oil stains. Always remember that when oil spills and comes in contact with your shoes, the early intervention should be to dry it out with some napkin. Tissue or napkin is an effective way to immediately absorb the oil before it completely soaks or seeps in your shoes. This lessens the damage you must deal with, but make sure to always do it in a dabbing motion instead of rubbing it outwards to limit the stained area.
Using Cornstarch
The moment you see oil dripping on your suede boots, take them off or position them on a stable, solid, and flat surface. Grab some napkins and start blotting the oil out of your suede shoes. Take the cornstarch from your pantry and get enough to cover the entire area. Make sure to spread it entirely until the stain is completely covered.
After leaving it to soak the oil, you can start removing the cornstarch with a microfiber cloth. It is easy to sweep the cornstarch off the surface, but if it becomes a challenge, you put a bit of water to moisten it. Make sure to do it with lukewarm water and to squeeze excess water out of it before using it to clean it. Once done, let your suede boots dry alfresco away from other forms of heat as it can be damaging to the material.
Alternatively, a toothbrush can be used to remove debris from the stain. With a brushing motion, begin at the top part going downwards. Through this method, the fibers of your suede boots are softened, and the naps are raised, making it look good as new again. If the stain is not taken off on the first try, repeat the procedures as necessary. Please take note that stubborn and hard-to-remove stains may take two or three repetitions before they are completely removed.
Using Dish Soap
Like the first procedure, you must try to do damage control by blotting the stain with a napkin or a paper towel. Press the paper towel over the oil stain for at least a minute and see it absorb as much oil as it can. After the process, head over to your cleaning station and get a dishwashing soap that is intended to work with grease. Pour some dishwashing soap over the stained area and leave for 10 minutes.
Use Suede Cleaners in Removing Oil Stains
For better results, you can resort to using suede cleaners. Start by placing your suede boots on a flat and firm surface. Prepare a nylon scrub, a toothbrush, or a suede brush. Use the brush to remove debris starting from the top to the bottom part of the shoe. You can also use a suede erase to life the oil from the fabric. From there, you can proceed to use a suede cleaner to spray the affected area with. In case it does not come in a spray bottle, you can use approximately 4.9 ml of cleaner to wet the microfiber cloth and then spread it in the area.
Conclusion
The beauty of knowing how to take care of suede boots instantly gives you more confidence in wearing them anytime, anywhere. The fear of having damaged suede boots because of staining, particularly with oil, does not have to bother you anymore. With all the information mentioned above, you will be calmer and more confident the next time your suede boots encounter a mishap.
Also read:
Can you wear suede shoes in the rain
How to keep shoes from dry rotting
