How to Clean Birkenstocks: Footbed, Suede, Leather and Cork

To clean Birkenstocks, brush off loose dirt, then scrub the footbed with an old toothbrush, a little water and leather shampoo (or a baking soda paste). Wipe the lather away with a damp cloth, clean the straps to suit their material, and let the pair air-dry for at least 24 hours, away from sun and heat.

Below, we go through it by part and material: the footbed, suede, leather and oiled leather, cork, clogs like the Boston, white pairs and soles, plus how to get rid of a smell. The one rule that applies to every pair: never submerge them. Birkenstock’s own care tips warn that soaking can break down the sealants, and heat from sun, radiators or a hot car can damage the cork and soles.

What you need to clean Birkenstocks

You don’t need much, and most of it is already under your sink:

• A soft brush and an old toothbrush for the footbed, straps and soles
• A rubber suede/nubuck brush if you own suede, nubuck or oiled leather pairs
• Leather shampoo (or Birkenstock’s Cleaner & Refresher) for the footbed
• Baking soda for stains and odor
• Two lint-free cloths and a bowl of lukewarm water
• Cork sealer for the exposed cork edge
• Material care: colorless waterproofing spray for suede, matching shoe polish for smooth leather, leather wax and grease for oiled leather

How to clean the Birkenstock footbed

The footbed gets dirty first. Its suede lining soaks up sweat and darkens over time. That’s also why it’s the part people search for most. Birkenstock’s own method uses leather shampoo and very little water:

1. Open the buckles so you can reach the whole footbed and the inside of the straps.
2. Dry brush first. Brush out sand, grit and dust with a soft brush. Scrubbing over grit just grinds it into the suede.
3. Lather in circles. Wet an old toothbrush, add a small drop of leather shampoo, and work it into the footbed in small circles. Focus on the heel and the toe imprint, where the marks are darkest.
4. Remove every bit of lather. Hold a clean cloth under lukewarm water, wring it out well, and wipe the footbed two or three times. Never hold the sandals under running water.
5. Dry for at least 24 hours at room temperature, in a spot that’s warm but not sunny. Never use a hair dryer, radiator or sunny windowsill.
6. Brush the nap back up with a dry suede or leather brush once the footbed is fully dry, then close the buckles.

Baking soda paste for stubborn stains: mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of water, spread it thinly over the stained area, and scrub gently with the toothbrush. For set-in stains, leave it on for an hour or so, then wipe it off with a damp, well-wrung cloth and dry as above. Keep it a paste, not a puddle. The footbed is cork and jute under that lining, and it shouldn’t get soaked.

From experience: a footbed that’s been worn hard for years won’t go back to its original color. Cleaning lifts the grime and the smell, but some darkening is permanent, so aim for clean rather than brand new.

How to clean smelly Birkenstocks

Odor comes from sweat trapped in the footbed. To deodorize a pair:

1. Clean the footbed with leather shampoo first (steps above). Deodorizing a dirty footbed only masks the smell.
2. Once it’s completely dry, sprinkle a thin, even layer of dry baking soda over the footbed.
3. Leave it overnight, or at least 8 hours.
4. Tap the shoes out and brush off what’s left with a dry brush.

To keep the smell from coming back, let your Birkenstocks air out between wears instead of storing them in a closed closet or gym bag. If you wear them every day, alternate with a second pair so each footbed gets a full day to dry. For sneakers and other shoes in the house, our guide on how to get rid of shoe odors covers more fixes.

How to clean suede Birkenstocks

Suede and nubuck straps should stay as dry as possible.

1. Brush dry. Use a rubber suede/nubuck brush or a lint-free cloth to lift dust and dirt, brushing in one direction.
2. Let wet stains dry first. Mud and spills come off much more easily once they’ve dried. Brush them out, then use a suede eraser on whatever’s left.
3. Lift oil with cornstarch. Cover a fresh grease spot with cornstarch, leave it at least 4 hours so it can draw the oil out, then brush it away. Repeat if needed.
4. Freeze gum, don’t dissolve it. Hold a bag of ice on the gum until it hardens, then lift it with a blunt knife. Skip glue and adhesive removers, which can discolor suede.
5. Restore the nap and protect. Brush the suede back up, then mist the straps with a colorless waterproofing spray. Cover the footbed with paper first so you only spray the outside.

For suede sneakers and boots, see our full guide on how to clean suede shoes.

How to clean leather and oiled leather Birkenstocks

Smooth (natural) leather:

1. Wipe off dust and dirt with a lint-free, slightly damp cloth.
2. For salt or water stains, let the shoes dry fully at room temperature first, then wipe the stain with a damp cloth.
3. Buff out scratches with a shoe polish that matches the leather color.
4. Every so often, work a little leather grease into the outside of the straps to keep them supple. Keep it off the footbed.

Oiled leather (the matte, slightly waxy finish used on many Bostons and Arizonas) needs a lighter touch:

1. Remove dust with a dry, lint-free cloth only.
2. Raise flattened fibers with the rubber side of a nubuck brush.
3. Rub small water spots, grease marks and light scratches with the ball of your hand. The warmth works the oils back into the leather.
4. Feed the leather now and then by alternating leather wax and leather grease, used very sparingly.

These steps follow Birkenstock’s care guidance for each upper material. Any cleaner or treatment can change the color and finish slightly, so test on the inside of a strap first.

How to clean Birkenstock cork

The cork that shows around the edge of the sole comes with a light coat of sealer. Cleaning it is easy. Keeping it sealed stops it from cracking.

1. Brush off dirt with a dry toothbrush.
2. For marks, dip the toothbrush in a cup of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, tap off the excess, and scrub lightly.
3. Wipe the cork with a cloth dampened in clean water and let it dry completely.
4. When the cork looks dull or dry instead of shiny, brush on a thin coat of cork sealer and let it dry before wearing.

Small cracks where your foot bends are normal surface wear. Seal them when you see them so they don’t spread.

How to clean Birkenstock clogs, including the Boston

You clean clogs like the Boston the same way as sandals. Most are suede, so the upper takes more brushing and very little water.

1. Upper: brush suede or nubuck with a rubber suede brush, following the suede steps above. Wipe smooth or oiled leather with a dry, lint-free cloth.
2. Inside: there’s no buckle to open for reaching the toe, so use an old toothbrush with a small amount of leather shampoo and work from heel to toe. Wipe out the lather with a well-wrung damp cloth.
3. Dry: stuff the toes loosely with paper to absorb moisture and hold the shape, and allow at least 24 hours at room temperature. Clogs are enclosed, so give them longer if the toe area still feels cool.
4. Deodorize: because a clog traps more heat than a sandal, an overnight sprinkle of baking soda in the footbed helps between deep cleans.

How to clean white Birkenstocks and Birkenstock soles

White Birko-Flor (synthetic) uppers: wipe with a damp cloth. For stubborn marks, use a little soap and water, then wipe again with clean water. No polish is needed.

White leather: wipe with a damp, lint-free cloth and touch up scuffs with white shoe polish.

White EVA pairs: EVA is the one Birkenstock line made for water, so you can wash these with mild dish soap and lukewarm water and rinse them. Keep them away from heat, which can damage EVA.

Soles (all styles): scrub the tread with a damp brush to clear packed dirt and small stones, then wipe it down with a damp cloth. A drop of dish soap on the brush helps with sticky grime.

How to clean Birko-Flor, fabric and felt Birkenstocks

For fabric, canvas and wool felt uppers:

1. Light dirt: wipe with a damp sponge or cloth.
2. Heavier dirt: make a soapy mix that’s mostly soap and very little water, and work it in with a sponge. You want lather, not a wet strap.
3. Rinse lightly: wipe the soap away with a clean, damp cloth.
4. Dry thoroughly: stuff the shoes with paper and let them dry at room temperature for at least 36 hours. Fabric and felt stay wet longer than leather.

Birko-Flor, the smooth synthetic on many Arizonas and Gizehs, only needs a dry or damp lint-free cloth.

Can you wash Birkenstocks?

Not in the usual sense. Don’t put cork-footbed Birkenstocks in the washing machine, soak them in a sink, or hold them under the tap. Water dissolves the glues and sealants, and soaked leather dries hard and brittle. Hand-clean them with a damp brush and cloth instead. The exception is the EVA line, which is waterproof and can be washed with soap and water.

If a pair gets caught in the rain, blot it with a towel, stuff it with paper and let it dry slowly at room temperature. Don’t put it near a heater to speed things up.

How often should you clean your Birkenstocks?

• Before or after each wear: a quick dry brush of the footbed and straps.
• Every few weeks in summer: clean the footbed if you wear them barefoot most days, and once or twice a season if you wear them less.
• Twice a year: clean and protect the straps, and check the cork. Reseal it whenever it looks dry.

Birkenstock cleaning FAQ

Can you put Birkenstocks in the washing machine?

No. A wash cycle soaks the cork footbed, dissolves the glues and sealants and can leave leather straps stiff. Only the all-EVA styles can handle soap and water. Clean every other pair by hand with a damp brush and cloth.

Can you clean a Birkenstock footbed with baking soda?

Yes. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of water, scrub it in gently with a toothbrush, wipe it off with a damp cloth and let the footbed dry for 24 hours. Dry baking soda left overnight also helps with odor.

How do you clean the inside of Birkenstocks?

Open the buckles, brush out the grit, then work a little leather shampoo into the footbed and the inside of the straps with a damp toothbrush. Wipe off all the lather with a wrung-out cloth and air-dry.

What is the best Birkenstock footbed cleaner?

Birkenstock recommends leather shampoo with a little water, or its own Cleaner & Refresher spray. Both lift dirt without soaking the cork. A baking soda paste works well on set-in stains.

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For the rest of the shoe rack, here’s how to clean all types of shoes.