How to Clean Clarks Desert Boots, According to Clarks and Others
Quick answer: Brush with a suede brush, rub marks with an eraser, use a suede foam cleaner on stubborn spots and air dry away from heat. Never machine wash. Clean the crepe sole with diluted washing-up liquid and keep it off the suede.
We compare Clarks care pages and independent sources and show where they disagree.
Clarks Desert Boots: Sources Compared
Clarks makes the Desert Boot, and its product page lists the upper as suede and the sole as natural rubber crepe. Clarks publishes several care pages that do not say exactly the same thing, so we read them side by side with Start-Rite, Moss, Saphir and Gear Patrol. Everyone agrees that suede and water do not mix. They differ on how much dampness is acceptable, which direction to brush and what to do about stubborn marks.
| Source | Dry cleaning | Stains | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks US blog | Suede brush or soft toothbrush, one direction only. Suede eraser or clean damp cloth with little water for minor stains. | Suede foam cleaner after a small-area test. Equal parts water and white vinegar, blot, dry, brush. | Suede protector spray. Brush regularly. Shoe trees. |
| Clarks UK suede care | Lint-free damp cloth or suede brush in straight strokes, varying direction. | Suede-specific cleaner such as its Active Foam Cleaner. Test first. Never in the washing machine. | Conditioner, then protector. Water-resistant finishes can flatten the fibres. |
| Clarks AU guide | Specialised brush, straight strokes, varying direction. | Damp cloth may darken suede temporarily and it should air-dry. | Waterproofing spray. Suede is not waterproof. |
| Clarks US how-to-clean | Without a cleaner, soft brush in one direction and no water. | Foaming cleaner brushed with the grain. Diluted vinegar is offered as an alternative, with the foaming cleaner called safer. | Rain and Stain spray after cleaning. |
| Clarks UK care products | Brush loose dry dirt. Brush stains along the natural direction of the fibres. | Cleaning wipes first. White vinegar on a cloth as a last resort because it may affect colour. | All-purpose protector before first wear, test a hidden area first. |
| Start-Rite | Suede brush or soft nail brush, then a suede or pencil rubber. | Water marks: light spray of water, work with a soft brush, dab, dry. Mud: a little white vinegar or micellar water. | Not covered. |
| Moss | Brush with a suede brush in the direction of the nap. | Splashes: blot, talcum powder overnight, brush. Worn nap: steam, then an old toothbrush. | Colour-matched protective spray, overnight, ideally on a new pair. |
| Saphir | Horsehair brush, multi suede brush for hard-to-reach areas. | Universal Shampoo for mud, Omnidaim Suede Multi Cleaner for a general clean, Gommadin Suede Eraser for spots. | Nano Invulner Protector Spray. Renovetine to restore colour. |
| Gear Patrol | Suede brush, crepe block eraser for caked-on dirt. | Keep suede dry. | Waterproof protector made for suede. Clean suede boots about once a month. |
Clarks, Start-Rite, Moss and Saphir sell shoes or care products, so their advice reflects what they sell. None of the pages gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Step by Step: Cleaning Suede Desert Boots
A routine built from what the sources agree on, with who says what:
- Brush off dry dirt first. Clarks US blog, Clarks UK and Saphir all start with a suede brush. The Clarks US blog says a soft-bristled toothbrush works if you have no suede brush.
- Rub marks with an eraser. Clarks US blog, Start-Rite, Saphir and Gear Patrol all name a suede or crepe block eraser. Brush the crumbs away.
- Use a suede foam cleaner for stubborn marks. Clarks US blog and Clarks UK say to test a hidden area first.
- Let it air dry. Clarks US blog says away from heat. Clarks AU says a damp cloth may temporarily darken the suede and it should dry without visible marks.
- Brush again to lift the nap. Clarks US blog and Saphir both finish with a brush.
- Apply protector once clean and dry. Clarks UK, Clarks AU, Moss and Saphir.
Our nubuck and suede guide covers the same material in more detail.
Stains, Water Marks and Worn Nap
- Water marks: Start-Rite lightly sprays water over the surface, works it with a soft brush or suede rubber, dabs off the excess and dries the shoe with paper inside. Clarks AU says a damp cloth may darken suede temporarily.
- Mud and grass: Brush loose dirt, rub with a suede rubber, then a little white vinegar on a soft cloth (Start-Rite).
- Splashes and spills: Moss blots the liquid, covers it with talcum powder overnight and brushes it off in the direction of the nap.
- Persistent stains: The Clarks US blog dampens a cloth with equal parts water and white vinegar, blots, dries and brushes. Clarks UK care products calls vinegar a last resort because it may affect colour.
- Flattened or worn nap: Moss holds the shoes over steam and scrubs with an old toothbrush. Clarks UK rubs light scratches with a finger and uses suede conditioner on deeper ones.
- Faded colour: Saphir sprays Renovetine from 20 to 25 cm away.
Grease is the stain these sources do not cover. Start-Rite says so directly. For that, see a cobbler or leather expert, as Clarks UK suggests for a thorough clean.
Cleaning the Crepe Sole
The Desert Boot has a natural rubber crepe sole. The only Clarks page that covers crepe is its UK care products page:
- Brush off loose, dry dirt, then scrub the soles with diluted colourless washing-up liquid or a mild grease-removing detergent, using a sponge or old toothbrush.
- Keep detergent off suede or textile uppers, because it may stain them.
- Let the soles dry thoroughly.
- Avoid harsh solvents such as white spirit, which the page says can damage the crepe.
Gear Patrol suggests a crepe block eraser for caked-on dirt on suede. See our shoe sole guide for other sole types.
Rain and Protector Sprays
Clarks UK says water is especially damaging to suede and typically causes stains that cannot be fixed, so avoid wearing suede in the rain. The Clarks US blog says to avoid wet weather unless the boots are from Clarks waterproof collection. Clarks UK also notes that water-resistant finishes can flatten the raised fibres.
Moss and Clarks UK care products both recommend treating a new pair before wearing it. Clarks UK care products says to test a hidden area first because a protector may slightly darken the material. Moss sprays a light layer over the whole upper and leaves it overnight. Clarks UK care products holds the can 30 cm away, sprays evenly in a ventilated area and lets it dry.
Can You Machine Wash Desert Boots?
No. Clarks UK says suede shoes should never be put in the washing machine, and the Clarks US how-to-clean page says never do it with suede or leather boots. That page allows sneakers to be machine washed in a closed mesh bag on a cold, gentle cycle, but a Desert Boot is not a sneaker.
For general washing rules see our washing machine guide.
Drying and Storing Desert Boots
- Air dry. Clarks US blog, Clarks UK and Clarks AU.
- No radiators. The Clarks US blog says direct heat can make suede brittle or warped. The Clarks US how-to-clean page also lists hair dryers and airing cupboards.
- Keep the shape. Shoe trees (Clarks US blog) or newspaper (Clarks US how-to-clean).
- Out of the sun. Clarks US blog and Clarks UK say direct sunlight fades suede.
- Store cool and dry. Clarks UK says humidity can cause mould. For long periods, wrap in tissue paper and use a shoe bag.
Where the Sources Disagree
How much water. Clarks US blog allows a damp cloth with little water for spot cleaning. Clarks US how-to-clean says no water if you have no suede cleaner. Moss and Gear Patrol say keep suede dry. Start-Rite sprays water lightly onto water marks. General advice: use a brush and eraser first, and a suede cleaner before any water.
Brush direction. One direction only (Clarks US blog), straight strokes varying direction (Clarks UK and AU), along the natural direction of the fibres (Clarks UK care products), with the nap (Moss), toe to back (Start-Rite).
Vinegar. Used by the Clarks US blog, Clarks US how-to-clean and Start-Rite. Clarks UK care products calls it a last resort that may affect colour, and Clarks US how-to-clean says a specialist cleaner is safer.
Heat. Start-Rite dries paper-stuffed shoes in a warm place near a radiator but not too close. Clarks US blog and Clarks US how-to-clean say keep away from radiators.
Questions About Cleaning Desert Boots, Answered
“How do you clean Clarks Desert Boots?”
Brush off dry dirt with a suede brush, rub marks with an eraser, use a suede foam cleaner on stubborn spots, air dry and brush again.
“Can you wash Desert Boots in the washing machine?”
No. Clarks UK says suede should never go in the washing machine.
“Can you use water on suede?”
Sources differ. Clarks US blog allows a damp cloth with little water. Moss and Gear Patrol say keep suede dry.
“How do you get water stains out of suede?”
Start-Rite lightly sprays the whole surface, works at it with a soft brush, dabs and dries it with paper inside.
“How do you clean the crepe sole?”
Diluted colourless washing-up liquid with a sponge or old toothbrush, kept off the upper, and no white spirit (Clarks UK care products).
“Should I spray new Desert Boots?”
Moss and Clarks UK care products both say to treat a new pair, after a hidden-area test.
“Can I wear Desert Boots in the rain?”
Clarks UK says avoid it. Clarks US blog says avoid wet weather unless the boots are waterproof.
“How often should I clean suede boots?”
Gear Patrol says about once a month. The Clarks US blog says brush regularly.
Mistakes to Avoid
- The washing machine. Clarks UK.
- Too much water. Clarks US blog, Clarks UK.
- Radiators, hair dryers and direct sun. Clarks US blog and how-to-clean page.
- White spirit on crepe soles. Clarks UK care products.
- Skipping the hidden-area test. Clarks US blog, Clarks UK.
- Brushes not made for suede. Gear Patrol.
- Scrubbing or pressing too hard. Start-Rite.
How we checked this
- Steps come from Clarks (US, UK and Australia care pages), Start-Rite, Moss, Saphir and Gear Patrol. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on water, brush direction and vinegar, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- Clarks, Start-Rite, Moss and Saphir sell shoes or care products. None gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Desert Boot Care Helpers
A suede kit, a protector spray and shoe trees cover the steps that Clarks and the other sources describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Crep Protect shoe protector spray
A water and stain repellent spray for use on clean, dry shoes.
Check it on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you machine wash Clarks Desert Boots?
No. Clarks UK says suede should never go in the washing machine.
How do you clean suede Desert Boots?
A suede brush, an eraser, then a suede foam cleaner for stubborn marks.
Can you use water on suede?
Sources differ. Use a brush and eraser first.
How do you clean a crepe sole?
Diluted colourless washing-up liquid with a sponge or old toothbrush, kept off the upper.
Should I protect new Desert Boots?
Moss and Clarks UK both say to treat a new pair.
Can you wear them in the rain?
Clarks UK says avoid it.
How do you dry them?
Air dry away from radiators and sun, with shoe trees or paper inside.
How often should I clean them?
Gear Patrol says about once a month.
The Short Version
Brush first, use an eraser and a suede cleaner before water, keep the upper dry, clean the crepe sole separately and air dry the boots away from heat.
Keep Reading
Sources
- Clarks US: How to clean and protect suede shoes
- Clarks UK: Suede shoe care
- Clarks Australia: Shoe care guide
- Clarks US: How to clean shoes
- Clarks UK: How to care for your shoes
- Clarks UK: Desert Boot Brown Suede
- Start-Rite: Removing stains from your suede shoes
- Moss: How to care for your suede
- Saphir: Suede and nubuck guide
- Gear Patrol: How to clean suede boots
