# Birkenstocks
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 20, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089 "2004-04-20T20:03:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mithgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithgard)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089/1 "2004-04-20T20:03:50Z")
How in the hell does one go about cleaning the insides of the Birkenstocks? I have had my sandals for over two years now, and lets face it, your feet get dirty, sweaty, etc, and all that stuff is bound to add up and start smelling Not so nice. Does anyone have any GOOD ideas as to the best way to clean them?
Thanks a bunch
-Mith
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### Author:  [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089/2 "2004-04-20T20:28:08Z")
Assuming the standard leather foot bed: saddle soap.
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### Author:  [@Mithgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithgard)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089/3 "2004-04-20T20:42:17Z")
And where would I find saddle soap (and stupid question-but what is saddle soap)???
Thx
-Mith
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### Author:  [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089/4 "2004-04-20T21:31:13Z")
Another option is to just get the footbeds replaced. If you wear your Birks anywhere near as much as I do, two years is more than enough to cause significant wear to the outer sole and cork. You should be able to bring your sandals in to the shop and get all that stuff replaced. You’ll pay for it, of course, but you end up with what’s essentially a new pair of sandals.
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### Author:  [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089/5 "2004-04-20T21:39:47Z")
It’s a mild soap compounded with neat’s-foot oil specifically formulated for cleaning and conditioning leather. Try the shoe store. Or a tack shop.
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### Author:  [@Mithgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithgard)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birkenstocks/241089/6 "2004-04-21T20:51:16Z")
Thanks a lot for the help ladies and gents 😃
Cheers