Cleaning Birkenstock sandals and taking care of them

Birkenstocks’ high-quality shoes are sold in more than 90 countries today. Made of cork, natural latex, copper, suede, and leather, this type of shoe comes in a variety of styles, including clogs, sandals, slippers, and even boots.
One of the best features of Birkenstock shoes is that they only get more comfortable the longer you wear them. This is because the soles mould perfectly to your feet. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost. They also become quite soiled in the process. The good news is that with a few simple products and steps, you can restore them to their clean condition.
You probably have most of the products needed in this tutorial at home so keep reading and follow the steps listed below to bring back the beautiful look of your Birkenstocks.

The sort of cleaning and care you need depends on the type of Birkenstocks you have. You should wipe or brush any dirt or grass off your Birkenstocks every time you wear them. Leather Birkenstocks will need shoe polish and leather conditioner, while suede ones will need to be brushed on a regular basis. All cork soles will need to be cleaned and sealed. Fabric Birkenstocks must be spot cleaned.

Cleaning suede and nubuck leather Birkenstocks

1. Brush loose surface soil away – Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe your uppers off. Then, grab a suede brush and gently brush your Birkenstocks in order to get rid of grime stuck deeper into the fibres and fluff up the fabric.
2. If you spill food or get mud on the suede, blot as much as you can without rubbing. Rubbing damp stains typically causes them to penetrate deeper into the suede and become more difficult to remove. Before cleaning, let the stained area dry fully. Once the stain has dried, brush away the dried matter and rub away the stain with an art gum eraser or pencil eraser before brushing the suede to lift the fabric.
3. Get rid of oily stains – For oily drips and stains, absorb as much of the grease as possible using a paper towel. Sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the stained area and allow it to absorb most of the oil. If the stain is bigger, remove the greasy powder and sprinkle fresh one until the stain is gone.
4. If something sticky happens to land on the suede, don’t reach for a glue/goo remover immediately away. The products may end up changing the colour of the suede. Only use them as a last option. Put an ice cube in a plastic bag and place it right over the sticky mess. Allow the gum or tar to solidify before gently peeling it off the suede. Scrape away the hardened gunk with a blunt knife or the edge of an old credit card. If required, repeat the ice treatment. After the solid portions have been removed, use an art gum eraser to remove any remaining traces of the stain and a suede brush to lift the material’s fibres.

Cleaning the cork soles of Birkenstocks

After you’ve cleaned the uppers, it’s time to tackle the cork soles and footbed. If you wear the shoes without socks for a lengthy period of time, the oils and soil on your feet will leave a print on the insoles. This is nearly impossible to get rid of. However, you can make the footprint less visible by following these steps:

1. Mix a cleaning solution – In a small bowl, mix 2 cups of warm water, 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of laundry detergent.
2. Dip an old toothbrush or a stiff-bristled (make sure it is not too harsh) brush in the solution and begin scrubbing the cork soles.
3. Once you are done scrubbing the soles, grab a microfiber cloth dipped in plain water and wipe down the cleaned surface. Make sure you get rid of any soapy residue. Allow them to air dry completely.
4. Condition the cork once it is clean – Birkenstocks’ cork soles are treated with a sealer to keep them flexible. If the cork appears to be drying out, apply a fresh coat of cork sealant. The product is sold in shoe repair shops, home improvement stores, and online.

You can use the same steps to get rid of stains and grime from leather Birkenstocks. However, leather sandals and shoes need to be polished and conditioned regularly. That way you will keep the original shine to your upper parts. You can rub dulled shiny leather with a bit of petroleum jelly if you don’t have a leather conditioner. That will restore the shine and repel water.

Additional tips on Birkenstock maintenance:

• Avoid wearing your Birkenstocks in winter when there is salt. It may stain and damage the materials.
• Avoid drastic temperature changes. This may deteriorate the shoes’ materials.
• Do not over-saturate them. Excess moisture may cause the loosening of the glue.
• If you just cleaned your Birkenstocks or got them wet in the rain, make sure you dry them away from direct heat or sunlight sources.