How to Clean Sperrys

Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim

Last Updated: September 22, 2022 References

Canvas Sperrys

|

Leather Sperrys

|

Suede Sperrys

|

Video

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

|

Things You'll Need

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

1
Mix warm water and liquid detergent in a bucket or water basin. 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]
X
Research source}
2
Dip a bristle brush into the solution and scrub the shoes. 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.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Rinse your Sperrys with warm, clean water. 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
Put your shoes in the washing machine to remove large stains. 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.^{[3]
X
Research source}
5
Air dry your Sperrys. 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.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Wait until your Sperrys are completely dry before wearing to avoid athlete's foot or other fungal diseases.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Leather Sperrys

1
Remove caked-on dirt with a bristle brush. 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.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
- Use a rubber-bristled brush rather than a nylon-bristled brush. Rubber brushes will be easier on your shoes.
2
Use water and soap to rub away scuffs. Make a cleaning solution with water and mild dish soap.^{[7]
X
Research source} 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.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Avoid using saddle soap on your Sperrys, which can break down and damage most leathers.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
3
Dry your Sperrys. 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
Apply leather conditioner to your shoes. 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.^{[10]
X
Research source}^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
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.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
6
Buff your shoes with a microfiber cloth. 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
Take special care with suede shoes. You cannot clean suede shoes the same way that you clean leather.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.} 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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Suede Sperrys

1
Rub down your shoes gently with a suede brush. 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
Use a suede bar or eraser for stubborn scuffs. 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
Dab a sponge across the exterior to remove water stains. 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.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- For tough water stains, dampen your sponge with vinegar and rub over the stain.
4
Sprinkle cornstarch over the shoes for oil stains. 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.^{[15]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

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.
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.
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.