Cleaning your Birkenstocks is a simple and easy process that will keep your shoes or sandals smelling and looking fresh. While we’ll show you how to clean suede Birkenstocks using the Birkenstock cleaning kit, these five easy steps also apply to other materials.
What You Need: Birkenstock Deluxe Shoe Care Kit
The item we recommend for cleaning your suede Birkenstocks is the Birkenstock deluxe shoe care kit, which can be purchased from Amazon. It includes a brush, cleaner and refresher, cork sealer, and a water-repellent spray—everything you need to shine up your Birkenstocks. It is one of our personal favorites here at CTS!
How to Use Birkenstock Cleaning Kit in 5 Steps
Revitalize your suede and other Birkenstock sandals with these five simple cleaning steps.
1. Scrub Footbed
Use a toothbrush and warm soapy water or leather shampoo to scrub the footbed of each shoe. Brush in small circular motions to help the leather shampoo penetrate the dirt, but avoid your sandals from getting soaked.
2. Use Cleaner Spray
The Cleaner & Refresher Spray will eliminate odors and clean your footbeds. Spray the entire footbed and wipe away dirt and moisture with a cloth. For leather footbeds: let dry completely. For suede footbeds: back brush with a nylon brush to raise the texture. Repeat as needed!
3. Clean the Straps
Clean the leather straps with a damp brush to remove dirt and grime. The suede brush, which comes with the cleaning kit, will make your suede Birkenstocks look as good as new by bringing all the excess dirt out of the straps.
4. Remove Stains
To get heavy stains out, scrub each one with a toothbrush and soapy water. Use a dry cloth to remove excess moisture and dirt. Repeat this process until stains are removed and allow your sandals to dry. Once you have a completely dry and clean shoe, spray the whole shoe with the Birkenstock Water & Stain Repellent. This spray will help repel water and stains.
5. Give Your Birkenstocks a Sparkly Finish
The Cork Sealer keeps the cork in your Birkenstocks from drying out and getting brittle while it also locks out moisture and protects it from wear caused by the elements. Apply a thin film to cork surfaces only. Reapply when needed or every 4 months!
Things to Avoid
The biggest thing is to avoid applying too much water to your Birkenstocks. Although a little water won’t hurt, excessive moisture can cause the glue in the cork to loosen, disintegrate, and detach from the footbed. If your Birkenstocks become soaked, allow them to air dry slowly (about 24 hours). Don’t apply direct heat or sunlight as this can cause the cork to crack due to dry rot and the leather to warp.
We also recommend against scrubbing your footwear too hard as it can scratch or damage the suede. Instead, use a dedicated suede brush (or a brush made of horse hair) or a soft toothbrush while cleaning your shoes to minimize the risk of damage.
How Often Should I Clean My Birkenstocks?
You should clean your Birkenstocks once every few weeks or as needed based on how stained or muddy they become, and how often you wear them. Simply repeat the steps above to spruce up your shoes or sandals. It may also help to wipe down your Birkenstocks with a damp cloth after each use to remove fresh dirt and stains to maintain their cleanliness and appearance.
Keep Your Birkenstocks Looking Fresh
You now know how to clean Birkenstock sandals. This Birkenstock Deluxe Shoe Care Kit makes cleaning your Birkenstocks easy and can prolong their lifespan for many years. It is equipped with everything you need, and is small enough to take with you on the go! You can get your kit from the Birkenstock website or Amazon!