As UC Berkeley students, we need comfortable shoes to hike up to campus within 10 minutes. We at the Clog have noticed that many students around campus slip into their beloved Birkenstocks or other types of similar shoes that are trendy and cozy. But we’ve also noticed that some of them aren’t as clean as they could be — maybe some of us wear these shoes every single day. So, if you’re embarrassed to take off your shoes because of the dark footprint stain on your shoes — fear no more, we’ve got you. Here’s an effortless way to turn your worn favorites into almost-new shoes in just one day.

Materials:

• Dirty pair of Birkenstocks or any other similar type of shoe
• Baking soda
• An old toothbrush

Instructions:

• Put 1/2 cup of baking soda into a container and add just enough water so that it turns into a paste.
• Scoop less than 1/4 of the mixture onto one of the shoes and start rubbing it in circular motions from heel to toe.
• Grab an old toothbrush — or your current toothbrush if it’s time to replace it — and continue scrubbing the footbed.
• Rinse under the sink with a wet rag or the same toothbrush to remove all the baking soda. Do not submerge your shoes in water.
• Repeat this with the other shoe.
• After both shoes have been cleaned once, take the remaining paste and spread it evenly onto the footbeds. Let the paste sit overnight.
• In the morning, rinse again and using the same toothbrush, scrub until you’re satisfied with the result.
• Pat the sandals with an old towel, set them to dry, and you’ll be walking around town with a clean pair of Birkenstocks in no time!