Suede Shoes - Keeping Clean

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I have a pair of beige suede shoes that I wear almost every day. From driving my car, the back of the right shoe has a black streak. I've tried cleaning with suede cleaner, but it didn't work. Do you have any ideas. These are my favorite shoes and they still are good except for the black mark on the heel.

Signed,

Beige suede shoes

Dear Beige suede shoes,

There have been good results with using a nail file. Very lightly file the black mark away being careful not to overdo it or the suede will be removed. If the suede shoes are aniline dyed (dye permeates the leather and not just a surface dye), then you shouldn't have any problems getting scuff marks off and the suede color will be fine.