How to Clean Sperrys

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Sperrys are a brand of boat shoes that are highly fashionable and require routine maintenance. There are leather, canvas, and suede Sperrys, and each type requires a different cleaning approach. For best results, clean your shoes daily for minimal upkeep. If your Sperry shoes are excessively damaged, clean thoroughly to remove stains or scuffs.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Canvas Sperrys

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  1. Fill a bucket with warm water and add a mild laundry detergent. Liquid detergent works best, but powdered detergent can be used if on hand. Swirl the solution around until the detergent is completely dissolved. If bubbles appear and the surface is worked into a lather, your solution is ready to be used. [1]
  2. Hold the shoe above the bucket or water basin and scrub the outside with a soft toothbrush or sponge. This will remove most dirt, debris, and stains. If caked-on dirt does not yield to the brush, dip the shoes gently into the water and continue scrubbing.
    • Avoid submerging the shoes entirely, as soaking wet shoes are more likely to mildew.
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  3. After you have finished removing stains, dip a soft cloth into warm water and wring it dry. Then, wipe your Sperrys down until no traces of soap remain on the shoe.
  4. If your Sperrys still have stains after hand-washing, set your washing machine to a gentle cycle with cool water. Add half the normal amount of laundry detergent and allow your washing machine to run a full cycle. [2]
  5. Let your shoes dry in the sun after one cycle in the washing machine. Remove the insoles and allow them to dry separately. This will prevent your insoles from molding and help them dry faster. Stuff your canvas shoes with newspaper to preserve their shape as they dry.
    • Do not put your shoes in the dryer. The high heat can melt shoe glue and cause your Sperrys to fall apart. [3]
    • Wait until your Sperrys are completely dry before wearing to avoid athlete's foot or other fungal diseases.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Leather Sperrys

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  1. Using a soft toothbrush or a bristle brush made for leather, gently brush away any dirt, dust, or debris. Brush the leather with soft strokes in the same direction. If you scrub the shoes in multiple directions, you're likely to leave scars. [4]
    • Use a rubber-bristled brush rather than a nylon-bristled brush. Rubber brushes will be easier on your shoes.
  2. Make a cleaning solution with water and mild dish soap. [5] Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution, and use it to clean your Sperrys. Apply firm pressure while you rub in a circular motion to remove residual dirt and scuffs.
    • Don't get the leather too damp, as excessive wetness can make the leather fibers less supple. [6]
    • Avoid using saddle soap on your Sperrys, which can break down and damage most leathers.
  3. After you have washed your Sperrys with water, wipe them dry with another microfiber cloth. Use the same circular motion as you did to remove the scuffs. Continue wiping until your Sperrys are dry, at which point you can proceed to the next step.
  4. Before you can polish your Sperrys, you need to apply leather conditioner. Using a soft cloth, apply a thin layer of conditioner to your shoe's leather. Let the conditioner absorb into the shoe for 10-20 minutes, then remove it with a dry section of the cloth. [7] [8]
  5. Shine your Sperrys with shoe polish. Use a soft cloth to apply the polish in a clockwise motion around the shoe. When you have polished the entire leather surface, use a separate cloth to remove the polish in a counterclockwise motion.
    • Test the polish on a small part of the shoe first to make sure it won't cause discoloration.
    • Cream polishes will retain your shoe's color best, but wax polishes are ideal for shine.
  6. Using a soft microfiber cloth once again, buff your shoes in a circular motion by applying direct pressure to the shoes. For an extra shine, apply a few drops of water onto the cloth before you buff your Sperrys.
  7. You cannot clean suede shoes the same way that you clean leather. [9] Suede is treated differently and has a napped finish because it is made of the underside of animal skin. Follow the cleaning instructions for suede shoes to avoid causing damage.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Suede Sperrys

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  1. Suede's soft grain is best cleaned with a suede brush. Brush the shoe gently to remove dust or dirt accumulated on the surface. Brush repeatedly in the same direction in short strokes to avoid scuffing your shoes.
    • For scuffs that are especially matted down, try rubbing the area with sandpaper to lift the nap.
  2. For scuffs you cannot brush or sandpaper out, rub a suede bar or a piece of crepe rubber over the scuffs. Apply a moderate amount of pressure to the scuffs, increasing as you reach tougher areas. You can also use a pencil eraser in place of a suede bar.
  3. For water stains, dab a slightly damp sponge over the shoe's exterior. Remove any excess moisture with a dry microfiber cloth. Then, ball up newspaper and fill your shoes so they retain their shape while drying. [10]
    • For tough water stains, dampen your sponge with vinegar and rub over the stain.
  4. If your shoe stains do not disappear from the method above, they may be oil stains. Sprinkle cornstarch lightly over the stain and let it sit for ten minutes. Cornstarch absorbs oil and prevents it from soaking into the suede, especially if the stain is treated early. [11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's the best way to clean leather Sperrys?
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    For leather Sperrys, brush the shoes to remove the dirt and dust. Then, use a leather cleaner and a horsehair brush. Wipe off any dirty foam with a wet rag and dry them for a couple of hours.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How can I protect my leather sperries?
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Leather conditioner is going to be your best friend. After you finish cleaning them, apply a leather conditioner to protect the surface of the leather from stains.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How can I clean a sticky, dark substance off my light colored Sperry Nubucks?
    Community Answer
    To clean the upper part of a tennis shoe, use water mixed with dish soap or detergent to remove any stains, then rinse clean. Wipe your shoes off with an old towel and set them out in direct sunlight to dry.
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      Video

      Things You'll Need

      Cleaning Leather Sperrys:

      • Water
      • Mild dish soap
      • Bristle brush
      • Shoe polish
      • Leather conditioner
      • Soft microfiber cloths

      Cleaning Canvas Sperrys:

      • Bucket or water basin
      • Toothbrush
      • Sponge
      • Mild detergent
      • Newspaper

      Cleaning Suede Sperrys:

      • Suede brush
      • Suede bar or eraser
      • Microfiber cloth
      • Sandpaper
      • Newspaper
      • Cornstarch


      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • Remove the shoelaces before you clean your Sperrys. Some cleaning methods can cause shoelaces to fray. If the laces are especially dirty, you may want to replace them.
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      • Deodorize your shoe's insides after you have cleaned the exterior. Sprinkle the insides with an absorbent powder like baking soda and let the powder sit for several hours. This will absorb the dirt, moisture, and odors trapped inside your Sperrys. Dump the powder out afterwards and use a vacuum hose to remove any residue.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.fabhow.com/how-to-clean-canvas-shoes.html#Step_1_Add_detergent_to_warm_water
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-canvas-shoes
      3. ↑ https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-tips/fabrics/how-to-wash-shoes-in-the-washing-machine.html
      4. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      5. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-leather-shoes/
      6. ↑ https://www.reference.com/world-view/happens-leather-gets-wet-5a70f49a68105192
      7. ↑ http://www.esquire.com/style/advice/a46735/shoe-shine-polish-tips/
      8. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      9. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.
      1. ↑ https://www.birchbox.com/magazine/article/how-to-clean-suede-shoes
      2. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-suede-apartment-therapy-tutorials-218921

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your leather Sperrys, start by scrubbing off any dirt or dust with a bristle brush. Then, make a solution out of water and dish soap, dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution, and rub your shoes in a circular motion to remove scuffs. If you have canvas Sperrys, combine warm water and laundry detergent in a bucket, then dip a brush into the solution and scrub your shoes. After you've removed the dirt or stains, use a cloth to rinse your shoes in warm water. To learn when to put your canvas Sperrys in the washing machine or how to clean suede Sperrys, read on!

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