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How to Wash Insoles — What Works and What Destroys Them

Post by Kenny Sanders

Jun 03 2026

Insole Care · Complete Washing Guide

Most people wash their insoles wrong — using methods that damage the foam, shrink the material, or barely touch the bacteria causing the odor. Here's exactly how to clean every type of insole correctly. And the approach that means you rarely need to.

When your insoles smell or look dirty, the instinct is to wash them. But insoles are not all made the same way, and the wrong cleaning method can do more damage than the odor itself — flattening memory foam, warping cork, cracking leather, or destroying the antimicrobial treatments that give premium insoles their odor resistance.

This guide covers the right way to clean every insole type — and introduces the approach that makes deep insole cleaning almost unnecessary.

NotSocks washable insole care guide

The Smarter Approach: Protect Before You Need to Clean

NotSocks™ wraps around your insole and intercepts sweat before it ever penetrates the foam. Machine wash NotSocks weekly — and your actual insoles almost never need cleaning at all.

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How to Wash Every Type of Insole

Insole Type	Machine Wash?	Hand Wash?	Best Method
Standard EVA Foam	⚠ Damages foam	✓ Gentle only	Mild soap, cold water, air dry flat
Memory Foam	✗ Destroys foam	✓ Very gentle	Damp cloth only — never submerge
Leather	✗ Never	✗ Avoid water	ACV wipe, dry cloth, leather conditioner
Cork (Birkenstock)	✗ Warps cork	✓ Surface only	Damp cloth on surface, never soak
Ortholite Foam	⚠ Check label	✓ Cold water	Hand wash cold, reshape, air dry flat
NotSocks™ Bamboo-Charcoal	✓✓ Machine safe	✓✓ Also fine	Gentle cycle, air dry — properties preserved

How to Hand Wash Foam Insoles Correctly

Use cold water only. Hot water accelerates foam breakdown. Always use cold or lukewarm water when hand washing foam insoles.
Mild soap only — no bleach, no harsh detergents. Bleach and strong detergents degrade foam polymers and destroy any antimicrobial treatments. A few drops of dish soap in cold water is sufficient.
Gently squeeze — never wring or twist. Wringing foam insoles causes structural damage. Gently squeeze excess water out without twisting.
Air dry flat — never in a dryer or direct sunlight. Heat from dryers and direct sun accelerates foam breakdown. Lay flat on a clean towel and allow to dry fully at room temperature — typically 24 hours.
Don't machine wash standard foam insoles. The agitation, spin cycle, and heat of machine washing damage foam cell structure — the insole comes out flatter and less supportive than it went in, even on a gentle cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put insoles in the washing machine?

It depends on the material. NotSocks bamboo-charcoal insole covers are specifically designed for machine washing and maintain their properties through hundreds of cycles. Standard foam and memory foam insoles should not be machine washed — hand wash only in cold water. Leather and cork insoles should never be fully submerged in water.

How do you clean smelly insoles?

For foam insoles: hand wash in cold water with mild soap. For leather insoles: wipe with a 50/50 apple cider vinegar and water solution on a cloth — this kills bacteria without water-damaging the leather. For either: once cleaned, install NotSocks to prevent recurrence.

How often should insoles be washed?

Standard insoles should be cleaned every 1–2 months, or when you notice odor developing. If you use NotSocks, washing the insoles themselves becomes largely unnecessary — washing NotSocks weekly removes the bacterial source before it ever reaches the insole foam.