Waterproofing suede to prevent stains
Protection remains the best way to care for your suede or nubuck items.
Remember to waterproof your shoes and bags regularly to protect them from the elements. Waterproofing suede helps effectively prevent stains.
Light-colored suede (beige or brown) is always more sensitive to stains than darker suede like black or blue. Regular waterproofing provides maximum protection for your suede shoes or bag.
I’ve got a stain on my suede, how do I remove it?
If you’ve just stained nubuck, gently dab it with a cloth to absorb as much of the stain as possible. Whatever you do, don’t rub, as this will cause the stain to set deeper. Act as soon as possible, especially if it’s a hand sanitizer stain on the suede.
If you’ve noticed stains later on, we recommend first trying a suede brush or a suede eraser. These are specifically designed to care for this type of leather.
Gently rub the material to try and make the stain disappear.
If you haven’t managed to remove the marks on the suede with brushing, you can then try Terre de Sommières.
Removing a stain from suede with Terre de Sommières
Terre de Sommières is a fine clay powder originating from Sommières, in Occitania. It’s a 100% natural dry stain remover with ultra-absorbent properties that can remove stains. Terre de Sommières generally works well for greasy stains.
People often think that marks on suede are water stains, but they are most often water mixed with other substances, like when you walk on the pavement, for example.
Generously sprinkle your shoes with Terre de Sommières and leave it to work for several hours, or even overnight.
Then brush very vigorously to remove the powder and, with a bit of luck, the stain will have disappeared.
Call on your cobbler to remove stains from suede
If this second step didn’t work, there’s still the option of a special suede cleaner that can be found in specialty stores.
Be careful, these products should be handled with great care as they are very harsh.
We recommend calling in a professional for this step, otherwise you risk leaving permanent marks on your shoes or bag.
If you want to do it yourself, we always advise testing the product on a hidden part of your bag, like the inside flap, or on the back of your suede shoes.
Finally, the last option is to dye the suede to hide the stain.
Dyeing should always be done in a darker color to ensure the stain is well hidden.
To ensure your dye lasts and is applied evenly, call in a professional who can advise you.
We hope these tips will be useful and help you take care of your suede shoes and bags!
