How to Care for Birkenstocks So They Last for Years
Birkenstocks are definitely not the cheapest shoes you can buy.
Every time I buy a pair, there is a little bit of sticker shock involved. But over the years, I have started looking at shoes differently. Instead of buying five or six less-expensive pairs that I don’t really love, I would rather have a couple of really comfortable shoes that I wear constantly and take good care of.
For me, Birkenstocks fall into that category.
I really think you can get away with one great pair of Birkenstocks for spring and summer and one pair for fall and winter. If you choose neutral colors that work with most of your wardrobe and actually maintain them, you don’t necessarily need a closet full of shoes.
The key is taking care of them.
Birkenstocks are made with materials like cork, suede and leather that can last a long time, but they aren’t completely maintenance-free. A little cork sealer, occasional suede care and some basic common sense can make a huge difference in how your shoes look after a few seasons.
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Why I Think Birkenstocks Are Worth the Price
Birkenstocks can feel expensive when you are standing in the store looking at the price tag.
But cost per wear matters.
If you spend more money on a shoe that you wear several times every single week for years, that shoe may actually be less expensive in the long run than repeatedly buying cheaper sandals that stretch, crack, lose their support or simply aren’t comfortable enough to reach for every day.
And Birkenstocks are incredibly easy to build outfits around.
In the summer, a neutral pair of Birkenstock sandals works with:
- Shorts
- Jeans
- Linen pants
- Casual dresses
- Swimsuit cover-ups
- Leggings
- Airport outfits
- Running errands
- Soccer sidelines
- Everyday mom life
Then during the cooler months, you can switch to a closed-toe Birkenstock clog or shoe.
That is why I tend to think in terms of one summer pair + one fall/winter pair rather than needing lots of different styles.
Spend a little more on the shoe you actually want to wear, then take care of it.
The Most Important Part of Birkenstock Care: Protect the Cork
One of the biggest differences between Birkenstocks and a lot of other sandals is the cork footbed.
That cork is a huge part of what makes them comfortable, but exposed cork can eventually dry out.
You may notice that the shiny protective coating around the edge of the cork starts looking dull or that the cork itself looks a little dry.
That’s when I like to reseal it.
Birkenstock Cork Sealer
Shop Birkenstock Cork Sealer here:
This is one of those inexpensive shoe-care products that makes sense to keep in a closet with your shoe supplies.
You don’t need to constantly coat the shoe in it.
Instead, periodically look at the exposed cork around the edges of your Birkenstocks. When the cork starts losing its sealed appearance or looks dry, apply a thin coat.
The goal isn’t to soak the cork.
A thin, even layer is enough.
Let it dry completely before wearing the shoes again.
For such an expensive pair of shoes, spending a few dollars on cork maintenance seems completely worth it.
How I Apply Cork Sealer to Birkenstocks
I keep this process really simple.
1. Make sure the cork is clean and dry.
Brush away loose dirt first.
Don’t seal dirt underneath the product.
2. Apply a thin coat to the exposed cork.
You are concentrating on the cork edges — not coating the suede, leather or footbed.
3. Be careful around the upper.
Cork-care products can potentially discolor other materials, so I try to work slowly rather than slathering it everywhere.
4. Let the shoes dry overnight.
I don’t apply cork sealer ten minutes before leaving the house.
Do it in the evening and let the shoes sit overnight.
5. Check them periodically.
You don’t need to do this on a strict schedule. Just pay attention to how the cork looks.
If the cork still looks sealed and healthy, leave it alone.
How to Care for Suede Birkenstocks
Suede Birkenstocks are some of my favorites because they are so soft and comfortable.
Unfortunately, suede also shows dirt.
My biggest rule with suede is:
Don’t wait until the shoe looks completely filthy before taking care of it.
A quick brushing here and there is much easier than trying to resurrect extremely dirty suede later.
I like keeping a simple suede brush with my shoe-care products.
Brush gently in the direction of the suede nap, then brush again as needed to lift the fibers.
This helps remove surface dust and keeps the suede from becoming flat and dingy.
My Suede Care Link
Shop the suede-care product I use/recommend here:
Affiliate link.
If you already have a suede brush at home, you don’t necessarily need an elaborate kit. The most important part is simply having something appropriate for suede rather than attacking it with regular household cleaners.
Protect Suede Before It Gets Dirty
One of the easiest ways to care for suede shoes is actually preventative.
A suede or nubuck water-and-stain protector can help keep everyday dirt and small splashes from immediately soaking into the material.
I especially like doing this when a pair is relatively new.
Just remember that suede treatments can sometimes slightly change the appearance of the material, so test products carefully and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
And waterproofing spray does not turn regular Birkenstocks into rain shoes.
I still would not intentionally walk through puddles in my suede Birkenstocks.
Birkenstocks Are Not Rain Shoes
This is one of those things that is easy to forget.
Most traditional Birkenstocks should not be soaked.
The fact that they are sandals does not mean they should live in water.
If I’m going somewhere involving:
- A pool
- The beach
- A lake
- Heavy rain
- Water parks
- Boating
…I would rather wear a genuinely water-friendly shoe.
Getting caught in a small amount of rain isn’t the end of the world, but soaking cork and suede unnecessarily isn’t going to help your shoes last.
If Your Birkenstocks Get Wet, Don’t Put Them by a Heater
This is surprisingly important.
If your Birkenstocks get wet, resist the temptation to speed-dry them next to:
- A heater
- Fireplace
- Radiator
- Hair dryer
- Very hot vent
- Direct intense sunlight
Let them dry naturally at room temperature.
Extreme heat can damage cork and other shoe materials.
I also wouldn’t leave a favorite pair of Birkenstocks sitting in a hot car all day in the middle of summer.
How to Clean the Birkenstock Footbed
Eventually, the actual footbed will start looking darker from normal wear.
That is completely normal.
These shoes mold to your feet, and they are meant to look worn.
But if the footbed becomes noticeably dirty, you can clean it gently rather than aggressively scrubbing it.
Birkenstock sells footbed cleaners specifically for this purpose.
The biggest mistake I would avoid is saturating the entire footbed with water.
Use as little moisture as possible, clean gently and allow the shoes to air-dry completely.
Don’t Try to Make Birkenstocks Look Brand New Forever
This may be my most important shoe-care philosophy.
Leather changes.
Suede changes.
Cork changes.
A well-loved pair of Birkenstocks eventually looks like a well-loved pair of Birkenstocks.
That’s okay.
There is a difference between a shoe developing normal character and a shoe being neglected.
The goal isn’t to make your three-year-old Birkenstocks look like they came out of the box yesterday.
The goal is to keep the cork healthy, the suede clean and the shoe structurally sound so you can keep wearing it.
One Summer Pair
For summer, I like choosing something extremely versatile.
Think:
- Taupe
- Tan
- Cognac
- Beige
- Black
- Soft neutral suede
The classic Arizona-style sandal is especially easy because you can wear it with almost everything.
This becomes the pair you throw on constantly.
School pickup.
Vacation.
Shopping.
Walking around town.
Running to Target.
Travel days.
Casual summer dinners.
You don’t necessarily need eight different summer sandals if you find the one pair you genuinely love wearing.
One Fall and Winter Pair
Then I like having one closed-toe Birkenstock option for colder weather.
The Boston clog is the obvious example.
Wear it with jeans, leggings, casual pants and cozy socks.
You get the Birkenstock footbed without having your toes exposed when it is 45 degrees outside.
Depending on your climate, a clog can carry you through most of fall and quite a bit of winter.
Again, I would rather have one neutral pair that works with everything than several trendy shoes that only work with one outfit.
Take Care of the Expensive Things You Own
This is something I have been trying to get better about in general.
Sometimes we buy something expensive because we expect the expensive item to magically last forever.
But often the opposite is true.
Quality materials actually require maintenance.
Wood needs conditioning.
Leather needs care.
Nice sweaters need to be washed properly.
Shoes need cleaning.
Cork needs sealing.
If I’m going to spend the money on a pair of Birkenstocks, I want to spend five minutes here and there maintaining them so they stay nice.
My Simple Birkenstock Care Routine
You really don’t need to make this complicated.
Here’s what I do:
Every few wears:
Brush dirt or dust from suede.
As needed:
Spot-clean suede or leather appropriately.
When the cork starts looking dry:
Apply cork sealer.
Occasionally:
Apply a suede/leather water and stain protector.
If they get wet:
Let them air-dry naturally.
Before storing for a season:
Clean them, make sure they’re completely dry and store them somewhere dry and temperature-controlled.
That’s it.
No elaborate shoe-maintenance ritual required.
My Birkenstock Care Essentials
1. Birkenstock Cork Sealer
This is the product I think Birkenstock owners especially need to know about.
Shop here:
It helps protect the exposed cork from drying and becoming brittle.
2. Suede Care
If you own suede Birkenstocks, having a suede brush and appropriate suede-care product is incredibly helpful.
Shop here:
3. Water & Stain Protection
Especially useful for suede and nubuck.
Use it before the shoes become badly stained rather than waiting until after.
Can Birkenstocks Really Last for Years?
They absolutely can last much longer when they are properly cared for, although obviously every person’s wear pattern is different.
Someone who walks several miles a day in the same pair is going to wear through a sole faster than someone who rotates shoes.
Your walking surface, foot shape, gait and how often you wear the shoes all matter.
But maintaining the cork and upper is one of the easiest ways to give your shoes the best chance of lasting.
And one of the interesting things about Birkenstocks is that many traditional styles can also be repaired or resoled by shoe-repair specialists rather than automatically being thrown away when part of the shoe wears out.
That makes spending a little more on a classic pair feel more reasonable to me.
Are Birkenstocks Worth It?
For me, yes — especially if you’re someone who actually wears them all the time.
I don’t think a shoe is worth buying simply because it’s popular.
But if you love the support, comfort and style of Birkenstocks and will wear them constantly, I think they are one of those purchases where buying fewer and taking better care of them makes sense.
Instead of buying several inexpensive sandals every summer, consider finding one neutral pair you absolutely love.
Then find one cold-weather pair for fall and winter.
Take care of the suede.
Protect the cork.
Keep them away from extreme heat.
Don’t soak them in water.
And keep wearing them.
Sometimes a more expensive purchase becomes economical simply because you stop replacing it.
Shop My Birkenstock Care Products
Birkenstock Cork Sealer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM9WGVLC?tag=everydaywho06-20
Suede/Birkenstock Care:
https://link.amazon/B06oRoDuN
As an Amazon Associate, Everyday Wholesome may earn from qualifying purchases.
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