If you are among those who own a pair of these famous footwear company’s products, namely Birkenstocks sandals and leather or cork sole footwear, this article is for you. Cleaning them up at your home need not be frustrating and it can be done with little patience and some tips that we have right here. There are four main types of these Birkenstocks, and they need to be cleaned in their own ways.

  1. When Cleaning the Suede Birkenstocks

When you are up against these sandals, you will need simple things. If you have an old toothbrush get it and then some more stuff to shine and all. You can always buy Suede Kits from Birkenstocks to go with.

  • Get a cleaning brush, like an old toothbrush or use your Suede Brush.
  • Remove the excess debris on the top and the sole of the shoes too. For the soles, tap them on the floor nicely to let mud and soil off first.
  • Now, the footwear is ready for some shine and fine cleaning.
  1. Get the Cleaner that You Purchased with it

Get a clean and soft cloth to begin this ritual. You will need the cloth to rub on the shoes, so kindly do not use an old dirty one. The cleaner should also be the one recommended for the Suede Birkenstocks.

  • Use the soft cloth and absorb some cleaner from the bottle, a few drops.
  • Gently rub at all along the shoe. At places where you see stains, rub them a little more and apply a thin coat.
  1. Allow to Dry and Polish it Later

Now that the thin coat is applied and the cleaner has been rubbed all well, it is time to let it dry. It takes maybe for some minutes, like 10 mins or so. And, then brush it up nice and well.

  • Brushing after it has dried helps restore the shine of the leather.
  • It looks clean and like new unless you have creases.
  • You can even let it sit for a couple of hours or so, it doesn’t matter if you have done it alright. The leather will get dry and soak up all the cleaner.
  1. When Cleaning Leather Birkenstocks

This will need some labor and persistence. Use any leather cleaner that you can buy from footwear stores or get it from Birkenstocks as well. Bring a nice soft clean cloth too.

  • Apply a nice big drop of it on the cloth, and nicely gently rub it on the leather.
  • You have to apply it over the entire leather, so you can even clean the dirt before that if there is any.
  • You can use a combination of some water and salt to clean the leather, but do not wet the leather.
  • Finally, use enough cleaner to allow the cleaner to sink and get absorbed into the leather.
  1. Removing Scuffs if Any

You can use the water and saddle salt solution to remove scuffs from the leather. This has to be done without making the leather too wet. What you need also is distilled vinegar.

  • Use equal parts of water, and distilled vinegar to remove the salt stains later.
  • Blot the solution on a clean piece of cloth and keep it over the entire surface of the leather.
  • Keep repeating it until the stains are completely gone.
  • Then you need to scrub your shoe with a nice cloth again all over. Use the leather cleaner and buff the surface nicely with a clean piece of cloth.
  • Keep it to dry overnight in a cool and dark place.
  1. Polish and Let Them Dry Again

Since you are done with drying up the cleaner solution; it is time to polish the leather nicely. This polish should also be left to dry for hours, and you can leave it overnight too if you can.

  • Take a polish and nicely polish the leather in a circular motion.
  • Use two pieces of cloth here. Once to apply the polish evenly on the surface all over, and another to polish the polish on the leather and give it nice rubs in a circular motion.
  • Allow them to dry off completely overnight to retain the shine, it will go away as soon as it comes in contact with dirt.
  1. When Cleaning Synthetic Birkenstocks

This is the easiest of the shoes that you can clean with. All it needs is water to go with, and no polish or shine.

  • They are made of polyurethane and used as beachwear and regular wear.
  • Just remove the dirt and excess with a big brush.
  • Use some soap and clean it nicely by rubbing and rinsing under water.
  • Try to use only fragrance-free soap solution and nicely scrub it under the foam.
  • Clean it with water and let it dry away from direct sunlight of course.

TIPS

  • Any decent leather cleaner will also work fine and take care not to use too much of it.
  • Do not keep your shoes under sunlight to dry them soon.

How do you clean Birkenstocks at home?

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to clean your Birkenstocks at home using a simple paste of baking soda or Borax and water. You probably have baking soda sitting at home already, or you can find Borax in the cleaning aisle of your grocery store. Combine either powder with a small amount of water, just enough to form a paste.

How do you clean Birkenstocks without ruining them?

Use lukewarm water and a cloth to scrub your footprint away. To dry, do not place in direct heat or sunlight, as this again, will cause dry rot and cork breaking. Clean your Birkenstocks on a day where you won’t be tempted to wear them and allow them to dry away from windows and doors for 24 hours.

How do you clean a Birkenstock footbed?

To keep your footwear fresh, spray the entire footbed with Birkenstock Cleaner & Refresher and wipe away excess moisture and dirt with a cloth. Brush suede and nubuck footbeds with a Nubuck/Suede brush to restore the nap.

How do you clean smelly Birkenstocks?

Sprinkle baking soda to remove smell.

If there is a lingering odor coming from your Birkenstocks, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the footbed and allow it to sit for several hours or overnight. Finish by wiping excess baking soda away with a soft cloth.

Why do my Birkenstocks smell so bad?

3. Keep them smelling fresh. Birkenstocks are best known for two things: comfort and smell. This unfortunate latter comes as a result of being exposed to bare feet, sweat and, of course, the elements.

How long should Birkenstocks last?

Depending on how often you wear them, they should last you decades, or at least several years. The longer you wear a pair of birkenstocks, the more comfortable they become because they form to the shape of your foot.

Is it worth it to resole Birkenstocks?

Birkenstock Sandals Repair: Is It Worth It? Buying a pair of sandals will cost you more, while repairs will only cost you half the price of a new pair. Therefore, replacing the sole is cheaper than buying a new pair of Birkenstock sandals. You can even find some repair shops that can fix your Birks for a lower price.

What to do if Birkenstocks get wet?

If you do get caught in the rain in your Birks, fear not! Simply dry them in a shaded place away from any heat sources. If you have clogs or shoes, insert wadded newspapers into the shoes, and the paper will help soak up the extra moisture.

Are Birkenstocks really worth it?

Yes, Birkenstocks are worth it! Unlike fast-fashion shoes that last for a season or two at best, Birkenstocks are a timeless classic that lasts for years to come. They are comfortable walking shoes that you’ll reach for over and over again. Take care of your Birks, and they’ll last a lifetime.

Are Birkenstocks Still in Style 2020?

So, it comes as no surprise that Birkenstock and its best-selling styles have become some of the most popular shoes of 2020. This makes sense: As people continue to dress in their most unfussy ensembles, Birkenstock’s versatile slip-on style is the perfect choice to finish each look.

Are Birkenstocks in Style 2020?

Last month British Vogue declared Birkenstocks the official sandal of 2020, while fashion search engine Lyst reported that they had become the platform’s most searched-for shoe. Meanwhile models Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber have all stepped out in theirs — with and without socks.

Do podiatrists recommend Birkenstocks?

Birkenstock shoes and sandals are often recommended by Podiatrists for their structure, support and comfort. It is a great summer alternative to wearing a closed-in shoe (plus an orthotic)!

Are Birkenstocks good for walking long distances?

The cork footbed allows your feet to feel cushioned with firm arch support while walking, making them comfortable for long periods of time when exploring cities or wandering the countryside. Other benefits for choosing Birkenstocks for travel: Fantastic for walking.

Why Birkenstocks are the worst shoe?

Everything that shoes are supposed to do, Birkenstocks fail to accomplish. Sure, they are like thick flip flops, in the fact that they offer a barrier between your precious feet and the slums of your white suburb or university, which is always nice.

Are Birkenstocks bad for plantar fasciitis?

Birkenstocks are often popular sandals for plantar fasciitis runners for this reason—the cork molds to your foot’s shape and reduces strain on your arch by providing firm, rigid support along the length of your foot.

Do Birkenstocks hurt at first?

You do not want your feet to feel constricted or that would defeat the purpose of the Birkenstock shoes. Wear your shoes for about 30-45 minutes the first day and take them off. If your feet start hurting before 30 minutes take them off. Do this over the course of 2-3 weeks or until the Birkenstocks feel comfortable.

Can Birkenstocks hurt your feet?

As with any type of shoes, it might take a while to get used to wearing new Birkenstocks. If your feet begin to hurt, take off the shoes immediately. You may also want to wear the Birkenstocks with socks to avoid getting blisters on your feet. On the second day, you can increase this time to an hour or two.

Why do Birkenstocks hurt my arches?

You may have very low arches or flat feet. In that case they would hurt. Birkenstocks require a “break-in” period while your foot realigns to a more healthy shape. With a bit of patience, you’ll find that tired feet actually feel better if you put on your clogs.