How to Clean Grease Off Your Sperrys

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Sperrys are designer shoes that are commonly known as boat shoes. As you may imagine, owning a pair of high-priced boat shoes serves more as a status symbol than a performance enhancer, since they are not cheap. Knowing how to clean grease off your Sperrys will help you preserve your shoes and save you money by ensuring that you do not miss a day of showing off your support of nautical fashion.

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Things You'll Need

  • 3 soft cotton cloths

  • Suede block

  • Soft brush

  • Vinegar

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Step 1

Dab wet grease with a dry, clean cotton cloth. Do not rub the grease because this causes it to spread. Use multiple clean areas of the cloth. Continue until no more grease is picked up by the cloth.

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Step 2

Wipe a suede block gently over the grease spots to wipe off the top layer of grease. This removes the grease settled on the top of the nap but not the grease that has spread down to the base of the grain. Use a soft brush to pull up the nap and assess how deep the grease has run down into the grain.

Step 3

Apply a drop of vinegar to the lower heel area of the shoe to see how the leather reacts. If no discoloration occurs, pour just enough vinegar to cover all of the grease spots that need to be removed. Use a soft cloth to rub out the grease spots. Use just enough pressure to be firm. Do not over scrub.

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Step 4

Dampen a soft cloth with water. Dab the shoe to remove the vinegar. Let the shoe dry for an hour. Keep the shoe away from direct heat sources, such as sunlight or heating units.

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