After Cleaning Birkenstock Shoes, Why Has the Logo on the Footbed Disappeared?

Many customers ask us, after sending Birkenstock shoes for cleaning: “Why has the BIRKENSTOCK lettering on the footbed faded? It may even have disappeared completely.”

That’s a perfectly reasonable question. We want to explain the reasons clearly, and also set out a few things worth knowing before you send them in, and some small tips for care at home.

1. Getting to know the Birkenstock footbed first

According to Birkenstock’s official description, the classic footbed is built up in layers:

• at the bottom isjute, which steadies the structure;
• in the middle is a core ofnatural cork mixed with natural latex, which gives support and absorbs shock;
• the sides are wrapped in another layer of jute, which helps regulate moisture;
• and the top layer, which is in direct contact with the sole of the foot, is asuede lining— what Birkenstock Taiwan calls a “reverse-leather pad.”

The official notes also explain that the surface of this suede is open-pored, and is designed toabsorb foot sweat, so the foot stays dry.

The brand lettering and size marking on the footbed areprinted on the surface of this suede, and do not go down into the cork layer underneath.

2. Why does the logo fade or disappear?

1. It’s already being worn away as you walk

With every step, the sole of the foot rubs against this suede, and foot sweat, sebum and dust slowly soak in. On many Birkenstocks the lettering on the footbed is already nearly worn away before they’re sent for cleaning — it’s just covered by the colour of the dirt, so it isn’t obvious.

2. Cleaning takes away what’s left of the print on the surface

When we clean, we need to brush open the nap of the suede and lift out the sweat and soil trapped in it. The print on the surface is already worn thin; once detergent and a brush touch it, what’s left comes off easily with the dirt.

Birkenstock’s official care notes also remind you that:any cleaning or care treatment may change the appearance and surface feel of the material. The official notes on the suede brush also mention that a worn footbed, even after brushing, may still show some marks — that’s simply how a worn-in shoe looks.

3. The longer it’s worn, the more comes off

The more often you wear them, and the more you sweat, the fainter the lettering usually is. On shoes whose lettering has already started to blur, the chance that it will fade or disappear after cleaning is also higher.

4. It’s not only Birkenstock — other shoes are the same

Sneakers, casual shoes, leather shoes and slippers often have a printed brand logo on the insole or inner sole too. Those logos are likewise done on the surface: foot sweat plus the back-and-forth rub of the sole slowly wears them away after a period of wear; if the shoe is on the large side, or worn loosely, they wear faster. On overseas shoe forums, quite a few people share that the logo on a sneaker insole came off after only a few wears, and it’s generally seen as a normal mark of wear. Lettering that’s already worn thin also comes off easily in cleaning, in the same way.

3. After long wear, the footbed’s face fabric may also lift and come off

Besides the lettering, the face fabric or suede lining on the surface of the footbed or insole is glued to the material underneath.

Birkenstock Taiwan’s official notes say that the adhesive’s hold will, with time, weather, the conditions of use and how often the shoes are worn,gradually weaken; Taiwan’s high heat, rain and humidity also make delamination more likely. Ordinary insoles follow the same logic: long friction, sweat and damp, and ageing glue can all let the face fabric separate from the foam or cork underneath.

From what we usually see, once the face fabric starts to lift at the edge, the heel or the toe, the lifted part is easily caught and rubbed again by the foot as you walk, and the area that comes off oftengradually spreads. This is the condition of a shoe that has been worn for a long time; cleaning cannot glue it back. On a shoe that’s already lifting, moisture and brushing during cleaning may also make the lifted area larger.

For Birkenstock shoes, the official advice is:

• if a local delamination doesn’t affect wear, there’s no need to rush to treat it; it can be dealt with when the shoes are sent for repair or a resoling;
• don’t glue it yourself with a hard adhesive such as super glue, so as not to affect later repairs;
• if the suede lining is already torn or worn, Birkenstock Taiwan shops offer a “suede-lining replacement” service (the official price list is NT$800 a pair, limited to sandals and slippers).

If the face fabric of another brand’s insole has come off, a shoe-repair shop can assess whether it can be glued again, or you can simply replace the insole.

4. If the logo is gone, does it affect the shoe?

It doesn’t affect how the shoe works. The footbed’s support and shock absorption come from the cork-and-latex core and the jute layers underneath, not from that row of letters on the surface. If the logo fades, the feel when you wear them and the shape of the footbed don’t change because of it.

If the look of the lettering matters a lot to you, you can tell us before you send them in.

5. Things you can know before you send them in

1. The footbed logo is printed on the suede surface, and after cleaning it may fade or disappear— especially on shoes that have already been worn for a while, and whose lettering has already started to blur. Printed lettering on other shoes’ insoles is the same.
2. If the face fabric or suede lining of the footbed or insole has already lifted or delaminated, cleaning may make the area that comes off larger.。
3. Deep sweat stains and darkening on the footbed are caused by sweat and sebum soaking into the suede over a long time. Cleaning can improve them, but they may not return to the colour of a new shoe.
4. If the cork edge is already cracked and dry, or the sole is already worn flat, cleaning cannot repair that.A sole worn flat needs a resole. According to Birkenstock Taiwan’s official repair price list, replacing only the EVA sole on an adult shoe starts at NT$800; if the cork body has to be replaced at the same time, the charge is higher. The actual charge follows the official quote.

6. Small tips for care at home

• Let them air often: the footbed is meant to absorb sweat. After wearing them, put them in a ventilated place; styles with a removable insole can have it taken out to air.
• Brush them dry regularly: with a suede brush or a clean soft brush, brush the footbed lightly while it’s dry, to take off the dust and restore the nap.
• If they get wet, dry them in the shade: if they’re caught in the rain or stepped in water, let them dry naturally in a cool, ventilated place. Don’t use a hair dryer, a heater, or leave them to bake in the sun.
• Don’t leave them in a hot car: the official notes remind you that cork and the sole fear high heat, and high heat may also cause delamination.
• If the cork edge looks dry and no longer shiny, you can apply a layer of cork sealer (Birkenstock has a dedicated Cork Sealer / Cork-Care), to reduce cracking.
• If the face fabric lifts, don’t tear it off, and don’t glue it yourself with super glue; Birkenstock shoes can be taken back to an official shop for an assessment.
• When you clean them yourself, don’t brush hard over the lettering, and don’t soak the whole pair. The official notes say that soaking may cause the glue and sealing materials to fail, and leather may also go stiff.

Birkenstocks are shoes you can wear for many years. The lettering on the footbed fading slowly with time is, in fact, simply the mark of a pair that has been well worn. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to send us a photo and ask before you send them in.