Learn how to clean, and take care of your suede mule leather shoes. Handmade suede and leather mule shoes use traditional jute soles with vulcanized rubber for durability.
The Lamu Mule
is an effortless and essential shoe to anyone’s wardrobe. Handmade by our Maker Mums in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, these suede mules are great for strolling & exploring new cities, slipping into while heading to the farmer’s market & off to morning yoga. Easy to wear from season to season, these will become your go-to shoes every day. View the entire collection here.
Step 1- Protect Them
The best method for keeping your suede shoes clean is to employ a preemptive strike—i.e., an excellent spray-on suede protector, like this one from the Rochester Shoe Tree Company. This treatment will keep dirt and stains from sticking to your shoes, and will also keep them a bit more water-resistant. If you haven't sprayed a protector on your shoes straight out of the box, simply follow the steps below to clean them, and then apply directly to your Lamu Mules.
Here are a few of our favorite brands:
Step 2 - Regularly Brush Them
The one thing you must have to have if you own suede shoes is a suede brush! Because of the soft grain of suede, a special brush is the best way to keep it clean. It is also the best way to maintain the finish so that your shoes don't look worn out.
To clean off any dust, dirt, or minor stains, simply brush the shoes while dry. Make sure you brush them in the same direction rather than back and forth if it's just a bit of dirt or dust. However, to get rid of a scuff mark, go ahead and brush it vigorously back and forth to lift the grain back up.
Here are a few helpful links for brushing your Lamu Mules:
Step 3 - For Bad Scuffs, Use a Knife
Scuffs on suede are generally nothing more than a spot on the grain that has gotten too matted down. Sometimes, a suede brush won't do the trick. When that happens, try scraping a knife very carefully over the area to lift the nap. If you're worried about using a knife on your precious shoes (which is understandable), you can also try using a pencil eraser. There are also suede-specific erasers that you can try.
Step 5 - Fight Water Stains with Water
Summer storms can creep up on you in an instant, which means there is always a bit of a risk for water-staining your suede shoes. Funny enough, the best way to get rid of a water stain is with more water. The trick is to first apply a light coat of water with your suede brush and then gently dab the shoes’ surface with a rag until it is evenly wet, without any water stains showing. Then, insert shoe trees or wads of paper so that your shoes will maintain their shape as they dry. Once they are completely dry, go over them lightly with your dry suede brush to restore the grain to its original look.
Extra Tip - Water and Vinegar for Really Tough Stains
For hard-to-remove stains, if you wear them during the winter, salt stains are unavoidable —the best method is to use a solution of two parts water, one part white vinegar. Apply a small amount of the solution with a soft rag, and then let it dry. Once they dry, go over them lightly with your suede brush.
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