Birkenstock Sandals: Cleaning, Footbed Logo and Mold Q&A

Birkenstock Cleaning and Care

Recently a customer told us the logo on their footbed got washed off. There's really nothing we can do about that, because the logo is printed on. As you can see in the photo, the logo on this pair was long gone too. With long wear, dirt and friction gradually fade the print until it disappears.

We often get sandals with a layer of black grime covering the logo. If the shoes are less than a year old, the logo may survive cleaning. But as they age, the print doesn't hold as well, and with all the dirt it usually washes off. The footbed absorbs sweat and dirt, so without thorough cleaning, sweat stains and grime stay inside. You can't have it both ways.

Also, the footbed will feel slightly rough after cleaning, but it gradually softens again after a few wears. That smooth feel before cleaning is sometimes a "perk" of the dirt (?).

In some cases, mold on the leather can't be completely removed, and it can even leave the leather uneven, which becomes a little more noticeable after cleaning. So keep your sandals in a well-ventilated, dry place as much as possible, and wear them out in the sun now and then to keep mold from growing.

FAQ

Q: Do Birkenstocks lose color when cleaned?

In most cases, the color of Birkenstocks will change slightly after cleaning. Even wiping them with a dry cloth a few times can transfer some color, let alone a wet cloth. Sometimes the difference can't be seen with the naked eye, but under lights with different color tones, you can see it.

To compare, we usually clean one shoe first, wait until it's completely dry, then check it under different light sources. Occasionally there's a slight difference under a certain light, but in most cases they look the same.

If you're really worried, we'd suggest not sending them in. It's like seeing a doctor: after surgery or treatment, you'd want to be exactly the way you were before you got sick. That's possible, but usually there's still some difference.

So again: if you have doubts, it's better not to have them cleaned. Otherwise, no matter how well they're cleaned, it'll still bother you, and we'd feel helpless too. Take good care of your clothes and shoes day to day to keep them in good condition.

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