The answer is that suede shoes can become wet and still be worn. You need to take care of them right away to avoid harm. It’s better to stay away from wearing suede shoes if it’s going to rain or if you think they could get wet.
If you know what happens when suede shoes get wet and what you can do to stop it from occurring, getting suede shoes wet isn’t all that unpleasant. Furthermore, it would be better to wait to wear suede until the rain has ceased for at least 10 minutes if it has been raining for a long or if you are entering standing water.
How Do Suede Shoes React to Water?
Suede shoes may become wet while still keeping you dry, but if they do, the water will slowly seep inside your shoes. To prevent mold from growing inside your suede boots or shoes, you shouldn’t attempt to utilize them until you’ve immediately dried them off.
Additionally, suede shoes will change color if they become wet. If you have ever had a pair of suede shoes, you are undoubtedly well aware of how the color changes in harsh weather. The same is true for footwear that has spent a lot of time in damp or wet environments.
Suede is the inner layer of skin that lies far below the epidermis after the top skin has been peeled off. Due to its hydrophilic surface, suede will draw moisture into the leather. Because of this, water seeps into the shoe, permanently staining it in hues that vary depending on how long it was submerged in water and where on the shoe (top vs bottom).
Sometimes the color shift is not immediately apparent. The rich reddish-brown coloration may lighten after drying in the sun. Over time, the leather creases will also darken in color and the suede’s dull look may be followed by cracks along the shoe’s surface.
Suede shoes’ texture may also be altered by water, which makes them stiffer and more difficult to walk in. When moisture dries off, suede that has been soaked too often could lose its velvety quality and become harsh. But if you take good care of them and adhere to certain maintenance guidelines, this won’t harm your suede shoes.
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In the rain, do suede shoes become ruined?
Rain doesn’t damage suede footwear. However, they might sustain some damage since suede is not water-resistant like leather. If you are caught in the rain and your suede shoes become wet, you should take them off as soon as you can and hang them up in a spotless area so they can dry. You should get rain and stain protection if you want to wear suede shoes in the rain. When you arrive home, they will dry a little bit more quickly since this will assist to protect them from the weather and stains.
What Happens When Suede Gets Wet?
You probably already know what happens to suede when it gets wet if you’ve ever owned a pair of suede shoes. Whether you’re unfamiliar, you may be wondering if water will damage suede boots. Suede shoes shouldn’t be worn in the rain for a variety of reasons.
Rain damages suede.
Suede is not water resistant, in contrast to leather footwear. Suede degrades when it becomes wet, becoming stiff and brittle after drying, rendering it susceptible to irreparable damage.
Rain causes suede to lose color
Rain not only damages your suede shoes or boots, but it may also cause the color to fade, making them seem lifeless and drab. This is so that the suede doesn’t become uneven and spotty from water seeping through and causing the dye to bleed.
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The suede is prone to stretching when wet
Given its porous nature and propensity to expand when wet, suede leather is particularly vulnerable when improperly waterproofed. Your shoes can lose their form as a result, which would make them difficult to wear.
On suede, raindrops create watermarks
The presence of watermarks is yet another frequent problem while wearing suede in the rain. When suede comes into touch with water, these black patches develop on its surface. Water stains are hard to remove and might harm your shoes in the long run. They are on our list of stains you should get rid of immediately away because of this.
How to Dry Suede Shoes After Getting Wet
You’ll need the items listed below to restore suede footwear that has been harmed by water.
- Cedar shoe tree and newspapers
- suede brush with brass bristles
- Suede wash and repair spray
- Water-repellant
When suede shoes become wet in the rain, you may use these procedures to remove water stains from them.
- First, stuff a newspaper or a cedar shoe tree inside your suede boots or shoes. Try them both. Newspaper, in my opinion, provides greater surface area. So long as the paper quality is good, it works nicely. To sock as much water as you can is the aim of this phase. Avoid exposing the suede to heat sources or placing it directly in the sun.
- Wait for the upper to dry up if it’s covered in muck. Then, to clean the dirt off the suede shoes, take a moist towel and wipe them.
- To smooth out the grains and elevate the nap of the suede, lightly brush the suede with a soft-bristled brush after the suede shoes have dried. By distributing the suede leather’s tiny hairs uniformly, you may also aid in stain removal. Actually, after wet suede dries up, you won’t see a stain there. After water is absorbed into it, it changes in reflectivity. If you have a hand dryer, keep sweeping the brush over the suede there. However, after taking the first step, file a lawsuit against the washer.
- Now you may treat your suede shoes with a suede spray or suede eraser to thoroughly remove stains and restore their fresh appearance. Spray a suede spray over the top and use a brush to gently distribute it in a circular motion.
- Finally, you may use water and stain repellent to shield your suede shoes from moisture when you re-wear them. This will make it simpler to deal with the suede shoes if they become wet again later on.
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Preventing Water Damage to Suede Shoes
Let’s look at how to protect suede shoes from the water now that we are aware of the risks associated with wearing them in the rain. You may take a few steps to assist prevent water damage to your suede shoes.
Defend the suede in your shoes
Waterproofing your shoes is the greatest defense against damage. Use a suede or water-repellent protective spray on your shoes before wearing them. Before rain or snowstorms, use a suede protector to help prevent water damage.
Avoidance is key
Although it may seem simple, avoiding wearing suede shoes in the weather is another approach to preserve them. After all, the best medicine is prevention.
If you really must wear them in the rain, be sure to take them off as soon as you can and let them air dry fully. This makes it less likely for mold or germs to develop there.
Can Suede Shoes Get Wet | Video Explanation
FAQs
Can you wash and waterproof suede shoes?
The suede shoes are given a treatment to increase their sturdiness, texture, and softness. They don’t feel particularly at ease in the water until they are covered with a water-resistant spray. In contrast to canvas shoes, suede footwear cannot be washed. The suede is a delicate fabric since it is made from the underside of an animal’s skin and is thinner. You need a suede cleanser or eraser, as I described before, to clean suede shoes. Additionally, you may review other suede shoe cleaning methods right here.
If I wash my suede shoes, what will happen?
Suede’s delicate grains might be harmed by washing. If you wash your shoes, you run the risk of harming the suede finish. Additionally, the suede will become colorless and hard like cardboard. When you’re through wearing suede shoes, be sure to brush them. To remove dirt or stains, use a suede brush or a soft toothbrush.
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Conclusion
You are now aware of what to do if your suede shoes get damp. Your shoes’ lifetime and appearance may be prolonged if you take the time to properly care for them. You can preserve your suede shoes in immaculate shape and prevent any water damage with a little bit of work.
Hi, I am Brian, Lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, and Went to The University of Texas at Austin, I am a shoe lover & know the inside out of shoes. I am well aware of the qualities of top-quality boots. That’s what I’m sharing with the reader of About Shoes/boots/footwear. Read More Here
