Proper care can prolong the life of your favorite sandals.
Here’s how to clean them without ruining your go-to pair.
Cavan / Adobe Stock
Birkenstocks are a timeless shoe that somehow get better with age.
Credit:Cavan / Adobe Stock
As they wear, they only get more comfortable due to the unique design of their footbed.
To ensure your sandals stay with you for the long haul, it’s important toclean the shoes properly.
How Often Should You Clean Birkenstocks?
The material of your shoes will determine the proper method for cleaning, from start to finish.
Nubuck leather or suede straps:Remove any dirt and debris using a coarse bristled brush.
Unbuckle the straps and, with a slightly damp brush, clean the inside of the straps.
Repeat with the exterior of the straps, then move on to cleaning the footbed and soles if needed.
Once your shoes are clean, let the sandal dry completely in a room-temperature spot away from the sun.
Unbuckle the straps and wipe them clean using a slightly damp brush.
If your cleaning is complete, let the sandal dry thoroughly in a cool spot away from direct sunlight.
Patent leather straps:Wipe the exterior of the straps clean using a damp cloth.
Unbuckle the straps and wipe clean using a slightly damp brush.
Rinse the sandal with clean water and air dry.
The entire shoe (straps, footbed, and soles) can be cleaned using this method.
The entire shoe (straps, footbed, and soles) can be cleaned using the method below.
Wet a lint-free cloth with warm water and wipe the footbed clean to remove any leftover soap residue.
Repeat until the footbed is clean.
Do not fire off the sandal under water or allow it to become thoroughly wet.
Let the sandal dry completely in a shady spot away from sunlight.
While some moisture is okay, its best to avoid submerging your sandals.
Air them out regularly:One of the benefits of Birkenstocks footbed is its moisture-absorbing quality.
This ensures a pleasant and healthy environment for your feet, but it also requires additional care.
Protect Your Sandals
Determine the proper protective solution for your sandals depending on their material:
