Whether you’re a fan of chunky sandals or a fan of comfort, you’ve likely worn your Birkenstocks so much that they’ve seen better days. No wonder, since these babies add that je-ne-sais-quoi to all your casual outfits. And let’s not forget about the great comfort they offer your feet! If you’re a true Birkenstock-devotee and wear yours all the time, they tend to get a bit smelly and show their age. No need to panic; with our easy care tips, you restore your sandals to their formal glory in no time! We tell you everything you need to know on how to clean the footbed and the leather of your Birkenstocks.
How to clean Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks are made of leather and cork and need special shoe maintenance to keep them looking beautiful and feeling good. The whole cleaning process should take about an hour and you can let your shoes dry overnight. You’ll be back to walking around and feeling comfortable before you know it! We will tell you how to clean your Birkenstocks.
Tips before you start
Before you enthusiastically grab all your stuff to give your Birkenstocks a good scrubbing, we have two essential tips for you to keep in mind.
- Never let your Birkenstocks dry in the sun! The colour of the leather will fade and the sunlight may cause your sandals to crack. Allow them to dry overnight before putting them on again.
- If you’re the proud owner of a patent leather pair of Birkenstocks, take them to a pro to be cleaned. The glossy finish may react poorly to DIY treatments.
Things you need for cleaning your Birkenstocks
Before you start cleaning your Birkenstocks, make sure you have these things ready.
- Bowl
- Baking soda
- Water
- An old toothbrush or any other scrubbing brush
- Spoon for mixing
- White vinegar
- A couple of cloths or microfibre towels
- Leather cleaner or suede brush
- And your Birkenstocks, of course
How to clean the footbed of your Birkenstocks
You’re probably most eager to clean the footbed of your Birkenstocks since it’s likely to smell, well ehm, gross. Here are 4 easy steps to clean the footbed.
#1 Brush off dirt
Brush any loose dirt off the footbed with a dry and clean brush.
#2 Make a paste
Grab your bowl and mix two parts of water with one part of baking soda. Mix until you get a paste.
#3 Scrub
Dip a corner of your cloth or microfibre towel into the paste and gently scrub the footbed working in circular motions. Take a damp second cloth and wipe away the excess solution.
#4 Dry
Place your Birkenstocks out of sunlight and let your sandals dry completely. When they’re dry and you think they need another round of cleaning, you can repeat the process.
How to clean leather Birkenstocks
Cleaning leather is tricky since water is leather’s worst enemy, but we'll guide you through the process of cleaning your leather Birkenstocks.
#1 Brush off loose dirt
If there’s any loose dirt on the leather, you can gently brush it off with a dry and clean (toothbrush)
#2 Leather cleaner
Dampen two cloths or microfibre towels, but please avoid them getting soaking wet. Apply a tiny amount of leather cleaner to one of your damp cloths.
#3 Gently scrub
Now gently scrub the cloth over the leather in circular motions. If there’s any excess solution, use the other damp -and clean!- cloth to wipe it away.
#4 Dry
Put your Birkenstocks in a dry, dark place. Let your Birkenstocks dry completely to see if all your work has paid off. That shouldn’t take too long though, since your babies haven’t gotten too wet.
How to clean suede Birkenstocks
Who told you that suede is more delicate than leather? You really don’t have to worry about freshening up your suede Birkenstocks since suede is easier to work with than leather.
#1 Brush off any dirt
If there’s any loose dirt or dried mud on the suede, you just need a clean and dry brush to brush it off. Keep in mind that you gently brush with the grain.
#2 Suede brush
Now it’s time to use your magic wand: the suede brush! Use a gentle back-and-forth motion to remove scuffs and stains.
#3 Persistent stains?
If you still see stains after you’ve used your suede brush, then it’s time to dampen a clean cloth with white vinegar. Gently rub the vinegar into the stain working in back-and-forth motions. Wait until your Birkenstocks are dry and repeat if necessary.
#4 Dry
Place your Birkenstocks in a dark, dry spot and wait for them to dry completely.
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