how to polish leather top siders shoes

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By Olivia Lily

Have your leather Topsiders seen better days? You are not alone. Many fans of these classic shoes wonder how to make these beauties look fresh out of the box. Whether after a day’s stroll on the beach or walking on the city pavements, these Sperry Topsiders need some pampering.

This guide will help you polish leather topsiders and other material types, such as nubuck or suede. We are determined to restore the shine using a simple procedure anyone can handle! Let’s get on with the expert cleaning routine that is perhaps the best for your favorite pair of shoes.

Here is the step-by-step guide for how to polish leather top siders shoes

How To Clean Leather Sperrys: No Need To Stress Out On This One. Just Make It A Point To Be Systematic, And You Will Be Good To Go.

Most supplies will be needed for cleaning. The entire procedure will be easier and faster if you can get it all over.

Mild soap and a damp cloth on particularly troublesome staining marks work well. It is preferable to start with a standard cleaning of the stain, which is effective and completely hassle-free.

Once you are finished, mop off any soap spots using a second moist cloth and dry completely using a towel.

Some leather adhesives that can rejuvenate the material and give it its natural sheen are advised to protect it. Self-cleaning works great in enhancing the durability of your treasured Topsiders!

More: determine what kind of leather your Sperry Top-Siders 

Maintain Focus! Clean Your Sperry Topsiders

Washing your Sperry Topsiders is crucial to maintain their sharp visual appeal and extend their life. Over time, dirt, salt, and grime will build up on the leather material, overshadowing its natural beauty.

To commence this process, begin by preparing the relevant materials. To complete this process, you will need a soft brush or cloth, easy soap, and leather conditioner care products. This ensures you handle the material carefully while still obtaining terrific outputs.

Seeing is believing; do not rush into action; peek at your shoes first. First, remove all the laces because they also have dirt on them and put them aside. First, use a brush to remove any loose dirt particles, making it easier to wash everything else.

Start the cleaning process by wetting your clothes with water and soap. Carefully wipe the entire leather surface; remember, the goal is not to soak the leather but to moisten it enough to remove any blemish without causing any damage.

All right, let us go ahead and clean your Sperry Topsiders

Cleaning your Sperry Topsiders should not be considered a difficult task. It is rewarding as the result after all the cleaning is done is that the shoes are fresh and clean.

The first step is to collect all the materials you will use. This is very helpful as the right tools make the work easier. It is so worthwhile.

The next step involves analyzing your trainers. Are they just covered in dust, or are there some really tough spots? This will let you know how much cleaning you ought to do.

Before starting, please take out your laces for a moment. Laces are dirt and grime collectors; besides, it means you can reach every nook and cranny of the shoe.

Now that you are prepared, let us get those shoes. They look like they were bought yesterday.

Full Grain Leather, Suede, Nubuck?

For leather Sperry Topsiders, knowing the material is essential. Full grain is durable leather that is not finely finished. It will tarnish with age, adding charm to the shoes.

Suede is relatively soft and has a more velvety feel. This is fashionable, but it also means that it is prone to stains and water, which means more careful protection is needed.

Nubuck may be similar to suede, but it has a bit more strength on its surface. It is sanded from full-grain leather, which is why it has such a soft feel, but at the same time, it can withstand everyday usage.

Every type requires certain types of care techniques that improve their qualities without damaging them.

Items You Will Need

But before we begin the process of cleaning, it’s good to have items we will be using. It helps make the job easier when everything is already in place.

A soft-bristle brush or cloth is required to assist with the gentler areas that require cleaning. This eliminates dirt and dust while not scratching the leather surface.

In the case of very persistent stains, there is a need for a special leather cleaner. Make sure to choose a cleaner suited for your Sperry Topsiders, or else you may encounter problems.

Anyone who handles suede or nubuck fabrics must purchase rubber erasers made for use on suede or nubuck materials. They are great at removing marks because they keep the texture looking nice.

Lastly, a soft microfiber cloth is buffed and polished afterward. This helps prevent scratching of the shoes when one polishes them.

Apply some conditioner so the leather is soft and moisturized after removing it. It helps preserve quality and aesthetics over some time.

Maintenance of Grain Leather Sperry’s

To remove the full-grain leather Sperrys, you should first clean the leather surfaces and remove any dirt. Using a soft brush or cloth to caress the surface and wipe it clean is better. This must be done as the first step to avoid scratches while cleaning.

Then, you must mix a mild soap with warm water to clean the surface. With the cloth soaked in the mixture, ensure you don’t soak it too much. Avoid using a mop. Use the mop to lightly wipe the leather in most stained areas, but do not submerge the material.

Lastly, wipe them down; now, you need to rinse the mop well and wipe over the shoes again to rid them of any soap. Another soft towel to dry the shoes has to be used because it is important not to use heat, such as a hairdryer, directly on the leather.

After this step, please apply a suitable leather conditioner on the shoes when they have dried. This product also enhances the appearance of the Sperry’s while ensuring its durability.

More:  How to Get Ride of Smelly Shoes!

Maintenance of Suede Sperry’s

Cleaning glued leather Sperrys is rather tiring. You must first take a soft-bristled brush and carefully brush the surface in a circular motion. This will cause dirt to be lifted and the nap to be restored.

For marks or stains, gently rub the impacted area of the shoes with a suede eraser or a clean pencil eraser to remove it. Do not use water to clean stains, as it damages the surface of the suede shoes.

To maintain the shoe shape during drying, consider stuffing newspaper inside the shoe. After completely drying, use a brush to give suede shoes a fresh look. It’s also a good idea to try some spray-on protectors meant for suede shoes after they have been cleaned for future dirt and moisture protection.

Sperry’s shoes look good under perfect maintenance conditions and last longer without showing any wear.

SPERRY NUBUCK SHOES Cleaning and order ‘how’ to clean nubuck Sperry’s is almost the same. Use a soft, bristled nubuck brush for the first time. This helps remove dirt and restore the fabric’s texture. If rust stains.

Use it on the stain, but be careful not to rub too much since that may damage the leather texture. You can buy nubuck erasers for tougher stains, which can remove those imperfections without much hassle.

The best way to dry Sperry is naturally. Do not use a heat source, as this will bend or ruin the surface of the shoes. Once they are dry, clean them with the same brush to get that look back.

After Use in Salt Water

If you’ve been out on the water with the wind in your face and have your Sperry Topsiders on, you should expect some saltwater exposure. Just remember salt is not good for leather unless treated care is done.

Start washing the shoes by removing any sparkles or brightness of salt grains on the surface of the shoes with plain water. This can be done with a moist towel; do not scrub the entire shoe with water. Softly scrub the top and bottom parts of the shoe.

After that, place the shoes in a shaded area and dry them out at room temperature. Do not expose them to sunlight or any heat, as that can make the leather sensitive and break. This will replace missing moisture and essential oils, help maintain the shine, and avoid fissures.

Generally, the shoes look even better after those saltwater waterskiing trips and are ready for more fun in the sun soon. The brand’s quality can easily be maintained with a bit of effort.

Read: Everything you Need to Know About Cleaning with Essential Oils!

To Clean the soles of the shoes

To keep overall looks in perfect shape, the soles of Sperry Topsiders require regular cleaning. So, those soles will be filled with dirt and dust sooner or later.

First, let us take a soft brush or an old comb and scrub any excess dirt. Emphasize the grooves so you can polish every nook and cranny.

Next, take a rag, damp it in warm water and mild soap, and squeeze it. Grab the cloth, then run it over the soles and practice washing them well with brute force on problem areas.

Next, use only a soft, damp cloth to clean off any soap left on the shoe, and after that, let them wait until they are entirely dry before putting them back on. With these types of minor maintenance, what is guaranteed is that your shoes will always look new and sparkly, increasing the shoe’s lifetime.

Also, make it a point to clean the shoes regularly; it helps them function in the long run!

Insoles and Odor

For your Sperry Topsiders, it is essential to maintain the insoles as much as it is to maintain the outside. These shoes can pick up foul smells over time due to sweat and moisture.

If there is a lot of odor which washing does not work, you may want to try baking soda. Sprinkle it on the insoles and allow them to sit overnight to remove the smell. Then, tap off the excess powder before reinserting.

If you need to spray something to get rid of odor, you may use fabric fresheners for shoes, or you can use a solution of diluted vinegar that is lightly sprayed. Don’t make the fabric too wet because leather does not like a lot of water.

This ensures that you have clean and good-looking Sperry’s and that they are also comfortable. This will also minimize the frequency with which you will need to buy new ones—and why would anyone want to buy new ones?