You may either love the Birkenstocks or hate them, but you cannot deny that you have been curious as to what made them so popular now. The answer hides in the comfort that it offers. These have apt space for toes and a superior support system and offer you to choose from a range of footbeds to support your arch and mold itself to accommodate the shape of your feet. While being so comfortable and relaxing, the demerit of Birkenstock is that they are made of cork and suede, making them hard to clean.

Stepwise Guide to Clean Your Birkenstock

Cleaning the Birkenstock can be quite tricky if you do not know how to wash Birkenstock sandals effectively. Here is a stepwise guide to help you through it.

What we need to prepare

Deluxe Shoe Care Kit

Deluxe Shoe Care kit from Birkenstock consists of three products, cork sealer, cleaner & refresher, and water & stain repellent plus a suede leather brush. The Cork sealer prevents the drying of cork and keeps it from getting brittle. Cleaner and refresher get rid of foul odor and water, and stain repellent helps in protecting suede and fine leather.

Suede brush & Baking Soda

The suede brush is effective in gentle cleaning of the suede surfaces and the hard to reach places. Baking soda is an active cleaning agent and cleans dirt and grime easily.

Methods we need to follow

Cleansing with the care kit

If you are using Birkenstock deluxe care kit, follow the following steps to clean the footbed:

• If the cork feels dry and brittle, use a sponge applicator to apply the cork sealer on the affected part, or you can also use your fingers. Let it settle for a while to prevent it from getting chipped. Do not apply the cork sealant on the footbed.

• Use the cleaner and refresher to get rid of dirty stains and rub it. Spray it over the footbed and scrub it gently, and then let it dry completely. Once the grime is softened, wipe it off. Now leave your sandals to dry. It may take a few hours.

• Spray the whole sandal with water and stain repellent to protect it against the dirt.

Baking soda

If you are using baking soda to clean your sandals, refer to the followings:

• Prepare a mixture of water and baking soda in a ratio of 2:1 and apply it thoroughly over the footbed.

• Leave it overnight for the cleaning solution to fight the mulish stains.

• Wash the footbed and wipe it using a soft cloth.

• Get the dirt off and Brush softly -Use the suede brush that came with the cleaning kit to remove the dirt off the straps and brush softly. Be gentle, or you might end up ruining the sandals.

• Wipe the strap with a clean damp cloth. Use a cloth made of soft fabric.

• Leave the sandals for 24 hours in a cool place to dry.

What need our Attention

No heat

Ensure that you do not use any hot substance or dry the sandals in a hot place. Heat can damage the cork and the straps.

Do not over brush

Over brushing can lead to ruined texture and kill the buzz of your sandals. It may also end up spoiling the comfort of your Birkenstock sandals.

Regular care

The best way to keep your sandals clean is regular care. This goes for almost everything you own. Follow the tips below to make your footwear last longer.

• Once in a while, use a soft brush to get rid of dirt and clean footbeds with a cloth.

• If you have been through mud, clean your sandals with a damp cloth as soon as you reach home.

• Additionally, store your sandals in a cool and dry place to avoid breaking off the cork and the growth of the mold.

Ultimate Strategy: Choose Eva Models

EVA Models from Birkenstock are made from EVA Form instead of cork and suede and are incredibly comfortable and lightweight. Eva foam is easier to clean and does not risk going brittle and breaking like a cork.

Bottom Line

Birkenstocks, no doubt heavenly comfortable, are hard to maintain unless you know how to clean Birkenstock sandals without imparting any damage. Using the Deluxe shoe care kit from Birkenstock is convenient and efficient, whereas you can even use other cleaning agents such as soft soap, baking soda, or vinegar. The key to maintaining the quality is to stay gentle even on the most persistent stains. Keep the stated precautions while cleaning them to make them last longer. The new range of Eva models is an excellent choice if you want Birkenstock's comfort but lack time to clean the cork and suede sandals.