How to Clean Suede

Linda B
by Linda B
Easy
I brought out my summer sandals and found that the suede insoles were very soiled looking. See below.
I remembered my mother saying that you could clean suede with sandpaper. I thought, 'Wow, that's weird' but it stuck in my head. So I tried it!
Guess what? It WORKS!!
Has anyone ever tried this?
I think it will work on any brushed leather (suede)... but be careful when trying this... try an inconspicuous place first. In my case, it didn't matter because I was ready to throw these sandals out. So whether I ruined them, it didn't matter. But it worked!!! YAY!
Thanks for viewing. Linda
Yucky!
Sandpapering the insole. The top layer of the suede comes off but that's okay. It's hard to believe.
Not perfect. Not new. But not embarrassing anymore.
Pretty darn clean.
Linda B
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Willecia Willecia on May 09, 2018

    What about the sweat smell

  • Pam Pam on Dec 18, 2018

    What git sandpaper did you use?

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  • Brayjo12 Brayjo12 on Jan 31, 2019

    I’ve read that Magic Erasers work well too and will be trying it on my UGGs that I walked into water that had oil in it. Wish me luck!

    • MaryAnn MaryAnn on Mar 14, 2020

      Magic eraser works wonderful! I have cleaned many of my Sandler with that.

  • Patty Patty on May 10, 2022

    I will be trying both these methods, thank you all!!!!

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