Suede and nubuck are delicate types of leather that need special treatment. When it comes to removing dirt and stains on these items, you need cleaning solutions that are specially formulated to be safe on suede and nubuck. Here are the best suede and nubuck cleaners for your precious leather item like a suede jacket:
Best Suede & Nubuck Cleaners for Jackets Reviews
We have compiled the best suede and nubuck cleaners for your items. We have pointed out where it excels and where it might not be so great so you can make an informed buying decision.
Saphir Medaille d’Or Omni’Nettoyant
Differing from Saphir’s Omnidaim, which is also a suede and nubuck cleaner, Omni’Nettoyant is a more effective cleaning agent. The Omnidaim is more for cleaning suede and nubuck that isn’t very soiled, while the Omni’Nettoyant is able to deep clean suede and nubuck, removing deeply embedded dirt and stains.
Omni’Nettoyant is a suede shampoo that can use natural ingredients that can clean other than just suede and nubuck. It can also clean other textiles like daim fabric (faux suede) and stretch microfiber.
What we like
- Great at removing oil stains
- Does not affect the suede color after the drying period
- Comes with a good brush
- Slow-drying formula to avoid discoloration
What we don’t like
- No instructions for less informed buyers
- Most expensive out of all the other options but works very well
Lincoln E-Z Cleaner
This cleaner comes in lotion form and can effectively remove grease marks on your suede or nubuck. It can also get rid of salt stains caused by sweat so it should be enough for some light cleaning. This is a good option if you want to restore the strength of the item without risking making the fibers brittle.
The application is pretty easy with this product, but it is not recommended for industrial use. If you’re dealing with items that are deeply covered in dark streaks, you might be better off with stronger cleaners like Saphir.
What we like
- Easy application
- Great for light cleaning
- Doesn’t make the fibers brittle
What we don’t like
- You need to repeatedly shake the bottle to get it to foam
- Darkens the suede even after drying
Otter Wax Suede and Nubuck Cleaner
Otter Wax is a relatively new brand formed in 2011. It has been making fabric and leather care products that are gentle yet effective. It mainly focuses on providing cleaning solutions for those who care about their precious leather jackets.
Their suede and nubuck cleaner comes in a spray form that contains natural cleaning agents with aloe vera and vitamin c to make the leather healthy. Suede isn’t commonly conditioned, but their formula lets you condition your suede while cleaning it at the same time.
What we like
- Easy application and use
- Great for quickly cleaning surface stains and dirt
- Conditions suede and nubuck well
- Offers water and dirt protection
What we don’t like
- You need to repeatedly shake the bottle to get it to foam
- Darkens the suede even after drying
Aged Leather Pros Leather Cleaning Spray
Aged Leather Pros is one of the safest options in the market when it comes to cleaning suede and nubuck. It is formulated with a balanced pH to make sure that it can remove dirt and other contaminants on your item without risking its integrity and condition. This product also does not contain silicones or solvents that can affect the breathability of suede or nubuck.
These leather cleaning sprays are handmade in the U.S. using natural and plant-based ingredients only so you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals and tacky residue. We recommend using this cleaning along with their leather conditioner or leather dressing for the best results.
What we like
- pH-balanced and non-toxic formula
- Easy-to-use spray bottle
- Does not leave any chemical odor
- Great for deep cleaning
What we don’t like
- Not recommended for lighter-colored leather items
- Not ideal for removing body oils and salt stains
Sof Sole Suede and Nubuck Cleaner
Sof Sole is known mostly for their shoe accessories and their socks, but they also make shoe cleaners for sneakers and leather shoes. Their cleaner uses the same spray can that their sneaker cleaner uses and is very easy to use.
The cleaner foams up on the surface upon spraying and you can brush the foam onto the leather immediately. Although, we would advise you to use a different brush as the brush on the lid is not the best thing to use on leather.
What we like
- Easy-to-use pressurized spray can that foams easily
- Can easily cover a large area
- Does not darken once dry
- Cleans suede and nubuck surfaces very well
What we don’t like
- The brush lid is plastic and stiff. It could damage the leather
- Will take multiple cleanings to remove deep stains
Bickmore Suede & Nubuck Cleaner
Bickmore Suede and Nubuck Cleaner can remove most oil and water-based stains on your item, including those that are colorfast. It also does a good job of conditioning and softening the fibers to ensure that your suede or nubuck will last for a long time.
It also has residue-free formula so it won’t leave any chemical residue on your suede jacket and other leather item. This non-toxic and non-flammable makes it ideal if you have pets or kids that can be at risk around chemical products. For better results, we suggest using this product with the Bickmore Gard-more Water and Stain Repellent.
What we like
- Restores the softness of your item
- Non-toxic and non-flammable
- Safe for colorfast materials
- Removes surface soil and dirt well
What we don’t like
- Not to be used on smooth leather surfaces
- Darkens suede even after drying
Angelus Easy Cleaner
Angelus is a popular family brand that makes all sorts of leather care products. Their Easy Cleaner is able to clean all sorts of materials like fabric sneakers which is what it’s most popular for. However, it is also able to clean suede and nubuck as advertised on the bottle itself.
Angelus has made itself popular among the modern sneaker enthusiast market, but it has been in the leather care industry since 1907 and has a lot of experience when it comes to caring for leather goods.
What we like
- Comes with a lot of cleaning liquid
- Best ounce per dollar value
- Cleans surface dirt very well
What we don’t like
- Not very good at cleaning grease and oil stains
Best Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Care Kit
If you’re looking for a more convenient option go with this suede and nubuck cleaning care kit:
KIWI Suede and Nubuck Care Kit
This care kit comes with all the basics that you will need to clean and protect your suede or nubuck from the elements. This kit comes with a brush, cleaning cloth, suede eraser, and two cans; one is a suede cleaner and the other is a suede protector.
Kiwi’s suede protector is already quite well known as it does a good job of waterproofing suede and nubuck. Their cleaner is also quite good as it can remove surface dirt well and does not darken after drying. This kit is very convenient as it comes with a bag that stores the tools you need to clean and protect your suede.
What we like
- The cleaner does not darken the leather
- The cleaner removes light stains and surface dirt well
- Great waterproofer
What we don’t like
- Ingredients are mostly synthetic which is not good for long-term use
- Cannot remove deep staining
Other Brands That Didn’t Make Our Ranking
- Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner
- Apple Suede Cleaner
- CLOUT Suede Cleaner
- SCC Suede Shoe Cleaner Kit
- Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Cleaner
- Gear Aid Revivex Suede and Fabric Boot Care Kit
- Care & Cool Suede and Nubuck Cleaner Kit
What is suede cleaner and what is in it?
Suede cleaners are usually also called suede shampoo due to their sudsy and foamy nature. It is meant to loosen any dirt, grime, and oils in the loose fibers of the suede and nubuck as it is very common to have contaminants stuck in the fibrous surface of those materials.
The ingredients inside suede cleaners are quite difficult to pinpoint as many of the best brands keep their formula a secret like Saphir, Angelus, and other specialist leather care brands.
However, KIWI has made its ingredients list public and its suede cleaner uses Naphtha and a benzene-based cleaner, trifluoromethyl benzene. Naphtha is very commonly used in the dry cleaning industry but is now being phased out due to health and safety concerns.
Trifluoromethyl benzene is a cleaning agent that is used to remove dirt and loosen those dirt particles so they can be easily rinsed away.
You can expect the companies that claim natural ingredients to use natural alternatives to what KIWI are using in their cleaners.
How to choose the right cleaner for suede and nubuck
Here are some things you need to consider when choosing the right cleaner for your precious suede or nubuck jacket:
Ingredients
This is the most important aspect when picking the best product. The ingredients are what sets apart the best and the bad suede and nubuck cleaners. For example, some cleaners use harsh chemicals and are toxic so you need to be extra cautious when using them indoors.
There are also suede and nubuck cleaners that are made from natural ingredients, making them non-flammable and safe to use indoors and around kids or pets. Some cleaners are also pH-balanced to ensure that they are gentle yet effective on suede and nubuck.
Finish
Once you’re aware of the ingredients, you can then tell which cleaners maintain the breathability of your jacket and other suede/nubuck item and which ones can cause discoloration. Once you’re done cleaning, you’ll notice that some cleaners might have caused your item to darken or left residues on the surface. Make sure that you go for those that are residue-free, odorless, and do not make the fibers brittle.
Application
Cleaning suede and nubuck already requires you to take many things into consideration. You don’t want a cleaner that is messy and hard to apply. Go for those that already come with suede brushes or in a bottle that you can easily dispense the product from. There are also suede and nubuck cleaners that don’t come in spray bottles but are still easy to apply using a soft cloth.
How to use a suede cleaner
Suede cleaners are usually all used in the same manner. They are all liquids that either come in a bottled form or a spray form. Here’s how to use the most common forms.
Bottled liquid suede cleaner
In order to use suede cleaners that come straight from a bottle, you should refer to the back if they specify for you to dilute them or not. For cleaners like Saphir’s Omni’Nettoyant, you are meant to dilute them in water. Do your research on your product to know how much water to use if it does not come with instructions.
Make sure to brush off as much loose dirt as you can with a brush. Once all the loose dirt has been removed, prepare the liquid in a small container that you can dip your cleaning brush into. Brush the material in circular motions adding a decent amount of force, not too much. Wipe the suds off with a clean towel or cloth and brush again if necessary.
Allow your suede or nubuck to dry for a few hours until it feels dry to the touch. Once it is dry, you can use your suede brush and brush the material in a back-and-forth motion to fluff up the suede again. Continue to let it dry for about 24 hours before using it.
Spray suede cleaner
Spray suede cleaners are more convenient to use and you waste less of the cleaner as the cleaner all goes onto the material instead of dripping off of a brush. However, you will still need a brush as that is essential for suede.
As always, make sure to brush off as much loose dirt as you can before starting. Once that’s done, you can spray the surface making sure not to spray too much. You may then brush the leather in circular motions with some force but not too much. Wipe off the suds and inspect the leather if any stubborn stains remain.
You may repeat the process for stubborn stains, but do not repeat it more than 3 times as you may damage the material instead. Let the material become dry to the touch before using a suede brush to fluff up the suede. Let it dry for 24 hours before using. For a step-by-step guide on how to clean a suede jacket click here.
FAQ
Can you clean suede with leather cleaner?
Yes, you can clean suede using leather cleaners, but only if it says that it’s safe to use on suede or nubuck. It’s best that you go for suede and nubuck cleaners as those are specially formulated to handle dirt and stains on velvety items and restore their fluff back. If the leather cleaner doesn’t say that it’s safe to use on suede and nubuck, we advise against using it.
Can you use suede and nubuck cleaner on ugg?
Yes, you can use suede and nubuck cleaners on your Ugg boots. We recommend brushing your Uggs with a suede brush to bring back their fluff after cleaning them. You should also spray them with water-repellent sprays to avoid water stains when you wear them outside or during rainy days.
Are there any effective homemade suede cleaners?
Although we highly recommend sticking with suede cleaners from trusted brands, there are also homemade suede cleaners that you can try. You can use white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to remove stubborn stains on suede, but you should ALWAYS follow it up with a suede brush to fluff it up. However, there is no guarantee that the suede won’t get damaged during the cleaning process, so take heed when using homemade solutions.
Use a soft cloth and spray the cleaning solution there before rubbing it on your suede or nubuck item. As soon as the stain is gone, dry your item completely and brush the fluff back onto the item. Otherwise, the fibers will harden and you’ll be stuck with brittle suede or nubuck.
