How to Clean Birkenstock Footbed

[@ReddlyFeddly]

best birk cleaning instruction. thank you.

[@desertbirk]

Thanks for the compliment. Trying to help people take care of their shoes. 😀 Amy

[@BlueMountain2017]

Thank you--I have been using the sandpaper wrong.

[@pastda3]

Great tutorial, but the background music was a little too loud and distracting.

[@desertbirk]

Sorry about that. We will take that into consideration on next video. Amy

[@PWatts-ff2fd]

I agree! Too loud! I have ADD. The music makes it very hard for me to hear and follow the instructions.

[@armandsant1143]

Very nice!!! It got the job done I like the approach

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Thanks for the compliment. Trying to help people take care of their shoes. Amy

[@randycabbage4607]

So wait does the sanpaper come from home depot? What grit ?

[@desertbirk]

Hello. Yes Home Depot, Lowes or any hardware store, I find just WAY less expensive than grocery store purchase. 200-220 grit. Fine or Super Fine. Ideally you want a higher grade so when you do sand it - it doesn't leave scratches - or at least you can buff them out. I also recommend using a neutral color paper. There are so many kinds now - if you do black or dark color I have found that it may leave color residual on the leather if it is a light color. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@melissaadams7702]

Lool I can literally smell the video when you zoom into the footbed 😂😂.

[@DesertBirkenstock]

I really hope not - scratch and sniff videos? maybe not the next new cool thing. 😁 Glad you liked it. Thanks for letting us know.

[@tracygarrett3952]

Am I listening to this with it started one after the other?

[@somppra]

what kind of sandpaper are you using?

[@desertbirk]

Fine or super fine - I think it's 220 - 250 grade. You don't want it too coarse or it leaves weird marks. This can also be used on the uppers if appropriate - so useful in a couple different ways. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@savagenative9]

It looks like 120 grit sandpaper. The high you go the harder and rougher the sandpaper. Anything else is usually used for paint or wood. Def use 120 grit not anything higher in number.

[@daniquedefeniks3702]

@@savagenative9I think it’s actually the higher you go, the finer it is. The lower you go the grittier and coarser it is!

[@thecleaningteacher638]

I just found your channel and love the tutorials. My Birks got super wet and muddy. Now the footbed is very rough. Is there any way to remedy this?

[@desertbirk]

The sand paper thing is about the only thing that will get some of that out. Unfortunately once the beds have gotten really immersed getting the suede liner to feel good again is not generally going to happen. It might help after they are cleaned but might always be a little hard. Sorry I wasn't more help. Amy

[@bhavyagoyal9634]

What was that stuff to clean

[@DesertBirkenstock]

I am guessing you are asking about the foot spray ( www.desertbirkenstock.com/product-page/footbed-cleaner-deodorizer ). You can use any brand of this or if you don't want any sort of chemicals - just sanding and brushing out gets most of the gunk (but be warned no matter what you do - there will be a footprint again as soon as you start wearing them again.) Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching our videos. Amy

[@Jastzu]

Controversial take: Sanding one’s lovely foot patina off a Birk footbed is akin to stripping the seasoning off an heirloom cast iron skillet. A high crime.

[@desertbirk]

Sometimes depends on how bad they smell - if it's just when you take them off - or it emanates with them still on your feet...... No worries - they are still molded to your foot. Cleaning them can't take that away. Thanks for watching. Amy

[@GoOutside321]

I agree. You’re filing down the leather, not a wise choice

[@TheOriginalBobbyd]

​@@GoOutside321 The foot bed is not leather, it's swede/cloth. Birkenstock themselves say use sandpaper,, Not water! Who am i supposed to believe? You or Birkenstock?

[@TheOriginalBobbyd]

​@@GoOutside321I mean do-y'all people just make up stuff as u go along? It's ridiculous.

[@annerink4327]

​​@@TheOriginalBobbyd 🤦‍♀️😆 what are you even saying? Swede? That's a person from Sweden, suede is matte/rough LEATHER, so you're the one making stuff up - projection much?

[@aeky168]

How can I buy sand paper that you are using?

[@desertbirk]

Hone Depot or Lowes is easiest - 220 grade - we usually get the light colored paper. Fine or superfine is best. Amy

[@desertbirk]

If not in the states - somewhere that they have home improvement supplies. But I think the type - Fine or Super fine 200 -220 grade is a universal code. Amy

[@keris5471]

Are you just using sandpaper to scrape them? :)

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Yes and No. You are using the sand paper just like you would to buff out a scratch on wood. So yes, you are scraping, but it should also kind of "refluff" the suede and loosen dirt and debris from the footbed. Using the brush or something else get all the extra particulates out of the footbed will ensure they really are gone. You don't want to scrub so hard you hit the jute liner - but don't be afraid to put some elbow grease into it. Depending on how worn your footbed is - it will lighten somewhat - but as soon as you start wearing again it will darken. That doesn't mean they are dirty - just doing what they are supposed to be doing. Any suede liner is there to absorb the oils and moisture from your foot. Just like how your carpets can get dirty - the suede liner does the same thing. Unless you never sweat and your feet are scarily dry, they may not show a footprint. That scenario is way more the exception than the rule. Hope that helps - Amy

[@TheOriginalBobbyd]

​@@DesertBirkenstock Well said 👍 It's amazing how many people submerge and wash their Birkenstocks in Water.

[@gretchenmccarthy7009]

What grit sandpaper?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

200 - 220 (fine -super fine) we use in store seems to work best.

[@seajayseven]

I just use baking soda paste and a little vinegar and water.... I've never had to sandpaper my shoes 😳 the smell from sweating is all I want to get rid of and the baking soda and vinegar works great making a paste and using a toothbrush and the problem solved. Wipe out with a damp cloth and let dry. You still have your comphy fit without the smell of sweaty feet.

[@desertbirk]

That works too. The only problem can be the water. Your liners are leather and the water can make them hard and stiff. Many of our customers are all about trying to get the footprint out of the footbed. The sandpaper does dislodge skin and stuff that are stuck to the footbed that could be causing the sweaty foot smell. And honestly sometimes the vinegar smell can be a bit much for some. But if it works for you - I'm glad. We are just offering how to alternatives. Thanks for the comment. Amy

[@Blueberry_010]

What’s the name of the first thing you used?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. The first thing we used was sandpaper. Fine/Super Fine sandpaper (180 - 220 grit). The next thing we used was the combo brush which we sell on our website ( www.desertbirkenstock.com/product-page/suede-combo-brush ) . If they are stinky then you can also use the footbed cleaner which cleans and deodorizes for tougher pairs. ( www.desertbirkenstock.com/product-page/footbed-cleaner-deodorizer). Hope that helps. Amy

[@MamaMia914]

What do you mean you don’t clean the footbed? 😅😂 What else is there to clean?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Not exactly sure what you mean. If you're talking about the services we do, no we generally do not clean the footbed. Between personal sweat etc - there can be all sort of nasty stuff that you could've gotten in under your foot. As the material will become airborne if cleaned, I don't subject myself or my staff to that. We have been brought shoes covered in gas, blood, bird poop - just to name a few - over the years. That's why we show you how to do it yourself. Except for the actual repairs we want to show people how to take care of their Birkenstocks. There's no magic and anyone can do it. When we do clean the shoes, generally it's the cork and the straps. Sometimes that can make a huge difference in the appearance. Hope that answers your question. Amy

[@annacataldo4905]

Every season you should be cleaning the leather, resealing the cork, and oiling the leather. This helps them last longer. You can also use a odor eliminator spray on the footbed. And waterproofing for the leather straps. Lots to do besides just cleaning the footbed.

[@desertbirk]

@@annacataldo4905 You are correct! That's why we have a series of videos that addresses different leather types so you can tailor your cleaning properly. Depending on how hard you are on your shoes - yes you do need to give them a little love on a regular basis. Thanks for watching. Amy

[@MrTopsoil911]

Those birks look like they prob smell

[@youtubemenace]

Finally

[@desertbirk]

😃