How to Clean White Sole Birkenstocks | Shoe Care & Cleaning Tips

How to clean White Sole Birkenstocks

Rainbow Garden Stroll in White Sole Birkenstock Arizonas

Stepping into color and comfort. White sole Birkenstock Arizonas paired with vibrant leggings and a rainbow rock garden remind me that Birks are the perfect canvas for every season of life.

My only pair of white sold Birkenstocks that remain as of 2025

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Why White Sole Birkenstocks Get Dirty (and How to Fix It)

I received an email from someone on the East Coast who had recently purchased a pair of Gizeh’s with a white footbed.  This person was reluctant to wear them out of the house without first knowing if the white soles could be cleaned.  She said the floor model at Bloomingdales showed soil spots.  The reader was concerned that if the white soles looked dirty simply from people trying the shoes indoors, that the dirt would only be magnified from outdoor walking.

This person scoured the internet to find instructions on how to clean white sole Birkenstocks.  She could not find any instructions online.  Information may be lacking on this topic because Birkenstocks made with white soles are a fairly new item sold in the US.  Hence, she emailed me for advice on how to keep the white soles looking white.

Testing Different Methods to Clean White Sole Birkenstocks

I was up for the challenge.  My red Arizona’s have white soles and I was noticing how filthy the white appeared.

Dirty White Sole Birkenstocks Before Cleaning

A close-up of Birkenstock sandals with white soles showing soil spots and buildup before cleaning.

In the past, I would occasionally wipe the white area clean with a baby wipe.  Even with intermittent cleaning, there was still a build up over time.  Like my reader, I also could not find instructions on how to clean the white portion of the Birkenstock soles.  Therefore, I tried to create a cleaning solution with items I had at home.  

How to Use Oxi Clean Gel and Baking Soda to Whiten Birkenstock Soles

I tried cleaning with dish soap.  That didn’t work, so I tried Borax.  Even with Borax, the white still looked filthy.  I had a idea.  I had recently cleaned a stroller by brushing on Oxi Clean Gel.  After I applied the gel to the stroller fabric, I rinsed it with soap and water.  The Oxi Clean Gel worked like a charm on the fabric.  The stroller looked like new after my first cleaning attempt.

If Oxi Clean Gel could remove gnarly stains from a stroller, I was confident that it would spruce up the white on the soles of my Birkenstocks.  I used an old toothbrush and applied a thin layer of Oxi-Gel.   I let the gel sit for 5 minutes.  While the gel worked its magic, I made a paste of dish soap, baking soda, and water.  At the 5 minute mark, I brushed the paste on to the white soles.  This helped to remove the gel and acted as a second level of cleaning and whitening for the soles.  Then, I took a wet cloth and wiped the solution off.  The shoes were set aside to dry overnight.  I was amazed with the results.  The white soles of my Birkenstocks looked as good as new.

Easy DIY Method to Clean White Sole Birkenstocks at Home

Below is my video showing how to clean the white soles on your Birkenstocks:

How to Remove Dirt and Stains from White Sole Birkenstocks

Clean white soles on Birkenstock sandals after a DIY cleaning method with Oxi Clean Gel and baking soda.

Items Needed To Clean White Sole Birkenstocks. Items you have in home: Baking Soda, dawn dish soap, and oxi clean gel

Cleaning Items Needed:

1. Baking Soda

2. Dish soap

3. Toothbrush

4. Spoon

5. Bowl

6. Water

7. Towel

8. Oxi Clean Gel

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How To Clean the White Soles Of Your Birkenstocks:

1. Use a toothbrush to apply a thin layer of Oxi Clean Gel to the white area on your shoes.

2. Let gel sit 5 minutes.

3. Mix together 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda and 1 teaspoon of dish soap.

4. Add enough water to make a thick paste with the Baking Soda and the dish soap.

5. Stir the mixture well.  

5. Use a toothbrush and scrub the paste on to the white soles.

6. Wipe the footbed with a clean wet towel.

7. Let the shoes dry overnight.

8. Do not place the shoes in the sunlight or near direct heat.

White Sole Birkenstocks: Cleaning Results That Look Like New
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This is a before and after picture of the white soles:

Before and After Cleaning White Sole Birkenstocks

Side-by-side comparison showing Birkenstock white soles before cleaning (dirty) and after cleaning (restored to bright white).

Keep Your White Sole Birkenstocks Fresh and Stylish with Regular Care

It took me about 10-15 minutes to thoroughly clean the white soles of my Birkenstocks.  By using household products, I did not have to purchase anything new to clean the soles.  Don’t be hesitant to purchase a pair of Birkenstocks with white soles for fear of them looking dirty over time.  With a little elbow grease, you can make a pair of white sole Birkenstocks look as good as new in no time.

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Related Reads: Birkenstock Care, Break-In & Creative Hacks
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love exploring more of my Birkenstock (and beyond) guides that cover everything from care tips to bold DIY projects:

• How to Break-In Your Birkenstocks – Learn the step-by-step process to soften straps, mold the footbed, and transform stiff sandals into all-day comfort.
• How to Care For Your Birkenstocks – My complete care guide covering leather, suede, nubuck, Birko-Flor, and EVA—plus tips on sealing cork and freshening up footbeds.
• How to Break In Leather Birkenstock Straps – Tricks to soften stiff leather straps with coconut oil, sanding, and a sock hack for hotspot relief.
• How to Clean Nubuck Uppers – A simple routine to keep velvety nubuck Birks fresh with erasers, brushes, and stain guard sprays.
• How to Clean Birkenstocks with Birko Flor Uppers – Why Birko Flor is the perfect low-maintenance material for vacations, and how to clean it in seconds.
• How to Dye Leather Birkenstocks – My DIY experiment that turned peeling metallic Arizonas into bold red beauties using leather dye.
• How To Change The Color Of Leather Birkenstocks – A faster, cream-based method to transform plain sandals into bold, custom-colored Birks.
• How to Fix Squeaky Leather Solovair Derby Boots – A bonus non-Birk post: how I fell in love with Solovair boots and solved the dreaded squeak while still rocking my Birkenstock insoles.
• How to Break-In Dr. Martens, the Birkenstock Way – My crossover experiment comparing the break-in process of Docs to Birks, with hacks to survive the pain.
  
  
  

👉 Whether you’re breaking in, cleaning, customizing, or even dyeing your sandals, these reads are packed with practical advice and real-life experiments to help you get the most out of your Birkenstocks.

​If you are a visual learner, don’t miss my Videos Page, where I show step-by-step Birkenstock care, break-in, and styling tips in action.

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