Learning how to clean Birkenstocks at home is actually super simple. You just need a few things you already have — like mild soap, baking soda, or even vinegar — and a little time. This guide breaks down exactly what to do for every part of your Birkenstocks, so you don’t ruin them in the process.
So, stay tuned.
Key Takeaways
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Always check the material of your Birkenstocks before you clean them.
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A soft cloth and gentle soap go a long way for everyday cleaning.
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Use baking soda paste or Birkenstock spray for cleaning the footbed.
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Suede straps clean up nicely with a little vinegar and a soft brush.
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Use saddle soap to clean and condition leather straps safely.
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Activated charcoal removes that sweaty Birkenstock smell overnight.
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Never dry your sandals in the sun — always let them air-dry indoors.
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A little cork sealer keeps the cork edges strong and crack-free.
How to clean Birkenstocks? DIY Method You can do at Home
To clean your Birkenstocks at home, mix a few drops of gentle soap like Castile or dish soap in lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth in the mixture, wring it out, and gently wipe down the sandals. Don’t soak them. After wiping, use a dry towel to blot away moisture.
Step 1: Mix Gentle Soap With Lukewarm Water
To clean Birkenstocks, start by grabbing a bowl and adding about two cups of lukewarm water. Not hot. Just warm enough that it doesn’t feel cold to your hand. Add 4 to 5 drops of gentle soap. We use unscented Castile soap, but dish soap works too. Just make sure it’s not full of strong chemicals or fragrance.
Once you mix it, the water should look a little cloudy but not foamy. Don’t overdo the soap. Trust us, we tried it once, and the straps felt sticky for days.
What we do is test a little on a cotton cloth first. Dip a corner of the cloth into the water and wring it out. It should be damp, not dripping wet. If it’s too wet, your sandals might soak, and that’s how they lose shape or get water damage.
This mix works on leather, synthetic, and even EVA Birkenstocks. But for suede or nubuck, be extra gentle — we’ll explain more below.
Step 2: Gently Wipe the Birkenstocks (Don’t Scrub Hard)
Once your cloth is ready, gently start wiping down the sandals. Here, we want you to focus on one part at a time. Start with the straps, move to the footbed, and finally the sole.
If there’s dirt caked on, just go over it slowly. Don’t rub too hard. That’s the fastest way to damage the material, especially with suede or leather. Think of it like wiping your sunglasses — gentle circles work best.
For us, the footbed always needs extra attention. That dark mark where our heel sits? It builds up over time from sweat and dust. When we wiped it with the damp cloth, it lifted a lot of that mess without us needing any fancy cleaner.
If you’re dealing with dried mud or grit, wait till it softens. Trying to scrape it off when dry might scratch the surface. What we’ve done is press the damp cloth over the tough spots for a few seconds before wiping. That helps loosen it.
Step 3: Blot Dry With a Towel
After you’ve wiped down the entire sandal, grab a clean towel. Press it gently on every part of the sandal to remove any leftover moisture.
We usually use a white cotton towel for this, so we can see how much dirt we’ve pulled off.
Also, make sure to blot between the straps and in the little dips on the footbed. Those places hide moisture, and if you skip them, the sandals may end up with spots or stains.
Step 4: Let Them Air-Dry (No Sun, No Heat)
Once you’ve blotted them, you need to let the sandals air-dry. And here’s the golden rule: no direct sunlight and no heat. Seriously. Don’t put them near a heater, don’t use a hairdryer, and don’t leave them in your car.
We usually place Birkenstocks near an open window, or just on a dry towel indoors. A fan nearby helps, but isn’t necessary. Just make sure air can flow around them.
Depending on how wet Birkenstocks get, drying takes about 12 to 24 hours. We let them sit overnight, and by morning they’re usually good to go.
Once they’re dry, they always feel so much better.
How to Clean Birkenstocks Footbed? Use Birkenstock Cleaner & Refresher Spray
To clean a dirty Birkenstock footbed, the safest method is to use the brand’s own Cleaner & Refresher Spray. This product is made for the soft suede lining and keeps the cork footbed from drying out. It also helps with odor and deep-set stains.
These are the steps to clean the footbed with Birkenstock Cleaner & Refresher Spray:
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Shake the bottle well: Before applying, shake the bottle so all ingredients mix properly.
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Spray directly onto the footbed: Hold the bottle a few inches away and spray a light, even coat over the entire footbed.
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Let it sit for a few minutes: Wait about 2–5 minutes for the cleaner to lift the dirt and sweat from the surface.
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Scrub gently with a suede brush: Use a soft suede brush or an old toothbrush to scrub in circular motions. Focus on dark spots.
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Wipe with a clean cloth: Dampen a cloth with plain water and gently wipe off any leftover cleaner.
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Let the sandals air-dry completely: Dry them in a cool place, away from sunlight or heat.
How to Clean Birkenstocks Suede? (The Vinegar Method)
If the suede on your Birkenstocks looks dusty, white vinegar can bring it back to life. Here are the steps to clean Birkenstocks suede with vinegar:
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Brush off dry dirt first: Use a suede brush or a soft cloth to remove loose dust and dirt before applying anything wet.
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Mix white vinegar and water: Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a small bowl.
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Dip a cloth in the mix: Soak a clean cloth or sponge in the solution, then wring it out until it’s just damp.
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Blot the suede gently: Press the damp cloth onto stains or dirty spots. Don’t rub—just dab to lift the grime.
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Let it dry naturally: Leave the suede to air-dry completely. Avoid heat or sunlight.
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Brush the suede once dry: After drying, use a suede brush to bring back the soft texture.
How to Clean Boston Birkenstocks? Baby Wipes for On-the-Go Cleaning
Boston Birkenstocks can collect dust and grime quickly. If you're in a rush or traveling, baby wipes can be a lifesaver for light cleaning without any mess.
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Choose fragrance-free wipes: Pick wipes without added scent or alcohol to avoid damaging the material.
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Wipe down the surface gently: Rub the suede or leather in small circles to lift surface dirt.
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Focus on the toe area and sides: These spots tend to pick up the most dust.
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Use a dry cloth after wiping: Gently blot with a dry towel to remove leftover moisture from the wipes.
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Air-dry in shade: Let the shoes dry naturally before wearing them again.
How to Clean Arizona Birkenstocks? Magic Eraser for EVA Soles and Straps
Arizona Birkenstocks with EVA soles can look brand new again with a simple tool — a magic eraser. It works especially well on white soles that show scuffs and dirt.
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Wet the magic eraser: Dampen it with clean water and squeeze out extra moisture.
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Rub gently over dirty areas: Focus on soles and straps with visible marks or discoloration.
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Use short, gentle strokes: Apply light pressure to avoid damaging the surface.
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Rinse off any leftover eraser foam: Use a clean cloth with a little water to wipe down the sandals.
How to Get Rid of Birkenstocks Smell?
Birkenstocks can start to smell bad after daily wear. In our experience, the best odor remover is activated charcoal.
Here’s how you can remove smell from Birkenstocks using activated charcoal:
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Buy activated charcoal pouches: Choose the kind made for shoes or closets.
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Place the sandals in a box or bag: Use a clean cardboard box or a cloth bag with room for airflow.
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Put one pouch in each sandal: Make sure the charcoal touches or sits close to the footbed.
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Close the box or bag overnight: Leave it sealed for at least 10–12 hours so the charcoal can absorb the odor.
How to Clean Leather Birkenstocks?
Leather Birkenstocks need gentle care. Using a mild cleaner and conditioner is key to keeping the leather smooth and strong.
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Mix mild soap with water: Add a few drops of gentle soap (like Castile or baby shampoo) to lukewarm water.
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Dampen a soft cloth in the mix: Wring it out well so it’s only lightly damp, not wet.
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Wipe down the leather carefully: Clean the straps using small, light strokes.
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Dry with a clean towel: Blot the surface gently to remove moisture. Don’t rub.
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Apply leather conditioner: Once dry, use a small amount of conditioner to keep the leather soft and prevent cracking.
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Air-dry away from heat: Let the sandals dry in a cool area with good airflow.
How to Clean Birkenstocks With Baking Soda?
You can easily clean your Birkenstocks with baking soda.
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Mix baking soda and water: In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water until it forms a thick paste.
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Apply paste to the footbed: Use your fingers or a toothbrush to spread the paste over the dirty areas.
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Let it sit for a few hours: Leave it on for at least 3–4 hours so it can break down stains and smells.
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Scrub gently with a brush: Use a soft brush to scrub in circles, lifting dirt from the suede.
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Wipe off the paste: Use a clean, damp cloth to remove the paste.
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Let the sandals air-dry fully: Dry them in a shaded, cool spot overnight.
How to Clean Birkenstock Sandal Insoles?
Follow these steps to clean Birkenstock insoles:
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Sprinkle cornstarch over the footbed: Cover the entire insole with a light, even layer.
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Let it sit overnight: Leave the cornstarch on for 9–12 hours so it can absorb moisture and oils.
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Brush off the powder: Use a clean, soft-bristled brush to sweep away the cornstarch completely.
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Spot clean if needed: For stubborn stains, lightly dampen a cloth with water and gently rub the area.
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Air-dry the sandals: Place them in a well-ventilated area to dry out any remaining dampness.
How Do You Make Birkenstocks Look New Again?
To make your Birkenstocks look new again, focus on cleaning each part properly. Start by cleaning the footbed. Use a baking soda paste or a dedicated Birkenstock footbed cleaner. Scrub gently using a soft brush to lift stains and dirt. Wipe it clean and let it dry fully.
Then clean the straps. If you have suede, use a suede brush. If they’re leather, saddle soap works best. Gently clean and then condition the leather to bring back its soft feel and color. For synthetic straps, use a cloth with soapy water and wipe everything down.
Check the soles too. Use a magic eraser or mild soap to clean EVA soles. Scrub any scuff marks or dirt stuck on the bottom.
If the cork edge looks dull or dry, apply cork sealer. This protects it from damage and gives it a fresh finish.
Once everything is cleaned and dry, your sandals should feel much better.
How Do I Bring My Birkenstocks Back to Life?
One of the main reasons why Birkenstocks are popular is that people can take care of them. To bring your Birkenstock sandals back to life, start with a deep clean. Begin with the footbeds. They hold most of the sweat and dirt. Use a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the footbed. Wipe everything clean and let them dry naturally overnight.
Also, make sure they smell fresh. Sprinkle baking soda overnight or use activated charcoal to remove odor. A fresh smell can instantly make your sandals feel clean again.
Final Words
Here’s a quick recap of what you just learned:
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Use soap and water to wipe down Birkenstock straps without soaking them.
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Clean footbeds with baking soda or a branded cleaner.
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Treat suede and leather gently to avoid damage.
Once you give your Birkenstocks this kind of love, they’ll reward you with years of comfy wear.
