Clean vegan leather shoes with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then dry them at room temperature. Never use oil, leather conditioner or heat. That covers smooth vegan leather, which is most of what people own. Patent, satin, faux suede, mesh and lace each need one or two small changes, all explained below.
Some of the top-ranking guides tell you to rub olive, coconut or even mink oil into vegan leather. Don't. Vegan leather is usually a polyurethane (PU) coating on a fabric backing, and oil does not soak in the way it does in hide. It sits on the surface, attracts dirt and can soften the coating over time. Stella McCartney's care notes say to spot clean with a soft damp cloth, and Vivaia says its heels and sandals should be wiped rather than washed. Rothy's machine-washable knits are the exception, and they are not leather. This guide goes by material, because a satin flat and a patent pump need different treatment.
The cheat sheet: what to use on each material
| Material | Clean with | Scuffs and stains | Never |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth vegan leather | Damp cloth + mild soap | Pea-sized dab of petroleum jelly, buffed off | Oil, leather conditioner, heat |
| Patent (vegan) | Soft cloth, barely damp; buff dry | Petroleum jelly, buffed off | Hard brushes, polish creams, too much water |
| Satin | Cold water, dab with microfiber | 3 parts cold water to 1 part mild detergent, soft toothbrush | Rubbing, soaking, machine washing |
| Faux suede | Dry brush with the nap | Pencil or suede eraser; cornstarch on grease | Soaking, brushing against the nap |
| Mesh | Soft brush, diluted soap | Soft toothbrush along the grain | Machine washing a structured shoe |
| Lace | Dab with cool soapy water | Blot, then repeat; don't scrub | Brushes that snag the openwork |
The 5-step routine for any vegan shoe
- Dry clean first. Knock off dirt and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. Most of the grime comes off before any water touches the shoe.
- Mix a mild solution. A few drops of dish soap in cool or lukewarm water. Wring the cloth out until it's just damp.
- Wipe, don't scrub. Small circles for smooth uppers; dab for satin and lace.
- Rinse the residue. Go over the shoe with a second clean damp cloth, then pat dry with a towel.
- Air dry, stuffed. Fill the shoe with paper so it keeps its shape, and leave it away from sun and radiators until fully dry.
Claudia tabi slingback flats - Black
High-gloss black vegan patent: wipe, buff and store in a dust bag, and it stays mirror-bright.
How to clean smooth vegan leather
This is the easiest material to care for. Follow the five steps above. For salt marks in winter, wipe with a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and cool water, then with plain water. For a scuff, rub a pea-sized amount of petroleum jelly in with a soft cloth and buff off the excess. Test it on the inside of the heel first.
A conditioner is only worth using if the label says it is made for synthetic or PU materials, and even then only two or three times a year. A normal leather conditioner is made for skin, which absorbs it. PU cannot, so the conditioner just sits on the surface.
Vivra Strap Leather Ballet Flats
Smooth black vegan leather: a damp cloth weekly is all it needs.
How to clean vegan patent shoes
Patent is a glossy coating, so the goal is to keep it streak-free. Wipe with a microfiber cloth, use a barely damp cloth with a drop of detergent for marks, and buff dry straight away. A baby wipe works for a quick clean on the go. Patent picks up color from other shoes and dyed fabrics, so store each pair in its own bag. Keep light-colored patent out of direct sun, which can yellow it.
Cerise Patent Ballerina Pumps
Crinkled brown vegan patent: the crinkle hides small scuffs, and a buff brings the shine back.
How to clean satin shoes
Satin is a weave, not a coating, so rubbing distorts it and pushes stains deeper. Brush off dry dirt with a soft toothbrush. For a stain, mix three parts cold water to one part mild detergent, tap the excess off the brush, and work in tiny circles. Dab with a dry microfiber cloth. Stubborn marks come out better over two or three short sessions than one hard scrub. Spot test inside the heel first. A fabric protector spray before the first wear saves most of the trouble.
Rosie Satin Tabi Ballet Flats
Pink satin with a split toe: blot, never rub, and spray before the first wear.
How to clean faux suede
Faux suede is more forgiving with water than real suede, which is a real advantage, but it still doesn't like to be soaked. Brush in the direction of the nap. Use a pencil eraser or suede eraser on marks. For grease, cover the spot with cornstarch, leave it for a few hours and brush it off. For a stubborn stain, dab (don't pour) a little white vinegar on a microfiber cloth. Let it dry, then brush the nap back up.
Sena Vegan Suede Tabi Ankle Boots
Matte brown vegan suede: brush with the nap and the color stays even.
How to clean mesh and lace shoes
Mesh: a soft brush and diluted soap, brushing gently along the grain, then air dry. Do not put structured mesh flats in the washing machine, because the sole and shape are glued. Veja and Vivaia both say the same about their shoes.
Lace: dab with cool soapy water on a cloth, blot, and repeat. Avoid brushes, whose bristles catch in the openwork. Dry flat with paper inside.
Lace Embroidered Mesh Ballet Flats
Sheer mesh with floral embroidery: a soft brush and a dab, never a machine.
Florence black Lace Ballet Flats
Square toe on a fine lace ground: blot stains rather than scrubbing.
Why vegan leather cracks, and how to prevent it
- Heat is the main cause. Hairdryers, radiators, car dashboards and direct sun dry out the coating and make it crack or peel. Always air dry.
- Damp storage. Plastic bags and damp closets trap moisture, which breaks PU down over time. Use breathable cotton dust bags.
- Harsh cleaners. Bleach, disinfectant wipes and alcohol all over the shoe strip the finish. Use alcohol only on a cotton bud for ink, and test first.
- Creasing. Stuff shoes with paper or use shoe trees between wears, and rotate pairs so each one rests.
Sizing and fit after cleaning
Cleaning doesn't change a vegan shoe's size. Smooth vegan leather relaxes and conforms to your foot, but does not permanently stretch, so buy the right fit from the start. Our flats mostly run EU 35–40; the lace Florence goes to 45. Width advice is in ballet flats for wide feet, and split-toe sizing in the tabi sizing guide.
Stella McCartney, Rothy's, Vivaia and us
Stella McCartney set the standard for luxury vegan shoes, and its care advice is the simplest: spot clean with a soft damp cloth. Rothy's, from about $149, made machine-washable knit flats its whole pitch, which is an advantage no leather-look shoe can match. Vivaia, whose Aria 5° lists around $129, combines knit uppers with wipe-clean heels and gives clear care instructions per style.
Our shoes are mostly $48 to $89, in smooth vegan leather, patent, satin, faux suede, mesh and lace. None of them are machine washable, and all of them follow the routine above. If you want a shoe you can put in the washing machine, knit is the honest answer.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use leather conditioner on vegan leather?
No, not a regular one. It is made for animal hide, which absorbs it; vegan leather's PU coating cannot. Only use a conditioner labeled for synthetic materials, and sparingly.
Can you put vegan leather shoes in the washing machine?
No. The water and tumbling can loosen glue and distort the shape. Only knit shoes that the brand labels machine washable should go in the machine.
How do you get scuffs off vegan leather shoes?
Rub a pea-sized amount of petroleum jelly into the scuff with a soft cloth, then buff off the excess. Test on the inside of the heel first.
Does vinegar damage vegan leather?
Diluted 1:1 with water and wiped off afterward, white vinegar is safe for salt marks. Don't use it undiluted or leave it on the surface.
Can satin shoes get wet?
A little water is fine when you dab. Soaking causes water marks and can loosen the fabric from the shoe. Use a fabric protector spray before the first wear.
How do you stop vegan leather shoes from peeling?
Keep them away from heat, store them dry in breathable bags, avoid harsh cleaners and oils, and stuff them with paper between wears.
Read next
- Vegan Leather vs Real Leather Shoes: An Honest Comparison From a Brand That Only Makes One
- Which Tabi Flat Should You Buy First? Smooth vs Patent vs Satin vs Fabric, Compared
- Ballet Flats for Wide Feet: Toe Shape Matters More Than Size
Every material above is in ballet flats, and the split-toe versions in tabi shoes.