How to remove oil stains from suede shoes

What is this text about? In this text we will answer the following questions: how to clean suede from greasy stains how to remove an oil stain from suede how to clean a greasy stain from suede How to remove a greasy stain from suede shoes

Suede shoes look expensive and beautiful. But many do not want to buy it because of the fastidious care it takes. Suede gets dirty easily and is difficult to clean. This opinion is wrong. You can extend the life of your shoes if you properly care for them and remove dirt in a timely manner.

Cleaning stains of all kinds is not difficult, the main thing is to use the right product to solve the problem.

Cleaning methods

The structure of suede has a fine pile. When moisture gets in, it is easily absorbed, after which the suede becomes rougher. This is the main difficulty in caring for shoes. Below are a few tips to follow before you begin your cleanse.

First, you need to determine the origin of the pollution. Dirt, dust, and sand are easily removed from the surface of the product, but oily stains disappear a little more difficult.
It is better to remove stains promptly. The more time has passed since the contamination was received, the more difficult it is to eliminate it.
When using a special cleaning agent, it is first tested on the reverse side. If no changes in the color and structure of the material are observed, the product can be used without fear.
Suede is put in order only after complete drying. When the pile is wet, it is easy to damage.
Read also: How to wash a sweatshirt so that it becomes clean and retains its shape
It is preferable to use dry cleaning methods. Suede does not like water.
Shoes should dry naturally; they should not be dried on radiators, heaters, or electric dryers.

General care recommendations

When you decide to clean suede on your own, before using any cleaner you need to test it on an inconspicuous area of the item. And:

Suede products should only be cleaned dry or wet, but not too wet. Full contact with water will cause the material to warp and harden after drying. Items made from natural suede cannot be washed.
Stains should be cleaned during the daytime and in good lighting. This will allow you to notice all the pollution and their boundaries.
Clean with brushes or sponges without much effort and completely remove any cleaning agent used.
Do not use salt to remove stains on dark colored materials. This may affect its color.
Treatment with a special water-repellent agent before the first and subsequent use of the product will protect it from rain, sleet and splashes from passing cars.
After wet cleaning, suede clothing, shoes or accessories should be thoroughly wiped with a soft, dry cloth and dried, having first straightened it well. Drying should be done avoiding the proximity of heaters, radiators and other heat sources.

Faux suede can be washed in a washing machine on the most delicate cycle and at a temperature of no more than 30°C. Do not spin or dry. Do not squeeze or twist the item. Dry, smoothed by hand, on a non-fading sheet (terry towel) or on a hanger with sloping shoulders. Just let the water drain.

If the stain is dry

Old stains can be removed using special products - suede cleaners. They can be purchased at shoe stores. The products use surfactants; they easily remove almost any contaminant without leaving any residue.

You can use handy products that you always have at home to get rid of stains.

Vinegar, 9% or diluted vinegar essence. Dilute 2 tablespoons of 9% vinegar in one liter of water. The solution is applied to the suede surface using a clean viscose napkin. Vinegar perfectly removes old traces of dirt and cleans the pile. As a result of using this method, the shoes acquire their original presentation.
Ammonia. A few drops of alcohol are added to a glass of water. The resulting mixture is applied evenly in a thin layer to the entire surface of the shoe and left until completely dry. Alcohol absorbs dirt well and easily removes it.
Hydrogen peroxide. A small amount of peroxide is mixed with a glass of water and the solution is applied to the stain. Wipe the shoes several times with a clean napkin. Finally, use a suede eraser to treat the entire surface of the product.
Steam cleaner. If it is not there, then you can use the resulting steam from boiling water. Bring a pan of water to a boil and hold shoes over it. The lice are cleaned with a special brush. As a result of exposure to steam, the fibers rise, the dirt disappears, and the shoes gain additional shine.

How to remove grease stains from suede shoes

Daily cleaning of light suede from street dust with a special brush will help prevent heavy contamination of light suede. If the item is wet, you can begin processing only after it has completely dried. Dirt should also begin to be removed after it has completely dried.

Suede has poor water tolerance. This means that when treating a thing with a product mixed with water, it is undesirable to soak it through. Do not stretch all stages using liquids, rub without applying strong pressure to the product.

Stains from light suede can be cleaned using one of the following methods.

Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in warm skim milk (100 ml).
Problem areas are wiped with gauze, bandage or cotton wool soaked in the resulting soda-milk solution.
After this, go over the treated areas again with a clean, well-moistened cloth or sponge.
Then wipe with dry gauze or cloth, which absorbs moisture after treatment.
After 1-1.5 hours, the product will dry and can be cleaned with a brush. This will return the velvety feel and lift the pile.

The method is suitable for removing old stains. All components for the mixture are taken in a 1:1:1 ratio. First, wipe the stain with milk, then apply the prepared mixture to the “non-removable” stains. Once dry, remove with a brush.

A teaspoon of ammonia is diluted in 100 ml of water. Soak a sponge or gauze in the solution. And changing them as often as possible, with light pressure, first wipe the areas of heavy dirt.

Having completed the cleaning, do it there with a sponge soaked in a vinegar solution (half a teaspoon of vinegar (9%) and half a liter of water). Finally, wipe everything with a dry cloth.

For heavily ingrained dirt, add liquid soap, dishwashing detergent or shampoo into an aqueous ammonia solution.

The contamination is covered with a mixture of ammonia and starch in a 1:1 ratio. After the slurry dries, clean it with a dry brush with soft bristles. Remains of dirt are removed with a rubber brush or eraser.

Suede shoes look expensive and beautiful. But many do not want to buy it because of the fastidious care it takes. Suede gets dirty easily and is difficult to clean. This opinion is wrong. You can extend the life of your shoes if you properly care for them and remove dirt in a timely manner.

Cleaning stains of all kinds is not difficult, the main thing is to use the right product to solve the problem.

Cleaning methods

First, you need to determine the origin of the pollution. Dirt, dust, and sand are easily removed from the surface of the product, but oily stains disappear a little more difficult.
It is better to remove stains promptly. The more time has passed since the contamination was received, the more difficult it is to eliminate it.
When using a special cleaning agent, it is first tested on the reverse side. If no changes in the color and structure of the material are observed, the product can be used without fear.
Suede is put in order only after complete drying. When the pile is wet, it is easy to damage.
It is preferable to use dry cleaning methods. Suede does not like water.
Shoes should dry naturally; they should not be dried on radiators, heaters, or electric dryers.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with White spots appearing on shoes.
First, you need to remove excess moisture from the surface of the material. To do this, blot the stain several times with a dry paper towel. When the pile dries, the dirt will partially come off on its own. To remove residues, use a special suede eraser or a stiff brush. They will do a great job removing any remaining dirt and your shoes will look like new.

If the stain is dry

Old stains can be removed using special products - suede cleaners. They can be purchased at shoe stores. The products use surfactants; they easily remove almost any contaminant without leaving any residue.

You can use handy products that you always have at home to get rid of stains.

Vinegar, 9% or diluted vinegar essence. Dilute 2 tablespoons of 9% vinegar in one liter of water. The solution is applied to the suede surface using a clean viscose napkin. Vinegar perfectly removes old traces of dirt and cleans the pile. As a result of using this method, the shoes acquire their original presentation.
Ammonia. A few drops of alcohol are added to a glass of water. The resulting mixture is applied evenly in a thin layer to the entire surface of the shoe and left until completely dry. Alcohol absorbs dirt well and easily removes it.
Hydrogen peroxide. A small amount of peroxide is mixed with a glass of water and the solution is applied to the stain. Wipe the shoes several times with a clean napkin. Finally, use a suede eraser to treat the entire surface of the product.
Steam cleaner. If it is not there, then you can use the resulting steam from boiling water. Bring a pan of water to a boil and hold shoes over it. The lice are cleaned with a special brush. As a result of exposure to steam, the fibers rise, the dirt disappears, and the shoes gain additional shine.

Oily stains are a little more difficult to remove. To eliminate them, wipes are placed on the stain to absorb excess fat. Afterwards, the remaining stain is covered with a small amount of talcum powder or baby powder and left to absorb the fatty residue for several hours.

You can use coarse salt or river sand. To enhance the result, the selected product is heated in a frying pan. Then salt or sand is poured onto a piece of cloth, formed into a bag and applied to the site of contamination. If the fabric becomes dirty, it needs to be replaced with a new one. The steps are repeated until the stain completely disappears.

The use of stain removers and degreasing detergents gives good results.

The product is washed off the surface with water and allowed to dry. After cleaning is completed, the suede fibers are lifted with a stiff brush or a special eraser.

We suggest you read How to remove a grease stain from clothes: the best ways

Glue stains

Among the means for removing glue, the use of ammonia shows a high degree of purification. The swab is moistened in alcohol and applied to the area with glue, held for several minutes, then removed. It is recommended to steam shoes to straighten the pile and add shine.

There is a special tool for removing the adhesive base - anti-glue. It removes any kind of glue from the surface and leaves no residue. Anti-glue should be used immediately after receiving a stain to avoid deep absorption of the adhesive base.

An alternative to anti-glue are organic solvents: gasoline, acetone. But their use can affect the structure of the fabric and ruin the color. It is necessary to first conduct a sensitivity test on the underside of the shoe.

Stains from suede surfaces can be removed quite simply and without much effort. It is necessary to carry out the cleaning procedure in a timely manner, then the pollution disappears without difficulty and no longer bothers you. To prevent stains, it is necessary to use a special impregnation. It protects shoes from the formation of stains and stains. Impregnation must be applied regularly, once a week.

If the contamination cannot be removed using more than one of the methods listed above, then you need to take your shoes to the dry cleaner. Our highly qualified staff knows exactly how to get rid of stains on suede and will remove them using chemicals.

Suede is a natural leather material obtained from the skins of small cattle. Products made from it are comfortable, breathable, allow the skin to breathe, and are waterproof. But such things are whimsical and require constant care. It is much more difficult to remove a greasy stain from suede shoes than from leather or rubber ones.

Before you begin removing the stain, you should prepare the surface to be treated:

Dry the suede. By working with wet material, you can blur the stain even more and change the size of your shoes.
Use a brush to carefully remove dirt and dust.
Test any stain remover on an inconspicuous area of the product.
Read the instructions carefully before using store-bought products.
Steam the item using an iron, trying not to splash water on the clean surface of the suede.

First, try dabbing your shoes with a damp cloth and wiping off the oil stain. This method is good for a fresh trail. In other cases, home methods and professional store products are used.

Heat salt in a frying pan. Prepare a cloth bag and place salt in it. Apply a warm bag to the spot, and when the substance cools, warm it up again.

Flour, baby powder, starch or talc will help remove a fresh oil stain from suede. Sprinkle traces of fat with the above products, shake the item after an hour, and repeat the treatment. Carry out the procedure until the contamination is completely removed.

Alcohols

A solution of liquid soap and ammonia mixed in equal parts will help clean suede from greasy stains.

Lubricate the yellow stain with the liquid, leave for 30 minutes, after softening the stain, remove the solution with a damp brush;
dilute ethyl alcohol and water (ratio 1:10), apply the solution to a swab, lubricate the problem area;
You can use ammonia to refresh greasy suede.

A solution will help remove old stains: for 1 liter of liquid, 1 teaspoon of table vinegar. Lubricate the damaged surface with the liquid; no need to rinse.

other methods

Apply purified gasoline (acetone, nail polish remover) to a cotton pad and apply to the stain, rinse with a solution of water and dishwashing detergent (1 tsp per glass of water).
Prepare the solution: dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 glass of warm milk.
l. soda and add 2 drops of ammonia. Apply the liquid to a napkin and treat the boots.
Stains on new suede boots will go away if you rub them with an eraser.
Coffee grounds can help clean brown skirts. Sprinkle the product generously onto the stain.
Make a solution: 2 cups of warm water, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide (1 tbsp each
). You can clean white bags this way.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with How to wash and remove: gasoline, diesel fuel, diesel fuel from clothes

Removing Oil Stains

The use of stain removers and degreasing detergents gives good results. They are dissolved in water until a low concentration is achieved and completely suede shoes are treated, paying attention to the problem area. For processing use a brush with soft bristles. The product is washed off the surface with water and allowed to dry. After cleaning is completed, the suede fibers are lifted with a stiff brush or a special eraser.

Removing gloss

There are several ways to remove shine from suede clothing, shoes or accessories.

Method No. 1

Prepare a solution of 1 tablespoon of ammonia and 5 tablespoons of warm water.
Use a brush or the rough side of a foam sponge moistened with the resulting solution to rub the shiny areas.
Dilute 1 teaspoon of vinegar essence in 1 liter of water at room temperature (or ½ teaspoon of vinegar 9% in 500 ml).
Soak a cotton pad in a weak vinegar solution and wipe the stain with it.
Then wipe with a dry cloth and dry the treated item outside, if weather conditions permit (air temperature not lower than 18°) or in a room where you can open the windows for ventilation.

Method No. 2

Prepare the solution: mix warm milk (200 ml or half a glass) with baking soda (a teaspoon without a tubercle).
Moisten a thick material or sponge in this solution and wipe the glossy areas with it.

Method No. 3. Steam cleaning

Bring water to a boil in a kettle or saucepan.
Hold the stained area over the steam for a split second (over the spout of a kettle or a slightly open pan).
Rub the areas where the gloss is visible with a rubber or rubber brush.

The first two stages can be replaced by treatment with a steam generator.

When gloss appears on pockets, sleeves, or collars, wipe them with a brush with a rubberized surface, the rough side of a sponge, or a stationery eraser.

Modern technique for getting rid of stains

Modern housewives have also learned how to remove machine oil from the surface of suede.

To do this, they need to have on hand:

clean paper napkin;
warm water;
Vanish product;
soft brush.

The cleaning procedure is very simple. First of all, using a clean paper napkin, you need to blot the surface of the suede, thus getting rid of any remaining oil. This place is slightly moistened with warm water. Vanish cleanser is applied in a thick layer and left to actively react for some time. Then you should carefully walk over the stain using a soft brush.

You only need to rinse with cold water. If there is no result, the procedure is repeated from the beginning. When the stain has completely disappeared, dry the suede in the open air. The pile may need to be combed.

To consolidate the effect, some housewives recommend using a steam generator or iron. This technique has not been tested. You have to use it at your own peril and risk.

Why does suede get dirty so easily?

Natural material has such qualities as softness and velvety. It is thin and very delicate. To achieve such indicators during production, natural animal leather is tanned using fat tanning technology.

The outer side of suede has a very fine pile that easily absorbs moisture and dirt. After getting wet, the material becomes rough and loses its attractiveness. Contamination is difficult to clean completely without damaging the product.

Wet cleaning of such items can only cause harm, so it is better to use dry products intended for such items. You can take contaminated items to specialized dry cleaners, where they will be cleaned by professionals, but such a service can cost considerable material losses. In addition, contacting specialists for every small stain is very problematic; it is more rational to rid suede of greasy stains at home.

Remedies for stains on suede shoes

If you have not taken care of products made from this material for a long time, the stains on it are quite old and of unknown origin, you will have to resort to drastic measures to remove them. Use one of the following recipes to remove stains from suede at home instead of going to the dry cleaner:

Sprinkle the stain with talcum powder, lightly moistening the surface with water. Wait until the mixture dries and brush it off.
Replace talc with soda or potato starch and proceed in the same way.
1 tbsp. mix with 1 liter of milk (skimmed). Treat the stained area with a cotton pad soaked in the solution and after 2 minutes wipe with a soft cloth.

Important! These home remedies are great for solving the problem of how to remove grease stains from suede shoes.

Why do stains appear on suede?

Suede is a fleecy material. It is because of this feature that it acquires special softness and is pleasant to the touch. But it is precisely this factor that influences the fact that very quickly the fabric fades, begins to shine, smudges form on it from fat, salt, or other troubles occur.

Important! You may be interested in information from these articles:
Which boots are better - suede or leather?
Nubuck and suede - what's the difference?

No matter how well you take care of the material, stains on suede shoes will still appear from time to time. Therefore, adopt several methods to spend as little time as possible removing them.

How else can you remove dirt from suede?

If you need to urgently remove a stain from light suede, proceed as follows:

Mix 1 tbsp. warm water, 1 tsp. ammonia, 1 tsp. hydrogen peroxide.
Dampen a cotton pad and rub the stain.

Important! It is not always possible to use such substances. For example, if you are at work, you can try a simpler option:
Take a stationery eraser.
Gently rub it onto the stain that appears on your boots or shoes.

The most aggressive method is to use a solvent. In this case, it is better to take a “gentle” one, on an acetone-free basis. A special nail polish remover is perfect for this purpose. To remove a greasy stain from suede shoes using this product, proceed as follows:

Soak a cotton swab with solvent.
Rub the stained area lightly to avoid soaking the cloth in the cleaning liquid.
Wipe with a clean damp cloth.

Important! Work the stain from the edges to the middle so that it does not spread further.
To always look impeccable, read another article on our website for a more detailed overview of the rules for caring for suede shoes.

Helpful Tips:

Always try to clean your shoes or boots immediately upon arriving home, otherwise it will be more difficult to get rid of stains.
Dry your shoes well to prevent them from falling apart prematurely.
If a shine appears, mix ammonia and warm water 1:2 and rub the problem areas. Remove the residue with a rag and smooth out the pile with a brush.
Try to prevent the appearance of dirt and moisture absorption - use modern aerosol preventive protection products for suede.

Important! If you like to wear a lot of different shoes, your closets are already full of them and you can’t think of a storage place, find out if you can store your shoes on the balcony in winter.