Cleaning suede bottoms

[pygmalion]

Good questions, SK.

Sandpaper should not be used on suede soled shoes. Use hard bristled shoe brushes, not sand paper. ( I prefer the shoebrushes stocked by Showtime, but there's a folding shoe brush out there that's also good.)

The shoe brushes can be bought from dance shoe stores, including showtime, or (I'm guessing) hardware stores, or mail order from a lot of other companies.

Brush the bottoms of your shoes either after each use, or whenever you see the soles starting to get shiny in spots. I brush mine before every use. It'sn easier to remember that way. :wink:

 

[SDsalsaguy]

Heay SK (and other interested parties), here's a link to the post in Ads about the folding shoe brush.

 

[Sakura]

Thanks P. and SD! I'll get right on checking out that link after this.

But as to my other question, how do steel-bristled brushes (Bleagh! Tongue twister! :shock: ) not tear up something as soft as leather? Obviously, we're not trying to brush *through* the shoes, but, is the brushing technique just something light, as I've seen it posted, "in one direction?" I hate to reiterate, but after sacrificing one of my two lessons for three months, I'd *really* rather not ruin my new shoes once I get them. :roll: :wink:

Thanks for all of your help again!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

 

[SDsalsaguy]

Suede is actually very tough material SK . . . so brushing the sueded shoe bottoms does little damage to them while picking up the knap and removing wax build-up.

 

[Sakura]

*deep sigh of relief* Good... 8) I just really don't want to ruin these shoes as soon as I get them! I'd go crazy if I had to go another 3-4 months without one of my two dance lessons! :evil:

See you later!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

 

[SDsalsaguy]

SK, just so you can put your mind to rest, don't forget that you can ask the shoestore attendant how to brush your shoes & you can ask your instructor. Maybe having someone show you in person will make you more comfortable with the process.

 

[pygmalion]

Yup, SK. It's is kind of scary, the first couple times you brush your shoes. It doesn't seem to make sense that something so soft should be so tough. Ask your dance teacher. I bet they'll show you their shoe soles and brush 'em while you watch, too. :wink: :lol:

 

[Sakura]

:? Probably, but my dance teacher directed me to Showtime because he said he didn't think much of the store that was in Indy. (Something about uncomfortable shoes and the like...) I might ask where it is anyway though; that way I don't have to worry about online ordering of these brushes... Hmm, they'd have them there if they're a dance store, right??

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

(Thanks for the help SD! I know my questions can probably get a bit mundane or monotonous, but they really help me get my facts straight!! )

 

[Sakura]

Well, my dance teachers definitely nice enough to do something like that for me, P., but he's so busy! When I get there, it's a pain if I'm running late, 'cause he almost always has another lesson after me, so I loose dance time sometimes! :evil: But it's cool, 'cause he tries to give me as much time as he can! I love him to death, and I feel so lucky to have a teacher like him! :roll:

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

 

[SDsalsaguy]

Not a problem SK, not in the least! I wasn't born knowing any of this either! :lol:

 

[Sakura]

Not a problem SK, not in the least! I wasn't born knowing any of this either! :lol:

.... Ah, but wouldn't it be great if we were?! Well, maybe on the technical, related to our precious dancing items; but I wouldn't mind being born not knowing how to dance -- for me, learning it is half the fun! Floating on by after I've learned it and gotten it down is the other half! :wink:

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

 

[KevinL]

Re: Cleaning suade bottoms

KevinL,
First, I've tried brushing in one direction, then another, then diagonally, then sandpaper, then sprays . . . and the only thing I've found is that everyone has an opinion about which way to bring the nap of the suede back up.

Second . . . get your old pair of shoes re-sueded . . . it's always nice to have a second pair available in your car, or just for a change to give your feet a break.

Third, I always carry a "glue-stick" in my shoe bag, right along with a brush to nap up the suede. I count count how many times I've pulled off the heel suede. A quick swipe of the heel with the glue stick, place the suede back on, go dance.

Hope this helps???

Vince

Buy card file.
Buy glue stick.
Resuade shoes.

Kevin

 

[DancePoet]

Great Thread! I was getting ready to buy my first pair of dance shoes, and this sounds like it will make them last much longer! Yeehah!

 

[Sakura]

Isn't it great?? This is the prime example of how nice it is to have omnicient people around you! :wink: 8)

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

 

[dragon3085]

Ok, I am way late gettingin on this thread, but I have found that the wire brushes the sell in the pet stores, or pet sections of the grocery store work pretty well too.