How To Clean Vans Sk8 Hi Suede

Here is a detailed post on How To Clean Suede Vans. So, if you have been searching for how to clean suede shoes, how to clean suede vans with vinegar or other keywords online, then this article is dedicated to you. It contains how to clean old skool vans. Read on to enjoy all these and more.

Vans shoes were designed to withstand skatepark wear and tear, but they still need a little love every so often. Get yours back to their former glory with our official DIY guide to quick cleaning and deep cleaning your Vans.

There are many different styles of Vans and with that an incredible amount of colorways. From the beach friendly slip ons to the Sk8 hi High tops helping you shred, Vans has a style for everyone. Vans not only specializes in being incredibly cool, but comfortable to. One reason for that is the materials that they use. For some odd reason, I have always had an attachment to Suede Vans. The Sk8 Hi's with the suede trim are my favorite Vans of all time. Today I am going to teach you how to clean suede Vans.

How To Clean Suede Vans

How to Clean Vans Shoes | eHow | How to clean vans, Clean shoes, Cleaning white vans — image 7

The thing that is so appealing about suede is the texture of the material. Suede is very delicate and gets damaged if not treated well. That makes it one of the hardest materials to clean. To keep our suede Vans clean, we are going to turn to Shoe MGK.

The truth is, all shoe cleaners are going to damage suede if not properly used. You CAN use our Cleaner and Conditioner and it can be effective, but you need to be gentle with the material. Start with a small wash cloth and only use a small amount of solution. Use normally on all other materials. However, the BEST way to clean suede Vans is with our Water and Stain Repellent and the dry suede brush.

& Stain Repellent uses specially formulated technologies to protect all footwear. It provides a breathable layer of protection against rain, snow, dirt and stains by keeping these elements on the surface where they can easily be wiped away.

Suede Brush removes soiling and stains of all varieties from your favorite Suede Shoes. The specially designed rubber ribbon restores the soft texture of suede and helps reduce matting. Gently rub brush back and forth using long strokes to raise the nap on the entire shoe surface and restore the texture to matted down areas.

Most Vans have a white rubber strip that runs around the outside of the sole to give them a distinctive edge. Your first instinct might be to reach for the bleach, but that could turn your shoes yellow. Restore yours to box fresh using these steps.

Choose a clear work surface and cover it with a towel or sheet
Use masking tape to cover the material of the shoe, to avoid damaging the top or sides with any stray cleaning product.
Fill a small cup with a cleaning product from our recommended list: white vinegar, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol or acetone.
Take an old toothbrush or small, soft-bristled cleaning brush, dip it into the cleaning product and gently buff the white rubber in small circular motions.
Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and you're done!

You can use the same method to clean the rubber bottoms of your Vans too. Be sure to get loose dirt and grit off first with a brush.

how to clean old skool vans

how to clean suede shoes

How to Clean Suede

Suede is difficult to clean without changing its color or texture. Having a professional dry cleaner that knows how to clean suede is often preferable to attempting to clean it yourself as you may cause more damage. Dry cleaners are trained in safe cleaning techniques for suede, so the nap stays soft. However, minor cleaning jobs can be attempted at home. Remember, when using any cleaner (water, vinegar or baking soda included), try it on a discrete area of the suede material. If in doubt, seek a professional.Related Articles

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Brush Regularly

Loosen up the debris on suede by rubbing the area with a clean, dry washcloth or soft brush. A good habit to get into when you own a favorite suede garment is to brush it regularly. Shoes, for example, could be placed in shoetrees after they are worn and then brushed with a special suede shoe brush. Brushing prevents the buildup of dirt in the nap. When brushing, always remember to go in the opposite direction of the nap.

Cleaning Materials

While there are several methods for cleaning suede, when it comes to materials, there are a few things you can have ready for any cleaning need.

White cloths
Soft toothbrush
Spray bottle with water
Heavy object
Gum eraser
Vinegar
Baking soda
Towels

Blotting With a Smidge of Water

If you get a dab of dirt on your favorite suede jacket, it isn't the end of the world. While suede needs a tender loving hand, you don't need to throw your jacket out. For a simple clean, try:

Spray the cloth with the water. You want it damp but not soaked.
Brush away as much of the stain as you can.
Gently blot the stain with the damp rag. You need enough pressure to pull up the stain but not push the water into the fibers.
Use the toothbrush to gently scuff the stain.
Set a dry towel on the stain and place a heavy object over it.
Allow it to sit for several hours.

Rubbing Might Be Necessary

The first trick might have been all that you needed. If you still have a remnant of a dry stain or scuff marks that won't come off, break out the white or brown gum eraser then:

Use the toothbrush or cloth to rough the area a bit and remove any loose debris.
Grab the gum eraser and gently erase the area.

Vinegar for Victory

If your stain is being irritatingly stubborn, you can break out the bigger household guns. Give the cleaning power of white vinegar a try. To use the vinegar method, you'll:

Lightly spray your cloth with white vinegar.
Use the cloth and lightly rub the stain.
Being gentle is key here. You also need to watch your pressure. The vinegar shouldn't penetrate the fabric but attack the stain instead.
Allow it to dry and repeat as needed.

Go for Baking Soda

Vinegar and baking soda usually go hand in hand. You can try baking soda before vinegar or vice-versa. This method is pretty easy since you are trying to get the baking soda to absorb the stain or oils. To try this cleaning method, you'll:

Sprinkle some baking soda on the stain.
Let it sit (overnight is best).
Brush the baking soda off with a dry cloth.
Use the toothbrush to gently brush the suede.

Get Out the Suede Cleaner

Oily or large stains are going to require a bit of professional help from a professional degreasing cleaner. Choose your favorite suede cleaning agent, and follow the instructions that are offered on the bottle. Not every cleaner is created equal and trying it in a discrete area first is key to not ruining your favorite shoes.

Cleaning Suede Shoes

For general suede shoe stains, you might bust out the eraser or baking soda. However, suede shoes are unique in that they are prone to getting water spots. While you can avoid this on your jacket with an umbrella, there isn't really any way to help this on your shoes. You might think that you want to get out your hair dryer but don't. Instead, you'll grab a dry cloth and brush then:

Use the cloth to blot and soak up as much of the water as you can.
Then brush the suede to bring up the nap.
Allow the shoes to dry.
If available, put them on boot or shoe dry that they slide on top of.

Woman cleaning Suede boots for winter care

Getting Stains Out of Faux Suede

Faux suede is a whole separate beast when it comes to cleaning. You can try some of the methods for authentic suede and have some success, but you can also try other methods that you wouldn't dare with your authentic suede.

Supplies

Mild detergent
Water
Sponge or cloth
Brush
Spray bottle

Directions

Get your stained area ready and flat so that you can go to work then follow these steps:

In a spray bottle, combine a couple cups of water and a drop or two of mild detergent.
Spray the sponge or cloth with the concoction.
Gently scrub at the stained faux suede handbag, boots or furniture, going against the grain of the nap.
Check the label for washing instructions. If machine washable, throw in the washer following the machine settings.
Dry as normal.

Further Tips For Taking Care of Suede

Storing your suede properly is as important as knowing how to clean suede. If your furniture is suede, keep the sun off of it. Sun can fade suede, especially if it is dyed suede. Brush or vacuum your furniture regularly with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and dust. Store colored suede clothing in a dark closet. Consider covering it with a dust cloth. Do not lose heart if a favorite suede garment gets stained, suede that loses its color or becomes stained can be dyed to a new or darker color.

Cleaning Your Suede

Suede while awesome to wear can be a bother to clean. To save your dry-cleaning bill, you can spot treat your suede shoes and clothing. Just remember to be gentle and always try the method out on a hidden area first.