Suede sneakers, like the famous Adidas Campus, are beautiful when you first buy them. They have that clean and soft look, with velvety fur that immediately gives them a well-groomed look. The problem is that just a few outings in the rain, dirty pavements or even just everyday dust, and the material starts to stain. Suede is delicate and if you clean it the wrong way you will permanently ruin it. It is not canvas, it is not smooth leather, and above all it does not forgive aggressive or improvised washing. If you want to keep your Campuses in good condition, you need method and patience.
Because suede shoes don’t need to be washed like other shoes
Many make the classic mistake: throwing their shoes in the washing machine or running them under the tap with a sponge. Result: spots set in the skin, white marks and flattened fur. Suede is a porous material, it absorbs liquids and retains dirt deeply. If you soak it, the water soaks into the fiber and leaves permanent marks as it dries. Direct heat is also an enemy: hairdryers and radiators stiffen the material and make it opaque. Correct cleaning must be delicate and never invasive, with the right tools and slow times. It’s a job of precision, not of strength.
The right method: “dry” cleaning with patience
The most effective solution for this type of sneakers is dry cleaning. First remove the laces to work better and dust the surface with a chamois brush, in order to free it from dust and surface particles. Then use a specific spray for suede and nubuck, spraying it evenly without exaggerating with the quantity. Immediately afterwards, brush gently to distribute the product and make it penetrate the fibres. The shoes must then dry naturally for several hours, ideally a whole day, in a ventilated place but away from the sun or heat sources. When they are dry, the brush is brushed again to restore volume and softness to the fur, which often flattens during cleaning.
Bread gum: simple but effective trick
There is an alternative method that works surprisingly well for small localized stains or marks: bread eraser. It is a soft and malleable rubber, also used by designers, which can “absorb” dirt from the suede fibers without damaging them. It is passed delicately over the affected area and, with small controlled movements, it manages to remove signs of dirt or light stains. You don’t need to rub hard, just the right pressure is enough to make it work. It is particularly useful for those areas that get dirty easily such as the tip or the internal sides, where the brush is often not enough. This trick is often underestimated but, if used correctly, it can avoid complete washes and keep your sneaker fresh for longer.
The importance of drying and protecting well
After cleaning, the crucial step is slow drying. Sneakers should dry naturally, maintaining their shape with paper or internal supports. You should never look for shortcuts with heat sources, because this creates streaks and stiffens the skin. Once completely dry, it is important to apply a protective spray for suede. This creates an invisible barrier that repels water and dirt, making subsequent cleaning easier. If you skip this step, any treatment done before will not last long. A good protector, neutral and non-silicone, prolongs the life of the shoes and keeps the original color more stable over time.
Mistakes to avoid if you care about your sneakers
The most important thing is to understand what not to do. No washing machine, no diving, no hairdryer. Do not rub with rough sponges or universal detergents, because they erase the typical texture of suede. Don’t neglect the final brushing, because it is what gives life to the material. And above all, don’t wait until the sneakers become black with dirt to decide to clean them: suede needs to be looked after periodically, not just when the situation is desperate. If you treat your Campuses with the right consistency, they can stay clean and soft for a long time.
