While you may love Birkenstocks, you must have noticed that they become dirty easily. And nobody enjoys wearing stained shoes.
I have been buying Birkenstocks for a long time now, and my husband and I enjoy wearing them on a daily basis. But I have noticed that they catch stains easily, especially the suede and the leather ones. Moreover, they turn black, which naturally looks very unattractive.
However, my husband told me that there are ways to take care of these shoes and prevent them from turning black.
And the first thing that needs to be kept in mind in this regard is that these shoes have to be taken care of often. So, make sure that you keep a watch on them after coming home, especially true if it has been raining outside and you have walked through muddy lanes and waterlogged streets.
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I am going to tell you all about why do Birkenstocks turn black? I will also share all that I know about the cleaning process so that you can deal with the already dirty ones.
Read on!
The accumulation of dirt and mud overtime is one of the main reasons why Birkenstocks Turn Black.
Mud can also get into your shoes and settle on the surface. If you allow grime and dirt to stay on the surface for days, then removing the stains can become a problem. Hence, my husband and I both wipe our shoes well after walking on grassy or muddy terrain. If you wipe the dirt off immediately, then it will not settle on the surface, and any stain will come off easily.
Besides, these shoes can turn black because of the oils that are released by your feet. If your feet sweat a lot or you have been walking for a long time, there might be a lot of “oil release”, which can cause shoes to turn darker.
Now that I have told you about the black stains and what causes them, let me tell you how to remove the stubborn ones. But remember that you will need to follow the right technique.
First of all, take a big bowl and mix about two cups of baking soda with double the amount of water and stir well.
Next, you will need to add a soapy formula, and for this, it is best to add some dishwashing gel. Add around two spoonfuls of gel into the bowl and give the solution a nice stir.
Grab a toothbrush or a scrubber. If you have an old toothbrush lying around, that will do the job well, and you will not have to spend anything on it. Dip the brush in the bowl with water, soda, and dishwasher liquid.
Once it is wet, take the brush and scrub the bed of the shoes. If necessary, you can also pour some of the soapy liquid directly on the shoe and then use your brush. Move the brush in circular motions and don’t exert too much pressure.
You will soon see that the dirt is coming off. Once that happens, leave the solution as is on the shoes for around 10-12 hours. This will help the soap and baking soda reach deep into the soles of shoes and bring out any remaining dirt. After half a day, wipe the entire footbed with a damp napkin. Clean all the soap off, and you will find that the surface is not dark anymore.
As the final step, allow the Birkenstocks to air dry for a day. It might also take around a week to dry if the weather is humid. So, keep them outdoors under a shade where they will also receive ample sunlight.
If dirt has accumulated on the shoe’s surface, then it can lead to stains on your feet too, which usually happens if the suede is not cleaned often. To prevent this from happening, you will need a brush to clean the dirt and debris. Use a leather cleaner with a brush, and that should take out the stains. Then, use a cloth to wipe the surface well and let it dry overnight.
In case the shoe is made of leather and not suede, then you will need more cleaner. Spread it well on the surface and scrub well. Then wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth and let it dry. My husband always polishes the leather once dry, and they look as good as new.
Here, I will advise you to try getting off the dirt with a mild soap with no fragrance. You would want to use the least amount of chemicals for your Birks to prevent discoloration. Also, white shoes will need special attention as they are the most susceptible to stains.
In case your shoes have faced a lot of damage, then it is best to get the soles replaced. You can contact the company and ask them for suitable replacements. And once you have your new soles, take care of them, and they should last long.
Also, if you are purchasing leather shoes, try not to get them drenched while cleaning. Now some parts will need to be dampened with a leather cleaner but try your best to use as little water as possible. And don’t forget to dry your shoes well.
Moreover, keep your shoes in a cool place away from moisture and heat to increase their longevity.
With this, I have reached the end of this guide, and you can let me know about your experience in the comment section below. Bye and take care!
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