How to Clean Birkenstock Sandals

Although Birkenstock shoes are unofficially referred to as the "Hippie Shoe", it is still important to keep your footwear clean. Because Birkenstock shoes are made from a unique combination of materials, cleaning them can be tough. However, if you make the time to gather the right materials and clean the different parts individually, you can clean your Birkenstock shoes pretty efficiently and can walk again with pride.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sponge/Rag
• Leather Cleaner
• Cork Sealant
• Dish Soap

1. Clean the footbed first. This is likely to be the dirtiest (and the smelliest) part of your Birkenstock shoes, so you will have to work the hardest here. Grab a bowl of water and mix it with common dish soap. Gently scrub the footbeds with the soft side of the sponge, occasionally rinsing it with the soapy solution. After a few minutes most of the dirt will loosen and come off. If you are having trouble getting deeper dirt out, consider using a scour sponge.

2. Clean the leather straps. Use a leather cleaning solution, along with a rag to clean the soft leather straps on top of your birkenstock shoes. Because leather solutions vary, make sure to follow the cleaning instructions detailed on the label to ensure you don't accidentally stain your shoes.

3. Treat the cork. The cork bottom of Birkenstock shoes is treated when your Birkenstock shoes are first manufactured, but if you see dirt starting to creep in, it may be time for another treatment. Clear away surface stains with a sponge and soapy water, and then use specialty cork treatment to seal the cork and prevent future stains.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use Baking Soda to clean your Birkenstock shoes. This will degrade the quality of the materials and can shorten the life of your sandals.

Resources

• Birkenstock Tips for Footwear Care