What is suede? Suede is a type of leather with a napped finish. It was originally to make women’s gloves. The term "Suede" comes FROM the French saying "Gants de Suede" meaning "gloves of Sweden". Like all leathers, suede is made from animal skin. Suede does not contain the tough exterior skin layer as does full-grain leather, so remains soft and pliable.

*PROTECTION: When purchasing your suede boots, also purchase a high quality suede protector (usually a spray) at the same time. Many brands make claims but do your research to find the best one available.

*PRE-CLEANING: Before beginning any home cleaning process agitate and heat your suede boots first. Use an emery board to gently agitate the suede and steam it over a kettle or iron. The heat will open up the pores, thus making cleaning easier

*NEVER USE STAIN-REMOVERS: When trying to clean your suede use only solvents or liquids meant for suede.

*HOW TO SOAK UP WATER: Your boots will get water on them. The first step in caring for your suede boots is to soak up the water. This is very simple: use a paper towel or cloth to blot the water, do not wipe the water as it will cause it to soak into the suede even more.

*CLEANING DIRT OR SCUFF MARKS OFF YOUR BOOT: For this process you will need a suede eraser (quick fix: pencil eraser), a dry towel, and a suede brush (quick fix: old toothbrush). First, rub the eraser across the stain or scuff ALWAYS going in the same direction; do not rub back and forth. Continue rubbing until the eraser begins to crumble and the dirt is brought to the surface. Wipe the eraser pieces off the boot with the dry towel. Lastly, brush with the suede brush to bring the nap back to the desired look.

*CLEANING SALT STAINS OFF YOUR BOOTS: Choose an inconspicuous spot to test this procedure on your suede to make sure it will not harm the material. Dip a cloth in white vinegar and rub the boot gently. Allow to air dry. Use the Suede brush to bring the nap back to the desired finish. An odor may result from the vinegar use, but will eventually dissipate.

*SOAKING UP MOISTURE FROM THE INSIDE: If the inside of your boots have moisture in them, try soaking it up with a cloth or paper towel. Then stuff the inside of the boot with paper towels or rags and leave overnight. This will absorb the moisture and help your boots retain their shape.

*ALWAYS ALLOW TO AIR DRY: Never try to wipe boots dry, especially the outside material. After dabbing cleaning solutions, water, or other liquids from the suede, allows boots to air-dry.

*IF IN DOUBT HAVE PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED: Believe it or not, there are some dry cleaners that will clean your suede boots for you. This is usually expensive so while it’s a good option, it may not always be economical for everyone.

*REMEMBER, DON’T FREAK OUT: Accidents are going to happen. When a scuff, mark, spill, or any other mishap happens, try to clean your boots promptly before stains are set, using the correct technique.