The right way to clean Birkenstocks depends on the material, but the core rule is the same across the range: avoid submerging the cork footbed in water unless you own a model from the water-friendly line. For the standard cork footbed, Birkenstock’s official care guidance is to spray on their Cleaner & Refresher, wipe the surface with a soft cloth, and let it air dry away from direct heat. If the cork looks dry or worn, a Cork Sealer can help restore it. Suede and nubuck straps need a suede brush plus a Water & Stain Repellent rather than liquid cleaner, while Birko-Flor straps can simply be wiped with a damp cloth. Across every material, direct sun, hot cars, fireplaces, and radiators should be avoided when drying, since heat can crack or warp the cork.
Key Takeaways
- Do not submerge the cork footbed in water unless your pair is from Birkenstock’s water-friendly line.
- For standard cork, use Birkenstock’s Cleaner & Refresher spray and a soft cloth, then air dry.
- A Cork Sealer can restore a dry or worn-looking footbed.
- Suede and nubuck straps need a suede brush and a Water & Stain Repellent, not liquid cleaner.
- Birko-Flor straps can be wiped clean with just a damp cloth.
- Always air dry away from direct sun, hot cars, fireplaces, or radiators — heat can crack or warp cork.
Cleaning Method by Material
| Material | Cleaning method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cork footbed | Cleaner & Refresher spray, soft cloth wipe | Submerging in water |
| Dry / worn cork | Cork Sealer | Skipping sealer on visibly worn cork |
| Suede / nubuck straps | Suede brush + Water & Stain Repellent | Liquid cleaners or soaking |
| Birko-Flor straps | Wipe with a damp cloth | Harsh scrubbing |
| Water-friendly line | Can be rinsed with water per product instructions | Treating as interchangeable with standard cork |
How do you clean the cork footbed?
Direct answer: spray Birkenstock’s Cleaner & Refresher onto the footbed, wipe it with a soft cloth, and let it air dry away from direct heat.
Explanation: the cork-latex footbed is porous and molds to your foot over time, so it isn’t designed to handle soaking or harsh scrubbing the way a rubber sole would; a light spray-and-wipe routine cleans the surface without breaking down the material.
Nuance: if the footbed already looks dry, chalky, or worn at the edges, cleaning alone won’t fully restore it — Birkenstock’s Cork Sealer is designed specifically for that situation and should be applied after cleaning, not instead of it.
Recommendation: clean the footbed regularly with light use rather than waiting until it’s visibly dirty, and keep the sealer on hand once you notice any dryness.
How do you clean suede or nubuck straps?
Direct answer: use a dedicated suede brush to lift dirt, then apply a Water & Stain Repellent rather than any liquid cleaner.
Explanation: suede and nubuck are napped leathers that liquid products can stain or flatten permanently, so brushing away debris and protecting the surface with a repellent spray is the recommended approach instead of wiping with anything wet.
Nuance: Birko-Flor straps are a different, synthetic material and don’t follow this rule — a slightly damp cloth is fine for those, but not for suede or nubuck.
Recommendation: brush suede straps regularly as light maintenance, and apply the repellent proactively before the straps are exposed to rain or spills, not just after a stain appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my Birkenstocks in the washing machine?
No. Standard cork-footbed Birkenstocks are not designed for machine washing; the cork can be damaged by prolonged water exposure and agitation.
What if my Birkenstocks are from the water-friendly line?
Some Birkenstock lines are specifically designed to tolerate water exposure — check the product’s own care instructions, since this differs from the standard cork-latex footbed care above.
Can I use regular leather cleaner on suede straps?
No, standard leather cleaner is generally not appropriate for suede or nubuck; use a suede brush and a proper Water & Stain Repellent instead.
How should I dry my Birkenstocks after cleaning?
Air dry them away from direct sunlight, hot cars, fireplaces, or radiators, since concentrated heat can crack or warp the cork footbed.
How often should I clean the cork footbed?
Light, regular cleaning with the Cleaner & Refresher spray is preferable to letting dirt and oils build up before a single deep clean.
Do Birko-Flor straps need any special product?
No — a damp cloth is generally sufficient for Birko-Flor, unlike suede, nubuck, or the cork footbed, which each have their own care products.
Not sure which size to order yet? Start with our Birkenstock sizing guide.
Looking to add a pair to your rotation? Cecile Milan carries Birkenstock sandals for men and Birkenstock sandals for women.
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