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How to Clean Your Sperry Top Siders

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Clean your Sperry Top Siders

How to Clean Your Sperry Top Siders

Sperry Top Siders are incredibly durable boat shoes. Because of this, they are worn often and build up a lot of grime before the end of their lives. This is an easy way to clean these bad boys.

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Step 1 of 8
All supplies but the laundry machine and laundry detergent.

All supplies but the laundry machine and laundry detergent.

Step 2 of 8
Soak shoe in water and put some dish soap on it. Scrub as much of the shoe as possible. Note: Remove laces completely to avoid fraying.

Soak shoe in water and put some dish soap on it. Scrub as much of the shoe as possible. Note: Remove laces completely to avoid fraying.

Step 3 of 8
Next, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and apply to the spots that you couldn't scrub out.

Next, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and apply to the spots that you couldn't scrub out.

Step 4 of 8
This is especially useful on the lighter colored leather. Scrubbed with nail polish on the left. Only scrubbed with dish soap on the right.

This is especially useful on the lighter colored leather. Scrubbed with nail polish on the left. Only scrubbed with dish soap on the right.

Step 5 of 8
Remove insoles from shoes and put shoes and insoles into pillow case.

Remove insoles from shoes and put shoes and insoles into pillow case.

Step 6 of 8
Tie a knot in the pillow case and insert into laundry machine. Add detergent and set for a long cycle with cool water.

Tie a knot in the pillow case and insert into laundry machine. Add detergent and set for a long cycle with cool water.

Step 7 of 8
After wash, put your shoes out in the sun to dry. Congratulations, you just cleaned your Sperrys.

After wash, put your shoes out in the sun to dry. Congratulations, you just cleaned your Sperrys.

Step 8 of 8
With your newly cleaned Sperrys you may want to add some mink oil to protect the leather.

With your newly cleaned Sperrys you may want to add some mink oil to protect the leather.

Start Over

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7 Comments
Supplies
Embed

1 Bucket of water

Dish Soap

Scrub Brush

Nail Polish Remover

1 Old Pillow Case

Washing Machine

Cotton Balls

Courtney Marie

Thanks for the guide, I've been using my mizuno inserts in my sperrys too...how bizarre!

Courtney Marie 1 day ago

Alexis Greene

I'm afraid to ruin my shoes with the nail polish remover and putting part of it in the washing machine may shrink that part

Alexis Greene 3 days ago

Mack Bakker

Fantastic tutorial!

Mack Bakker 2 months ago

Ana Sanchez

I have sperrys that have the clear sparkles all around the shoe on top of the pattern and the shoe isn't really leather it's fabric. Would this also work without dis coloring the shoe?

Ana Sanchez 5 months ago

Megan Hemphill

Thank you! My favorite pair are really looking rough!

Megan Hemphill 6 months ago

Muhammad Ayub

Seems like a long process but i have a pair or two that i can try with. Instead of throwing them away they might come out new

Muhammad Ayub last year

Claire Skz

Aww man!!!!, where were you 2 weeks ago. I tried to clean mine but it was just a disaster had to buy new ones because I can't love without those shoes!

Claire Skz last year

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