Suede shoe marks vanish with ‘magic’ £1.60 beauty product

Getting stains out of suede shoes doesn’t have to be a chore with this cleaning hack.

If you own a pair of suede boots, sandals, or other footwear, you’ll know that wearing them outside comes with a risk. You can’t wear them when it’s raining because the material is very susceptible to water damage, and scuffs and scratches show up easily.

Water can even permanently damage your shoes, as it can cause the material to become stiff and brittle. They are also prone to staining from oil and grease, which can permanently discolour the suede.

But if you’ve got shoes on your shoe rack that you’re too scared to wear, worry not. Cleaning fans have found a genius method of getting stains out of suede, and all you need is a £1.60 product that’s most commonly used in your hair.

The hack has been shared on both Facebook and TikTok by cleaning enthusiasts, and was most recently posted in a group for fans of home hack goddess Mrs Hinch.

One woman in the group asked for recommendations on how to remove marks from a pair of bright pink suede heels that were covered in dark scuffs and scratches.

One person suggested that she turn to nothing other than dry shampoo. They shared a link to a TikTok video by a woman named Ruth that was posted in 2024, in which she tried spraying dry shampoo on a dark stain on her suede sandals.

In the video, Ruth sprayed the shampoo directly on the stain until the shoe’s surface turned white. She then left it to sit for five minutes before using a suede brush to gently remove the powdery shampoo, revealing a stain-free shoe underneath.

She wrote: Cannot believe how well this worked! Spray the area with dry shampoo, leave it for five minutes, and brush it off – [it comes out] like new!”

Dry shampoo can be bought from most chemists and supermarkets. Branded products often cost around £4 for an aerosol can, but you can also buy some own-brand products for much cheaper, with some as low as £1.60.

Only one other comment on the Facebook post about the suede heels has been made as of the time of writing. In it, the person suggested holding the shoe over the steam from the kettle as it boils and then using a special suede brush to scrub the stains away gently.

If you try any DIY hacks on your suede shoes, do so with caution. It may be worth doing a patch test before spraying the entire footwear.

How to clean suede shoes

If dry shampoo isn’t your thing, you can use other natural methods to clean your suede shoes. To follow the steps below, you will need a suede brush, a suede cleaning block, some white vinegar, a soft cloth, and clean paper towels.

• Stuff the shoes with paper towels or a shoe form to help maintain their shape during cleaning
• Use a suede brush to gently remove dirt, dust, and debris
• Use the rubber side of a suede brush or suede cleaning block to gently rub scuff marks in a circular motion
• For tough stains, gently blot the area with a soft cloth dipped in white vinegar and allow the spot to dry completely before brushing to restore its texture
• Consider applying a suede protector spray to keep your shoes from damage