How to Clean the Footbed of Birkenstocks 2

Birkenstocks are comfortable shoes, but they can become dirty over time. Luckily, they’re easy to keep looking their best by using a cleaner and refresher spray, cleaning brush, or suede brush to remove grime, dust or odor from cork footbeds.

Begin by dampening a cloth. Combine baking soda with water to create a paste solution.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda and vinegar treatments are a simple yet highly effective way to keep your Birkenstocks looking their best. Not only are these treatments economical and eco-friendly, they are safe for even the most delicate materials like cork, jute, or leather!

Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to remove coarse dirt from the footbed, then scrub the entire shoe with cleaning solution. Be mindful when handling cork soles of sandals – any friction could damage them and lead to cracking; make sure that enough solution has soaked into leather or suede surfaces in an hour for best results.

Rinse the shoes thoroughly with clean water and a damp cloth to eliminate all soapy residue. If they’re particularly dirty, repeat this step multiple times until your shoes are thoroughly clean. Upon drying them off, gently wipe with a soft brush before applying leather conditioner for long-term health benefits.

Consider applying waterproof sealant to your shoes. This can protect the cork from drying out and cracking over time.

Some may wash their clogs in the washing machine, but Birkenstock advises against doing this. Clog straps could become damaged while hard soles could cause irreparable damage to your washer’s drum and heat from dryer can shrink and crack leather soles – to avoid this, stuff your shoes with paper towels while they dry then allow them to air dry away from direct heat sources.

2. Cleaner & Refresher

Birkenstock footbeds are constructed using natural materials like cork, natural latex, jute and suede for the top layer. These materials absorb moisture to create an airy environment for your feet while being comfortable to use. However, should the footbed begin to smell due to sweat or have stains, regular cleanings will help to eliminate odour formation and prolong its longevity.

Birkenstock have created a cleaner and refresher specifically to maintain and revitalize the footbed of their shoes, helping keep your pair in tiptop condition and prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle over time. Furthermore, they sell a care kit which contains not only this solution but also includes brushes and cork sealers – everything needed for optimal care!

Care should be taken when cleaning your shoes to avoid oversoaking them as this can damage adhesives used to construct them and the cork soles. Instead, gently scrub the surface using a soft-bristled brush or clean cloth dipped into soapy water; any stubborn stains should be spot treated with commercial stain remover.

Birkenstock offers shoes in their range that feature multiple upper materials, with many now featuring vegan-friendly versions of various styles. Birko-Flor and Birkibuc synthetic leathers make these uppers easy to keep clean, while Vegan models feature microfibre inner layers which allow them to absorb moisture more efficiently while remaining absorbent and breathable. It is best to leave them out of direct sunlight as leaving your shoes there could cause their color fading over time.

3. Water

Birkenstocks feature footbeds made of cork, leather, jute and latex materials; over time this may become stained from oil and sweat build-up – this can be avoided through regular cleaning with a damp cloth. Birko-flor and Birkibuc materials can also be easily cleaned using this method; just remember to wipe them down after wearing your shoes in dirt or mud as soon as you take them off to prevent permanent damage to them and build-up over time. Airing also helps prevent long-term build-up of odours which builds up over time – plus prevent permanent damage to their footbeds!

For stubborn odours, soaking your Birkenstocks in water before wiping them down with a damp cloth may be necessary. For Birkenstocks with cork soles, sealing is crucial in order to maintain flexibility; small jars of sealant can be found at shoe repair shops and online outlets to help preserve flexibility of cork soles from cracking or drying out over time.

Once your shoes have dried out completely, it’s important to store them out of direct sunlight as prolonged exposure to sunrays can cause irreparable damage to cork and leather components. If storing Birkenstocks directly under sunlight is unavoidable, placing a towel over them as protection can reduce fabric fade while helping retain their color and avoid further fading of its hues.

Along with a suede brush and two soft cloths, having a small bowl filled with baking soda and plain water on hand for cleaning is helpful in the removal of odors from Birkenstocks. By mixing baking soda and water together into a paste that can be applied directly onto soft cloths rubbing it over their footbed, and finally wiping off with another clean dry cloth afterwards.

4. Suede Brush

A suede brush can help maintain the footbeds of birkenstocks constructed with suede materials, like suede-covered footbeds. Users can either purchase an official suede brush or reuse an old toothbrush to scrub their footbeds of their shoes. In extreme cases, shoe polish may also help clean off dirt from suede material; however, users should use caution when applying cleaning agents as some cleaning agents could alter its texture and pose a danger.

To acquire a suede brush, one can visit either their local shoe store or online. However, before making their selection it is wise to read through and follow any care instructions provided with their shoe to determine which types of brushes can safely be used with it. When purchasing one it should reach cracks of the shoe allowing dirt from being trapped into them and becoming permanent.

If the footbed stains are too large for brush removal, white vinegar can be used as an effective cleaning agent. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth and rub onto the stain with it; once applied use your suede brush to rub away. Repeat this process until all traces of staining have been eliminated from your footbed.

Birkenstocks should always look and feel great. Regular cleaning can reduce odor and dirt build-up between comprehensive cleanings. Birkenstock has also developed an all-in-one care kit, complete with suede brush, cleaner/refresher spray, cork sealer, water/stain repellent repellent, cork sealer and water/stain repellent repellent; taking advantage of this can extend their lifetime and lessen odor build up between thorough cleanings.

5. White Vinegar

Birkenstocks are popular shoes known for being both durable and comfortable, yet their footbed can become dirty over time due to wear. Water can stain them permanently and eventually they may lose their natural cork color, leading to dull or discolored soles causing your Birkenstocks to look worn-down over time. Thankfully there are a few easy steps you can take to clean your Birkenstock’s footbed for optimal appearance and performance.

At first, remove any surface dirt and dust with a soft-bristled suede brush or cloth. Next, mix two cups of warm water, one teaspoon of laundry detergent, and two teaspoons of white vinegar into a cleaning solution – then use either a small soft-bristled toothbrush dipped into this solution to gently scrub at any stained areas without harming the shoe itself.

Once you’re finished scrubbing the shoe, rinse it out with clean water and set it to dry overnight in a cool environment. Before wearing sandals for wear again, always check to ensure their footbeds have completely dried – otherwise this can lead to unpleasant odors as well as bugs or fungus settling into their fabric and footbeds.

Birkenstocks cannot be washed in a washing machine, but regular hand-washing with mild detergent will keep them looking their best and avoid becoming damaged or frayed over time. Airing them out regularly and keeping them in a cool, dry location to prevent bacteria growth that causes unpleasant odors is also recommended to maintain good condition for these shoes. For optimal care and longevity of leather and fabric materials make sure they’re kept away from direct sunlight or excessive heat!