How to waterproof Birkenstocks? [Process & Precautions]
Even after more than two decades, Birkenstocks still impress people with their footwear. We might never root out the enigma of their timeless style and comfort, but we can certainly tell that it does not last long when exposed to water.
The cork footbed of the footwear on getting wet makes it defenseless against drying out, thereby chipping or cracking.
Although Birkenstocks are made from the best materials, their longevity is significantly reduced when wet.
Furthermore, Birkenstocks footwear is not something you can get for cheap. Hence, you must strive to take good care of them and save them from being ruined. And making your Birkenstocks waterproof is a part of maintaining them.
Fortunately, you can make your Birkenstocks footwear hydrophobic using some simple methods, and this post will assist you through every step for successful waterproofing.
Are Birkenstocks Waterproof?
While some water-friendly Birkenstocks footwears are available, most of their footwear is not ideal for prolonged exposure to water.
Over-saturation will indeed compromise the longevity and performance of the footwear. Not only that, but it might also affect the look and the finish of the footwear.
Their footwear is made from cork material. Though it has some natural water-resistant properties, over time, it can get ruined by water. However, with adequate care and waterproofing, you can make them suitable for wearing in the rain.
If you properly waterproof your Birkenstocks footwear, you will only need to air dry them if they get wet, and they will be ready to use again. If you are not sure how you can make them waterproof, you can explore the given methods:
How To Waterproof Birkenstocks Using Beeswax?
Beeswax is a natural product produced by bees from pollen oil. It has natural water-repelling virtue. Rubbing it on your Birkenstocks footwear will form a hydrophobic layer on it. This will save the cork from absorbing water.
Moreover, beeswax is not an expensive product. You can use this method for most Birkenstocks footwear except suede. Note that you will need to apply a fresh layer of beeswax after cleaning your footwear several times.
Required Items
- Beeswax bar
- Cleaning solution
- Footwear cleaning brush
- Microfiber towel
- Clean cloths
- Baking powder (optional)
- Petroleum jelly (optional)
- Small brush
- Blow dryer
Step-by-Step Process
1. Clean the footwear
Start by cleaning your Birkenstocks footwear. The cleaning method you should pick depends on the kind of footwear you have. Given below are cleaning methods for different types of footwear:
Birko-Flor and Birkibuc: These type of Birkenstocks are easy to clean. Just use a wet cloth or towel to wipe the footwear and use soap and water for tough stains.
Leather: To clean nubuck, oil, or patent leather, use a leather cleaning solution specially designed for the type of leather you have. Use a soft brush or damp towel and gently scrub in a circular motion. Then use a clean towel to wipe the footwear. This will remove all the dirt and grimes from your favorite footwear.
If your patent leather footwear has some scuff marks, take petroleum jelly on a microfiber towel and gently rub it on the footwear. Let the petroleum jelly stay for about 20 minutes before wiping using another dry and clean microfiber towel.
EVA: EVA is the easiest to clean. Just wipe the entire footwear with a damp cloth. If there are some tough stains, use any cleaning solution to wash them off.
2. Clean the footbed
If the footbed looks smudgy, you should consider cleaning it too. To clean the footbed:
- Use a mix of water and baking powder.
- Take a suede brush and gently scrub the footbed.
- Leave the baking powder paste on the footbed overnight and wipe with a damp cloth the following day.
After thoroughly cleaning the footwear, give it at least 24 hours to dry.
3.  Apply beeswax
Take a generous amount of beeswax for shoes on a cloth and rub it on the footwear. Make sure you cover the entire shoe with wax.
Blow dry the wax
The next step is melting the wax for it properly adhere to the footwear’s surface. Were it for any other shoes, you could use the blow dryer on high temp, but Birkenstocks footwear, especially the ones made from leather, should not be exposed to high temp.
Use the blow dryer in a low temp setting. This will make the process time-consuming but ensure that there is no damage done to the footwear.
4. Perform a test
Pour a small amount of water in multiple places to ensure that there is no spot left uncovered. If there is any spot left, apply the wax. Once the entire footwear is sealed, let it sit for at least a day before wearing it outdoors.
Precautions
- Be careful not to use the blow dryer at high temp as it may affect the finish and look of the footwear.
- While cleaning footwear with fleece, make sure it does not get very wet as it can result in drying out.
How To Waterproof Birkenstocks Using Waterproof Spray?
A waterproof spray is almost a universal option to waterproof anything. Out of the different types of sprays available, silicone and water-based are the most suitable for Birkenstocks. Spraying a coat of water or silicon-based spray creates a water barrier.
This barrier prevents the surface from absorbing water, thereby allowing you to step in puddles all you want.
This method is especially suitable for delicate materials like nubuck or suede. A waterproof spray coat can last as long as three months. However, its longevity may change depending on how often you wear footwear.
Required Items
- Suede brush
- Suede eraser
- White vinegar
- Microfiber cloth
- Cornstarch (optional)
- Water or silicon-based waterproof spray for suede or nubuck
Step-by-Step Process
1. Prep the footwear
As a rule of thumb, you should always start by cleaning the footwear. Suede, being a delicate material, needs proper handling and special tools.
Scrub well with a suede brush in the direction of grains first. This will remove the loose dust and grime accumulated on the footwear.
For tough stains, use a suede eraser. You can buy a suede brush and eraser kit if you do not have them already. If the stain lingers, dap the stain with a towel dipped in white vinegar.
To remove oil, if any, apply cornstarch on the stain and leave for drying. After a few hours, brush with a suede brush to remove cornstarch.
2. Apply the spray-on waterproof coat
Gently sprinkle or spray water on footwear to make it slightly damp. Now apply the waterproof spray.
There are many excellent waterproof sprays for nubuck and suede shoes. However, if you are not sure which one to buy, we recommend the Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Waterproof spray.
Maintain a distance of six to seven inches from the footwear while spraying. Once the entire footwear has been sprayed on, leave it for drying.
3. Apply another coat if needed
While a second is not a compulsion, it is strongly recommended. Once the initial coat is dry to touch, you can spray another coat in a similar manner as the first one and leave the footwear to air dry for a day or two before exposing it to water.
Precautions
- Do not use any kind of direct heat, whether direct sunlight or a blow dryer, to dry the footwear. It is so because Birkenstock footwear, especially their suede collection, will get spoiled due to extreme temperatures.
- Do not scrub the white vinegar on the footwear harshly as it may damage the delicate finish of suede.
How To Waterproof Birkenstocks Using Cork Sealant?
The signature Birkenstocks footwear has a cork surface that can be easily damaged with water. The Birkenstocks cork sandals usually have a cork base while the strap is made from PVC which is already a waterproof material.
While the manufacturer applies cork sealant on such footwear, it does wear down with time. Hence, if you plan to use your Birkenstock footwear on a rainy day, it is recommended to refresh the cork sealant to preserve the footwear.
The cork sealant will inhibit the water from coming in contact with the cork, thereby preventing drying out.
Required Items
- Cork sealant
- Cleaning solution for footwear
- Small brush
- Microfiber towel
- White vinegar
- Sandpaper (optional)
| Photo | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Birkenstock Womens Shoes Deluxe Shoe Care Kit, White, 53 EU/One Size M US | Check Price On Amazon |
 | Angelus Easy Cleaner 8 Oz. (Pack of 2) | Check Price On Amazon |
Step-by-Step Process
1. Create a washing solution
Similar to other methods, the first step is always cleaning the footwear thoroughly, especially the cork. For this, you will need to create a washing solution by mixing any mild cleaning solution and half of the cup vinegar in half-gallon lukewarm water.
Swirl well to create the washing solution. You can also sand the cork if stains persist even after using the washing solution.Â
2. Wipe with a microfiber towel
Dip a clean microfiber towel in the washing solution but do not saturate the towel. Wipe the footwear with a damp cloth to remove the dirt, mold, and light stains.
For tougher stains, use a small brush dipped in the cleaning solution and gently scrub the cork surface, occasionally washing the brush to ensure you are not just smearing the dirt.
Scrub the footwear one last time with clean and lukewarm water. After cleaning, let the footwear dry. The cork can take a day or two to dry, hence, do not apply the cork sealant before it has been completely dried.
3. Apply cork sealant
The final step is applying the cork sealer. You can get a liquid cork sealer that comes with a brush for easy application, or you can get a roll-on. If you are not sure which cork sealer to buy, you can pick the Birkenstocks cork sealer kit.
Apply the sealer on the cork and let it dry. It might appear white on application, but as it dries, it will become clear.
Once the first coat is completely dry, proceed to apply the second coat if you wish. Leave the sealant to cure for a day or two before wearing your footwear outdoors.
Precautions
- Sand the cork lightly to avoid abrasions or damage.
- Do not use a blow dryer to hasten the drying process.
How To Waterproof Birkenstocks Using Mink Oil?
Mink oil, like wax, is a water-repelling substance and has been used for conditioning and waterproofing footwear for a long time. Applying it to your Birkenstocks footwear will make it hydrophobic.
Thus, the water will bead up and run off rather than being absorbed by the footwear. It is recommended for suede and leather footwear. Note that you will need to apply mink oil again after using the footwear several wears.
Required Items
- Mink oil
- Microfiber cloths
- Sponge or clean cloth
- Cleaning solution for footwear
- Brush
- Suede scrub and eraser (optional)
- White vinegar (optional)
- Cornstarch (optional)
Step-by-Step Process
1. Clean the footwear
Depending on the material of footwear you have, use a suitable method to clean it. For instance, for suede footwear, start by scrubbing the footwear gently with a suede brush in the direction of grains. This will remove the loose dust and grime deposits.
For stubborn stains, you can use a suede eraser. For oil or grease stains, apply a cornstarch and leave for drying.
After a few hours, brush off the extra cornstarch with a suede brush. If there are stains that could not be removed by the above methods, wipe the stains with a towel dipped in white vinegar.
For leather footwear, use a leather cleaning solution and a brush to scrub in a circular motion. Next, wipe the footwear with a clean towel. After washing, leave the footwear for drying.
2. Patch test
Rub a small amount of mink oil on a tiny area. Wait for a few minutes, then check that the area does not look discolorated. If everything looks satisfactory, you can proceed to apply mink oil to the entire footwear.
3. Apply mink oil
Take mink oil on a clean cloth and rub it on the footwear. Remember, less is more, and you do not have to create a thick layer of mink oil. Once the entire footwear is covered, let it sit for five to ten minutes to absorb the oil.
4. Remove extra mink oil
Take a clean cloth and lightly wipe the footwear to remove excess mink oil.
5. Apply another coat
If you feel that your footwear needs more waterproofing or conditioning, you can apply another coat of mink oil twenty-four hours after applying the first coat.
Precautions
- Mink oil can change the shape or appearance of leather. Hence, be cautious while applying.
- Few people advise heating the footwear with a blow dryer before applying mink oil for quicker absorption. However, we do not recommend this for Birkenstocks footwear as they do not do well with high temperatures.
Final Words:
Most Birkenstock footwear is not water-friendly. Even the manufacturer does not recommend wearing them in any place where there is a chance of water exposure.
However, if you follow our guide properly, you can tweak your favorite Birkenstocks footwear so that you can wear it even during the rain and increase their longevity.
