How to Clean Birkenstocks & Care for the Cork

Birkenstocks are built to last for years, and a little care keeps them looking and feeling their best. The key is treating each part — footbed, upper and cork — the right way. Feet Heart is an authorized Birkenstock retailer, family-run since 2003, so here is how we recommend caring for them.

How do you clean a Birkenstock footbed?

Brush loose dirt off the suede-lined footbed with a soft, dry brush. For deeper cleaning, lightly dampen a cloth or soft brush with a little water and a suede or footbed cleaner, work it over the surface, and let it air dry. Do not soak the footbed. It is normal for the footbed to darken where your foot sits over time.

How do I keep my Birkenstock footbed from turning black?

The dark footprint is skin oil, sunscreen and dirt pressed into the suede, and the fix is frequency: a quick pass with a dry suede brush after sweaty wears stops the buildup from setting in. Once marks have set, work a footbed or suede cleaner in with a lightly damp brush and let the sandal air dry away from heat. Two honest notes: clean, dry feet make a bigger difference than any product, and some darkening where your foot sits is normal patina that every well-worn pair develops. Between deep cleans, a suede eraser lifts the grey surface marks.

How do I get the smell out of Birkenstocks?

Odor lives in the suede footbed, and the reliable home fix is baking soda: sprinkle a light, even layer over the dry footbed, leave it overnight, then brush or shake it off in the morning. Repeat a second night for a stubborn pair. Cornstarch works the same way. Pair that with the footbed cleaning above — the oils that darken the suede are also what holds the smell.

Prevention beats treatment: let sandals dry out fully between wears, rotate two pairs in hot weather instead of wearing one daily, and go easy on lotions and sunscreen right before you slip them on. Skip sprays that just mask the smell, and never machine-wash a pair to "reset" it — the water and agitation ruin the cork long before they fix the odor.

How do you clean the straps?

• Suede or nubuck: use a suede brush to lift dirt and a suede eraser for marks; use a dedicated suede cleaner for stubborn stains.
• Smooth leather: wipe with a damp cloth, then condition occasionally with a leather cream.
• Birko-Flor (synthetic): wipe clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap.

Can I use Dawn dish soap to clean my Birkenstocks?

Skip it on most of the shoe. Dawn is a degreaser, and on the suede footbed or nubuck straps it strips the natural oils and leaves the surface dry and blotchy. The one place a drop of mild dish soap in water is fine is Birko-Flor — the smooth synthetic strap material — wiped on with a damp cloth and wiped off again. For the footbed and anything suede or leather, stick with a suede brush and a dedicated footbed or suede cleaner. It costs a few dollars more than dish soap and will not shorten the life of the sandal.

How do I take care of the cork?

The cork sole is sealed at the factory, but that seal wears over time. Every few months, apply a thin coat of cork sealer to keep it from drying out and cracking. Keep the cork away from prolonged water and direct heat or sun, which dry it out.

Can Birkenstocks get wet?

A little water will not ruin them, but they are not designed to be submerged. Avoid soaking the cork and footbed. If they do get wet, let them air dry naturally, away from direct heat. Never put Birkenstocks in the washing machine or dryer.

Can you wash Birkenstocks without ruining them?

Yes, as long as "wash" means spot-cleaning by hand: a damp cloth or soft brush, a proper footbed or suede cleaner, and an air dry. What ruins them is water in quantity. Submerging the sandal soaks the cork and suede, a washing machine adds heat and agitation on top, and a dryer finishes the job by cracking the cork. If a pair gets caught in the rain, blot off what you can and let them dry naturally away from radiators and sun — they will be fine. There is no safe machine-wash setting for a cork-footbed sandal.

How do I make my Birkenstocks last longer?

• Seal the cork a few times a year.
• Let them dry out between wears — this is also the best odor prevention.
• Spot-clean the footbed and straps regularly instead of letting dirt build up.
• Store them out of direct sunlight and heat.

Need a new pair or a fit check?

Popular in-stock Birkenstocks: Arizona, the Florida, and the Mayari.

Browse the Birkenstock collection, or see our Boston and Arizona sizing guides. Questions? Call our store team at (310) 398-7497 or email info@feetheart.com. Every order includes free U.S. shipping and free 30-day returns (sale items final).