How to Clean Birkenstock Oiled Leather

[@KourttneyL]

Why is this the ONLY video on cleaning oiled leather birks?? I’ve been looking for so long! Thank you ❤

[@DesertBirkenstock]

You're so welcome! We tried to hit all the factors. People don't realize - if you clean them wrong, you could actually ruin the uppers rather than help. Thanks for the comment. Glad it helped! Amy

[@tacticalfireman9673]

These are horrible tips, should not use sandpaper on your leather or Vaseline. Use a soft brush and a creams for leather.

[@desertbirk]

Hello The leather in question is an oiled nubuck that Birkenstock makes. The vaseline is only an example of what can be used. Of course leather lotions and balm can be also be used. For regular hard finish leathers - yes - a leather lotion or cream plus a soft rag is all you need. Amy

[@tochnitm]

Many thanks to the Birkenstock Whisperer for the specific tips on this type of upper. I have a pair of much loved Birkenstock Boston clogs in iron in oiled leather, they have gotten a little patina and need some care, your video helps me a lot! Really Birks life changing is your brilliant tip with the nail file on the front edge of the strap on the Arizona - in fact I've hurt myself wearing a brand new pair barefoot. I have 2 questions: 1) What do you do differently at Boston Clogs in the care? Because of the closed shape at the front, you can't get as far inside with tools. 2) Do you also have experience in handling felt as upper material? I have a pair of Boston clogs in cocoa in felt. I wish you a happy new and healthy year 👣🌸🤗

[@DesertBirkenstock]

1) Everything can be done the same - it's just more of a pain and might take longer. Probably won't be doing the underneath of the upper - but really - everything - you would treat the same way. 2) Felt is hard. You know those sweater shavers?? First you would clean the upper with woolite or some sort of shearling cleaner. Not too much water and then let it dry thoroughly. It does tend to ball. That's where the sweater shaver can come in handy. Not as easy to take care of because of how the material is made. After you get as clean as you like, I would then spray with a weatherguard or scotchguard. Something along those lines to help keep them clean. I hope that helped with your questions. Thanks for watching -Amy

[@jocelynturner6840]

Any tips for cleaning oiled leather Bostons in tobacco brown? I would like to keep the leather light, but I would also like to even out the leather and attempt to get out a few stains. Thank you!

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Sand paper for the tobacco will lighten it and lift some of the stains. Fine or Superfine is best. (200-220 grade) I would recommend after you're done cleaning that you weatherguard/scotchguard your shoes really good and that will help them not stain so fast. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@jocelynturner6840]

Sounds good, thank you!

[@Tracie_H]

I just bought the black oiled leather bostons. You commented down below that I wouldn’t need to waterproof. Should I just wear these without any treatment until they need cleaned in the future?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Yes, you can - or if you want you can do a leather balm or balsam to start. What it does - is seals the leather pretty good. Also, with Black Oiled they tend to have a washed out - almost chalky - look to them most of the time. Doing this will pop the black to a little richer color and then you can always re-oil when you clean them up. Of course, there are a few things that may dirty your leathers - like chicken noodle soup - or oily based things - but with them being black not such a huge concern for staining. Anything lighter - use the sandpaper and then re-oil - will look good as new. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@richardf6932]

Very good information. Thank you......

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Thank you for the feedback. Glad to be of service! Amy

[@1977fala]

Hello. I just bought my first Birkenstock (Arizona black oiled leather). Should I use the water & stain repellent right now or should I wait few months? They are still in the box 🤔

[@desertbirk]

Hello. Yes you can. The biggest trick is to put down a paper towel or something in the footbed so you also don't seal the suede liner. You can also wait - but prevention is usually a better way to keep them nicer longer. Amy

[@julianamaldonado879]

Awesome video ! but I was wondering how would you get out an oil stain out of these I recently bought a pair of oiled leather birks in the Boston style but dropped bacon grease over them would this also help me get rid of that stain or would I need a special product to get that out ?

[@desertbirk]

Honestly there isn't much to do to get oil like that out. You can sand paper it to lift it up and a suede cleaner - maybe some sort of mild degreaser, but I think you will always see it a little bit. I'd try to get it out as much as possible then do a leather balm or lotion on the rest of the pair. Sorry not better news. A few things we've found don't come out very well from leathers if at all - blue laundry detergent, chicken noodle soup, grease (meat), gasoline and cat urine - just to name a few. Good Luck. Let us know how it works. Amy

[@DB-cx6cb]

Thank you! Great video.❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Glad you enjoyed it! We try to make them helpful and easy to watch. Thanks -Amy

[@LetaPorter]

I'm still kind of new to my oiled leathers. I have two pairs of Birkenstocks that are oiled leather. The first pair I bought a month or two ago we used water repellent on them and it made water spots everywhere. Which then I had to buff out with a new buck. How do you spray weather guard without making water spots?.

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Ideally because they are oiled leather the waterproofing spray is sitting on top - that's why the spots. I really don't know what to tell you. After you buffed out the spots - did you respray?? I would assume it would then go into the leather better because the pores would be open and not filled with the "oil". With oiled leathers you really don't need to waterproof - but when you clean them you could always spray - let it dry - then oil them to make sure the finish looks the way you want it too. I actually haven't had this question before. Let me know how it works... Thanks for the question - sorry I wasn't more help. Amy

[@LetaPorter]

@@DesertBirkenstock I did not respray them. I buffed them a lot ( so many spots!) and then used a leather conditioner. I am now afraid to spray anything on them. I am going to get a leather cleaner and conditioner ( about out of the stuff I have ).

[@GailAlexander-p5l]

Thanks for the clear examples. I have a pair of oiled leather Boston clogs that have been in my closet quite a while and are kind of stiff and dry. Should I do something more to hydrate the leather before applying cream and water repellent?

[@desertbirk]

Hello. The cream is what you'll definitely want to get into the leather. You might have to do it a couple times and also on the inside to help re-hydrate the leather. Sometimes you can use a hair dryer to warm the leather up a little - kind of opens up the pores - then do the cream. Like I said though - you may need to do a few times. Everything ages even if you aren't wearing them. The leather will soften eventually might just take a little bit. Wearing them helps this process. If they hurt your feet- wear socks while your doing it to get the leather more pliable. Good Question. Thanks for watching. Amy

[@pwsod]

Excellent and nice long explanation of all the tools to use and stuff to use on the oiled leather. I use the French Saphir Shea butter based crème 1925. I will certainly try your abrasive paper. However what grade do you use please?😊

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Sorry for taking so long. Sandpaper grade 220 - usually fine or super fine we have found is best. Hope that helps. Amy

[@pwsod]

@@DesertBirkenstock thank you.

[@hprisleg]

Thanks you so much for such detailed and clear explanations. I would love to see a similar video for Nubuck cleaning support! I did also watch the Suede video, as you mentioned there are similarities to Nubuck treatment, though still have some doubts. Can I use the brush to clean Nubuck or should I stick to the sand and rubber only? I would also like to know if water repelent can be used… 🤔 A Nubuck specific video would be very welcome 😊😊

[@DesertBirkenstock]

I'm sorry that's not in the works right now. BUT you can use all the same things for Nubuck as you would for suede. Yes can use the brush, Yes can definitely use the water repelent. Suede you have to be more careful with - but all the same cleaning instructions apply with the exception that you can really scrub with the sand paper on the Nubuck. Thanks - Amy

[@hprisleg]

@@DesertBirkenstock thanks so much for your response and attention!

[@aj3738]

Thank you so much! Should I apply the water & stain repellant over the petroleum treated surface? Or the petroleum jelly itself will act as a repellant?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Actually the petroleum should act as a natural barrier. If you are in a sever weather type of environment you can spray. It might help some. Thanks for watching! Amy

[@aj3738]

Thanks Amy!@@DesertBirkenstock

[@samuelrich4105]

Hi, I recently bought some Boston's in the oiled leather "iron" color. Out of the box they're much lighter than pictures on Birks site and others as well. What should I use to deepen the color and provide some of that shine and patina?

[@desertbirk]

Like we showed in the video. Vaseline - or some sort of leather lotion or balm is your best bet. If you live somewhere drier it may have to be reapplied occasionally. Super easy.. Just make sure that you try in a inconspicuous area before you do the whole shoe. To make sure it is how you want it to look. Thanks for asking. Amy

[@bowieknife]

Thanks for the video tutorial. Does this work for the Birkenstock Montana with oiled nubuck?

[@desertbirk]

Hello. As long as it's the same type of leather - doesn't even have to be a Birkenstock! These are just cleaning tricks and tips that can be used on any shoe. Glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching. Amy

[@stanleymok5041]

I had some oil stains and didn't approach your channel early enough! I used a toothbrush and some dish soap suggested by the internet and it left a pretty big lighter circular area where the toothbrush brushed the oiled leather upper. How can I even out the color? should I use vaseline to darken the lighter area or should I use a nubuck block to lighten the rest of the shoe? Thank you!

[@desertbirk]

Hello. Sorry I just saw this. Actually I would do the nubuck block/brush and even out the finish - if you want them lighter. You could then darken with the vaseline to give that aged look - or a little darker color. If you want to try to just darken spot - that might work too. If it doesn't get the look you want - then back to the first thing- no harm no foul. Thanks Amy

[@jacoblowe387]

i bought the perfect protect with my Boston's of the website should i use it on the oiled leather ones or did i make mistake in buying it

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Nope. Not a mistake. You can use that on the oiled leathers as well. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@stephg6926]

How often can you do this process? Thank you!

[@desertbirk]

You can do it as often as you need to. The leathers are dyed all the way thru so you won't hit white. The biggest thing is making sure the oil has really been cleaned off before you redo. You don't want a bunch of build up - as it can get yucky and/or smelly if too thick. Maybe every 6 months to a year depending on what you want it to look like and how much you wear them. Thanks for the question. We are so happy the video was helpful. Amy

[@whateverislovely8654]

Do you condition and then spray the weather spray? What’s the order of steps?

[@desertbirk]

Weather protector always last thing. It's the final step (I do recommend though when you get new pairs to make sure to spray the leather or suede uppers/straps - cover the footbed - to protect them before you start wearing them all the time. Prevention is about 2/3 of your battle in keeping the shoes clean and nice looking to start.) Thanks Amy

[@sashabelkov916]

thank you! extremely helpful

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Thank you for the comment. We're glad the video was helpful. Amy

[@magentak47]

I bought a black oil leather Boston and apply some shoe oil on it. I was surprised it became so dark and the original matte finish became polished like finish. What is the best process I can do to make it like original color and surface finish?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Super easy. You want to sand the leathers with fine sandpaper (usu 200 - 220 grit) this will refinish it to the original oiled leather finish and take off the polish. If you do want them a little darker (as when they get dry they tend to look a little chalky and gray) the best is vaseline . Just need a little and it will not make the leather shiny. Thanks for the question. Hope that works for you. Amy

[@jznightmare]

this video has been very helpful. i hope you can make a video on best and effective way to remove white molds on oiled leather straps of birks.

[@DesertBirkenstock]

So the only problem with this is we don't encounter this where we are in Nevada. We've reached to some of our friends who have stores in humidity and no one has a great answer. I would suggest still doing all the other steps but make sure to cover your face. You don't want to inhale anything spore like as it can make sick. I wish I had a better answer for you. - Amy

[@shelbiowning8039]

Is Thier a nubuck video ? I can’t find it

[@DesertBirkenstock]

We actually have a Suede Video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3W6p4CObbaVbrc ) - it has almost all the same steps to clean nubuck. Also there is the blog on our website. ( www.desertbirkenstock.com/post/how-to-clean-suede-birkenstocks ) This will give you everything you need to know. The biggest difference honestly is that on nubuck you can be more heavy handed with the sand paper. Nubuck is a full grain leather that has been sanded to give a softer look, while the suede is a split leather and nappier. Hope this helps. if not, please feel free to contact us. If there is something very specific send a picture with your question. Amy

[@jhonnytanggo7971]

What grit of sandpaper ? Thanks

[@desertbirk]

Fine/Super Fine works the best. 220-240 grit. You don't want it too coarse or it will leave marks.

[@Stublinsky]

Excellent video; really enjoyable.

[@desertbirk]

Great. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope it was helpful - Amy

[@fos8524]

Hi. Can't find the "how to clean birko flor"

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Coming soon! We are working on this right now. We have an old one - but within next couple weeks we'll have the new and improved one with Blog as well.

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Just added kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6C5e6eZhc17ors also a blog to access on our website www.desertbirkenstock.com/post/how-to-clean-birkenstock-synthetic-uppers Thanks - Amy

[@caesarsalad798]

How to clean Birkenstock Boston suede

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Have you seen our other video for Suede Upper ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3W6p4CObbaVbrc) - it really will help and we also a blog on our website if you want to see it in writing (www.desertbirkenstock.com/post/how-to-clean-suede-birkenstocks). The methods can be used on any color in any style. - Amy

[@janetwheeler2339]

The first time you have a chance at the top to chi BBC to if v V by you and I don’t 😢😢🎉😢fretting 😢Jim ok

[@ESG1108]

Question for you: I have oiled leather hot pink arizonas. I’m worried that if I use any of these methods the pink will come off and ruin them. I mostly want to get rid of the black lines the buckles made. Any advice?? Thanks for this awesome video!

[@desertbirk]

Hello Without seeing the shoes for sure - I can tell you that Birkenstock dyes the leathers all the way thru. So if you look on the underside of the strap should also be that pink color. You can do and/or use any of the methods we showed. Should not be an issue. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@ESG1108]

@@desertbirk thanks, Amy! I’ll follow your instructions!

[@TrishGSD]

My oiled leather Boston’s are the lighter finish. How do I clean them if I don’t want them darkened?

[@desertbirk]

Ok. This can be a little tricky. The video gives you all the tools- just don't do the patina part. If they are tobacco - you have a couple challenges. You can sand them but then they are more nubuck than "leather". Not really a problem - just do the weatherguard really good. Prevention is about 2/3 or your battle with light colors. There are liquid cleaners for suedes that can clean them with out sanding - might not do as good of a job - but works. With tobacco in particular the vaseline tends to make them more honey colored. With leather lotions - just darker. Sometimes a boot wax might work - just have to make sure to test on a part that won't show if it's not to your liking. All the other colors seem to be easier than this one. They also come in from the factory very different - some lighter, some darker - so how they look to you might be different on another pair. Sorry couldn't be more help. Some of this is trial and error for us too. Amy

[@천공-d5d]

God bless you:)

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Thank you. We're just trying to help people take care of their expensive shoes. Amy