When summer rolls around, there is nothing I love more than wearing my trusty Birkenstocks. They're so comfortable, lightweight and perfect for hot weather, so I always take them on vacation.
But, by this point in the year, they're usually looking pretty worse for wear – dirty, scuffed and stained from constant outdoor use. This got me thinking, how can I clean them?
I spoke to our experts to find out their cleaning tips for taking care of both the footbed, where you need to clean deep without damaging the material, and straps of Birkenstocks, so they're ready for wear next year.
How to clean Birkenstocks
Step 1: Brush
First things first, you'll need to give your Birkenstocks a really good brush all over, to remove any dirt and dust, similar to washing sneakers.
'Use a natural bristle brush to softly brush away loose dirt and debris,' says Daniel Brown, CEO of Handy Cleaners. Brown recommends the Redecker German-Made Horse Hair Bristle Dish Brush available at Amazon, which is strong, durable, but naturally soft, as 'such a kind of brush will not scratch, but is effective in removing grime on the surface.'
Brown advises against using brushes made of synthetic fibers, as these may cause micro-abrasions over time, weakening the material of both the footbed and leather or suede straps.
These scrubbing brushes feature bristles made of stiff yet flexible palmyra fiber and medium stiff tampico fiber, with an ergonomic handle for improved grip when brushing. They're also 100% backyard compostable, making them a great eco-friendly choice.
Step 2: Use a magic eraser
Did you know that Birkenstocks are one of things you can clean with a magic eraser? For removing stains from cork, suede and leather, Matthew Wilson, CEO of Handy Gardeners recommends using a Magic Eraser, which is a best seller and popular pick at Walmart.
'Do not just scrub it with a brush, get a Mr Clean Magic Eraser,' he says. 'Wet the eraser slightly and rub it gently on the footbed in circular motions. Without causing any harm to the foot bed, this fine material lifts out embedded dirt and grime from the suede-like surface.'
Step 3: Deep clean the footbed with a natural solution
Now it's time to tackle the grubby footbed, and our experts recommend a natural approach to protect the layers of natural cork, natural latex, jute and high-quality suede used to produce them. Here are some you can try:
- White vinegar and rubbing alcohol: 'Take equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol; put them together in one spray bottle (such as the bestselling Hula Home Spray Bottle available at Amazon, which features an ultra-fine, continous mist) then give it a light spritzing on your foot bed,' says Wilson. 'This special combination kills bacteria while breaking down oil from your skin, and helping to neutralize odors. Let sit for about five minutes before blotting dry with soft cloth or paper towel.' We recommend using a microfiber cloth, such as the HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloths available at Amazon, on your Birkenstocks when cleaning with rubbing alcohol or vinegar, as they're lint-free, scratch-free and ultra-absorbent.
- Cornstarch and vinegar paste: While you may have heard of cleaning with baking soda, Brown suggests that cornstarch, such as the Argo Cornstarch available at Walmart, which is 100% pure and resealable, works better in this instance. 'While baking soda is typically used for this, corn starch mixed with white vinegar can make a paste that works even better,' he says. 'Letting it sit on the stained area and then wiping it off with a damp cloth after about 10 minutes should be enough. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, and cornstarch absorbs oils and odors too. Apply the mixture onto the foot bed using gentle circular motions after which you can clean with a soft piece of cloth until all dirt is removed.'
- Tea tree oil: Brown also suggests cleaning with tea tree oil when it comes to making your footbeds look (and smell) good as new. 'Ordinary cleaners should be replaced by tea tree oil combined with water at proportions not exceeding two drops per liter (0.26 gallons),' he says. 'This ingredient has antifungal plus antibacterial properties thus making it ideal for thorough cleaning purposes when diluted appropriately. Use microfiber cloths during application ensuring that any remaining liquid does not accumulate into deposits along surfaces.'
This distilled white vinegar is perfect for cleaning your Birkenstocks, as it's a great value product without compromising on quality. It's distilled to a 5% acidity, perfect for fighting odors, with no artificial coloring.
This rubbing alcohol is a powerful, antibacterial cleaning agent at an affordable price point. It's resealable with a convenient design, and works well to sanitize germs.
This tea-tree oil is extra strong, with a potency protected by the blue glass bottle, which keeps oil stable for over 24 months. It's also 100% pure and undiluted, steam-distilled for longer lasting aroma, and can also be used for athlete's foot relief.
Step 4: Use leather shampoo on the straps
You may know how to clean a leather sofa, but what about your footwear? Once you've cleaned the footbed of your Birkenstock's, it's time to clean and sanitize the straps. For this, Andre Kazimierski, CEO at Improovy, recommends using leather shampoo.
'I use Birkenstock sandals almost exclusively as my spring and summer footwear, so I've gotten pretty adept with cleaning them,' he says. 'The key is to use leather shampoo. Even dish soap can be too harsh and damage the leather or suede of these sandals. I tend to use a toothbrush for this.'
We recommend the Chemical Guy Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner Kit available at Amazon, as it is pH balanced, colorless and odorless, and penetrates deep into the pores in the leather to remove dirt and oils, which could lead to your straps looking stained. Scrub in with an old toothbrush before applying the conditioner, which uses Vitamin E to nourish your leather and reduce daily damage.
This leather cleaner is pre-mixed and ready to use straight out the bottle, making it quick and easy to clean your Birkenstocks in a pinch when pushed for time. As it's non-toxic it can be used on all types of leather, as well to clean faux and vinyl, to remove dirt, oils, stains and grime.
Step 5: Use activated charcoal powder
Next, Wilson recommends using activated charcoal powder on your Birkenstocks.
'Sprinkle activated charcoal powder all over your foot beds after they have been cleaned thoroughly,' she says. 'It will absorb moisture and smells leaving behind fresh smelling soles when done overnight then brushed off next morning.'
We recommend Anthony's Activated Charcoal available at Amazon, as the food-grade ultra-fine powder is derived from natural hardwood, with high-porosity levels to absorb odorous molecules that may have built up on your Birkenstocks.
Step 6: Brush and buff
Now that your Birkenstocks have been thoroughly cleaned, buff them with a soft brush.
'To keep the soft ‘suede’ feel of your foot bed intact, use a soft suede brush,' says Wilson. 'Lightly buff the surface to restores the materials texture, to keep it looking new.' These can also be used for cleaning suede fabrics, featured on some Birkenstock models.
The bristles on this brush are designed to lift and separate any residual dirt or charcoal powder dust, instead of just pushing it back into the footbed or sole of your Birkenstocks. It a rubber brush, rounded welt and thin welt brush all in one, none of which need much pressure to be effective, so you can work round every crevice of your sandals and make them sparkle.
Step 7: Air-dry and condition
Finally, air-dry and condition your Birkenstocks – there are so many benefits of air-drying laundry, and footwear is no exception.
'Always ensure that you air-dry Birkenstocks away from direct heat or sunlight,' says Wilson. You can also place silica gel packets inside your sandals to speed up the drying process and prevent mold, as they absorb moisture. 'Unlike other substances used in drying agents, silica gel possesses high absorbency rates and guarantees total dryness of the shoes without direct exposure to sunlight which fades colors away,' says Brown.
Then, it's time to condition once dry.
'For cork edges use Kelly's Cork Renew (available at Walmart) which reconditions cork as well as preventing cracks brought about by drying out process,' says Wilson.
You can also use beeswax to condition the leather straps, suggests Brown. 'For conditioning straps, instead of ordinary leather conditioners, consider Otter Wax or any other beeswax based product,' he says. 'This will not only moisturize but also protect against water hence extending their lifespan. Apply moderately lest they become too slippery when held.'
Jade Piper, operations manager at BetterCleans also recommends using Crep Protect Spray, 'so they stay fresher for longer!'
These silica gel packets are made of high quality coated paper, to boost absorbency. They can be reused, and are in a handy resealable bag, for air-tight sealing and moisture control.
This heavy-duty wax is made from natural sources, such as beeswax, blended with plant-based waxes and oils. It's non-toxic, easy to use and works well to treat jackets, hats, shoes and more.
This spray repels liquids and protects against staining, with hydrophobic technology. Up to 12 pairs of shoes can be protected with just a single can, with a completely invisible layer of protection.
FAQs
When should you throw out Birkenstocks?
Birkenstock sandals are amazing to wear and rewear, but sometimes it's time to let go!
They're designed so the leather and cork can be cleaned and repaired, but if the cork is significantly deteriorated to the point it can't be resoled, or the leather is cracked and damaged beyond saving, it's time for a new pair.
Can Birkenstocks get wet?
While they are sandals, Birkenstocks are not recommended for the beach or poolside, as getting them wet can lead to them deteriorating more quickly.
If you get your Birkenstocks wet in the rain, or if cleaning them, ensure you air-dry them thoroughly before wearing again – and never put them in the washing machine.
Once they're clean, learn how to organize your shoes.
