German-born Birkenstock has a rich history and a long list of dedicated fans, and it’s not hard to see why – above anything else, this brand makes a comfy shoe. Today, Birkenstock is widely regarded for its vast range of high-quality, minimalist sandals from the famed Arizona and Boston models to the newer lines like the London and Tokio. 

At size?, we firmly believe in wearing your Birkenstocks all year round, especially thanks to open and closed-toe options. But what happens when you wear your favourite pair of Bostons a little too hard? Or when your Arizona cork footbeds seem a little grubby after a long summer? Don’t worry, Birkenstock use expert craftsmanship to ensure longevity and to prove it, we asked the team at Jason Markk to help us – find out below how to clean your Birkenstocks and get them looking as good as new.

How to clean Birkenstock clogs

Wondering how to clean your Birkenstock Bostons? Jason Markk is here with a simple guide to returning your clogs back to their former glory.

You will need: Jason Markk Suede Kit, RTU Foam, Repel, Delicate Brush and Microfiber Towel.

Step One

Using your Suede Kit, prepare your suede upper by thoroughly cleaning off any surface dirt – this will help to prevent rubbing in any more dirt when you’re cleaning.

Step Two

Apply the RTU Foam to the Delicate Brush and scrub the suede in sections, following up quickly with the Microfiber Towel to wipe it down. Suede and water don’t mix so make sure you knead out as much moisture as possible. (Read more about how to clean suede here.)

Repeat where necessary.

Step Three

Allow your Birkenstocks to fully air dry and then you can begin to recondition the nap of the suede using the Suede Brush. It’s important to move the nap as much as possible to get that buttery texture back, as suede will often dry hard.

Step Four

Once your Bostons are fully dry, you can cover them thoroughly with the Repel Spray for future protection.

How to clean Birkenstock footbeds

The Birkenstock footbed is truly something to behold, each detail has been meticulously thought out to ensure maximum comfort and keep your foot in a healthy, natural position. Despite this, socks or no socks, the cork footbed is bound to get dirty – but that’s okay. Learn how to clean your Birkenstock insoles below.

You’ll need: Suede Brush, RTU Foam, Repel, Delicate Brush and Microfiber Towel.

Step One

Use the Suede Brush or a dry Delicate Brush, to brush down on the footbed and remove any surface dirt. This will help to prevent rubbing the dirt into the footbed even further when going in for the clean.

Step Two

Apply the Foam to the Delicate Brush and begin to scrub section by section. Between each section, make sure to use the Microfibre Towel to work out the dirt and absorb any excess moisture. The key is to make sure the footbed isn’t overly wet. Unbuckle the strap to clean the full area and repeat as much as is needed. 

Step Three

Let the shoe dry for 24 hours and wait till it’s fully dry before wearing. There you have your clean Birkenstocks – good as new!

For more ‘how to’ guides and tutorials, visit our blog right here.