How to Get an Ink Pen Mark Off of Sperry's
Sperry Top-Siders are classic boat shoes constructed of hand-sewn leather uppers and rubber soles. The shoes feature a timeless style, making them an investment piece. If you happen to mark the leather shoes with a bit of ballpoint ink, protect your investment by removing the stain as soon as possible.
Rather than taking the shoes in to a costly shoe repair store, remove the ink yourself.
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Start working on the stain before the ink is dry, if possible. Dry ink may have already soaked into the leather. Test all cleaning products by first applying them to a small patch of leather inside the shoe.
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Dip a cotton swab into patent leather shoe cleaner. Work the cleaner into the ink stain by moving the swab over it in small circles.
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Wipe the cleaner off of the shoe with a soft, damp cloth and dry it with another cloth.
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Dip a new cotton swab into rubbing alcohol if the cleaner didn't remove the ink stain. Rub the alcohol gently into the stain until the ink lifts. Wipe the shoe with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth, once again.
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Recondition the cleaned leather by working leather conditioner or saddle soap into it with a cloth.
Things You Will Need
- Cotton swabs
- Patent leather cleaner
- Rubbing alcohol (optional)
- Damp and dry cloths
- Leather conditioner or saddle soap