Suede shoe care

[Cuvier]

I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer to this.
I just bought a pair of Blue Suede Loafers.
I've never had suede shoes.
Any tips on caring for them?

Do I treat them like a regular suede jacket? I've got a short bristle copper wire brush I can use to keep the knapp. Anything else I should know?

 

[Fifty150]

You can wash suede with water and a mild soap. You can brush it out with special suede care brushes. You can also oil and condition suede. Some people heat and melt wax into the suede.

I'm still trying to get BBQ sauce out of a pair of suede boots, and my suede loafers have built up grime which I don't think will ever brush out.

The biggest difference between tanned smooth leather and suede is that you don't want to smear shoe polish all over it and then try to shine it.

 

[Cuvier]

You can wash suede with water and a mild soap. You can brush it out with special suede care brushes. You can also oil and condition suede. Some people heat and melt wax into the suede.

I'm still trying to get BBQ sauce out of a pair of suede boots, and my suede loafers have built up grime which I don't think will ever brush out.

The biggest difference between tanned smooth leather and suede is that you don't want to smear shoe polish all over it and then try to shine it.

Thank you Fifty

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

Lexol Leather Conditioner...the spray kind...works well on suede. You can find it anywhere, too. I've only ever owned a single pair of suede shoes. Dark blue Converse sneakers. Sharp shoes, but they bled their entire life. Every pair of socks I owned was blue. Vans skateboard sneakers have sections that are rough out, and in the early days, they didn't line them. They also bled, but nothing like those Converse.

 

[Cuvier]

Can suede shoes be treated with a waterproofing like NeverWet?
I'm not planning on wearing them in the rain but you never know what may happen.

 

[Fifty150]

Leather jacket stores sell silicone spray. I would imagine you can spray silicone, 3M Scotchgard, Nikwax, and most waterproofing sprays. The leather may not "breathe" as well with spray coatings. You can oil suede. Oil and water do not mix. Water will not be able to penetrate a leather which is oiled. Some people do add wax to their suede.