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How to Clean Every Pair of Birkenstocks in Your Closet

It's actually pretty simple to get your favorite sandals looking like new.

Samantha Peters, Ashley Rushford

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December 21, 2023, 5:59pm

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How to Clean Birkenstocks

When it comes to cute and comfortable sandals, Birkenstocks seems to be the one trend that never dies. They offer effortlessly throwback vibes and a super supportive footbed that molds to the shape of your foot for hours of comfort on end. Even celebrities like Britney Spears, Tracee Ellis Ross, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kristen Bell, Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow are huge fans of the brand’s footwear. From the iconic Arizona sandals to thong and strappy silhouettes, these stars have been spotted in a variety of the shoe company’s styles, which are sure to provide spring and summer inspiration.

As with any comfy shoe that gets a lot of wear, though, they can start to look a little grimy. Sweat stains on the footbed plus dirt or water marks on the upper are not only unsightly, but can also shorten the lifespan of your favorite pairs. Thankfully, it’s fairly simple to get them looking like new again all it takes is some tender love and care with a few at-home methods and tricks.

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Important Tips:

Before you start cleaning, be sure to note the material used in the upper of your pair so you can follow a cleaning method that won’t damage the finish. For a simple all-in-one fix, you can try Birkenstock’s shoe care kit, which is designed to work on all the brand’s pairs. It includes a versatile cleaner, as well as a water and stain repellent, a cork sealer to keep the cork protected from the elements and a brush-and-scuff eraser, all for just $20.

According to Birkenstock’s page of care tips, direct sunlight may cause your shoes to crack and deteriorate faster. After using a cleaning agent to remove stains, let your shoes dry in a shady spot to avoid damaging them. Even if you’re pinched for time, never throw them in the dryer to speed up the drying process, as this could ruin them. Allow them at least 24 hours to dry fully before wearing them again.

The brand also recommends regularly greasing the leather upper of pairs made of natural leather. While using leather grease, or applying a waterproofing spray, be sure to cover up the footbed using something like paper to protect it.

How long will cleaning your Birkenstocks take? While they will most likely need at least a whole day to completely dry, the actual cleansing process should only require five to 20 minutes of your time.

The Items You Need

Birkenstocks can be cleaned with several simple items you may already have lying around the house. All you need is a brush, an old toothbrush, a cloth, some leather shampoo and approximately two bowls of water. Following the TLC treatment your sandals should be ready to wear again.

How to Clean Birko-Flor & Birkibuc Birkenstocks

Birkenstock Women's Florida Birko-Flor Sandal

Birk-Floor and Birkibuc are two of the brand’s proprietary materials. Birk-Floor is made of PVC that has been lined on the inside with a soft, breathable layer of fleece. Birkibuc is a durable, synthetic upper material with a nubuck leather-like texture and soft backing. Both finishes are easier to clean than suede or leather.

Step 1: Referencing the brand’s site again, Birkenstock recommends simply wiping the uppers clean with a damp cloth (make sure to avoid getting the underside wet, though, especially fleece. This material can get soppy and take a long time to dry). For tough stains, use soap and water. The brand warns that any cleaning or treatment could change the look and finish of Birk-Floor or Birkibuc.

How to Clean Suede Birkenstocks

birkenstocks_socks_and_sandals_trend

The soft finish tends to be delicate, so you’ll want to make sure you’re gentle and take your time cleaning pairs made of suede. As a rule of thumb, let any wet suede pairs dry before trying to clean them. A good cleaning with a brush, specially designed to handle suede, is usually enough to remove dirt or grime that has been caked on over time. That said, if certain stains persist, you’ll have to take some additional steps to get them looking fresh again.

Step 1: Remove any excess dirt with a suede brush. Be sure to brush in the direction of the grain to achieve the best possible results.

Step 2: Go in with a suede eraser that can remove scuffs and stains. As a DIY alternative, you can also use a regular pencil eraser. Once you’ve lifted the stain, go back over with the brush to ger rid of any loose particles.

Step 3: If you’ve got a deep stain on your hands that just won’t budge, you’ll want to try some white vinegar. Dab a small amount on a microfiber cloth (you only want to dampen the suede, not douse it) and rub it gently across the shoe’s upper. It’s important to avoid scrubbing, even if tempted, as this can permanently damage the finish. Once you’ve let the straps dry fully, you’ll want to grab your suede brush again to tackle any remaining marks. Repeat the process if necessary.

For oil stains: If your suede is stained with oil, it’s recommended you apply a small amount of cornstarch or baking soda to the upper and let it dry for a few hours. Using either of the aforementioned household items should safely draw out the oil without damaging the material further. Then, use your brush to remove the cornstarch. Hopefully, the stain should have lifted, but if not, you can try applying vinegar using the simple method explained above.
For water stains: Blot away water with a dry towel immediately and let the pairs dry. Do not leave them near or fireplace or radiator or use a blow dryer to dry them as this can damage the finish. If you still see a watermark once the shoe has dried, follow up with the white vinegar and brushing treatment. Alternatively, while it may sound counterintuitive, some have recommended adding more water to remove stains on suede shoes. Add some water to a spray bottle and lightly spritz the stain and gently brush the surface using a suede brush or toothbrush. Again, be sure not to douse the upper. Simply get it damp and blot away any access water.

How to Clean Leather Birkenstocks

Tween shoe ideas

For the best results, clean your leather pairs with a commercial leather cleaner.There are many options on the market. While most leather cleaners are only meant to remove dirt and grime, some are made with conditioning agents like mink oil to hydrate and protect. Conditioning will help keep the hide supple and strong, since wear and tear and exposure to the elements can cause it to become dry and brittle over time. You can purchase a separate leather conditioner or cleaner that’s an all-in-one formula. It’s recommended that you clean and condition your leather about three times a year. That said, if your shoes are constantly exposed to the sun, you may want to clean as well as condition them once every month.

Note that patent leather finishes require a different cleaning method than that of nubuck or oiled leathers, in order to maintain their shine. More on that ahead.

For Oiled & Nubuck leathers:

Step 1: Dab a dime-sized amount of cleaner onto a soft cloth. Apply it to the uppers using a gentle circular motion to help the leather properly absorb the liquid. Like with suede, applying too much liquid will alter the finish.

Step 2: Use a dry rag to remove any excess cleaning product.

Step 3: Use another clean, dry cloth to apply a dime-sized amount of leather conditioner to the upper. Gently rub it over the entirety of the straps.

Step 4: Like when applying leather cleaners, it’s best to let the conditioner dry for 24 hours before wearing your pair again. If you’re in a rush, however, allow for at least two hours of drying time.

For Patent Leather:

Patent leather is quite easy to clean. You can use a special patent leather cleaner (which will also nourish, restore shine and protect the material) or simply go in with a bit of water to wipe away any noticeable grime. As for removing common scuff marks on the surface, which can be hard to avoid, there are a few household items you can use that won’t cause the finish to lose its luster.

Step 1: Dampen a microfiber cloth with water and wipe it across the upper to remove dust and dirt.

Step 2: Use another clean, dry cloth to dry the surface.

Step 3: When removing scuff marks, dip a bit of olive oil, mineral oil or petroleum jelly onto a microfiber cloth, then gently rub the surface where the scuff marks occur.

Step 4: Leave the oil or jelly on for approximately 20 minutes and then wipe it off entirely.

You can also try using a gum eraser, which is less messy, making it easier for on the go use. As for more stubborn scuffs, dab at the marks with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and go over with an absorbent cloth or towel.

How to Clean the Footbed

birkenstocks-cleaning-hacks baking soda water

No one likes sweaty, dark smudges underfoot. Wipe down the footbed with a damp cloth (and mildly soapy water depending on how dirty) every few weeks to keep it looking fresh. If you’ve been trekking through mud or wet grass, you should wipe your shoes immediately when you get home. That way, they have enough time to dry before you head out again. For more persistent stains, you’ll want to use a DIY cleaning formula of baking soda and water. Baking soda will not only help remove stains but also absorbs odor well.

Step 1: First remove loose dirt using a suede brush or clean toothbrush.

Step 2: Mix a bit of baking soda with water until a paste forms.

Step 3: Use a clean cloth or toothbrush (so as long as you rinse it in between steps one and two) to gently scrub the paste into the footbed, using a circular motion.

Step 4: Let the formula sit overnight, then use a damp cloth to wipe it away in the morning.

Step 5: Make sure your shoes dry completely before repeating the process if stains persist. As an alternative, you can also try applying Birkenstock’s Cleaner & Refresher spray to the footbed every few weeks.

Step 6: Use a cork sealer to protect the soles and prevent them from drying out. This will lengthen the life of your pairs and ensure they stay supportive. Birkenstock sells its own version of cork sealer (which does come in the brand’s shoe care kit), but you can also buy cork sealer from a range of other brands on Amazon.

Additionally, the Birkenstock website suggests lathering the footbed with a mixture of warm water and leather shampoo. Again, do so with an old toothbrush using circular movements. Once you’ve adequately lathered the footbed, wipe them down with a wet cloth and let dry. Do not rinse under faucet or get completely wet.

If you find that the footbed has some residual odor, you may try wiping it down with rubbing alcohol or a concoction of lemon juice and water. It can also help to do the same to the underside of sandal’s straps.

As for the outsoles, simply use a damp brush with strong bristles that can get in the crevices of Birkenstock’s signature design. Incorporate soap if desired.

How to Clean EVA Birkenstocks

Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Essentials EVA Sandals

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (commonly referred to as EVA) is by far the easiest material to clean and keep in pristine condition. Not only is the material lightweight and cushy, but it’s also naturally waterproof, making it practically impervious to messes. Birkenstock typically does select styles completely in the finish, from the upper to the footbed, meaning these durable pairs require minimal upkeep.

Step 1: Use a wet cloth to wipe the uppers clean. For stuck-on grime, use a bit of dish soap to remove it more easily.

Step 2: Rinse off any excess soap under the sink or use a non-soapy wet cloth to remove it. Use a fresh cloth to dry off the upper.

Step 3: Repeat steps one and two for the footbed. You may want to unbuckle the straps to get better access. Near the front of the sandal, focus on getting around the grooves so you don’t leave any particles behind.

All products featured have been independently selected and curated by our editorial team. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn a commission and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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