How To Clean Birkenstocks

To clean Birkenstocks, brush off loose dirt, then spot-clean the straps with a method matched to their material — a suede brush for suede, leather cleaner for leather, or mild dish soap for fabric — and scrub the footbed with a baking soda paste. Always air-dry them at room temperature, away from direct sun and heat, which can crack the cork and warp the footbed. As a rule, clean the footbed every few weeks and the straps at least twice a year.

Few footwear brands are as recognizable or as durable as Birkenstock. The German brand has made footwear since 1774, and its molded cork footbeds and signature straps come in everything from suede and leather to wool felt, cork, and canvas. That variety is part of the appeal — but it also means there is no single “right” way to clean a pair. The correct method depends on what your Birkenstocks are made of.

Because footbeds absorb sweat and pick up stains quickly, a regular cleaning routine keeps them looking good and lasting longer. Here is exactly how to do it, material by material.

How often should you clean your Birkenstocks?

Clean the footbed every two to four weeks if you wear them regularly, and clean the straps at least twice a year. Day to day, a quick brush-off of dirt and dust before wearing keeps buildup down.

A few reasons consistency matters:

• Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Mohammad Rimawi recommends cleaning everyday shoes every two to four weeks for foot health.
• A University of Arizona study found that new shoes can pick up over 400,000 units of bacteria within just two weeks of wear.
• Some of that bacteria can be harmful — researchers have found Clostridium difficile (C. diff) on footwear, which is linked to severe gastrointestinal illness.

Before each wear, brush off any dirt or settled dust. Leather pairs may also need polish and conditioner, and suede pairs should be brushed before you put them on.

What do you need to clean Birkenstocks?

The exact supplies depend on the material, but most cleaning jobs use some combination of the items below.

How do you clean suede or nubuck Birkenstocks?

Suede is delicate, so work gently and keep it as dry as possible.

1. Remove surface dirt: Lift coarse dirt with a suede brush or microfiber cloth. A lightly dampened suede brush picks up more.
2. Treat dried stains: Let any wet mess dry completely first, then rub with a suede or pencil eraser and finish with the suede brush.
3. Lift oily stains: Cover the spot with cornstarch or baby powder, leave it at least four hours, then brush away. Repeat if needed.
4. Handle sticky messes: For gum or similar, skip commercial glue removers, which can discolor suede.

Instead, set a plastic bag with an ice cube on the sticky spot to harden it, then lift it gently with a blunt knife. Repeat if needed, and clean up any persistent residue with an art gum eraser before brushing the nap back up with a suede brush.

Use a suede cleaner (optional): If the suede still looks dingy, use a dedicated suede cleaner, or apply a light vinegar-and-water solution with the brush, then wipe with a clean cloth and air-dry completely.

Pro tip: Learn everything about vinegar as a household cleaning agent.

How do you clean leather Birkenstocks?

These steps work for natural and patent leather.

1. Remove surface dirt: Brush the leather, or wipe it with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
2. Apply leather cleaner: For stubborn marks, work a little leather cleaner into the straps with a soft cloth.
3. Polish and condition: Use a polish in a matching color to restore shine, then condition the straps to keep them soft and crack-free.
4. Let them dry: Air-dry about 24 hours at room temperature before wearing.

Pro tip: Learn how to clean all types of shoes.

How do you clean fabric Birkenstocks?

For microfiber, linen canvas, and wool felt straps:

1. Remove excess dirt: Brush off loose dirt with a soft-bristled brush or clean cloth.
2. Spot-clean stains: Mix 2 cups warm water with a teaspoon of dish soap, dip in a small cloth, and rub the stained areas.
3. Tackle tough stains: Work a laundry stain remover into the spot with an old toothbrush.
4. Rinse: Wipe with a cloth dipped in clean water and wrung out well to remove all soap.
5. Dry: Blot with paper towels, then air-dry.

Tip: Stuff the shoes with dry towels or clean socks to hold their shape while drying.

How do you clean the Birkenstock footbed?

There are two reliable ways to clean the footbed.

• Baking soda paste (best for stains and odor):

1. 1. Mix 2 tbsp water with 1 tbsp baking soda into a paste, spread it on the footbed, and scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush.
   2. For set-in stains, leave the paste on overnight, then rinse, wipe with a soft cloth, and air-dry.
   3. Dry at room temperature: Keep your Birkenstocks out of direct sunlight to avoid damaging the soles, straps, and footbeds. Dry at room temperature for 24 hours before wearing.
   4. To deodorize, sprinkle dry baking soda on the footbed, leave it several hours or overnight, then brush off the excess.

• Soapy solution:

1. 1. Mix water with mild dish soap.
   2. Scrub the footbed with a brush or cloth, targeting stained spots. Suede gum or fine sandpaper helps on tough marks.
   3. Wipe off residue with a damp towel and let the footbed dry overnight.

How do you clean the cork soles?

1. Mix 2 cups warm water, ½ tsp laundry detergent, and 2 tbsp vinegar.
2. Scrub the cork with an old toothbrush and the solution.
3. Wipe off residue with a microfiber cloth dipped in clean water.
4. Let the shoes air-dry completely before wearing.
5. Apply a cork sealant if the cork looks dry — this prevents cracking.

Final tips for keeping Birkenstocks like new

• Keep them away from high heat, which damages cork and leather.
• Don’t oversaturate them with water.
• Always let them dry completely before wearing.
• Reseal the cork periodically, and consider a Birkenstock care kit with cleaner, water-and-stain repellent, and cork sealer.
• Stick to the routine: footbeds and soles every few weeks, straps at least twice a year.

FAQ

Can you put Birkenstocks in the washing machine?

No. Machine washing can soak and crack the cork footbed and damage the straps. Hand-clean them using the material-specific methods above.

Do you need to seal the cork footbed?

Yes. Sealing keeps the cork from drying out and cracking. Use a manufacturer-approved cork sealant and reapply periodically, especially if the cork looks dry.

Will heat help my Birkenstocks dry faster?

No. Direct sun, heaters, and dryers risk warping the cork and drying out the leather. Air-dry them in a cool, well-ventilated spot instead.

How do you get odor out of the footbed?

Clean it first, then sprinkle dry baking soda over the footbed and leave it several hours or overnight. For lingering smells, sealing the cleaned pair in a bag for a day or two can help.

Citations

1 Homer, T. (2025, March 3). How to Clean Birkenstocks in 4 Easy Steps. Retrieved August 1, 2025, from https://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-clean-birkenstocks.htm

2 Leverette, M. M. (2024, July 26). How to Clean Birkenstocks to Look Like New. Retrieved August 1, 2025, from https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-birkenstocks-5076180

3 Homer, T. (2025, March 3). How to Clean Birkenstocks in 4 Easy Steps. Retrieved August 1, 2025, from https://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-clean-birkenstocks.htm