How to clean nubuck and suede sneakers: cleaning, protection, drying
A step-by-step guide for nubuck and suede sneakers: everyday cleaning, stains, rain, road salt, protection and storage — plus what never to do. For the difference between nubuck and suede and which to choose, see “Nubuck or suede”.
In short
Nubuck and suede are cleaned dry: let the dirt dry first, then remove it with a nubuck or suede brush and an eraser, and treat deeper stains with a suede and nubuck foam or spray cleaner. Apply a water-repellent spray before the first wear and regularly after that, and dry the shoes only at room temperature, stuffed with paper. This is the care advice on the product pages of Babylon, a Ukrainian leather footwear brand from Kharkiv.
Still choosing between the two materials? Start with Nubuck vs suede: which is better for sneakers.
What do you need to clean nubuck and suede?
You need five things: a nubuck or suede brush, a suede eraser, a foam or spray cleaner, a water-repellent spray and a colour restorer matching your shoes. Cream for smooth leather is not on the list — it glues the nap together.
| Product | What for | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Nubuck / suede brush | remove dust, lift flattened nap | after every wear |
| Suede eraser | spots, scuffs | as needed |
| Foam or spray cleaner | deeper dirt, salt | as needed, dry shoes only |
| Water-repellent spray | protection from water and stains | before first wear, then regularly |
| Colour restorer | refresh faded colour | once a season, after a patch test |
| Shoe trees or paper | keep the shape | always |
This is the same kit recommended on the product pages of Babylon's nubuck and suede models, such as the Bourbon-24 men's suede sneakers and the Opium-14 women's suede trainers.
How to clean nubuck sneakers, step by step
Nubuck sneakers are cleaned dry in five steps: dry them, brush off dust, erase spots, use foam if needed and finish with a protective spray. The upper needs no water at all.
- Let them dry. If the sneakers are wet, let them dry at room temperature first — dirt removed from wet nubuck gets pushed into the nap.
- Remove the laces and insert shoe trees or paper.
- Brush off dust with a dry nubuck brush in the direction of the nap, without pressure.
- Erase spots with a nubuck eraser using short strokes.
- Foam for deeper dirt. Apply a nubuck foam or spray cleaner as instructed, wipe off the residue and let dry.
- Brush and protect. Lift the nap with the brush and apply a nubuck water-repellent spray.
We clean nubuck only with a dry brush or an eraser, and deeper stains with nubuck foam. Water-repellent spray goes on before the first wear and regularly after that,
How to clean suede sneakers?
Suede is cleaned dry like nubuck, but more gently: its nap is longer and flattens more easily. Work only on completely dry shoes, with a suede brush and light strokes.
- Dry shoes only. Let wet mud dry, then brush it off.
- Brush off dust with a soft suede brush in one direction.
- Lift flattened nap with short strokes in different directions.
- Spots — eraser or suede foam; patch-test any product first.
- Protect with a suede water-repellent spray.
Unlined models, such as the Bourbon-74 summer suede sneakers, need especially thorough waterproofing: moisture reaches the foot faster.
How to remove stains from nubuck and suede?
Most stains on nubuck and suede come off dry — with an eraser or a foam cleaner — while water, soap and smooth-leather cream make them worse. Start with the gentlest method.
| Stain | What to do | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dust, dry dirt | dry brush along the nap | rub with a wet cloth |
| Wet mud | let dry, then brush | clean while wet |
| Scuffs, shine | eraser, then brush against the nap | smooth-leather cream |
| Road salt | dry, brush, foam cleaner | dry on a radiator |
| Water marks | clean the whole panel evenly with foam, let dry | treat only the spot — a ring remains |
| Grease | dedicated suede/nubuck product, as instructed | soap, dish detergent |
| Faded colour | matching colour restorer | apply without a patch test |
What to do if nubuck or suede sneakers get wet?
Stuff them with dry paper, replace it as it gets damp and dry the pair at room temperature. When they are completely dry, brush the nap and re-apply water-repellent spray.
How to protect and store nubuck and suede?
Protection means water-repellent spray: apply it to clean, dry shoes before the first wear and regularly after that, more often in rain and winter. Store the pair in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, with shoe trees or paper inside, never in a closed plastic bag.
What never to do with nubuck and suede
- wash in a washing machine or under the tap;
- clean them while wet;
- use smooth-leather cream;
- dry near heat sources, in the sun or with a hair dryer;
- scrub stains with soap and water;
- apply colour products without a patch test.
White smooth leather needs a different approach — see our guide How to clean white leather sneakers.
SuedeMen's suede sneakers Bourbon-24Lining: none; lace: elastic; sole: flexible€70 €91View
NubuckWomen's nubuck sneakers Flow-14Lining: Respira — Italian lining leather; insole: leather; sole: light€95View 
SuedeWomen's suede trainers Opium-14Lining: Respira — Italian lining leather; insole: leather; sole: lightweight€95View 
SuedeWomen's suede sneakers Rise-14Sole: rubber; sizes: 36–40; colour: brown / cream€74 €83View
Shop men's sneakers, women's sneakers and suede sneakers — handmade at Babylon's own factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with free worldwide shipping.
FAQ
How do you clean suede sneakers at home?
Clean suede dry: brush off dust with a suede and nubuck brush and lift small marks with a suede eraser. Let wet mud dry before brushing it off. For deeper dirt, use a dedicated suede foam or spray cleaner, then brush the nap and apply a water-repellent spray. Babylon gives the same advice for its suede sneakers.
Can you clean nubuck with water?
It is better not to. Babylon's nubuck product pages explicitly say not to use water because it can damage the material: nubuck darkens, stiffens and may stain. Remove dust with a dry brush, marks with an eraser and deeper dirt with a nubuck foam or spray. Water is only for the rubber sole or rubber toe coating.
Can you wash suede sneakers in the washing machine?
No. A washing machine combines soaking, detergent, friction and spinning, which can deform, stiffen and stain natural suede and nubuck. Babylon recommends only dry cleaning with a brush, dedicated suede and nubuck products, and natural drying at room temperature. Cleaners for textile sneakers are not meant for suede.
How do you dry suede shoes after rain?
Stuff the shoes with dry paper, replace it as it gets damp and let them dry at room temperature, away from radiators, heaters and direct sunlight. Do not use a hair dryer. Once completely dry, brush the nap with a suede brush and re-apply water-repellent spray. Drying naturally can take about a day.
How often should you waterproof nubuck and suede?
Spray before the first wear, then regularly and always after a deep clean. In rainy weather and winter, reapply more often. Apply the spray evenly to a clean, dry surface from the distance stated on the can and let it dry before going out. The exact frequency is given by the product manufacturer.
Head of production technology at Babylon's own factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The factory employs 25 craftspeople and 2 technologists; leather and fur come from Spain and Turkey, soles are made to order, and every pair is made by hand. All articles by this author
Sources and notes
- Care instructions on Babylon product pages: Bourbon-24, Flow-14, Opium-14, Rise-14, Bourbon-74. Data as of 6 October 2026.
- Red Wing — Nubuck/Roughout Leather Care.
- Wikipedia — Nubuck, Suede.
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