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Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
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You may be able to remove some surface dirt and stains with suede gum or soft sandpaper, but follow up with suede cleaner afterwards. Wipe off any suds with a damp towel when you're done and let your shoes air-dry. Make sure to brush the nap with a suede brush once they're dry to restore the look of your shoes.
If you have oil stains, you can add cornstarch or baby powder to cover the stain and let your shoes sit for a couple of hours. The powder will absorb most of the oil stain. Then, just wipe off the powder with a shoe brush and damp rag to remove the excess.
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Co-authored Articles (34)
13 Easy Hacks to Make the Bottoms of Shoes Not Slippery
Add traction and grip to heels, sneakers, boots, and more Shoes with smooth, flat soles and heels can leave you slipping and sliding on the floor, whether your shoes are brand-new or well-worn. Having slippery shoes isn'...
How to
Repair a Shoe Sole
Soles are often the first part of a shoe to wear out. Fortunately, as long as the rest of the shoe is in good shape, repairing the sole can be an easy way to make your shoes good as new. With a little sandpaper and some ...
How to Get Grease Out of Suede: Quick & Easy Methods
Plus, learn to protect your suede from future stainsMany people love suede shoes, coats, and furniture because of the material’s soft, delicate texture. Unfortunately, it also stains fairly easily. While suede can be h...
Hand-Wash or Machine-Wash Your On Cloud Running Shoes
Remove dirt, sweat, grass stains, and more with this easy guideIf your On Cloud running shoes are covered in sweat, dirt, and grime after your last training session, it might be time to give them a clean. To clean your C...
How to
Fix Holes in Shoes
If you wear your favorite pair of shoes a lot, eventually they'll get worn out and start to have holes in them. Instead of having to purchase brand new shoes, you can plug the holes that form with adhesive or cover them ...
How to
Remove Mold from Bags
What happens when the inside of your bag becomes damp or wet? Mold or mildew. Mold and mildew are types of fungus's that will leave stains and nasty smells to the inside of your bag. However, you don't always have to thr...
How to
Shine Shoes
Keep your dress shoes or leather boots looking like newWell-shined shoes are an essential accessory to any sharp outfit, and will make a good impression when you walk into a room. There are several methods of shining sh...
How to
Shrink Shoes
Finding a pair of shoes that fits perfectly and matches your personal style can be pretty difficult. Luckily, whether you bought a pair of shoes that are just slightly too large or your favorite pair of shoes are stretch...
Easy Ways to Tell if Your Shoes Are Non-Slip (& How They Work)
Look for these signs to find out if your shoes have slip-resistant treads If you regularly are working in an area with wet or slippery floors, then wearing non-slip shoes is a must for staying safe. Non-slip shoes have...
How to Get Oil Out of Shoes: Leather, Canvas, and Suede
Shoe care specialist Rio Jongsae Kim explains how to remove oil and grease stainsOil and grease stains can be tough to remove, but there's no need to panic. In this article, we'll teach you how to get oil out of your sho...
How to Paint the Soles of Your Shoes
Plus, how to maintain your kicks to preserve your paint jobPainting the soles of your shoes is a great way to add your own personal style or flair to them. In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to prep, paint, an...
How to Clean Birkenstocks: Leather or Suede Sandals, Clogs & More
Protect your birks whether they're leather, nubuck, or suedeBirkenstocks are a trendy yet classic sandal. And while they make for durable shoes with a strong sole, the footbeds are notorious for their tendency to get dir...
How to Get Ink Out of a Purse Lining
Plus, how to get rid of pen marks on leather & fabric bagsIf you keep pens in your purse, ink might end up staining the inside of your bag. Whether you’re dealing with ballpoint pen or permanent marker stains, we’ll ...
How to Get Bad Smells Out of Purses, Gym Bags, Totes, & More
Plus, how to prevent odors & keep your bag smelling good Purses, gym bags, backpacks, and totes can absorb and hold unpleasant odors. Fortunately, there are many ways to remove, musty, smokey, chemical, and other bad odo...
How to
Clean Leather Boots
Leather boots can be a gorgeous fashion statement, a comfortable choice for everyday walking, or a practical necessity for certain types of jobs. Most leather can be cleaned with leather soaps and liquid cleaners, althou...
How to Clean Longchamp Bags & Remove Stains
The official Longchamp instructions + creative home cleaning hacksWhether you’re carrying around the iconic Le Pliage tote or a chic leather purse, there comes a time when you need to clean your Longchamp bag. Luckily,...
Tying, Styling, and Sizing Your Golden Goose Sneakers
Your guide to knotting Golden Goose sneakers for easy slip-on wear (plus sizing and styling tips) Golden Goose sneakers are perfect for giving you an effortless, chic vibe with every outfit. While these shoes come pre-di...
4 Ways to Customize Nike Air Force 1s
Hoping to jazz up your brand new Air Force 1s? From paint and rhinestones to paint markers and fabric, there are tons of different ways you can take your stylish kicks to new, colorful heights. We’ve covered everything...
How to
Remove Permanent Marker from Your Shoes
Shoes can be made up of a variety of materials such as leather, nylon, polyester, and acrylic. If you need to remove a permanent ink stain from the fabric of your shoes, then use the distilled white vinegar method. On th...
3 Ways to Clean Leather, Mesh, & Suede New Balances
''Keep your New Balances looking fresh out the box'' New Balances are a popular sneaker for everyday and athletic use. But with so many different styles, how do you know how to keep different materials clean? New Balance...
