Apparel & Shoes

How to Clean Birkenstock Sandals and Footbeds

Classic Birkenstock sandals combine several materials that should not be soaked together: a suede-lined contoured footbed, exposed cork-and-latex edge, EVA outsole, metal buckles, and leather, nubuck, suede, Birko-Flor, or textile straps. Birkenstock recommends its Cleaner & Refresher for footbeds, a suede/nubuck brush to restore nap, and Cork Sealer when the exposed edge looks dry. Its shoe cleaner is applied with a damp sponge and removed carefully rather than by holding the sandal beneath running water. Material identification is the first cleaning step.

Published · Updated

Primary reference: Birkenstock: official care tips. Always check the manual for your exact model.

Quick reference

Footbed
Use Birkenstock cleaner with controlled sponge moisture and a suede brush.
Upper
Match the cleaner to smooth leather, oiled leather, nubuck, suede, or synthetic.
Cork
Keep it from soaking and apply a thin sealer coat when the exposed edge looks dry.
Avoid
Running-water rinses, immersion, washers, baking-soda abrasion, and direct heat.
Dry
Air-dry completely, then brush suede to restore its nap.

What you will need

  • A Birkenstock suede/nubuck brush or soft suede brush
  • Birkenstock Cleaner & Refresher or Footbed & Shoe Cleaner
  • Birkenstock Cork Sealer when the exposed cork looks dry
  • A damp sponge and lint-free cloth
  • A soft toothbrush for the EVA outsole
  • Lukewarm water
  • A cleaner suitable for the exact upper material
  • A clean towel and shaded drying area

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Identify every sandal material

Check whether the upper is smooth leather, oiled leather, nubuck, suede, Birko-Flor, EVA, textile, or another specialty material. Confirm whether the footbed lining is suede or microfiber and whether cork is exposed. A product safe for synthetic straps can stain oiled leather, and water used on EVA sandals is not appropriate for a cork footbed.

Step 2: Unbuckle and dry-brush

Open every strap so the footbed edges and buckle folds are exposed. Use a suede brush to lift dry dust from the footbed and suede or nubuck areas. Use a separate dry cloth on smooth leather and a separate toothbrush on the outsole. Removing dry grit first prevents it becoming an abrasive paste.

Step 3: Clean the footbed with controlled moisture

Birkenstock advises spraying Cleaner & Refresher over the footbed and wiping excess moisture and dirt with a cloth. For its Footbed & Shoe Cleaner, spray two or three times onto a damp sponge, work it into foam, and apply it to the footbed. Let it act briefly, then remove foam carefully with a clean sponge.

Step 4: Do not rinse cork sandals under a faucet

Birkenstock specifically says not to hold the shoe under running water when removing its shoe cleaner. Rinse and wring the sponge, then make repeated passes until residue is gone. Keep moisture away from the cork edge and do not submerge the sandal, which can saturate cork, soften adhesives, and distort the footbed.

Step 5: Clean uppers by their material

Brush suede or nubuck dry and use an approved specialty cleaner after testing. Wipe smooth leather with a lint-free cloth and use compatible polish or conditioner where appropriate. Wipe Birko-Flor or synthetic straps with a lightly damp cloth. Do not apply leather conditioner to synthetic surfaces or wet-clean suede like smooth leather.

Step 6: Wash buckles and EVA outsoles

Use a damp cloth around metal buckles without saturating strap attachments. Apply a little mild solution to the outsole toothbrush and clean only the EVA tread and side edge, preventing runoff onto cork. Wipe away all foam. All-EVA Birkenstocks can tolerate more water, but they still should not be exposed to high heat.

Step 7: Inspect and reseal exposed cork

Birkenstock sandals leave the factory with a light cork-sealer coating. When the exposed edge looks dry, dull, or no longer glossy, apply a thin coat of Birkenstock Cork Sealer precisely to exposed cork after the sandal is clean and dry. Keep it off suede, leather, and the footbed, and let it cure according to the label.

Step 8: Air-dry and restore the nap

Blot moisture and let sandals dry naturally at room temperature away from radiators, dryers, strong sun, and hot cars. Do not wear them until the footbed and cork edge are dry. Brush the dry suede footbed and nubuck straps gently to lift the nap, then rebuckle without overbending wet leather.

Specific cleaning questions

Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.

Can Birkenstock sandals get completely wet?
Avoid soaking classic cork-footbed Birkenstocks or holding them beneath running water. Controlled sponge cleaning protects cork, adhesives, leather, and the shaped footbed. All-EVA models are different.
How do I clean a dark Birkenstock footbed?
Dry-brush loose soil, apply Birkenstock Cleaner & Refresher or the foamed Footbed & Shoe Cleaner with a sponge, and remove residue with repeated clean damp-sponge passes. Some darkening is normal wear.
Can I use baking soda on Birkenstock footbeds?
Birkenstock's official care system uses its footbed cleaners and suede brush. A dry baking-soda paste can be abrasive and hard to remove from cork and suede, so use the supported products instead.
When should I apply Birkenstock Cork Sealer?
Apply a thin coat when the exposed cork edge looks dry or loses its protective sheen. Use it only on clean, dry exposed cork and keep it off the upper, footbed, and outsole.
How do I clean Birkenstock suede straps?
Let them dry, brush away dirt with a suede/nubuck brush, and use a suede-safe cleaner after testing. Do not treat suede with the same wet cloth or conditioner used on smooth leather.
Can Birkenstocks go in the washing machine?
No for classic cork-footbed sandals. Machine soaking, agitation, and heat can damage cork, adhesives, leather, buckles, and the contoured footbed.
How do I remove odor from Birkenstock sandals?
Clean the footbed with the official cleaner, remove all residue, and dry it fully with airflow. Persistent odor can remain in heavily worn suede; flooding it with fragrance or disinfectant can damage the footbed.
Why is the cork cracking?
Exposed cork can dry when its sealer wears away, and repeated soaking or heat can accelerate deterioration. Clean gently, reseal dry exposed edges, and seek repair before structural cracks spread.