Care & Cleaning

CARE & CLEANING

 

At Steve Madden, proper care helps extend the life, comfort, and appearance of your shoes. This guide provides safe, material-specific cleaning instructions for all materials carried in our product assortment.

 

Shoe & Handbags

Leather

  • Wipe surface dirt gently with a soft damp cloth; avoid harsh cleaners/excess water.
  • Condition genuine leather 2-3x/year to prevent cracking; PU needs no conditioning, just occasional wipes.
  • Keep away from direct sun/heat, avoid sharp objects to prevent scuffs/fading.

Suede

  • Blot liquid spills immediately with a dry cloth (no rubbing) to avoid water stains.
  • Brush dry dirt with a suede brush (single direction) to restore nap; use a suede eraser for tough marks.
  • Avoid water/rain/harsh chemicals; professional suede clean only for deep stains.

Microsuede

  • Washing by hand or machine is prohibited. Remove surface dust with a soft brush in a single direction for daily care. Treat local stains with a suede eraser or special cleaner.
  • Blot water with a dry cloth if it gets wet, then air-dry in a cool, shaded place. Ironing is generally not recommended.
  • Hang dry in a dry place, cover with a dust bag, and put in a dehumidifier.

Raffia

  • Gently brush along the texture with a soft-bristled brush; spot clean small stains with a cotton swab dipped in a neutral soap solution, then promptly absorb the moisture.
  • Avoid prolonged water or moisture exposure, direct sun or heat, and heavy pressure to prevent fraying/warping.
  • Store breathably: Place in a cotton or linen dust bag and keep in a cool, dry location.

Mesh

  • Remove loose dirt first with a soft brush; spot clean stains with mild soap + damp cloth.
  • Air dry  (away from direct sun/heat); do not tumble dry (prevents shrinking/snags).
  • Avoid rough surfaces to prevent tearing the mesh weave.

Patent Leather

  • Wipe smudges/dirt with a soft microfiber cloth (dry or slightly damp) for quick touch-ups.
  • Use a specialized patent leather cleaner for stubborn marks; avoid abrasive cloths/harsh chemicals (damages shiny finish).
  • Store separately (no direct contact with other shoes) to prevent color transfer/scratches; avoid sharp objects.

Jelly, Vinyl, & PVC

  • Wipe clean with a soft damp cloth + mild soap; rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly with a dry cloth (prevents stickiness).
  • Avoid prolonged direct sun/heat (causes discoloration/warping) and sharp objects (tears/scratches).
  • Do not use alcohol/acetone/abrasive cleaners; use gentle vinyl cleaner only for ink/sticky marks.

Satin

  • Can be gently hand-washed with neutral detergent in warm water below 35℃. Light brushing is allowed, but vigorous rubbing is forbidden.
  • Avoid direct sunlight. Can be ironed with a pressing cloth at a temperature not exceeding 180℃.
  • Store in a dry place and take care to prevent the satin weave.