How to clean Birkenstocks: footbeds, straps, cork and clogs

Step by step: how to clean birkenstocks

1. 1

   Brush the footbed dry

   Brush the suede footbed lining firmly with a suede or nubuck brush to lift dust, grit and the flattened shiny layer where your toes and heel press. Tap the sandal upside down to knock the debris out.

2. 2

   Erase light marks

   Rub small dark spots on the footbed and suede straps with a suede eraser, then brush again. This is often enough for sandals that are worn but not stained.

3. 3

   Clean sweat marks with minimal water

   Spray a footbed cleaner over the whole footbed, or dip a toothbrush in water with a drop of mild dish soap and shake it almost dry. Scrub the footbed in small circles, covering all of it so it dries evenly. Never let water pool on the footbed.

4. 4

   Wipe the footbed clean

   Wipe off the dirty lather with a barely damp cloth, then blot with a dry one. The footbed will look darker while damp; that is normal and fades as it dries.

5. 5

   Clean the straps by material

   Brush suede and nubuck straps with the suede brush. Wipe Birko-Flor and Birkibuc straps with a damp cloth, adding a little soap and water for stubborn marks. Wipe smooth leather with a damp cloth and condition it once dry.

6. 6

   Air dry away from heat

   Leave the sandals in a shady, airy spot indoors for several hours or overnight. Keep them away from sun, radiators and hot cars, which can warp cork and EVA. Brush the footbed once more when dry to lift the nap.

7. 7

   Seal the cork if it looks dry

   Look at the exposed cork along the sides. If it looks pale, dull or is starting to crack, brush a thin coat of cork sealer onto the cork only and let it dry for about an hour before you wear them.

What does Birkenstock say about cleaning?

Keep water to a minimum, keep heat away, and protect the cork. Birkenstock’s care tips say most styles should not be immersed in water because soaking can compromise the sealants and change the look of the materials, and that wet shoes should dry slowly away from direct heat.

The same page recommends spraying the footbed with Birkenstock’s cleaner and refresher and wiping it with a cloth, brushing suede and nubuck footbeds to restore the nap, applying a thin coat of cork sealer when the cork looks dry, and wiping Birko-Flor and Birkibuc uppers with a damp cloth. It also warns that any cleaning or treatment can change the look and finish of the materials, so test on a hidden spot first.

How to clean each Birkenstock material

Birkenstocks share a footbed but come in very different uppers. Check the inside of the strap or the product page if you are not sure which you have.

Birkenstock’s maintenance guide adds that EVA styles can be rinsed and wiped with mild soap, that no Birkenstock should go in the washing machine, and that sealing cork every few months helps prevent cracks.

How to clean Birkenstock clogs like the Boston

Clean Birkenstock clogs the same way as the sandals, with extra attention to the suede upper. Most Bostons are suede, which marks easily and should be cleaned dry.

• Brush the upper with a suede brush, then erase scuffs and shiny patches on the toe.
• For a stubborn spot on the suede, dab it with a cloth dampened with white vinegar, as Nike suggests for suede, then let it dry and brush.
• Clean the footbed as in the steps above. Clogs trap more sweat, so baking soda left inside overnight helps with odor.
• Spray clean, dry suede uppers with a water and stain repellent before wet weather.
• For shearling-lined clogs, brush the lining and spot clean it lightly; see our sheepskin cleaning guide for the method.

When cleaning will not fix the footbed

If the suede lining is worn through, the cork is crumbling, or the sole is worn down to the cork, cleaning will not help. Many shoe repair shops can resole Birkenstocks and replace the footbed lining, and some models take replacement footbeds.

Dark marks that come back no matter how you clean are usually oils soaked deep into the cork and lining. They are cosmetic and do not affect the support.

Mistakes to avoid

• Soaking the footbed or holding cork-footbed sandals under the tap.
• Putting Birkenstocks in the washing machine or dishwasher.
• Drying them in the sun, on a heater or in a hot car.
• Brushing cork sealer onto the suede lining or the straps instead of only the cork.
• Cleaning only the dark heel and toe spots, which leaves a patchy footbed.
• Using conditioner or polish on suede straps.