How do you clean shoes that are Upper: Synthetic Balance Man Made Material?

Will Suede/Nubuck cleaner work or will it harm the shoe?

How do you clean shoes that are Upper: Synthetic Balance Man Made Material?
Those words are a fancy way of saying that the shoes are made of plastics: a cloth-backed plastic imitation suede on top and the sole is some type of softer plastic soling.





Suede/nubuck cleaners are abrasive. They clean suede by sanding off a thin layer of the suede. This removes the dirt and raises the natural nap of the suede. A synthetic suede is usually made of fibers heat glued to a PVC base. A suede cleaner might sand all the fuzz off, leaving you with a bald spot.





For synthetics, use a damp cloth, dab away any excess dirt, brush very gently with an old toothbrush to raise the nap and allow to air dry. Synthetics have the advantage of being easier to clean than real suede, and they are more water and dirt resitant than real suede. For everyday cleaning a light brush with a soft cloth should remove loose dust and dirt.



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