suede seduction

there will be a point in our shoeholic lives where we will purchase a pair (or two or mooreeee) of suede shoes coz they're just simply hard to resist. they're sleek and sexy.

my "addiction" started last year when i saw this pair of boots in centropelle, vigan last summer. (yes in vigan - 50% off).

then a pair of apple green bandage sandals from zara, glorietta 4 (january of this year).

just last week, i bought a pair of tangerine peep toe pumps and royal blue & black ballet flats. (in SM Megamall, Dept. Store! Yey for steal finds!)

(they have these in fuschia and teal)

the only drawback is that they're hard (and expensive) to maintain. when i accidentally spilled black tea on my apple green sandals two months ago, i was forced to buy a suede cleaner from ecco (rustan's, makati). it cost me P500++ which is quite steep for a shoe cleaner and i am telling you, despite cleaning it well, the stains didn't really disappear.

so if you're not so hot on buying expensive suede cleaners, here are some simple tips i saw in eHow.com which you may find useful:

1. Step1
   

   Rub suede gently with a bath towel to restore some of its nap.

2. Step2
   

   Remove dry stains and marks from suede by gently rubbing a pencil eraser on the affected area. For wet stains lay a papertowel on top of stain to absorb most of the liquid. Do not apply any kind of stain remover or other products, especially if you want to have it professionally cleaned. This can interfere with the cleaning process.
   

3. Step3

   Brush with a suede brush.

4. Step4
   

   Apply a small amount of white vinegar to a lightly dampened cloth as a last resort for cleaning suede shoes.

5. Step5

   Gently rub the surface of the shoe with the cloth, then allow it to air dry.

6. Step6

   Remember that stains on leather and suede should be professionally treated. This is always the best option. You never know how the leather was treated during the making of your fabric and what will happen if you try to clean it yourself.