The Best Ways to Clean Birkenstock Shoes, Straps, & Footbeds

Download Article

Expert care advice for removing stains and maintaining your shoes

Co-authored by Penny Simmons and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Suede or Nubuck
|
• Leather
|
• Synthetic
|
• Cleaning the Footbeds & Soles
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Once you've worn your Birkenstocks for a while, you probably started noticing that they look a little dirty. Can you wash Birkenstocks? Not in the washing machine, but we'll explain the best ways to clean your sandals, clogs, or other shoes to restore them to their former glory. Keep reading to learn how to make your suede, leather, or synthetic shoes look their best!

Things You Should Know

• Clean suede Birkenstocks by running a suede brush over the surface. Then, apply suede cleaner with a soft clean cloth and wipe it away with a damp towel.
• Take care of leather Birkenstocks by scrubbing leather cleaner on the stains with a soft-bristled brush. Apply leather conditioner with a soft cloth to protect the fabric.
• Wash synthetic Birkenstocks by wiping the surface with a damp cloth and dish soap. Scrub stubborn stains in a circular motion to clean with a stiff-bristled brush.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Suede or Nubuck Birkenstocks

Download Article

1. 1
   Remove loose dirt with a suede brush. A suede brush has little rubber nubs on one side and brass bristles on the other. Start brushing your Birkenstocks with the rubber bristles, moving the brush in a single direction. Once you knock off all the loose dirt, then switch to the brass bristles and gently scrub the suede to remove stubborn dirt.

   • On stubborn stains, rub a suede eraser over the area to lift up the mark. Many suede brushes already have an eraser built into the handle.
   • If you need to clean the soles of your shoes, scrub the bottom of your shoes with the brush bristles to get rid of any stuck dirt.
   • Whether you’re cleaning clogs like the Birkenstock Bostons or sandals like the Arizona, always undo the shoe’s straps before cleaning. Dirt and debris may get caught under the metal buckles.
2. 
   2
   Work suede cleaner (or baking soda) into the straps or uppers. Mix about 2 parts of warm water for every 1 part of suede cleaner in a small bowl. Dip the corner of a clean cloth or soft-bristle brush into the cleaning solution and apply a thin coat onto areas with stains. Clean your suede shoes by lathering the shampoo over the fabric on sandal straps or the upper part of the shoe on clogs. When you’re finished, dab the suede with a damp cloth or sponge to rinse off the excess cleaner.

   • Get a Birkenstock cleaning kit to get everything you need to remove dirt and stains from your shoes.
   • Avoid machine-washing or submerging your Birkenstocks in water since you could damage the fabric.
   • Spread the cleaner over the entire surface since spot-cleaning stains may leave noticeable marks on the fabric.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Brush the suede on your Birkenstocks once they’re dry. Leave your Birkenstocks in a cool, dry area out of direct light. Let them sit overnight so the fabric has time to completely dry off without getting damaged from heat or sunlight. Then, run your suede brush over the nap again so it has a clean, uniform appearance.

   • Avoid putting your Birkenstocks in the dryer since the heat could damage the fabric and soles.
4. 4
   Apply waterproofing spray to the straps or uppers. Cover the footbeds of your Birkenstocks with paper towels so you don’t get any spray on them. Shake the can of spray and apply a light layer onto the suede fabric. Let the spray dry completely so your shoes are protected from the weather.

   • Apply waterproofing spray after every 8–10 wears so your Birkenstocks stay protected and in good condition.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Leather Birkenstocks

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Wipe off scuff marks from the straps and soles with a damp cloth. Wet a clean microfiber cloth with water and wring it out completely. Undo the straps on your shoes and look for any scuffs or scratches on the leather. Gently scrub the leather with your cloth until the scuff mark disappears.

   • Avoid completely saturating the leather with water since too much moisture will cause them to shrink. As long as your cloth isn’t dripping wet, you’ll be safe.
2. 
   2
   Scrub the shoes with leather cleaner and a soft-bristle brush. Squeeze a coin-sized amount of leather cleaner onto the bristles of a cleaning brush or a microfiber cloth. Wipe the cleaner onto the leather Birkenstock straps, and gently scrub any areas that have stubborn stains and dirt. Wipe off any excess cleaner with a dry cloth or paper towel.

   • Use saddle soap as an alternative leather cleaner. Dip the corner of a damp cloth into the saddle soap and spread it over the leather surfaces of your Birkenstocks.
3. 3
   Let your shoes air-dry overnight. Set your shoes out to dry away from direct heat sources or sunlight. Leave them overnight so they have time to dry out completely.
4. 
   4
   Apply leather conditioner to the uppers to restore the color. Dip the corner of a cloth into your leather conditioner, and spread it over your Birkenstocks using a circular motion. Once you’ve covered the shoe completely with conditioner, gently wipe the leather with a clean cloth to remove the excess.

   • Spread newspapers over your work surface to protect it from the leather conditioner.
   • Apply a leather conditioner to your shoes at least once every 2 years to prevent them from drying out or getting damaged.
5. 5
   Buff the leather with petroleum jelly to make your shoes shine. Dip the corner of a clean cloth into the petroleum jelly, and buff your shoes in a circular direction. Work the petroleum jelly into a thin layer across all of the leather surfaces. When you’re finished, the leather straps will look clean and refreshed.

   • Petroleum jelly also adds a protective layer to keep dirt and water off of the leather.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Synthetic Birkenstocks

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Wipe loose dirt off the straps and soles with a damp rag. Wet a clean microfiber cloth with warm water and wring it out completely. Gently scrub the surface of your synthetic Birkenstocks with the cloth to lift up any dirt and debris on the surface. Keep scrubbing until you can’t lift up any more dirt.

   • Synthetic Birkenstocks include styles made with polyurethane, EVA, and synthetic leather, such as the Barbados, Honolulu, Super-Birki, and Gizeh.
2. 2
   Scrub stubborn stains with soapy water. Wet a clean microfiber cloth with warm water and wring it out. Add a few drops of dish soap to the cloth and scrub the stains using circular motions. Keep working the soapy water into the surface until the stain lifts up. Then, wipe the surface with a clean corner of the cloth to remove the soapy residue.

   • If the stain isn’t coming up with the microfiber cloth, then use a stiff-bristled brush to remove it.
3. 3
   Leave the shoes to air-dry overnight. Lay the shoes out in a dry area, away from any direct sunlight or heat sources. Let them dry completely before you wear them again, or else the shoes might become misshapen when you put them on.
Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Cleaning the Footbeds & Soles

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Wipe loose dirt off the footbeds and soles with a damp cloth. Unbuckle the straps on your Birkenstocks and push them to the sides so the footbeds are easy to access. Wet a cloth with warm water and wring it out. Gently rub the darkened areas of the footbed with the cloth to lift up any dirt that’s still on the surface. Then, rub the cloth gently around the cork soles to remove any dried mud or dirt.

   • Plan on cleaning the footbeds and soles every 3–4 weeks so they don’t ever get too dirty.
2. 
   2
   Scrub a baking soda paste into the footbeds. Combine about 2 tablespoons (34 g) of baking soda with about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of warm water to form a thick paste. Spread the paste over the footbeds using an old toothbrush, and scrub it in using circular motions. After cleaning the footbeds for a few minutes, use a clean damp cloth to wipe the baking soda off your Birkenstocks.

   • If you still notice stains or an odor after removing the baking soda, apply another layer of baking soda to the surface and let it sit overnight. That way, the baking soda will absorb the dirt and remove bad smells from the footbeds.
3. 3
   Let the footbeds air-dry overnight before wearing them again. After cleaning and wiping the footbeds, leave them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Place them in a well-ventilated hallway or on a shoe rack so they have time to dry out completely. Press on the footbeds with a finger to test if they’re dry before sliding them on.

   • If you put your shoes on while the footbeds are still wet, it may cause them to deform and could leave stains on the bottoms of your feet.
4. 
   4
   Run a suede brush over the footbeds to restore their softness. Gently run the bristles of a suede brush over the footbeds to fluff the nap and make them more comfortable. Work the brush over the entire surface until the nap is all going in the same direction.

   • If you don’t have a suede brush, a stiff-bristled toothbrush will work well too.
5. 5
   Apply cork sealer on the exposed sides of the soles. Open the cork sealer and squeeze a coin-sized amount onto the applicator. Brush the cork sealer around the sides of the sole to protect the cork from water and damage. Once you add a thin even layer of the sealer, wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  How often should you clean your Birkenstocks?

  

  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist

  Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

  

  Marc Sigal

  Shoe Care Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Your cleaning regimen is entirely up to you, but it's best to not overdo it with the brushing or washing. If you can, spot-clean your shoes whenever they get a mark on them to keep dirt or grime from building up on your shoes. It also depends on how often you wear your Birkenstocks. If you wear them every day, you may need to clean them once every 3-5 weeks. If you only break them out every once in a while, it may be 2-3 months between cleanings.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
• Question

  What is the best cleaner for leather shoes?

  

  Penny Simmons
  Shoe Care Specialist

  Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star.

  

  Penny Simmons

  Shoe Care Specialist

  Expert Answer

  I'm a big fan of saddle soap for cleaning leather. You might rub a dampened towel in a little saddle soap, for instance, then rub that into the shoe. Whatever you do on leather, though, just don't get it wet.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
• Question

  How do you get dirt off suede shoes?

  

  Penny Simmons
  Shoe Care Specialist

  Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star.

  

  Penny Simmons

  Shoe Care Specialist

  Expert Answer

  If you have suede shoes, get a suede brush—you can get them at department stores or drugstores. One one side, they have little rubber bristles, and on the other side it's brass. Give the suede good, firm strokes with the rubber side to remove dirt. Then, if you need to, switch to the brass side.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

• If you’re cleaning felt or washing canvas Birkenstocks, like the Zermatt Shearlings, woven Bostons, the Arizona Vegan, Oswego, or Bend Low, wet the stain with a cloth dipped in a mixture of laundry detergent or dish soap and water. Gently scrub the stains using a circular motion and wipe away the soap with a clean damp cloth.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• While cleaning, try to keep the cork soles as dry as possible to prevent water damage.
• Store your Birkenstocks in a cool, dry place to avoid mold and mildew growth.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement