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If there’s one thing that makes suede shoes difficult to own, it’s the cleaning process. Because they’re made out of a special material, it can be very taxing to clean them once they get dirty. And no matter how hard you try to keep them clean, they eventually will need some cleaning in the future. But don’t worry, because we’ve got the perfect solution for you.
Shoe cleaning kits are the best way to maintain your shoes, suede or otherwise. The best suede shoe cleaner kits are both beginner-friendly and come with everything you need to get started. Here are our favorite picks for suede shoe cleaner kits.
Our Picks of the Hottest Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit
Gold Standard Premium Shoe Cleaning Kit — Best Overall
Elevate your shoe care routine with the Gold Standard Premium Shoe Cleaning Kit, a comprehensive solution for keeping your footwear looking pristine. This deluxe kit includes everything you need to maintain the quality and appearance of your favorite shoes, from sneakers to leather boots.
With a gentle yet effective cleaning solution, premium brushes, and microfiber cloths, this kit effortlessly removes dirt, stains, and grime, restoring your shoes to their original brilliance. Whether you're a sneakerhead looking to preserve the freshness of your kicks or a professional wanting to keep your leather shoes in top condition, the Gold Standard Premium Shoe Cleaning Kit is your go-to choice for impeccable shoe care.
Pros
- Includes a brush for deep cleaning
- Great as a gift
- Makes shoes water-resistant
Cons
- Can't remove very old stains
Alloda Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit — Most Versatile
If you own nothing that you can use to clean your shoes, then this kit has all the tools and materials needed for your cleaning journey. The kit contains a triple-sided brush, a towel, and a foam cleaning solution. The tools are reusable, of course, whereas the foam solution will last you around 80 pairs of shoes give or take. This should be more than enough to last a single person many years.
The formula that comes with the kit actually amplifies the look of the shoes. It’s safe to use on leather, suede, and even sneaker shoes, and the result makes the shoes look brighter and cleaner than before. The difference is particularly visible in traditional leather shoes, which are the best when it comes to showing off a good shine.
Pros
- Works on all types of shoes
- Comes with everything you need to clean
Cons
- The carrying pouch isn’t very high-quality
MAXIMILIAN Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit — Great Gift
If you want to clean your shoes in a professional manner, then you’re going to need the right tools for the job. This set of suede shoe cleaners contains two important tools - a brush and an eraser. Like the previous product in our list, it contains no cleaner, but the main difference between the two products lies in their quality. This set of cleaner tools looks much more refined and high-quality, making them great for cleaning expensive shoes.
The brush actually supports what they call 4-way brushing - you can clean your shoe in four different ways, and while you won’t use all of the different modes evenly, the option being available is always a nice plus. These tools are also made specifically for both suede and nubuck, so they’re especially useful at cleaning up old suedes.
Pros
- Made specifically for suedes
- Four-way brush
Cons
- You probably won’t use all the brush modes
Simple Shine. Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit — Clean-looking Tools
This last set of suede cleaning tools is perfect for those who are more aesthetically minded. Both the brushes and the erasers have a minimal yet stylish design to them. This makes them look very nice on the top of a shoe rack, even if they’re essentially on the same level as a broom and dustpan. The tools included are a bristle brush, crepe brush, and eraser.
The crepe brush works when removing marks without damaging the actual shoe, whereas the nylon bristle brush removes any dust or debris from the suede. Finally, the eraser gets rid of stains, and you’ve got two of them to boot, so you’ll have more than enough to work with. The only real issue is that the brush is made out of nylon and not horsehair, and nylon is a decent bristle material anyway, so it’s not too bad.
Pros
- With crepe brush
- Two erasers
Cons
- Bristle is made out of nylon which may be too rough on some shoes
KIWI Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit — Honorable Mention
All-purpose cleaning formulas are great and all, but if you want your suedes in particular to look their best, then this cleaning kit is what you’re looking for. It contains various products that you can use to clean your suede shoes, including a cleaner formula, a suede protector formula, a cleaning brush, a cleaning cloth, and even an eraser block.
The formula helps get rid of especially stubborn stains and marks on your suede shoes, which are often some of the hardest to remove. The protector formula also creates a layer over your shoes that keeps the actual suede material safe from dust and dirt accumulation. It’s a great added layer of protection when you’re walking outdoors.
Pros
- Made specifically for suedes
- Protects suede from dust
Cons
- Not ideal for other shoe types
Jason Markk Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit — Also Consider
Need something small and simple? This suede cleaning kit has the only two tools you need to clean a pair of suede shoes - a brush and an eraser. The brush is there to remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated on our shoes over time, and they’re made out of horsehair bristles, giving the brush a nice and smooth feel to it while also being very sturdy and durable.
Then there’s the eraser. The stain eraser, as the name suggests, removes any stains that it may come across. You may need to use it with a formula (which is not included) for some really tough stains, but other than that, it’s useful nonetheless. While simple at first glance, the tools included in this kit are of good quality, making the purchase well worth your money.
Pros
- Comes with brush and eraser
- High-quality tools
Cons
- No cleaning formula included
Buying Guide: Suede Shoe Cleaner Kits
A suede shoe won’t look nearly as good without a decent cleaning. This guide will cover all you need to know about suede shoe cleaning kits.
Why Are Suede Shoes Difficult to Clean?
Suede’s got a lot going for it - it’s supple leather, and compared to traditional leather shoes, you can get a more comfortable fit without picking the perfect size. Suede also has this unique fuzzy look to it that makes it stand out amongst any other type of shoe. So by these standards, suede is a great material, if it wasn’t for one particular issue - it’s annoying to maintain.
You see, due to the fuzziness and overall nature of suede, it can very easily accumulate dust, dirt, mud, and stains. While leather is generally more resistant to this sort of thing, suede isn’t, and unless you’re very careful with where you walk, you’re bound to get it dirtied or stained in the future.
As such suede is usually reserved for special events and occasions, particularly those held indoors. It’s not because suede is perceived as luxurious or anything - many people just don’t want to have to deal with cleaning the shoes after bringing them outside. You never know what’ll get your shoes dirty out there, after all.
Types of Suede Shoe Cleaning Brushes
The brush is the classic tool for all cleaning kits, especially shoe cleaning kits. Shoes end up making contact with a lot of dirt and dust, and although the sole of your shoe does most of the contacting, the airborne dust and dirt particles move around and settle atop or beside your shoe. This means that, over time, your suede shoes will become dirty, whether you use them or not.
With a brush, you can easily remove the particles and debris that get stuck onto the suede. It also helps remove any particles present in the crevices of suede shoes, if they have any. Brushes are a quintessential part of a shoe cleaning kit, and suede shoes would not be perfectly clean without them.
Horsehair brushes
Shoe brushes are commonly made out of one of two materials - horsehair and nylon. Horsehair has the advantage of being soft and gentle on suede, which is ideal if you want to preserve the look of your shoes. However, they are the more expensive of the two, which isn’t great if you’re on a budget.
Nylon brushes
On the other hand, nylon’s a lot more durable, but this comes at the cost of being rougher around the edges - literally. Nylon brushes are tough, and while this can be useful if you’re scrubbing the floor or cleaning a wall, they’re not very gentle towards shoes, and this can damage the quality of your shoes if you aren’t careful.
Types Of Suede Shoe Kit Formulas
Cleaning formula
Cleaning formulas are meant to help, well, clean. They contain cleaning agents that remove stains and dirt without actually causing harm to your suede shoes. They’re often made specifically for suede shoes, though some general-purpose cleaning formulas claim to work with suedes.
If you want to really get rid of the stains on your suede shoes, then cleaning formulas are your best bet. They’re designed specifically for this purpose, and they often last many, many uses. You’ll even have plenty of formula left over after a year of use as long as you use it every now and then.
The only downside to suede cleaning formulas is that they can be pretty dangerous to use. They contain harsh chemicals that may be dangerous to exposed wounds, and you definitely don’t want them near your pets or children. Always be sure to keep them away from places where your child or pet can reach just so that nothing bad happens.
Strengthening/protecting formula
If cleaning formulas are the cure, then strengthening or protecting formulas is the prevention. The way they work is simple - they coat the outside of your suede shoes in a protective layer that blocks away dirt and debris from getting onto your shoes. They won’t stop stains, but at least your shoes will look cleaner than they normally would, especially if you walk outside with them.
Strengthening formulas are perfect if you want to use your suede shoes outdoors. Typically, using suede is pretty risky, especially if you’re walking in an area with mud, but with the right formula, you can keep them looking clean. Just be sure to avoid getting your shoes dirty whenever you can, because your shoes aren’t invincible even with a protecting formula coating the shoe.
How Often Should I Clean My Suede Shoes?
Suede shoes do need regular maintenance in order to keep them looking good as new, but exactly how often should you clean your suede shoes? The answer is simple - as needed. Suede shoes are not meant to be cleaned every day, and you probably don’t need to if you don’t wear them all the time.
A general rule of thumb to follow is if you visibly see stains on your suede shoes, then it may be a good time to clean them. Otherwise, you’re probably fine. You can simply brush off the dust or debris that may accumulate on your shoe over time, but actual cleaning isn’t really required unless the shoe lost its color or a stain is present.
