How to Clean Birkenstock Synthetics Like a Pro

Final Video in our How to Clean Birkenstocks like a Pro series, we walk you thru cleaning Birkenstock Synthetics - in particular Birko-flor. By far the easiest material to clean in the Birkenstock family of upper materials - we show you all the tricks. Click over to our blog which will give you step by step instructions and all the additional information you might be looking for.
www.desertbirkenstock.com/pos...

[@JoanneSchmitz-j7q]

This is the best video on how to clean Birkenstocks. I just ordered my first pair and can't wait to wear them. How often do you recommend cleaning them? Also, I ordered the Madrid Vegan and the insole is microfibre. How do you clean that type of material?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Everyone is different so how often you clean really has to do with how hard you are on your shoes. If you only have 1 pair maybe every 3-6 months - not that it would need a huge overhaul just a touch/clean up. The microfiber liner you can clean with a damp rag and any type of shoe deodorizer. If you get something that won't come off can use the sandpaper on it - just don't go crazy and scrub thru the material Just might help get off the stubborn stuff. Thanks for the positive feedback. We try to be comprehensive and easy. Have fun with your new pairs! Amy

[@JoanneSchmitz-j7q]

@@DesertBirkenstock thank you so much!

[@heygillian2737]

Thank you for this helpful info! Is the footbed for the vegan birks cleaned the same way? I’m assuming the footbed in the vegan shoe isn’t suede.

[@desertbirk]

Actually - no. The liner on the vegan is microfiber. You DON'T want to use the sand paper. Just the cleaners and the brushes to dislodge any gook. The sand paper will chew up the microfiber and possibly take you down to the jute liner. But all the other steps are good. Just be aware if you wish to ever get a new footbed we do not get parts from Birkenstock with the vegan liners only the suede liners. Thanks for the question Amy

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. You can clean the footbed with any sort of footbed cleaner. You may not want to do the sandpaper unless there's something really gunky you need to get off. Just need to be careful not to pierce the material. The material is a sort of microfiber that Birkenstock uses. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@renepellissier2193]

thank you. I have a new pair of birkenstock, love them, dropped a piece of cheese by my toes and now have this ugly one dark spot...tried to clean with a tiny bit of water and dawn...thought the spot might dry out, but after 2 days still very dark,what do you suggest? a little sandpapering???

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. That sucks!! Okay - the biggest hindrance in me telling you how to clean - is what type of leather you might have. If it is oiled leather sand paper should do the trick. If it is suede - sand paper might work - but then the water and dish soap probably made it worse. If it is suede you might need to get a suede cleaner to kind of get under the stain and lift it - need a suede cleaner in a liquid or a foam and scrub with a brush or rag. Can't promise it will come out. Suede is a hard material to keep looking nice. You can watch the oiled leather and/or suede leather cleaning videos. That is the best thing I can tell you without seeing them. Sorry. Hope that helps a little. Amy

[@renepellissier2193]

@@DesertBirkenstock so nice of you for the info!

[@DesertBirkenstock]

@@renepellissier2193 No problem - thanks

[@inthisworldbutnotofit6165]

I'm wondering how to freshen the underside of the straps. You mentioned it was a wool blend.. what is the safest way to remove built up dirt, sweat, and make them pretty again?

[@desertbirk]

That's a great question. As it is a wool blend any fabric cleaner or Woolite will do the trick. It does take a gentle hand as you clean the underside - if you scrub too hard you get it peeling away and off the strap. A soft toothbrush or rag is your best bet. It may not all come off though. It has absorbed dirt as well as sweat and possibly lotion off your feet. Many times that does not come off. (leather will do the same thing) After you clean the underside you will probably need to do the fuzzy trimming with a pair of scissors. You might have to do a couple times to get it all. If you feel it is a lot of lotion, sometimes a "degreaser" type of detergent might work to loosen that up. But like I said just be gentle so you don't strip it all away. Hope that helps. Good Luck! Amy

[@inthisworldbutnotofit6165]

​@@desertbirk Thank you for your response, I appreciate it! I will give it a go😊

[@Charlotte-wp1tk]

I’m trying to find info on bikro-Flor straps, once they crack is there anything that can be done to fix do you know, iv been trying to find but can’t find any answers to fixing - do you think it’s the end of the road for them?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. Sorry to say once the Birko-flor material cracks there's not much you can do. If you've had them a long time - it happens eventually. My 15-year-old Mayari's in Black Patent finally bit the dust - I was very sad. If it happened relatively quick (and normally at the flex points) it usually is an indicator that the front strap might be too tight. This doesn't happen with leathers - only the synthetics. Sorry if it's a beloved pair or something un-replaceable. Hate being the bearer of bad news! Amy

[@joyceannchua485]

Which spray cleaning did u use for straps?

[@desertbirk]

Hello. Honestly you can use almost anything that does not have bleach in it. We use in store (or at home) Simple Green, Windex or 409. Trick is to spray rag then clean shoes. If pattern or a print don't scrub too hard as it may scrub off. But pretty easy otherwise. Thanks for the question. Thanks for watching our video! Amy

[@joyceannchua485]

Thanks for ur brilliant ideas.. 😊

[@shieldmaiden02]

Is that a sand paper you using?

[@DesertBirkenstock]

Hello. We only use sand paper for synthetics on the liner of the footbed - never the straps!!. You have to be careful as you don't want to puncture the suede liner (as it is thin) or if it is a vegan model the liner is microfiber. Thanks for the question. Amy

[@Bsrom7]

What grit sand paper are you using? ​@@DesertBirkenstock

[@desertbirk]

@@Bsrom7 200 - 220 Fine/Superfine. You have the most control and it will not leave such big scratch marks. Just have to scrub - so it looks even. Thanks Amy