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. Please note, our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

 

Shoes & 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 items) 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.

Embellished & Stones

  • Do not soak; clean gently; avoid heat & humidity; store properly.
  • Wipe off dust with a soft dry cloth or soft brush. For stubborn stains, dab gently with a cotton swab dampened with clean water or neutral detergent.
  • To fix broken or loose stones, use a fine-tip applicator or toothpick to apply a thin layer of glue to the rhinestone base or surface and reattach the missing or loose stones.
  • Store in a cool, dry, dark, and ventilated area, away from heat and moisture. Silica gel packets are recommended.

Vegan Leather

  • Wipe off dust with a soft dry cloth or soft brush. Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to gently clean the surface, and then wipe again with a clean cloth to remove soap residue.
  • Allow the product to dry naturally at room temperature. Keep them away from direct heat or dryers.
  • Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive brushes, or washing machines, as these can damage vegan leather.

Textile & Fabric

  • Wipe off dust with a soft dry cloth or soft brush. Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to gently scrub the fabric using small circular motions. Focus on stained or dirty areas.
  • Allow the surface to air dry at room temperature. Stuffing with paper can help maintain the shape while drying.
  • Do not use bleach, harsh chemicals, or direct heat, and avoid putting fabric items in the dryer, as this may damage the material or cause shrinkage.

Faux Fur & Shearling

  • Gently shake to remove dust, dirt, or surface debris. Mix a small amount of mild soap with cool or lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out well, and gently blot the affected area. Avoid soaking the faux fur or faux shearling.
  • Once the material is dry, gently brush the fibers with a soft brush to help restore their natural look and softness.
  • Allow the item to dry naturally at room temperature. Keep it away from direct heat sources such as dryers, radiators, or hair dryers.
  • Do not machine wash, bleach, or use harsh chemicals, as these can damage the fibers and backing.
  • Regularly brushing faux fur or faux shearling helps prevent matting and keeps the fibers soft and fluffy.

Synthetic

  • Remove loose dirt with a soft brush or dry cloth, mix a small amount of mild soap with warm water, then use a soft cloth dampened with the solution to gently wipe the surface.
  • Lightly clean seams, stitching, and textured areas with a soft brush or cloth, and finish by wiping the item with a separate clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
  • Allow the item to dry naturally at room temperature. Avoid direct heat sources such as dryers, heaters, or hair dryers.
  • Do not use bleach, harsh chemicals, abrasive brushes, or washing machines, as these can damage synthetic materials or finishes.

Paper Straw

  • Brush dust gently along the texture with a soft-bristled brush.
  • Spot-clean only: dab stains lightly with a cotton swab dampened with water or
  • neutral soap, then absorb moisture immediately.
  • Do not wash or submerge in water. Avoid use on rainy days.
  • Keep away from direct sun and heat to prevent brittleness and breakage.
  • Store in a dust bag in a cool, dry, ventilated area; do not press heavy items on top.

Hard Wicker 

  • Remove dust from surfaces and crevices with a soft brush or dry cloth.。
  • Spot-clean small stains with a slightly damp cloth; do not soak or rinse with water.
  • Air-dry in a cool, shaded area; avoid direct sun, heat, and moisture to prevent cracking, warping, and mold.
  • Store in a dry place; avoid heavy pressure, dropping, or bending to prevent breakage.

Women's Clothing

Faux Leather

  • Wipe clean with a damp cloth
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Lay flat to dry
  • Use pressing cloth and cool iron if necessary
  • Do not dry clean
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Sequins

  • Hand wash cold separately
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Lay flat to dry
  • Do not iron
  • Do not dry clean
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Faux Fur

  • Dry clean
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Denim

  • Machine wash cold with like colors
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Tumble dry low
  • Use warm iron if necessary
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Cotton and Cotton Blends

  • Machine wash cold with like colors
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Tumble dry low
  • Use cool iron if necessary
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Puffers

  • Machine wash cold on delicate cycle with like colors
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Tumble dry low and remove promptly
  • Dry with clean tennis balls to fluff
  • Do not iron
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Tweed

  • Hand wash cold separately or dry clean
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Lay flat to dry
  • Use cool iron if necessary
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.

Polyester and Polyester Blends

  • Machine wash cold on delicate cycle with like colors
  • Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed
  • Tumble dry low or line dry
  • Use cool iron if necessary
  • Our care suggestions are provided as general guidance. We’re not responsible for any damage resulting from their use.