{"product_id":"birkenstock-clean","title":"Birkenstock Clean","description":"\u003cp\u003eBirkenstocks are not sneakers and cleaning them like sneakers is how they get wrecked. A classic Birkenstock is really three different cleaning jobs on one shoe, and each part has its own rule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost people assume the footbed is bare cork. It is not. The surface your foot sits on is a \u003cstrong\u003esuede leather liner\u003c\/strong\u003e. The cork is a cork-latex core underneath it, and the only cork you can actually see is the \u003cstrong\u003erim around the midsole\u003c\/strong\u003e. That distinction matters, because it is the exposed cork rim and its sealant that water destroys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow we clean them\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWe identify your model first.\u003c\/strong\u003e A classic cork Arizona and an Arizona EVA look similar to most people and have completely different rules, as do the Exquisite footbeds. Getting this wrong is what ruins a pair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever submerged, and never held under a running tap.\u003c\/strong\u003e Birkenstock’s own care guidance states that most styles “should not be immersed in water” and that “over saturation can compromise the integrity of the sealant materials.” Their own cleaner directions say “do not hold the shoe under running water.”\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuede and nubuck straps get the dry treatment,\u003c\/strong\u003e not soap and water. Birkenstock’s routine for these is a rubber nubuck brush and a lint-free cloth, napping the surface back up. Soap and water is what Birkenstock prescribes for \u003cem\u003eBirko-Flor\u003c\/em\u003e, their synthetic upper, and only that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe footbed liner is cleaned as the leather it is.\u003c\/strong\u003e On a standard suede-lined footbed that means leather shampoo and a small amount of water, which is Birkenstock’s own instruction. On an Exquisite or smooth-leather-lined footbed it means a damp cloth only, with no shampoo and nothing abrasive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe cork rim is checked and resealed where the finish has worn.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sealer goes on the cork and nowhere else. Birkenstock warns that it must not touch the footbed or the uppers, because it marks them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeodorised.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAir dried away from direct heat and sun.\u003c\/strong\u003e Birkenstock is clear that heat is a hazard to cork footbeds and EVA soles, so no radiators, no hairdryers, and not left in a hot car.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to expect\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dark footprint shape worn into the footbed is sweat and skin oil absorbed into the suede liner over years of wear. We can lighten it and we will get the pair looking considerably fresher, but on a well-worn pair some of that shading usually stays. Anyone promising you a footbed back to its original colour is overselling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSuede is an honest material and shows its age. We will tell you upfront if a mark is not coming out rather than take your money and hand back a disappointment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eResults vary with material, model, age and wear.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Sneaker Shack","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48344844927194,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/8668\/3354\/files\/tss-birkenstock-cleaning.webp?v=1786787576","url":"https:\/\/thesneakershack.co.za\/products\/birkenstock-clean","provider":"The Sneaker Shack","version":"1.0","type":"link"}