How to Clean Birkenstocks Without Damaging Them? The Complete Guide

The footbed of your Birkenstocks has turned dark grey and you no longer dare to wear them without socks? This happens to all pairs worn for an entire summer. Good news: with the right steps, your sandals can get a new lease on life in just 20 minutes. Here's how to clean Birkenstocks step-by-step, with tips and tricks to avoid ruining the cork or suede.

Key takeaways in 30 seconds

· Never machine wash, never soak: the cork footbed would not recover

· The winning duo for the footbed: soft brush + warm soapy water

· For odors, baking soda left overnight works wonders

· Dry at room temperature, for 24 hours, away from sun and radiators

· Only EVA models (100% synthetic) tolerate being fully rinsed under water

Can you get Birkenstocks wet?

Not really, and that's THE rule to remember before getting out the basin. The heart of a Birkenstock is its anatomical cork and latex footbed. A great natural material for comfort, but one that hates water: when soaked, the cork swells, cracks as it dries, and loses its shape.

The brand is clear on this point: "Be careful not to place your shoes directly under running water or to wet them completely" (Birkenstock, official care guide). Washing machine, basin, garden hose: forget all that.

One exception: 100% EVA models, like the Arizona EVA. These are synthetic pool shoes, you can rinse them under the tap without any risk.

Cleaning Birkenstocks according to their material: the summary table

Before scrubbing, identify the material of your Birkenstock shoes. Suede Bostons are not cleaned at all like Birko-Flor Arizonas. Here is the summary table:

Material	How to recognize it	Cleaning method
Birko-Flor	Smooth leather look, synthetic material	Damp cloth + mild soap, easiest to maintain
Smooth leather	Natural grain, patinas with time	Slightly damp cloth, then grease or nourishing milk
Suede / nubuck (brushed leather)	Velvet feel (Boston, Zurich)	Dry suede brush, special eraser for stains, never direct water
Birkibuc	Nubuck look, synthetic material	Soft dry brush, slightly damp cloth if needed
EVA	Sandal entirely made of lightweight foam	Water and soap without restriction, the only one washable with plenty of water

Suede is the most delicate of the bunch. If your Bostons got wet, let them dry completely before brushing, otherwise you'll spread the stain. The complete method is the same as for suede sneakers, we detail it in our guide on how to clean suede sneakers.

Cleaning a dirty footbed, step by step

The footbed is the anatomical insole that provides all the comfort of the sandal. It's also the part that gets dirty fastest: sweat, dust, friction from bare feet. The good news is that it's easy to clean. Allow 15 minutes.

1. Dust the footbed dry with a soft brush or an old toothbrush

2. Prepare a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild soap (Marseille soap or leather shampoo)

3. Rub the footbed in small circular motions with the slightly damp toothbrush, without soaking it

4. Wipe off the foam with a clean, slightly damp cloth

5. Let dry for 24 hours at room temperature

For a very dirty footbed, baking soda paste works well: mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water, apply, leave on for 15 minutes, then remove with a damp cloth. The gray visibly fades, although a pair worn for two summers will never look brand new again. Let's be honest.

How to remove bad odors?

Cork absorbs sweat, which is also why they're so comfortable. The downside: odors settle in.

The most effective method remains the simplest. Generously sprinkle baking soda on the footbed, leave overnight, then brush or vacuum the next day. Baking soda neutralizes odors instead of masking them; it's one of the most effective methods available, and by far the cheapest. Repeat every 2 or 3 weeks in summer and the problem disappears.

Drying: the step everyone gets wrong

Improper drying damages more Birkenstocks than dirt itself. The reflex to use a radiator or direct sunlight is a false good idea: heat dries out the cork and cracks the leather.

Let your sandals dry at room temperature, in a well-ventilated area, with the straps open. Birkenstock recommends 24 hours for complete drying. So, patience. Once dry, give the footbed a brush and they're ready to go again.

Protecting your Birkenstocks to extend the time between cleanings

Also, consider the outsole: a quick wet brush now and then is enough to remove dirt ingrained in the treads. For the rest, two simple steps are sufficient. For suede and nubuck, a colorless waterproofing spray applied regularly (protecting the footbed with paper) prevents stains before they occur. For natural leather, a little grease or nourishing milk keeps the material supple.

You'll find suitable brushes, sprays, and cleaners in our collection of sneaker care products.

Still want a new pair?

If your sandals have seen better days despite all these care tips, take a look at the different pairs in our Birkenstock collection: we stock the Boston in suede and the Arizona in all colors, authenticated and shipped within 24-72 hours.

FAQ: Cleaning Birkenstocks

Can Birkenstocks be machine washed?

No, never. Water and spinning will destroy the cork footbed and detach the straps. Only 100% EVA models can be washed with water, and even then, by hand.