How to Clean Birkenstocks & Care for the Cork

Clean the footbed, straps and exposed cork separately. A cork-footbed Arizona needs different care from an all-EVA pair, and a synthetic strap needs different treatment from suede. Start by checking the materials on your pair, then use the gentlest suitable method.

Feet Heart is an authorized Birkenstock retailer and a family-run business since 2003. This guide follows Birkenstock's care instructions; it is not a promise that cleaning will remove every stain.

Match the care to the material

A quick material check

Part or material	Care to use
Suede footbed	Use a suitable footbed cleaner with minimal moisture. Brush the nap after it dries.
Exquisite footbed	Use a damp cloth only on this leather-covered footbed.
Birko-Flor / Birkibuc	Wipe the synthetic upper with a damp cloth. Use soap and water for stubborn marks.
Suede / nubuck	Lift dry dirt with a suitable brush. Keep leather polish off these textured uppers.
Smooth / oiled leather	Choose care for the exact finish. Smooth leather polish and oiled-leather wax are not interchangeable.
Exposed cork	Apply a thin coat of cork sealer when the cork looks dry.

Clean a suede-lined footbed

1. Let a damp pair dry and brush off loose surface dirt.
2. Choose a cleaner labeled for the footbed material. Birkenstock's footbed FAQ also describes leather shampoo with a little water.
3. Follow that cleaner's directions. Work with small amounts of moisture rather than soaking the sandal.
4. Allow it to air dry away from heat, then brush the suede to lift the nap.

Check a treatment on a small, less-visible area first: cleaning can alter a material's appearance. Do not use the suede-brushing routine on an Exquisite leather-covered footbed; Birkenstock specifies a damp cloth for that construction.

Dark footprints and odor

Wear leaves marks on the lining. Aim to remove dirt without scrubbing away the suede, and do not judge the sandal only by whether the footbed returns to its original color.

For freshness, Birkenstock's U.S. guide recommends its Cleaner & Refresher. Wipe away the excess as directed and let the pair dry before wearing it again. Leave enough time between wears for the lining to dry, especially after a hot day.

We do not recommend an overnight baking-soda or cornstarch recipe here. The manufacturer instructions linked below provide a specific footbed-cleaning method; they do not establish those household treatments for your pair.

Straps, dish soap and leather care

For Birko-Flor and Birkibuc, start with a damp cloth. Birkenstock allows soap and water on these synthetic uppers for stubborn marks. That does not make dish soap a whole-shoe cleaner: keep the method separate from the suede footbed, cork and leather finishes.

Brush suede or nubuck with the appropriate brush. For smooth leather, follow the brand's polish guidance; oiled leather has separate wax and grease instructions, applied sparingly. Check the cleaner or treatment label for the exact finish before using it.

When to seal the cork

Look at the exposed cork edge, not the calendar. It leaves the factory with a protective coating; Birkenstock says to add a thin coat of cork sealer when it looks dry. Follow the sealer's directions and keep it off the foot-contact lining and upper.

If your Birkenstocks get wet

Let them dry slowly away from radiators, hair dryers and prolonged direct sun. Do not soak or machine-wash a cork-footbed pair. Birkenstock's water-friendly EVA footwear is a different construction: an EVA outsole beneath cork does not turn a leather or suede-lined sandal into a pool shoe.

If the footbed is split or the sole is worn through, ask about the condition before spending time on another cleaning treatment. Cleaning is not a structural repair.

Shop this guide: Arizona · Florida · Mayari

Three pairs with easy-care uppers

These versions use synthetic uppers over cork footbeds. Care for the upper and footbed separately. Choose by strap layout as well as appearance.

For fit, see the Boston sizing guide or Arizona sizing guide. Current size availability is on each product page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean a Birkenstock footbed?

For a suede-lined footbed, use a cleaner intended for that surface and follow its directions with minimal moisture. Birkenstock also describes leather shampoo with a little water, followed by brushing once dry. Exquisite leather-covered footbeds should only be wiped with a damp cloth.

How do you clean Birkenstock straps?

Match the method to the upper. Birko-Flor and Birkibuc can be wiped with a damp cloth. Suede and nubuck need a suitable brush; smooth and oiled leather need their own leather-care treatment. Do not use leather polish on synthetic straps.

How do I take care of the cork?

Inspect the exposed cork edge. Birkenstock recommends a thin coat of cork sealer when the cork looks dry, not a fixed every-few-months schedule. Keep sealer on the exposed cork and follow the product label.

Can Birkenstocks get wet?

Most cork-footbed styles should not be immersed in water. Let a wet pair dry slowly away from direct heat. Water-friendly EVA models are a different construction; an EVA outsole underneath a cork footbed does not make the whole shoe water-friendly.

How do I get the smell out of Birkenstocks?

Let the pair dry between wears and clean the footbed with a product intended for it. Birkenstock's U.S. care guide recommends its Cleaner & Refresher for freshness. Follow the product directions; an overnight baking-soda or cornstarch treatment is not the manufacturer method cited here.

Should I replace Birkenstocks because the footbed is dark?

A dark footprint alone is not a reason to buy a replacement. Clean the lining gently and assess the condition of the whole sandal. Cleaning cannot repair a split footbed or restore a worn-through sole.

Manufacturer care instructions

Birkenstock U.S. care tips · Footbed cleaning · Upper-material care.