Removing Nettles From Suede Shoes

Tweezers

• With a pair of tweezers and gloves, pick each nettle out of the shoe. This process will take some time, but it's the most complete way to remove all of the nettles from your suede shoes. To ensure that the nettles don't end up sticking to you, place a piece of duct tape on a table in front of you. After you pull out a nettle, place the nettle on the duct tape. When you're finished, carefully roll up the duct tape and throw it away.

Lint Roller

• Lint rollers help to remove some of the nettles that aren't embedded deep within the suede. If you just rubbed against a nettle leaf, using a lint roller will reduce the amount of time you have to spend picking out each hair. Lightly roll the lint roller over the top of the suede shoe. Avoid touching the fabric because you may force the nettles down further into the suede.

Brushing

• Using a horsehair brush, remove nettles by using a consistent stroke in the same direction. Place the brush toward the base of the shoe and run the brush firmly around the suede shoe extending toward the toe. Complete this process several times until the nettles have been dislodged from the shoe. Completing this process outside ensures that you don't get stinging nettles in your carpet or on your couch and home furnishings.

Suede Eraser and Brush

• A suede eraser will work to clean and buff the shoe once the nettles have been removed. Nettles will leave a slight residue that can be easily removed with a suede brush and eraser. Use the eraser first to clean the suede and remove and small microscopic nettle "hairs" that remain unseen to the naked eye, then use a suede brush to comb the suede material and even out the texture of the shoe. Use direct, linear motions with both the eraser and the brush when cleaning the shoe.