Birkenstocks are some of the most comfortable sandals in the world, made from cork, rubber and leather. However, if you walk around with them for a while, you may leave footprints on the insoles of the shoes. Then your Birkenstocks will most likely stink. So if you are wondering how to get rid of the smell, you have come to the right place. In this article you will learn how to care for your Birks quickly and effectively.
What to do if Birkenstocks smell like sweat
The main problem with Birks is that your feet are so embedded in the sandals that they leave an imprint. As a result, your feet become sweaty and the sandals give off a bad smell. That's why it's important that you clean your Birkenstocks regularly. There are many ways to specifically eliminate the smell. Read on to find out what steps you can take if your Birkenstocks stink.
Clean Birkenstocks with baking soda
Baking soda is the product of choice for most household cleaning purposes. It works like magic on stinky Birks, just like it does on many other items.
- First, take a damp cloth to clean any dirt and debris from your sandals.
- In a bowl, mix two to three spoonfuls of baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Apply this evenly to the footbed of your Birks using a spatula. Make sure the paste completely covers all stains.
- Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the Birkenstock footbed and remove stains and dirt with the baking soda mixture. When you're done, wipe off the excess water with a cloth and let the Birks dry outside.
Tipp!Be careful not to store them in high heat – keep them near windows or somewhere with good air circulation so they can dry. After a few hours, you should have a pair of fresh-smelling, dirt-free Birks. If your sandals have very strong stains, it is best to leave the baking soda mixture on overnight. Scrub them off the next morning. The mixture must dry for at least 24 hours before you can use it again.
Birkenstocks stink – Gentle sunlight combats bad odors
If you're worried about how to clean smelly Birks, nine times out of ten it's probably something that can be easily remedied by simply exposing them to sunlight. If you think your Birkenstocks smell, simply wipe them with a clean cloth or tissue. Then let them dry in the sun, but do not expose your Birkenstock to heat or direct sunlight. It is best to dry your shoes near the window or in a place that offers shade, gentle sunlight and good ventilation. This alone will eliminate the bad smell in general.
Use white vinegar or washing alcohol
Other simple and popular products you can use to keep bad smells at bay include white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. You can use either product at a time and not mix them together.
In the case of vinegar, fill a small bowl with equal parts water and vinegar. Dampen a clean cloth or paper towels in this solution. This will make them a little moist rather than completely wet and dripping. Then place these paper towels or cloth on the footbed of the sandals. Leave them on overnight and remove the wipes the next morning. Gently wipe off the solution and allow the shoes to dry.
For rubbing alcohol, you can repeat all of the above steps except that you mix the white vinegar with water, whereas for rubbing alcohol, you don't need to dilute it with water. You can pour the alcohol directly into a bowl and moisten the paper towels with the solution.
Use Birks Cleaner & Refresher
Birkenstocks themselves offer their own product to keep your shoes fresh and clean. According to the instructions on the care page, you can use Birks cleaner and freshener to get rid of bad smell. You just need to spray the cleaner all over the footbed, then remove the excess moisture and let the shoe dry.
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General tips for caring for your Birks
- Every two days or at similar intervals, wipe your Birks with a clean towel and let them dry outside. Establish a cleaning routine and stick to it.
- Sprinkle some baking soda occasionally and leave them overnight to keep the sandals odor-free.
- To ensure proper care, you should leave the cork seal intact. If you think it is damaged or coming apart at the seams, use Birkenstock Cork Sealant to protect the shoe from dirt and damage and extend its life.
These are some effective tips if your Birkenstocks stink. Try them now and get your favorite sandals back from the land of bad smells!
How can you care for your Birks from the footbed to the toes?You can find that here!
