While the weather of late would have you believe that we’re in the middle of an Arctic winter, there’s no denying (or hoping) that the warmer weather and the stunning sunshine are just around the corner.
That means one thing and one thing only – sandal season is nearly upon us. Despite the bitter cold, schuh reported a 30% year-on-year uplift in sandal sales during the last week in February.
Let’s suppose, however, you bought a pair of BIRKENSTOCK sandals last summer. (Yes, they’re a great choice, as they look good, they offer terrific support, and chances are they’re probably the most comfortable pair of sandals you’ll ever slip your feet into.)
But you stowed them away as the sun went down on the brighter days of 2022, and they haven’t seen the light since.
And now, you’re going to be wearing them a lot – so they need a good clean and some all-important TLC. Where do you start?
Luckily, we’ve prepared a handy guide on how to clean Birkenstock sandals so you can keep them looking fresh all summer long – like a noughties hit by Kid Rock!
Did you know Birkenstocks can be cleaned using lukewarm water, bicarbonate of soda, and a little bit of elbow grease? Follow this, our step-by-step guide to cleaning your favourite Birkenstock sandals.
Cleaning your Birkenstocks
What you’ll need:
- Water
- Mixing bowl
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Suede cleaning brush
- Toothbrush
- Cloth
- Sponge
The first step: Remove excess dirt
- Call upon the suede cleaning brush to gently brush both soles to remove surface dirt.
The second step: Make your mixture
- Mix bicarbonate of soda and water to roughly 2 parts bicarbonate of soda to 1 part water (the paste should be quite thick).
The third step: Apply the paste
- Apply to the footbeds using the toothbrush in circular motions.
- Avoid the exposed cork sides.
- Cover thoroughly.
The fourth step: Clean using the sponge
- Remove all the mixture.
- Don’t over saturate with water.
The fifth step: Dab dry with the cloth
- Leave to dry in a cool place (drying in direct sunlight can crack the cork soles).
- Finally, use the suede brush again to soften the soles.
There you have it – a simple guide on rejuvenating your sandals ahead of the curve. Now all that’s left to do is wait for the sunshine!
Images: Unsplash