Birkenstock Care & Repairs

 

CARING FOR UPPER MATERIALS

 

Leather

  • Apply a good quality clear or colour active cream polish regularly to remove scuff marks and keep the leather supple.

Suede or nubuck

  • Apply a liquid colour conditioner to nourish the leather and a silicone based waterproofing spray to protect from staining. Use a suede brush to remove surface dust.

Birko-Flor

  • Wipe Birko-Flor uppers clean with a damp cloth.

Do not immerse in water

  • Your shoes should not be immersed in water as the leather will become hard and brittle. The glues and sealants will dissolve in water. Salt water is corrosive so you should rinse the buckles whenever they have been exposed to salt water. The buckles and rivets can be replaced. Sandals and clogs come with a protective sealant called Cork-Care. This sealant is water soluble and will wear off in time.

 

 

CARING FOR CORK

 

Cork-Care

  • Cork-Care should be applied to prevent your Birkenstock Footbeds from drying out. When the cork no longer looks shiny, apply a thin coat of Cork-Care. Do not be alarmed by cracks which appear where the foot bends. This is an indication that the shoe is adapting to your walking pattern. These cracks are superficial and can be repaired.

    Please inspect your cork footbeds regularly. If cracks appear apply cork sealant as described above. If small pieces of cork start to chip out take your shoes to a Birkenstock workshop as this should be repaired immediately. If the cork breaks down too far the only option is to replace the entire footbed including the EVA sole unit. This is called recycling.

Repairing the soles

  • The heels and tips of your shoes should be replaced before you start wearing into the cork. It is possible to replace the entire sole unit this should be done when you have worn through the tread pattern under the ball of your foot.

Heat Warning

  • Both the cork and the soles of your Birkenstocks can be damaged by exposure to concentrated heat. Do not leave your shoes in closed cars on warm days and keep them away from radiators and fireplaces. If your shoes become wet, allow them to dry slowly, away from direct heat.

 

 

CARING FOR FOOTBEDS

 

  • The footbed is constructed of layers of jute and cork covered in a suede lining. The footbed is designed to absorb moisture from your feet. It is recommended to air your footbeds regularly to prevent a build up of odours which occur from excess moisture.

Removable footbeds

  • Many designs come with a removable footbed. If you wear these every day of the week, the footbeds will retain a lot of moisture. It is recommended to remove the footbeds regularly for airing. Replacement footbeds are available from your Birkenstock retailer giving you the option to alternate between pairs. Whenever you bring your shoes for repair please remember to leave the footbed in your shoes as this will aid in the speed and accuracy of the repair.

 

 

BIRKI'S

 

Super Birki's

  • Super Birki's are allround clogs made of Alpro-foam. The clog is washable up to 65°C and the insole is washable up to 30°C. The cork footbed is removable in order to wash the shoes. N.B. soles are not repairable on these shoes.

Profi Birki's

  • Profi Birki's are designed for use in professional kitchens or in places where a lot of water may be used. Both the footbed and the shoe can be washed. The clog is washable up to 65°C and the insole is washable up to 30°C. Do not wash in a washing machine or dishwasher and avoid using harsh detergents.

    Please Note: Although Birkenstock buys only the highest quality leather and test it for colourfastness, any dyed leather will shed some colour. Please be very careful with delicate or light-coloured socks, especially when your shoes are new!

 

 

REPAIRS

 

How to

  • Becoming attached to your favourite Birkenstock pair of shoes is quite understandable.

    As people's feet differ, so too does the wear of their Birkenstocks. For those who wear the heels and tips of their shoes first, heel and toe tab replacements are available. These should be replaced when there is less than 1cm of the sole left in these areas, while the rest of the sole has little wear on it. For those who are particularly hard on their heels, hardwearing heel tabs are also available, which will further extend the life of your shoes. When the soles are worn evenly to less than 1cm, it is time for a complete sole replacement. Sole replacements are available for sandals as well as shoes. Please note that both the footbed and soles of Birkenstock shoes can be damaged by exposure to extreme heat. Do not leave them in a hot car in summer, and if they become wet, dry them out slowly, away from direct heat, never directly in front of a heater.

    Birkenstocks with an exposed cork footbed, may require cork repair due to general wear over time. This is achieved by using heat moldable cork, which we build up and grind to the original shape of the footbed. To extend the life of your cork footbed we suggest you maintain this with a light covering of cork sealant.

    For all your repairs and repair related enquiries please contact your local shoe repairer.