Hi. I was wondering if anyone else has had the problem of their Birkenstock Super Birki clogs turning from white to yellow? I have had mine for 3 months and worn them only about 3 times and when I got them out of the closet to wear a few days ago they were yellow all over and had big bands of brown on them, kind of like that self-tanning stuff that turns you orange!
I am a student, and am required to wear white shoes. It really upsets me that I paid so much for them and now I can't even wear them b/c they look really tacky!
Some nurses at my clinical rotation last week said that they knew people this had happened to and they were able to exchange them b/c it was a defect in manufacturing. However, when I tried to exchange them at the store today, she wouldn't hear of it!
If anyone else had this problem, please let me know how you handled it.
If they are anything like Anywheres poly white shoes they will and do turn yellow. I have yet to see a pair white ones that didnt. Mine did. It had something to do with the antibacteral chemical added to the poly. Now as far as care if I recall correctly with the Anywheres they reccommended washing them in the dish washer, taking out the insoles first. The rep that I bought mine from at the time said that it worked better than the washing machine and that the chlorine in most dishwasher detergents would help keep them white longer. It also works to disinfect them- of note I never did this as I thought it was kind of gross to wash something I wear on my feet anyplace near where I washed anything I eat with.
Again though she said that the heat and the chlorine would kill anything I might worry about.
Also looking at the Birki web site it doesnt even look like you can get that particular clog in white anymore.
Specializes in Tele, Home Health, MICU, CTICU, LTC.
I would definitely call Birkenstock. Then I would never go to that store again. I am on my 3rd pair of Birks and I have never had problems like that. Usually they will bend over backwards to make them perfect.
i don't own birkenstocks BUT do have nsg shoes made of polyurethane and they have yellowed alot.
so i don't think it's the birkenstocks but for the fact that they're polyurethane. and they're impossible to get white again. even when i polish them, it's as if they're impermeable to the polish.
If they are anything like Anywheres poly white shoes they will and do turn yellow. I have yet to see a pair white ones that didnt. Mine did. It had something to do with the antibacteral chemical added to the poly. Now as far as care if I recall correctly with the Anywheres they reccommended washing them in the dish washer, taking out the insoles first. The rep that I bought mine from at the time said that it worked better than the washing machine and that the chlorine in most dishwasher detergents would help keep them white longer. It also works to disinfect them- of note I never did this as I thought it was kind of gross to wash something I wear on my feet anyplace near where I washed anything I eat with.
Again though she said that the heat and the chlorine would kill anything I might worry about.
Also looking at the Birki web site it doesnt even look like you can get that particular clog in white anymore.
Rj
That could very well be the problem, Rj. I still think they should tell people that before they purchase them if it happens a lot! Then maybe I could have prevented it with bleach like you said.
Your dishwasher comment made me think of that episode of CSI where the well-to-do suburban couples had swapping parties and she had that whole dishwasher full of toys. Anyone else see it?
Ok, back to the shoes. I also checked the website and noticed that too. I didn't even see them in the store when I went back in. I wonder if they stopped making them in white because of this problem? Interesting....
I also have white leather Birkenstocks for work, and they've yet to show any signs of yellowing in the 3+ years I've had them. They're in bad need of a re-sole though! :) But they are super comfortable for work, and their 'loose' fit helps keep my feet from sweating, unlike most athletic shoes.
My co-workers are always agog over how much they cost me, but then I ask them how many pairs of shoes they've gone through in the 3+ years I've had my Birks. Even with the $30 resoling that was done about a year and 1/2 ago, mine ended up being cheaper in the long run.
I also have white leather Birkenstocks for work, and they've yet to show any signs of yellowing in the 3+ years I've had them. They're in bad need of a re-sole though! :) But they are super comfortable for work, and their 'loose' fit helps keep my feet from sweating, unlike most athletic shoes.
My co-workers are always agog over how much they cost me, but then I ask them how many pairs of shoes they've gone through in the 3+ years I've had my Birks. Even with the $30 resoling that was done about a year and 1/2 ago, mine ended up being cheaper in the long run.
I agree 100%! My first pair was bought in 1998, and the poor things have been beaten to death. The $175 I paid for them is a bargain!
I currently have a pair of leather Dansko clogs. Personally I wont go back to the poly shoe as the support just isnt there for a 12 shift. I work ED/critical care so there isnt alot of sit time. My advice is to do a search of this forum and you will find lots of footwear/foot care posts.
Anyone else see it? 
rjflyn, ASN, RN
1,240 Posts
If they are anything like Anywheres poly white shoes they will and do turn yellow. I have yet to see a pair white ones that didnt. Mine did. It had something to do with the antibacteral chemical added to the poly. Now as far as care if I recall correctly with the Anywheres they reccommended washing them in the dish washer, taking out the insoles first. The rep that I bought mine from at the time said that it worked better than the washing machine and that the chlorine in most dishwasher detergents would help keep them white longer. It also works to disinfect them- of note I never did this as I thought it was kind of gross to wash something I wear on my feet anyplace near where I washed anything I eat with.
Again though she said that the heat and the chlorine would kill anything I might worry about.
Also looking at the Birki web site it doesnt even look like you can get that particular clog in white anymore.
Rj