After a summer of bare feet, it's hard to miss: a dark print of your toes and heel pressed into the footbed, marks on the straps and a smell that hits you when you pick them up. Birkenstocks are built to last, but only if the footbed gets a clean now and then and the cork doesn't dry out. The good news is that a brush, some cold water and a bit of patience go a long way.
Why Birkenstocks get dirty and smelly
The footbed is cork and latex topped with a thin layer of suede. That suede feels great underfoot, but it soaks up sweat, skin oils and dirt, which is where the dark footprint comes from. Because most people wear them without socks, sweat goes straight into the footbed, and bacteria thrive in that warm, damp suede. They're what causes the smell. Our guide on how to stop smelly feet explains more.
What you'll need
- A suede brush or a soft old toothbrush
- A suede eraser
- Cold water and a mild soap or suede cleaner
- A clean cloth or sponge
- Baking soda (optional)
- Cork sealer for the exposed cork edges
How to clean a Birkenstock footbed, step by step
1. Brush off loose dirt. Give the dry footbed a good brush in one direction. Get sand and dust out first, or you'll just make mud.
2. Rub out the darkest patches. A suede eraser lifts some of the shiny, flattened footprint and raises the fibres again.
3. Clean with cold water and a little soap. Lightly dampen a cloth or toothbrush, add a drop of mild soap or suede cleaner and work in small circles over the whole footbed, not just the stain, or you'll leave a ring. Go easy on the water: the cork underneath shouldn't get soaked.
4. Wipe over with a clean, damp cloth to lift out the soap.
5. Dry slowly. Room temperature, out of direct sun and away from the radiator. Brush the suede up once it's dry.
A stubborn footprint rarely disappears in one go, so repeat it a week later if needed. A footbed that's been dark for years won't look new again, but it will be clean and fresh.
How to get rid of smelly Birkenstocks
If they still smell after cleaning, the odour has worked its way deeper into the footbed.
- Baking soda: sprinkle a thin layer over the dry footbed, leave it overnight and brush it out thoroughly the next day. It absorbs some of the smell but doesn't fix the cause. Our article on baking soda for smelly shoes looks at what these home remedies can and can't do.
- Let them dry out between wears. Rotate with another pair so the footbed dries fully after a hot day.
- Start with clean, dry feet. The less sweat goes in, the longer they stay fresh.
A shoe spray like Shoefresh Perfume (€24.95) freshens them up in between. It helps, but it isn't a miracle cure: as long as the footbed stays damp, the smell comes back.
Wear closed Birkenstocks too, like the Boston clog? Those dry out far more slowly inside. A shoe dryer such as the Shoefresh Opod (€129) dries them overnight from the inside. Use the LEATHER programme at 40°C so the cork and suede don't get too warm. Its active oxygen also tackles the bacteria and fungi behind the smell. Avoid dryers that advertise UV light: the blue LEDs on cheap models do very little, and genuine UV-C doesn't belong in an open device at home.
How to clean Birkenstock straps
| Material | How to clean it |
|---|---|
| Suede or nubuck | Brush dry, use the eraser, dab marks with a damp cloth. See how to clean suede shoes |
| Smooth leather | Wipe with a damp cloth, then a thin layer of leather cream. See how to clean and polish leather shoes |
| Birko-Flor (synthetic) | Cloth with lukewarm water and a drop of soap |
| EVA (rubbery) | Rinse with soap and water, they're fine getting wet |
Can you put Birkenstocks in the washing machine?
No, apart from the EVA models, and even those are better done by hand. With the classic models the cork can break up, the glue can let go and the suede dries stiff and patchy.
How to dry wet Birkenstocks
- ❌ Not on a radiator or in direct sun
- ❌ Not with a hairdryer on a hot setting
- ✅ Blot off the water and leave them at room temperature
- ✅ Brush the suede up once they're dry
Heat makes cork brittle, and that's how cracks start in the footbed.
Caring for the cork
If the exposed cork edges look dull and dry, brush on a thin coat of cork sealer. It keeps the cork supple and stops it crumbling. A few times a season is enough.
Quick reference
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Dark footprint | Brush, eraser, dab with cold water and mild soap |
| Smell | Dry fully, baking soda overnight, rotate pairs |
| Dirty straps | Clean by material, see the table |
| Got soaked | Room temperature, never the radiator |
| Dry cork | Cork sealer on the edges |
FAQs
How do you clean a Birkenstock footbed? Brush off loose dirt, rub out the darkest marks with a suede eraser and clean the whole footbed with a lightly damp cloth and a drop of mild soap. Wipe over with clean water and let it dry at room temperature.
How do you get the black footprint out of Birkenstocks? Brushing, a suede eraser and a gentle clean, repeated if needed. A very old footprint will lighten but rarely disappears completely.
Why do my Birkenstocks smell? Sweat soaks into the suede and cork of the footbed, and bacteria grow in that warm, damp material. They cause the smell.
How do you get the smell out of Birkenstocks? Clean the footbed, let it dry completely and leave baking soda on it overnight if needed. Rotate with another pair so they can dry between wears.
Can Birkenstocks go in the washing machine? No. Only the EVA models handle water, and even those are best cleaned by hand.
How often should you use cork sealer? Whenever the cork looks dull and dry, usually a few times a season.
Fifteen minutes at the start and end of summer keeps your Birkenstocks fresh. Ready for a fresh start!