How to Clean Shoe Insoles (Foam, Leather, Gel & Orthotic)

To clean shoe insoles, take them out of your shoes and hand-wash them with warm water and a little mild soap using a soft brush, then air-dry them fully — never with heat. Foam, gel and fabric insoles can all be gently scrubbed this way; leather insoles get only a barely-damp wipe, never a soak; and orthotic or custom insoles should be wiped, not machine-washed. For smell, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the dry insole and leave it overnight. The two rules that save insoles: keep water to a minimum, and keep them away from radiators, tumble dryers and hairdryers, which melt the adhesive and make the layers peel apart.

Insoles take a daily beating of sweat, dead skin and bacteria — which is exactly why shoes start to smell — yet most people never clean them until they reek. The good news is that a proper clean takes minutes and dramatically cuts odour. This guide covers the safe method for every insole type (foam, memory foam, gel, fabric, leather, cork footbeds and orthotics), how to kill the smell for good, how to dry them without ruining them, and when to simply replace them.

What type of insole do you have?

Nearly all insoles wash the same gentle way — but leather and cork are the exceptions that get ruined by water. Check yours before you start.

Whatever the type, the drying rule is universal: air-dry only, away from heat. More on that below, because it’s the step that quietly destroys the most insoles.

How to clean foam, gel and fabric insoles

This is the method for the vast majority of insoles — the foam, gel and fabric ones in trainers, work boots and everyday shoes:

1. Take the insoles out of your shoes. Always clean them separately — never leave them in.
2. Knock off loose dirt and, if they’re dusty, vacuum or tap them out.
3. Mix warm water with a little mild soap or washing-up liquid. Dip a soft brush, old toothbrush or cloth and gently scrub both sides, working up a light lather. For grimy trainer insoles, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water helps lift dirt and odour.
4. Wipe or lightly rinse off the suds with a clean damp cloth. Don’t soak them — waterlogged foam takes forever to dry and can break down.
5. Press out excess water in a towel (don’t wring memory foam hard — you can damage its structure).
6. Air-dry completely — ideally overnight or up to 24 hours — before putting them back.

For a deeper clean on very smelly gym or work insoles, you can let them sit in the soapy water a few minutes, but foam should never be left to soak for long. If you clean the insoles because the whole shoe smells, it’s worth cleaning the shoes too — our guide to cleaning football boots uses the same take-them-apart, air-dry approach.

How to clean leather insoles

Leather insoles — common in smart shoes, brogues and quality boots — are the opposite of foam: water is the enemy. Soaking or rinsing leather makes it stiffen, crack, curl and smell worse, and it may never dry properly.

1. Wipe with a barely-damp cloth — just slightly moistened with water and, if needed, a tiny drop of mild soap. Use the minimum liquid possible.
2. Wipe off the soap with a second cloth dampened with plain water, then immediately pat dry.
3. Air-dry away from heat. Once fully dry, a little leather conditioner keeps the leather supple.
4. For smell, let them dry fully then sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on top overnight and dust it off — don’t try to wash the odour out with water.

Cork footbeds (Birkenstock-style) follow the same low-moisture logic: wipe the footbed with a slightly damp cloth or a suede brush for the top, but keep water off the cork itself, as soaking it causes it to crumble.

How to clean orthotic and custom insoles

Custom orthotics from a podiatrist are an expensive, precisely-shaped bit of kit, so treat them gently and never put them anywhere near a washing machine:

• Wipe with a damp cloth and a little mild soap — the hard or semi-rigid shell and the top cover both just need wiping, not soaking.
• Rinse the cloth, not the orthotic, and wipe off the soap; then pat dry and air-dry fully.
• No machine washing, no soaking, no solvents or harsh chemicals — they can warp the shell, dissolve adhesives and change the shape that was made for your foot.
• For odour, use bicarbonate of soda overnight once dry, or a light spritz of a diluted vinegar solution wiped off — but always follow the advice that came with your orthotics.

Because orthotics sit against your skin all day, wipe them down regularly rather than waiting for a smell — a quick wipe a couple of times a week keeps them fresh and lasts far longer than an occasional deep clean.

How to get rid of smelly insoles

Insole smell is bacteria feeding on trapped sweat. Cleaning removes most of it; these tricks kill the rest:

• Bicarbonate of soda (the best trick): once the insole is clean and fully dry, sprinkle a layer of bicarb over it and leave overnight. Dust it off in the morning — it absorbs moisture and neutralises odour.
• Bicarb in the shoe: tip a spoonful into the shoe overnight between wears to keep both shoe and insole fresh.
• Diluted white vinegar: wipe smelly synthetic insoles with a 50/50 water-vinegar cloth, then wipe clean and dry. Vinegar tackles odour-causing bacteria (skip on leather).
• Dry them properly: most smell is trapped moisture. Always let insoles and shoes dry fully between wears, and rotate shoes so each pair gets a day off.
• Surgical spirit on a cloth can be dabbed on synthetic insoles to kill bacteria fast, then air-dried.

How to dry insoles without ruining them

This is the step that quietly wrecks more insoles than any other. Never use direct heat. Hairdryers, tumble dryers, radiators and hot airing cupboards soften the glue that holds insoles together, causing the layers to separate and the foam to harden or crumble.

• Air-dry at room temperature on a towel, turning once, for up to 24 hours until bone dry.
• Speed it up safely by standing them upright in front of a fan or in a well-ventilated spot — moving air, not heat.
• Stuff shoes with newspaper to dry them in parallel, so you’re not putting damp insoles back into damp shoes.
• Never put damp insoles back in shoes — that’s how the smell and bacteria come straight back.

Can you put insoles in the washing machine?

It’s not recommended for any insole. The machine’s agitation, heat and spin break down foam, dissolve adhesives and can permanently deform orthotics and memory foam. Hand-washing takes only a couple of minutes and is far gentler. If you’re truly set on it, only ever consider it for basic flat fabric insoles, in a mesh bag on a cold delicate cycle — but even then, air-dry them and accept they may not last as long. For anything moulded, leather, gel or custom, hand-wash only.

How often to clean and when to replace insoles

Give insoles a quick wipe or bicarb refresh every week or two if you wear them daily, and a proper wash monthly — more often for gym, work or sweaty-feet use. But cleaning can’t revive a worn-out insole. Replace them when the cushioning is flattened and no longer springs back, the top layer is peeling or crumbling, they smell even after cleaning and drying, or your feet ache more than they used to. As a rough guide, everyday foam insoles last around 6–12 months of regular wear, and custom orthotics last a few years but should be checked by your podiatrist.

Mistakes that ruin insoles

• Drying with heat — radiators, hairdryers and tumble dryers melt the adhesive and separate the layers. The single biggest killer.
• Soaking foam or leather — waterlogged insoles may never dry properly and can fall apart.
• Rinsing leather or wetting cork — both are damaged by water; wipe only.
• Machine-washing orthotics — warps the moulded shape you paid for.
• Harsh chemicals, bleach or solvents — degrade materials and irritate skin.
• Putting them back damp — brings the smell and bacteria straight back.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean shoe insoles?

Take them out of your shoes, scrub both sides gently with warm water and a little mild soap using a soft brush, wipe off the suds and air-dry them completely before putting them back. Foam, gel and fabric insoles can all be washed this way; leather insoles get only a barely-damp wipe; orthotics should be wiped, not machine-washed. Never dry any insole with heat.

How do you clean insoles of shoes without removing them?

It’s much better to remove them, but if they’re glued in, wipe the top surface with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then wipe with a clean damp cloth and blot dry. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the dry insole overnight to tackle odour. Stuff the shoe with newspaper to help it dry, and never soak a shoe with fixed insoles.

Can you wash insoles in the washing machine?

It’s not recommended. Machine agitation, heat and spin break down foam, dissolve adhesives and can deform orthotics and memory foam. Hand-washing is quick and far safer. At most, a plain flat fabric insole could go in a mesh bag on a cold delicate cycle, but always air-dry it afterwards and expect a shorter lifespan.

How do you get the smell out of insoles?

Clean and dry them first, then sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the insole and leave it overnight before dusting off — it absorbs moisture and neutralises odour. For synthetic insoles you can also wipe with diluted white vinegar or dab surgical spirit to kill bacteria. Above all, dry insoles and shoes fully between wears and rotate your shoes, because most smell is trapped moisture.

How do you clean leather insoles?

Wipe them with a barely-damp cloth using the minimum water possible and, if needed, a tiny drop of mild soap, then wipe off with a clean damp cloth and pat dry. Never soak or rinse leather — it stiffens, cracks and curls. Air-dry away from heat, condition the leather once dry, and use bicarbonate of soda rather than water to deal with any smell.

How do you clean orthotic insoles?

Wipe them with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, wipe off with a clean damp cloth and air-dry fully. Never machine-wash, soak or use solvents on orthotics — it can warp the moulded shape and dissolve the adhesives. Deodorise with bicarbonate of soda once dry, and always follow the care advice from your podiatrist.

How do you dry insoles quickly?

Use moving air, not heat. Press out excess water in a towel, then stand the insoles upright in front of a fan or in a well-ventilated room. Avoid radiators, hairdryers and tumble dryers, which soften the adhesive and separate the layers. Most insoles need up to 24 hours to dry fully, so wash them when you won’t need them the same day.

How do you clean white insoles that have gone yellow?

Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little water, scrub it gently into the discoloured areas with a soft brush, leave for a few minutes, then wipe off and air-dry. A drop of mild soap helps too. Avoid bleach, which can damage the foam and rarely fully restores the white — and remember yellowing is often permanent staining from sweat, so cleaning fades it rather than erasing it.

How often should you replace insoles?

Everyday foam insoles typically last 6–12 months of regular wear; replace them sooner if the cushioning has flattened and won’t spring back, the top layer is peeling, or they smell even after cleaning. Custom orthotics last several years but should be reviewed by your podiatrist, who can recover or replace the top cover when it wears.

For more footwear care, see our guides on how to clean football boots and how to clean ear plugs for another sweat-and-bacteria item worth keeping fresh.