How to Clean High Heels: What Heel Makers and Retailers Say
Quick answer: identify the material, spot test, brush or wipe off dry dirt, clean by material with as little water as possible, and dry away from heat before conditioning.
We compare the makers and retailers and show where they disagree.
How to Clean High Heels: Sources Compared
Heels are made of many materials and are delicate, so the first question is always what the upper is made of. We read Steve Madden, Zappos, Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, Charles and Keith, Paul Smith, Avantelle (a Christian Louboutin guide) and Bared Footwear. They agree on spot testing, blotting wet suede and keeping heat away. They differ on water, wipes, erasers and how often to condition.
| Source | Leather and patent | Suede | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Madden | Wipe leather with a soft damp cloth. Patent: soft microfiber cloth, dry or slightly damp, patent cleaner for stubborn marks. Condition genuine leather 2 to 3 times a year. | Blot spills with a dry cloth, no rubbing. Brush in one direction, suede eraser for tough marks. | Water and rain on suede, abrasive cloths on patent, harsh chemicals, direct sun and heat. |
| Zappos | Leather: dry cloth, then a damp cloth in slow circles, air dry, then apply a heel conditioner or balm. | Rubber eraser for scuffs. Stains: blot with a 2:1 mix of warm water and vinegar. | Blow dryer or sun on leather. Walking on grass, mud or gravel. |
| Stuart Weitzman | Leather only: saddle soap or leather cleaner, conditioner 5 to 15 minutes, horsehair brush, thin polish. Scuffs: damp cloth with a few drops of dish soap. | Not covered. | Skipping a spot test. |
| Jimmy Choo | Leather: wipe with a soft damp cloth after each use. “Don’t use cleaning products, solvents, or alcohol.” Patent absorbs ink and dark pigment easily. | Protector spray before use. Brush loose dirt lightly with a soft rubber suede brush. | Water, salt, heat, oil, grease, alcohol and color transfer. |
| Charles and Keith | Leather: clean gently, condition every 6 months. Faux leather: gentle wipe, no conditioner. | Protective spray, brush regularly, treat stains with suede tools. | Heat, sun, over-conditioning, non-suede products on suede. |
| Paul Smith | Brush off dirt, then a damp cloth with very mild soap if needed. Leather is “not naturally waterproof”. | Suede brush. | Liquid polish applicators and untested treatments on visible areas. |
| Avantelle (Louboutin) | Patent: damp microfiber with a tiny drop of mild soap, avoid acetone and alcohol. Smooth leather: leather cleaner, then balm every 2 to 3 months. | Never clean with water. Brush when completely dry, eraser, white vinegar dab for water marks. | Baby wipes, bleach, machine washing, nail polish and magic erasers on red soles. |
| Bared Footwear | Smooth leather: damp cloth with mild cleaner, then conditioner. Patent: damp cloth then buff, no abrasives. | Suede brush and rubber eraser, minimal water. | Drying near heaters, products without a spot test. |
Several of these sources sell shoes or care products, so their steps may point to their own range. We have not tested any of these methods.
Step by Step: Cleaning High Heels
The shared method, with who says what:
- Identify the material. Charles and Keith and Steve Madden both separate leather, suede, canvas and faux leather, because the wrong product can darken or stiffen the upper.
- Spot test. Stuart Weitzman, Paul Smith and Bared Footwear all say to test on a hidden area first.
- Brush or wipe off dry dirt. Zappos says a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel. Paul Smith says a clean soft brush.
- Clean by material. See the next section.
- Dry slowly. Zappos says away from heat and sun. Bared Footwear says away from heaters, stuffed with paper or on shoe trees.
- Condition or protect. Only once dry (Zappos, Avantelle).
Bared Footwear says protection sprays reduce staining but do not fully waterproof the shoes, and should be reapplied after cleaning.
By Material: Leather, Patent, Suede, Satin
Smooth leather. Zappos damp cloth in slow circles, then conditioner. Stuart Weitzman uses saddle soap or leather cleaner, a conditioner coat that soaks in 5 to 15 minutes, a horsehair brush and thin polish. Jimmy Choo says no cleaning products or alcohol, only a damp cloth. See our leather shoe guide and conditioning guide.
Patent. Steve Madden and Avantelle say a microfiber cloth that is damp, not soaked, with a tiny drop of mild soap if needed. Avantelle says to avoid acetone, nail polish remover and alcohol, which cloud the lacquer. Steve Madden says to store patent pairs separately to prevent color transfer. See our shoe polish guide.
Suede. Steve Madden and Jimmy Choo say to blot wet spots at once and not rub. Brush in one direction (Steve Madden, Avantelle), use an eraser for scuffs, and Avantelle dabs white vinegar on water marks and covers grease with cornflour for 4 to 6 hours. See our nubuck and suede guide.
Satin. The sources differ. Steve Madden says hand wash gently with neutral detergent in warm water below 35C. Zappos says blot with a wrung-out damp cloth along the grain. Avantelle says spot clean with cold water and avoid hot water, rubbing and full immersion. Bared Footwear blots with wool wash and a cold damp cloth rinse. General advice: blot, do not rub, and use as little water as possible.
Glitter. Jimmy Choo says to use a soft dry lint-free cloth in gentle circular motions, keep away from liquids with solvents or alcohol, and expect some shedding on first use.
Faux leather and canvas. Charles and Keith says faux leather needs only gentle wiping and should not be conditioned. Canvas takes a mild soap spot clean and a full air dry. See our faux leather guide.
Soles and Heel Tips
Soles and heel tips take the wear:
- Red soles: Avantelle says to wipe with a dry soft cloth after every wear to remove grit, which speeds up lacquer wear, and avoid nail polish, generic red paint and magic erasers. It says a cobbler can reapply the lacquer.
- Heel tips: Zappos says rubber heel lifts reduce wear, and gives a repair method for broken heels and replacement dowels. Avantelle says a cobbler can replace heel tips for significant restoration.
- Leather soles: Jimmy Choo says they wear with use, especially on pointed toes, and offers resoling.
- Surfaces: Zappos says to avoid grass, mud and dusty gravel, and that concrete is the safer choice.
See our shoe sole guide for rubber soles.
Storing High Heels
Storage advice from the sources:
- Dust bags and shapers: Jimmy Choo says to use dust bags and protective tissue or shoe sticks to keep shape.
- Do not toss in bins: Zappos says heels pick up nicks and scuffs fast in cubbies, and standard racks may not balance heels.
- Ventilation: Charles and Keith says to avoid plastic boxes, and replace silica gel every 3 to 4 months in humid areas. Avantelle says plastic bags trap moisture around suede.
- Rotation: Jimmy Choo and Charles and Keith say to rotate pairs.
- Do not air open heels forever: Zappos says open-heeled styles left airing out can crack or break more easily.
Zappos says that with good care heels can last up to 15 years. That is a retailer’s claim with no test data.
Where the Sources Disagree
Water on suede. Avantelle says never. Steve Madden says avoid it. Zappos blots stains with a 2:1 warm water and vinegar mix. Bared Footwear says minimal water. General advice: dry tools first.
Cleaning products on leather. Jimmy Choo says no cleaning products or alcohol. Stuart Weitzman uses saddle soap, cleaner and polish and rubbing alcohol on ink. Avantelle says a leather-specific cleaner, not soap and water. Each house is writing for its own leather.
Wipes and erasers. Stuart Weitzman allows an alcohol-free baby wipe and a wet magic eraser on white leather. Avantelle says to avoid baby wipes and magic erasers on red soles.
Conditioning frequency. Steve Madden says 2 to 3 times a year. Charles and Keith says every 6 months. Avantelle says every 2 to 3 months if worn regularly. Charles and Keith also warns that over-conditioning can clog pores.
Protector spray. Jimmy Choo says to use a leather protector before first use. Paul Smith says protector sprays add a coating but treatments may slightly change color. Bared Footwear says protectors do not make shoes fully waterproof.
Questions About Heels, Answered
“How do you clean suede heels?”
Dry brush in one direction and use a suede eraser (Steve Madden, Avantelle). Blot wet spots without rubbing (Jimmy Choo).
“How do you clean patent leather heels?”
A damp microfiber cloth, buffed dry (Steve Madden, Avantelle). No acetone or alcohol (Avantelle).
“How do you clean satin heels?”
Blot with a barely damp cloth and do not rub (Zappos, Bared Footwear).
“How do you clean white heels?”
Stuart Weitzman uses a damp cloth for scuffs and a wet magic eraser on fresh white leather stains.
“How do you protect the red sole?”
Wipe off grit after every wear and consider clear sole protectors (Avantelle).
“How do you stretch tight heels?”
Zappos says to lightly spritz diluted rubbing alcohol on tight spots, and not more than once or twice.
“How should you store heels?”
In dust bags with shapers, in a dry ventilated place (Jimmy Choo, Charles and Keith).
“Can heels go in the washing machine?”
No source recommends it. Avantelle lists machine washing as something to avoid, and Steve Madden says no washing machines for synthetic and vegan leather.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Heat and direct sun. Zappos says a blow dryer or the sun can make leather harden and crack.
- Machine washing. Avantelle warns, and Steve Madden says no machines for synthetic and vegan leather.
- Solvents, acetone and alcohol on finish. Jimmy Choo and Avantelle warn.
- Abrasive cloths on patent. Steve Madden and Bared Footwear warn.
- Rubbing dirt into satin. Bared Footwear warns.
- Conditioning faux leather. Charles and Keith says it can become sticky.
- Storing damp or in plastic. Charles and Keith warns.
- Grass and gravel. Zappos warns.
How we checked this
- Steps come from Steve Madden, Zappos, Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, Charles and Keith, Paul Smith, Avantelle and Bared Footwear. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on water, wipes, erasers and conditioning frequency, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- Several sources sell shoes or care products. None gives test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
High Heel Care Helpers
A suede brush and eraser kit, a leather cleaner and conditioner, and soft microfiber cloths cover the steps the sources describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean high heels?
Identify the material, spot test, wipe off dry dirt, clean by material with little water and dry away from heat.
How do you clean suede heels?
Dry brush in one direction and use a suede eraser (Steve Madden, Avantelle). Blot wet spots.
How do you clean patent heels?
A damp microfiber cloth, buffed dry, no acetone or alcohol (Avantelle).
How do you clean satin heels?
Blot with a barely damp cloth, no rubbing (Zappos, Bared Footwear).
How often should leather heels be conditioned?
Sources range from every 2 to 3 months (Avantelle) to every 6 months (Charles and Keith).
How do you protect red soles?
Wipe off grit after every wear (Avantelle).
How should you store heels?
In dust bags with shapers, in a dry ventilated place (Jimmy Choo, Charles and Keith).
Can you wash heels in a machine?
No source recommends it.
The Short Version
Know the material, test first, use little water, dry away from heat and store with care.
