Cleaning Chicken Grease From Suede Shoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Suede shoes are a stylish and popular choice for footwear, but they can be tricky to keep clean. Grease stains can be particularly intimidating, but with the right tools and techniques, you can keep your suede shoes looking as good as new. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you remove those stubborn grease stains and restore the luxurious appearance of your favourite suede shoes.

Blot the grease with paper towels

Blotting is an effective way to remove chicken grease stains from suede shoes. Before you begin, ensure your shoes are completely dry. Trying to treat spots or splatters while they're still damp can push the stain deeper into the material and make it harder to remove. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to blot up as much moisture as possible before allowing the shoes to dry naturally. Avoid using a blow dryer, direct sunlight, or other heat sources to shorten the drying time, as this can cause the material to dry out and harden.

Once your shoes are dry, you can start blotting the grease stain. Use paper towels to blot, not rub, the grease stain. Blotting will help to lift the grease out of the suede without damaging the material. Be sure to blot gently, as suede is a delicate material that can be easily damaged. You may need to blot repeatedly until the stain is completely gone.

If blotting with a paper towel alone does not remove the grease stain, you can try using a mild cleaning agent such as cornstarch, baking soda, or dish soap. Apply a small amount of the cleaning agent to the stain and let it sit for a few hours to absorb the grease. Then, gently blot the area again with a paper towel to lift out the remaining grease. You can also try using a suede brush to gently brush away any residual grease or dirt.

It is important to be patient and gentle when blotting grease stains out of suede shoes. Suede is a soft and porous material that can be easily damaged if too much pressure is applied. Always test any cleaning method in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage the suede. With the right techniques and a little elbow grease, your suede shoes will be looking good as new in no time!

Use cornstarch to absorb the grease

Cornstarch is a highly effective natural absorbent that draws out oils from fabrics, making it ideal for removing grease stains from suede shoes. To use it, first blot the stain gently with a paper towel to absorb as much grease as possible without further embedding the stain. Avoid rubbing, as this can damage the suede. Next, sprinkle cornstarch over the stained area. Allow the cornstarch to sit for several hours or even overnight to absorb the grease. If the stain is particularly large, leaving the cornstarch overnight may yield better results.

After the cornstarch has had time to absorb the grease, gently brush off the cornstarch with a suede brush. Brush in the same direction as the nap to maintain the integrity of the suede. This step helps to restore the texture of the suede and remove any residue from the cornstarch. If the stain persists, you can repeat the process as needed until the spot is gone. Alternatively, you can use a suede eraser for more stubborn stains.

Brush off the cornstarch

Once you've applied cornstarch to the grease stain on your suede shoes, you're not quite done yet. After letting the cornstarch sit for a few hours or overnight, you'll need to gently brush it off. Use a suede brush, toothbrush, or another type of soft brush to gently scrape off the cornstarch. Be careful not to be too aggressive with your brushing, as you don't want to damage the suede. Work in small sections to avoid accidentally harming the suede.

If the cornstarch has turned yellow or brown from absorbing the grease, that's a good sign! But if the stain is still visible, you may need to repeat the process. Reapply cornstarch to the affected area and let it sit for a few hours again. Then, gently brush off the cornstarch once more.

It's important to be patient and gentle during this process. Repeat the steps as needed until the grease stain is no longer visible. Remember, it's better to work slowly and carefully than to rush and risk damaging your suede shoes.

After successfully removing the grease stain, finish by applying a suede protector spray to shield your shoes from future stains and water damage. This will help keep your suede shoes looking clean and fresh for longer.

Use a suede brush to brush away any remaining grease

To clean chicken grease out of suede shoes, you can use a suede brush to brush away any remaining grease. Before you start, make sure your shoes are completely dry. Trying to treat spots or splatters while they're still damp can force the stain deeper into the material and make it harder to remove. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to blot up as much moisture as possible before allowing the shoes to dry naturally.

Once your suede shoes are moisture-free, use a suede brush to brush away any superficial dirt. Brush in the same direction as the nap's pattern or grain. For set-in grime, move on to a gentle back-and-forth motion if the spot won't budge. You can also use a suede brush to brush away any remaining grease.

If your suede shoes have lost their fuzzy nap, you can revive it with steam. Hold the shoes over steam for about 20 seconds. Then brush the shoe with a suede brush as you normally would.

For grease stains, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the affected area and let it sit for a few hours or overnight to absorb the grease. In the morning, gently brush off the cornstarch or baking soda with a suede brush and lightly brush away the stain. Repeat as necessary.

To prevent future grease stains, apply a suede protector spray to shield shoes from water damage and stains.

Repeat the process if necessary

If the grease stain is still visible after the first round of cleaning, repeat the process until the stain is gone. For example, if you used baking soda, cornstarch, or a similar powder, sprinkle more of the powder on the stain and let it sit for several hours. Then, gently brush the powder and absorbed grease out with a suede brush. Check the stain once the suede has dried, and repeat the process if necessary.

Similarly, if you used vinegar, gently rub the vinegar into the stain with a soft cloth, let the area dry, and then brush away any remaining dirt with a suede brush. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.

If you used dish soap, let the soap sit on the stain for about 10 to 15 minutes, then gently wipe it with a dampened paper towel or clean cloth. Repeat this process if the stain is still visible.

It is important to be patient and gentle during the cleaning process, as suede is a delicate material that can be easily damaged. Always ensure your shoes are completely dry before attempting to clean them, and never soak suede shoes directly in water.

Frequently asked questions