Leather Birkenstocks
The leather upper on Birkenstock sandals can be easily cleaned using a commercial leather cleaner. Some leather cleaners are designed to only remove dirt and stains, however try and choose one with added conditioning agents to keep the leather straps hydrated and supple.
Add the cleaner to a clean, soft cloth and rub it over the leather in circular motions to lift stains and restore shine. Only use the amount specified on the bottle, as any more than this could end up ruining the finish on your sandals.
Suede Birkenstocks
Soft suede is a lot more delicate than tough leather, so you need to be gentle for best results. A good quality suede brush is normally enough to remove minor stains, but if your shoes are suffering from more serious stains then follow the steps below:
Step 1. Brush the suede with a good quality suede brush to remove any loose dirt.
Step 2. Use a suede eraser (or a regular pencil eraser works just as well) to gently lift any deeper set stains, and remove any loose dirt with the suede brush again.
Step 3. If you’ve still got persistent water or dirt stains after the first two steps, try dampening a clean microfibre cloth in a little white vinegar and rub it over the stain. Make sure you only use a little to dampen the suede, if you douse it in any liquid there’s a risk that it could ruin the suede. Leave the shoes to dry and brush over them with the suede brush. Repeat if necessary.
For oil stains, blot as much excess liquid off your sandals as you can using some paper towels and sprinkle some corn-starch over the stain. Leave the corn-starch to soak into the stain for a few hours, then brush it off with your suede brush. Continue with the white vinegar method to remove the rest of the stain.
Patent Leather Birkenstocks
A soft, clean cloth dampened with a little water should be enough to remove dirt and stains from patent leather. Use a fresh towel to buff the straps dry. If you have scuffs and scratches on your patent leather Birkenstocks, use a soft cloth to buff some petroleum jelly or oil (olive and coconut work great for this) over the scratches. Leave the oil on for around 30 minutes and then wipe off with a damp cloth. Make sure to buff them dry again after this step.
How to Clean The Footbed
There’s nothing worse than the inside of your Birkenstocks looking grubby, so it’s worth giving the footbed a really good deep clean once or twice a year to keep them looking fresh. The most effective method is using a homemade mixture of baking soda and water.
Step 1. Brush the suede with a good quality suede brush to remove any loose dirt.
Step 2. Mix 1tbsp of baking soda with a little water until a thick paste forms.
Step 3. Use a clean, unused toothbrush to brush the paste onto the footbed in circular motions, adding a little extra to heavily stained areas. Leave the mixture on overnight, and use a clean damp cloth to wipe it all off in the morning. Repeat the process for any persistent stains.
EVA Birkenstocks
The foam-like EVA material is without a doubt the lowest maintenance and easiest to clean when it comes to Birkenstock sandals. Open up the buckles on the straps to give you better access to the footbed and use a soft cloth and some anti-bacterial spray to give the sandals a good wipe down between wears.
You can shop our full range of ex-display Birkenstock sandals by clicking here.
*Please note that this post is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Birkenstock. The cleaning methods above are guides, but you should always follow the manufacturer's care instructions. If in doubt use Birkenstock's own cleaning and protective sprays.
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