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How to finally clean stains and other grime on colored suede New Balances.
Method by: T Heise
Method: Dry Foam
Note: This method does NOT include a bowl of water. This process includes using a foam dispenser and a white nylon soft bristle brush. I use a white nylon brush because the dye will easily come off after rinsing it. Some other brushes will trap the dye in the bristles. Also with the white bristles, you can physically see the dye coming off. For brush types, there are 5 you need to have; white nylon brush, medium bristle brush, brass bristle brush, a hybrid brass/nylon brush, and a horsehair brush. *I have linked all the brushes below.* For the actual cleaner, Angelus Easy cleaner has been by far the best cleaner for this job. I have used everything from reshoevn8r to Dr. Bonner’s at Walmart, and nothing comes close to Angelus. I also use a foam dispenser from amazon (200mL) (7oz). I measure about 0.5-1 oz of angelus cleaner and the rest of the bottle with TAP water. I do not know why but distilled water creates marks on the suede that you can NOT GET OFF. Next comes the suede eraser, the best suede eraser for this job is a Tacco Eraser. I will not be using a tacco eraser. I will be using the second best eraser which I have listed below. My method will prevent premature fading on the suede and maintain a deep vibrant color on the shoes. *DO NOT PUT COLORED SUEDE SHOES IN THE WASHING MACHINE OR USE ANY TYPE OF DEGREASER SOAP.* Using anything more powerful than the angelus will result in more dye coming off the shoe. This is what we are trying to prevent!
Here are the steps:
- Clean any excess dirt off the shoe with a horse hair brush. I recommend getting 2 horse hair brushes, one for getting dirt off and one for polishing. This is a shoe I have saved specifically for this process. Main stains are grease marks, dirt, and juice stains.
- Grab your suede eraser and thoroughly erase the shoe as best as you can. **do not erase too much otherwise the suede will nap together and shear off the leather.**
- There will still be stains left over but that is okay!
- This is where most people mess up! Make sure your scrub brush is DRY! Pump a few pumps of foam directly on to the shoe and scrub. **NO WATER should be present during this!** If you need to clean off the brush, rinse it and let it dry before using it again! Scrub thoroughly! My shoes have tougher stains so I also used a medium bristle brush from Reshoevn8r. The stiffest brush you should use is a medium bristle brush.
- ONLY USE FOAM. NO WATER!
- Water will damage the suede and cause fading in the future.
- Remember that water WILL damage new balance colored suede. Your shoes will bleed, that is normal! Do NOT wipe off any soap! Let the soap naturally dry on the suede!
- Let the shoes NATURALLY dry. DO NOT force dry them. Please be patient. The shoes will feel and look crusty! This is absolutely normal! This stage is critical, putting them out in the sun is okay but letting them dry in shade is recommended.
- After letting the shoes fully dry, now it is time to reset the suede. This is the most important step because not doing this properly will result in your shoes becoming damaged. Do not listen to youtube videos on this step because new balance leather is not made equally across all models.
- Do NOT use a suede eraser during this stage unless it is a pair NOT made in the USA. Made in USA pairs will nap together and become clumped, ESPECIALLY on shaggy suede like the 992 low hanging fruit.
- Next, get your brass bristle brush and apply medium pressure as if you are petting someone else's dog and brush in ONE direction.
- Brush in one direction until you get the other end of the shoe and brush in the opposite direction. Some of those dark spots will disappear as you brush.
- New balance suede is directional! Brushing it up or down could cause irreversible damage.
- Take your hybrid brush and gently brush back and forward on the panel until you get the smooth texture of the original nap.
- The shoes now should be nice and smooth! The color of the suede might look faded but I assure you it is not actually faded. It is just now really clean. This is where mink oil is introduced. The mink oil by Reshoevn8r has been the BEST product by far!
- Spay some mink oil onto the shoe until a nice and even coverage is applied.
- Immediately brush in the product with a CLEAN horse hair brush thoroughly for approximately 2 minutes.
- It may look wet at first but it will dry pretty quickly.
- If you develop dark marks on the shoe, hit it with the hybrid brush and repeat step 7.
- Final product is shown.
Product list:
Hybrid Brush AND Suede Eraser I Used - Amazon
Suede Eraser I Would Recommend (Tacco) - Amazon
Mink Oil from Reshoevn8r - Amazon
*Please note that independent results may vary.*