Suede Care Tips - How to Care For Rouge Tieks Ballet Flats

Tieks has just released their very first suede style and I've got all the details on how to care for these gorgeous designer flats. Read below for suede care tips and how to take care of scuffs. Be sure to check out my Rouge Tieks video too!

If you've ever owned anything suede, you know it requires a little TLC. You can't just wear a pair of suede shoes or carry a suede purse on a rainy day and hope for the best. You need to be a little more careful when wearing this type of leather. When Tieks announced it was released a suede style, I was pretty excited but I knew there were going to be a lot of questions about how to care for them and keep them looking great. I've put together a little care guide (and video below!) to help you keep your Rouge Tieks looking great. Also, be sure to check out my Rouge Tieks styling post for outfit ideas and side-by-side comparisons with similar colors!

How to care for Rouge Tieks

Tieks has noted that the suede leather is double-dyed to bring about that deep red color, so color transfer is a possibility. They recommend using a suede protectant to help reduce that risk and I'd just recommend that in general.

Since suede Tieks are new for us Tieks girls, they've included a care card in the packaging (I'm not going to go through what's inside a Tieks box since I go all over all of that in my full Tieks review), and here is what it says: Your new Tieks are crafted with soft Italian suede leather. Before wearing, brush the leather’s nap with a suede brush and apply a suede protectant. After wear, store unfolded in a dry environment to allow the leather to breathe. Avoid prolonged exposure to water, plastic, heat, oils, humidity, and direct sunlight. For more info on caring for your suede Tieks, please visit www.tieks.com/caretips.

My Rouge Tieks looked amazing right out of the box, but I did as suggested and brushed them right away. There were a few wrinkles from being folded but those relaxed out fairly quickly upon brushing. I used a soft bristle toothbrush since the nap of this suede is really short and soft.

Since I was in a rush to photograph these, I went ahead and wore them without spraying them with suede protectant first (although I wouldn't recommend that). Once I returned home from my photoshoot, I realized I did have a few stray marks on my Rouge Tieks.

Thankfully, I had ordered this Woly Suede Sponge. I cannot get over what a little miracle product this sponge is! You just use the broadside of the sponge and wipe away any marks. It's amazing! UPDATE: If the Woly Suede Sponge is unavailable, then this sponge or this kit looks comparable and comes with a brush (which you'll need). Or, this premium suede care kit would also work.

As you can see, and I also show this in the video below, the suede sponge removed all of the stray marks without damaging the shoe at all. Just another care tip though, if you do get mud on your suede shoes, let it dry overnight, then use a brush to remove it the following day. Afterward, use the sponge to remove the rest.

After I cleaned my Rouge Tieks and before I added them to my regular Tieks rotation, I used a suede protectant. I ordered this Scotchgard Suede & Nubuck Protector and it worked perfectly.

I did two light coats, spraying from 6" away as suggested, and I didn't notice any color change at all. This Kiwi Suede Protector and this Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Protector are other good options too.

I know I have a pretty in-depth post about how I care for my Tieks and that includes polish and leather cleaners and conditioners, BUT you should not use any of those products on Rouge Tieks. Polish and conditioners will ruin the suede. Just use the sponge when necessary and Scotchgard them as needed.

You should also avoid getting these shoes wet. I've been able to wear my classic Tieks through rainstorms and they've managed to escape unscathed, but suede is completely different and shouldn't get wet.

Rouge Tieks storage

I always store my Tieks unfolded, especially when there is a possibility of color transfer, like with patent styles. You'll want to do the same for Rouge Tieks. Keep the shoe unfolded when not in use and store them in a dust bag.

Suede care tips video

In the video below, I've got more details about these beautiful flats including sizing info, side-by-side color comparisons, and care tips. You can see the suede sponge in action too.

Do you have any other suede care tips?
I'd love to hear them!