Suede and nubuck cannot last long without cleaning brushes & erasers. Not only do they effectively clean, but they can also make sure that the velvety texture on your item lasts for a long time. This article will highlight some of the best brushes and erasers for suede and nubuck as well as how you can use them properly for the best results.
Best Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Brushes and Erasers Reviews
If you want to restore the fluff and velvety texture of suede or nubuck, you need a good suede brush for them that can remove both scuff marks and different kinds of stains. Here are some of the best products you can choose from:
TAKAVU Suede Nubuck Cleaning Brush Kit
This suede-cleaning brush set includes tools that can effectively remove marks and spots that can ruin the texture of suede or nubuck. It’s made from premium materials that are tested to ensure that it doesn’t damage the fibers and nap of your item. TAKAVU focuses on automotive cleaning and is a trusted brand when it comes to cleaning brushes made for various purposes.
The kit is definitely one of the best options if you’re dealing with high-end luxury goods. The fine brass bristles are also great as they’re not as harsh as the other brass brushes that are too hard and can risk damaging the material.
What we like
- Great for high-end luxury items
- Versatile brushes for different types of suede and nubuck items
- Includes a crepe brush, brass brush, cleaning block, and microfiber cloth
- Large brush can cover large areas quickly
What we don’t like
- Can’t reach into tight corners
- Higher price
Shacke Cleaning Brush
The Shacke Brush and Erasers have a welt surface and synthetic fibers that are great if you want a suede brush that is heavy-duty and can remove heavier scuff marks. The nylon bristles of this brush can also be used for a gentler cleaning for finer scuff marks on both suede and nubuck.
One of the key features of this suede brush and eraser is that it has a half-circle brush that can reach the rounded corners of your suede shoes. The protruding thin brush can also be used on grooves and crevices of your item that are hard to reach using a normal rectangular suede brush. This brush is similar to the other brushes in this list but has a sturdier and higher-quality handle.
What we like
- Can reach into grooves and crevices
- Welt surface for stronger cleaning
- Provides the best value for your money
What we don’t like
- Small brush is not ideal for larger surfaces
Angelus Suede and Nubuck Kit
If you need to clean any stains on your suede or nubuck items, you can try the Angelus Suede and Nubuck Kit. This kit contains 1 suede eraser and 1 nylon brush to effectively remove water, grease, or glue stains easily.
Angelus has been in the leather cleaning and conditioning industry since 1907. The Angelus Suede and Nubuck Kit is the most affordable among the other brands in this list, so if you’re looking for something that does its job well without spending a lot, this kit will be your best option.
What we like
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for light and deep and heavy cleaning as well
- Great for on-the-go touch-ups
What we don’t like
- May change the color or texture of suede and nubuck
Simple Shine Suede Brush and Eraser Set
This Simple Shine Set is a professional grade cleaning kit made especially to remove dirt, dried mud, salt, dust, and other particles from suede and nubuck. This set includes 2 suede brushes (brass+nylon bristle brush and crepe brush) and a suede eraser to minimize scuff marks on your item.
This brush and eraser set works best when used together with the Simple Shine Suede and Nubuck Cleaning Solution. This brush and eraser set is the most expensive brand compared to the other brush set, but you can trust that Simple Shine does not disappoint when it comes to shoe and leather care products. Their eraser is also among the best on this list.
What we like
- Great for deep and thorough cleaning
- Works well even without the cleaning solution
- Compact and travel-friendly
- Crepe brush removes surface dirt very well
What we don’t like
- Costs more than the other brands
- Small for large surfaces
Miscly Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Brush + Eraser
The Miscly brush and eraser kit for suede and nubuck is a great deal for the basic tools that you’d need to do some touching up on your suede. The brush’s main side has nylon bristles with brass bristles in the middle that allow for heavier cleaning needs.
It also comes with a plastic brush on the other side to brush the suede nap and the edges have plastic brushes in a different form for those hard-to-reach corners. The brush’s design is something that you’ll see in other brushes here, however, this product could be more accessible to you compared to the others depending on your location.
This product also comes with a warranty and a money-back guarantee which sets it apart from the other items with the same offerings.
What we like
- Versatile brush
- Eraser is travel friendly
- 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
What we don’t like
- More expensive than Shacke brand while offering the same item
Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit
The Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit comes with a suede handle brush and a shoe stain eraser that gently cleans and restores the buttery texture of the suede or nubuck. What makes this brush unique is that it is handcrafted from beech wood and soft horsehair bristles to make sure that it’s gentle enough for the nap.
This kit is not only ideal for suede and nubuck, but you can also use it on other premium materials such as velvet, corduroy, mesh, and canvas. If you’re looking for a versatile brush from a brand that is rooted in the love of sneaker culture, this Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit is the perfect product for you.
What we like
- Versatile brush can be used on other materials
- Perfect for light and gentle cleaning
- Compact and convenient size
What we don’t like
- Not recommended for deep cleaning
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
- Eraser is not effective at getting rid of some stains
Best Suede and Nubuck Care Kit
Brushes and erasers are great for quick surface dirt removal and light stains that have not embedded themselves deep into the material. However, if you want to do a 360-degree detailing of your suede or nubuck item, you’re going to need a complete care kit.
SAPHIR Suede & Nubuck Total Care Set
The Saphir total care set for suede and nubuck is a complete set with everything you need to take care of your fibrous leather item. This kit not only comes with brushes and erasers, but it also comes with cleaning liquids and a protector spray.
This kit includes the Saphir Gommadin Suede Eraser, a small bristle brush, a high-quality crepe brush, Saphir Omnidaim cleaning liquid, and Saphir Nano Invulner to protect your suede. While this may be the most expensive one, this is the most comprehensive kit and you most likely won’t need anything else to clean and protect your suede.
What we like
- Has everything you need in one purchase
- Comfortable suede eraser that lasts very long
- Omnidaim can clean suede very well and can remove all sorts of stains
- Invulner is one of the best suede protectors
What we don’t like
- Higher price
Other brands that didn’t make our ranking
- Wilkins Suede Shoe Cleaner Brush
- Cobbler’s Suede Brush and Eraser
- UNIS Cleaning Brush
- Ralyn Suede Shoe Brush
- Fiebing’s Suede & Nubuck Cleaner Kit
- Cadillac Nubuck & Suede Kit
- Fiebing’s Suede & Nubuck Cleaner Kit
- SofSole Suede and Nubuck Kit
- Pedag suede kit
How to choose the right brush and eraser for suede/nubuck
Choosing the right brush and eraser is fairly easy as it is hard to go wrong with any brush or eraser as long as they’re not too hard or too pricey.
It will depend on what you need. If you’re someone who’s serious about their leather goods, then we would suggest that you go for the bigger brushes with horse hair and fine brass instead of smaller brushes that may have brass bristles that are too hard or too thick and could damage your suede instead.
Kits with a crepe brush are usually high-quality ones as crepe brushes are usually looked over by most people. For crepe brushes, it’s best to go for natural rubbers as those are usually stickier than synthetic rubber and you want the dirt to stick to the rubber.
If you’re not too serious about leather and just want something to make your suede look good in case of any light stains, you can purchase those 4-in-1 brushes with a small eraser as those are easy to pack inside a bag and take anywhere with you. Just be careful with the brass bristles as going too hard may scratch the leather instead.
For erasers, it’s best to go with textured ones over smooth ones. The textured ones are able to crumble easier and remove the stains better than the homogenous erasers. The size of the eraser would also depend on you, but you could buy a large eraser and cut it into smaller pieces for travel.
Types of suede brushes
Here are the most common types of suede brushes you can see in the market:
Horsehair suede brush
Horsehair suede brushes are soft, gentle, and perfect for some light cleaning on suede. This is the best starter brush if you’re new to leather care since it works well for both smooth leather and textured materials like suede and nubuck.
An alternative to horsehair brush are nylon suede brushes which has nylon bristles, but they aren’t as strong as horsehair. The only downside when using a horsehair suede brush is that it’s only great for removing excess dirt, but it can’t get tough stains or dirt that has settled in the suede fibers.
Brass suede brush
Most of the suede brushes you’ll see in the market today has a brass suede side for a more aggressive cleaning action. The bristles are very stiff and can work out dirt that has penetrated deep into the suede or nubuck.
It’s also a great brush if you want to restore the nap of your suede and remove obvious scuff marks. This brush is best used along with a suede eraser for better results.
Crepe suede brush
A crepe suede brush is the most unique-looking suede brushes compared to the ones above. It is made out of crepe, which is a natural rubber sourced from a rubber tree. It has a sticky and stiff texture and may not feel like a regular brush, if you’ve never owned one before.
The crepe suede brush acts as a cleaner since it drags dirt and stains out of the leather and it is especially effective on suede and nubuck materials. It works by creating a friction between the rubber and the leather, so not only does it clean, but it also restores the volume of the nap.
What is a suede brush made of?
Suede brushes come in many different varieties. Traditionally they were made of horsehair and other types of stiffer hairs in order to do deeper cleaning. However, in modern times it is more common to see nylon brushes as it is cheaper to produce and does not involve dealing with animals.
Horsehair brushes were also commonly mixed with brass bristles in the center and purely brass bristles were also used for heavy cleaning situations. Nowadays it’s common to see nylon bristles with brass bristles in the middle.
Crepe brushes are traditionally made of crepe rubber, a natural latex that comes from a certain type of rubber tree. However, nowadays it is common to see crepe brushes made from synthetic rubber and they can still do the job just as well.
Crepe brushes are meant to pick up surface dirt very easily with their sticky and rubbery texture but cannot go deep into the suede fibers so it should be used in conjunction with a bristle brush.
What is a suede eraser made of?
Suede erasers are usually made of a similar natural rubber to crepe brushes, but come in a different form; a block. Blocks are denser and can be rubbed into the surface with more force than a crepe brush, allowing for spot stain removal and evening out scuff marks.
They are usually compacted rubber that is meant to crumble and take away dirt and stains with it.
When to use a suede brush and eraser
Ideally, you should use a suede brush after using a cleaning solution on your item to bring back its fluff. However, you can simply use an eraser and a suede brush if there are noticeable dirt, stains, and scuff marks on your item that you want to remove easily.
If you use your suede or nubuck item frequently, we recommend brushing it gently after every single use just so there is no dirt accumulation. Otherwise, you can use a suede brush and eraser regularly if you feel the need to. Just make sure not to do it vigorously every time unless there are stubborn stains and marks on your suede or nubuck.
How to use suede brush and eraser
The method for using a suede brush and eraser is straightforward. All you have to do is brush or rub the material using the tools and vary the strength based on what type of stain or marks you’re dealing with. Start with gentle circular motions when removing stains/marks on your item and then slowly increase your strength if the gentle cleaning is not enough.
Check the item in between brushes to see if the stains are gone. There is no need for overkill as you don’t want to weaken the leather fibers. As always, try out the suede brush and eraser on a hidden spot to make sure that it doesn’t cause any damage like discoloration.
FAQ
Can you use a toothbrush as a suede brush?
Yes, you can use a toothbrush as an alternative if you don’t have access to a proper suede brush. It works just fine as it would for suede brushes, but the effectivity is not guaranteed since there are soft and hard-bristled toothbrushes and various stains require specific bristle hardness.
Can Magic Eraser be used on suede?
Magic Erasers are not only great at removing scuff marks from the floor. You can also use it if you want to clean a light-colored suede. The Magic Eraser can effectively remove scuff marks on suede because they are mildly abrasive, but only on lighter-colored ones. Using this on dark-colored suede can cause fading and discoloration.
Can I use a hairbrush on suede?
Using a hairbrush on suede will not do much and will not clean or restore the fluff back of your item. Since the bristles on a hairbrush are not as dense compared to suede brushes, you’re pretty much wasting your time using it as an alternative to suede brush.
Can I use a horse hair brush on suede?
Yes, you can use a horse hair brush on suede. In fact, this is perfect for regular maintenance of suede and nubuck since it is gentle enough to remove excess dirt on them. A horse hair brush is even considered as the most versatile suede shoe brush in the industry and is recommended if you’re a beginner in suede and nubuck maintenance.
