Your Birkenstocks pair with almost anything, but that famous cork footbed soaks up sweat, oil, and dirt with every wear. A dark footprint and a faint smell are the usual payoff for all that comfort.
Most of it lifts away with a toothbrush, some baking soda, and the right method for the material you own. Cork, suede, oiled leather, and fabric each want a slightly different touch.
Below you’ll find how often to clean each type, a step-by-step for the footbed, and the care habits that keep a pair going for years, including the cork sealing Birkenstock builds in at the factory.
Key Takeaways
- Scrub the cork footbed with a paste of two parts baking soda to one part white vinegar, worked in with an old toothbrush.
- Clean suede or nubuck straps with a suede brush and eraser; use leather cleaner and conditioner on smooth leather straps.
- Wash fabric or EVA (plastic) Birkenstocks with a cloth dampened in warm, soapy water, never a machine.
- Reseal the exposed cork once a year and keep the sandals away from direct heat so the cork cannot dry out and crack.
How Often Should You Clean Birkenstocks?
Wipe down the footbed every couple of weeks to stop oil and sweat from building into a stain. Give them a deep clean at least twice a year. If you wear them daily through summer or leave them in the sun a lot, step that up to once a month so the cork does not dry out.
How to Clean the Footbed and Cork Soles
The dark footprint on your sandals is a mix of oil, sweat, and dirt pressed into the cork. You can lift it with a simple homemade paste that also pulls out odors, no special product required.
- Time: 20 minutes (plus drying time)
- Difficulty: Easy
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Small bowl
- Spoon
- Old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
1. Wipe Away Loose Dirt
Run a damp cloth over the footbed and outer soles first. Clearing the surface dust makes the scrubbing step do more with less effort.
2. Create a Cleaning Paste
Mix two parts baking soda with one part distilled white vinegar in a bowl. It will fizz at first. Stir until it settles into a spreadable paste.
3. Scrub the Footbed
Dip the toothbrush into the paste and work it into the footbed in small circles. Focus on the heel and toe, where stains sit darkest.
Keep the cork from getting soaked, a little paste goes a long way. Wipe the dirty paste off with a damp cloth and repeat if a shadow remains.
4. Dry Properly
Let the sandals air dry fully in a cool, shaded spot. Never park them by a radiator, fireplace, or in direct sun. Heat cracks the cork and shrinks the soles. Full drying can take up to 24 hours.
Brand Advice
Birkenstock’s own method is to spray the footbed with the Cleaner & Refresher from their Deluxe Shoe Care Kit, then wipe away the loosened dirt and moisture with a cloth. It works well, but the baking soda paste is a cheaper alternative built from items already in your pantry.
How to Clean Suede Birkenstocks
Suede and nubuck are soft and porous, so heavy creams and standing water are out. A dedicated suede kit lets you lift dirt and restore the nap (the fuzzy texture) without ruining the finish.
- Time: 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
What You’ll Need
- Suede brush
- Suede eraser
- White vinegar or suede cleaner
- Clean cloth
- Cornstarch (for oil stains)
You can buy suede cleaning kits from brands like Gear Aid that include both the brush and eraser.
1. Brush the Straps
Unbuckle the straps so you can reach the whole surface. Sweep a suede brush over them to lift loose dust and dirt, always brushing with the grain to keep the texture even.
Top Tip
If the straps are heavily soiled, dampen the brush slightly. Suede straps hold sweat, so a touch of moisture helps lift the bacteria behind the smell.
2. Erase Scuffs and Stains
Rub a suede eraser (or a clean white pencil eraser) back and forth over scuff marks and dried stains with moderate pressure. Once the mark lifts, brush the area again to fluff the fibers back up.
3. Absorb Grease Stains
Spilled food or lotion on suede calls for cornstarch, not water. Bury the oil spot under a pile of cornstarch and leave it four hours to draw out the grease, then brush it away and repeat if a mark lingers.
4. Deep Clean (Optional)
For stubborn grime, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a cloth, wring it until barely damp, and wipe the straps gently, never soaking the suede. Let them air dry away from heat, then give them a final brush to bring back the softness.
How to Clean Leather Birkenstocks
Oiled leather needs moisture to stay supple. Skip the conditioning and the straps eventually dry out, crack, and lose their sheen.
- Time: 20 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
What You’ll Need
- Leather brush
- Leather cleaner
- Two soft cloths
- Leather conditioner
1. Brush Off Debris
Wipe or brush the straps to clear dust. For scuff marks, buff them out gently with a leather eraser.
2. Clean the Leather
Work a dime-sized dab of leather cleaner into the straps with a soft cloth, using small circles. Wipe off any leftover foam with a fresh, dry cloth.
3. Condition and Protect
Leather dries out over time, so massage in a leather conditioner with a cloth to put the moisture back and hide fine scratches. Buff off the excess so the straps are not left sticky.
4. Let Them Dry
Give the conditioner 24 hours to soak in before you wear the sandals again. That keeps fresh dust from sticking to the damp finish.
How to Clean Fabric Birkenstocks
Birkenstock also builds sandals from linen, canvas, wool felt, and microfiber. These are usually simpler to clean than leather.
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
What You’ll Need
- Soft-bristled brush
- Small bowl
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap
- Clean cloths
1. Remove Surface Dust
Brush the fabric briskly with a dry brush to knock off loose dirt.
2. Scrub with Soapy Water
Stir a teaspoon of dish soap into two cups of warm water. Dip a soft cloth or brush and scrub the fabric in gentle circles. Canvas can take a firmer hand; go easy on wool felt so it does not pill.
For Metallic Finishes
If you have metallic “Birko-Flor” sandals, wipe them with a damp cloth only. Abrasive brushes and chemical cleaners strip the metallic foil finish.
3. Treat Stubborn Spots
If dish soap will not shift a spot, dab on a little laundry stain remover, let it sit 15 minutes, then work it gently with your brush.
4. Rinse and Dry
Wipe the fabric with a cloth dipped in plain water to clear the soap residue. Blot with a dry towel and let the sandals air dry fully.
How to Get Specific Stains Out
Sometimes a general clean is not enough. Here is how to handle the common accidents.
- Oil and Grease: Sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder on the spot, leave it several hours to pull out the oil, then brush it away.
- Water Marks: On suede, dampen the whole strap evenly with a wet cloth to blend the mark, then let it dry naturally. On leather, wipe gently with a 1:1 mix of water and vinegar.
- Persistent Odors: Sprinkle baking soda over the footbed, leave it overnight, then vacuum or brush it off to neutralize the smell.
- Gum or Tar: Hold an ice cube in a ziplock bag against the gum until it hardens, then scrape it off with a credit card.
- Salt Stains: Winter salt eats leather. Mix one cup of water with one tablespoon of white vinegar and wipe the salt lines gently until they dissolve.
Tips For Protecting Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks are an investment. These habits keep a pair going for years.
- Seal the Cork: Every pair ships with a thin factory coat of sealer on the exposed cork, and that coating wears away with use (1). When the cork looks dull or starts chipping, brush on a thin layer of Cork Sealer to replace what wore off and stop the cork from crumbling.
- Protect the Uppers: Birkenstock suggests spraying leather, suede, and nubuck straps with its Water & Stain Repellent now and then, so spills and rain bead up instead of soaking in. Reapply after any deep clean.
- Keep Them Cool: Heat destroys the glue and shrinks the soles, so never leave them in a hot car or near a campfire.
- Avoid Water: Classic Birkenstocks are not water shoes, and water damages the cork and breaks down the sealant. If you need beach shoes, get the EVA (plastic) version.
- Rotate Your Shoes: Give a pair a 24-hour break between wears so the footbed can dry out fully from sweat, which slows bacteria growth.
- Spot Test Cleaners: Always test vinegar or a commercial cleaner on a small hidden area, like the inside of a strap, before you use it on the whole shoe.
FAQs
Keep Walking
You bought Birkenstocks for the comfort, so it pays to keep them in shape. They are built to last for years, but they need a bit of help to hold up against sweat, sun, and water.
Whether you are scrubbing the cork with baking soda or working conditioner into the leather straps, a little regular upkeep is what does it. Clean them by material, reseal the cork when it dries, and your feet will thank you for it.
