How To Clean Insoles Of Shoes: Simple 6 Step Guide

If your shoes need cleaning, you would be remiss if you neglected to clean out the most important part: the insole.

Learning how to clean shoe insoles will leave your shoes smelling fresh and looking new. 

What Are Insoles?

The insole of a shoe is the part inserted inside the shoe. This is the portion of the shoe that the bottom of your foot comes into contact with.

Also called footbeds, the insole is sometimes attached to the main structure of the shoe, and other times you get a shoe with a non-removable insole.

Some people use the insoles that come with a pair of shoes, and others prefer to purchase an insole and add it to the shoe of their choice.

Either way, it is important to keep the insole clean.

If you scrub away at the rest of the shoe and don’t clean the insole, your shoes won’t be clean.

Can You Wash the Insoles of Shoes?

Yes, you can (and should) wash the insole of your shoes.

This is true whether the insoles are removable or not removable.

The key to washing insoles is to do it by hand.

You should never put your insoles into a washing machine.

Taking good care of the insoles helps to keep them from warping or getting misshapen. 

Deep Clean Insoles in 6 Simple Steps

The best way to clean your insoles is to use soap and water.

Here are five easy steps to follow:

1. Fill a sink or basin with warm water (not hot water) 
2. Add a mild soap or liquid laundry detergent and mix well.
3. Gently scrub at the insoles with a soft brush/old toothbrush. Leather insoles should not be completely submerged. 
4. Rinse the insoles with clear water. You can use a clean cloth to wipe them clean of any soapy water. 
5. Dry the insoles completely before putting them back into the shoes.
6. Lay them out on a towel as they dry.

Can You Put Insoles in the Dryer?

You should not put any part of your running shoes into the dryer.

The dryer’s heat can warp your shoes and insoles, causing them to lose their shape.

You should air-dry shoes and not put them in extreme temperatures.

If you want to dry them more quickly, you can stuff newspapers into them.

Using Vinegar to Deodorize Insoles

Particularly stinky shoes might need to be deodorized.

Vinegar is an excellent way to remove odor from insoles.

• You can mix white vinegar with an equal part of water to kill odors.
• The insoles can be soaked in the water and vinegar mixture for 2-3 hours. 
• After a few hours have passed, thoroughly rinse the insoles to remove the vinegar.
• .After thoroughly rinsing the insoles, lay them out or hang them too dry.

To keep your shoes smelling fresh regularly, you can use vinegar for that as well.

• Mix an equal portion of vinegar and water and put it into a spray bottle.
• Spray a small amount into your shoes each time you take them off.

This will keep your shoes smelling great. 

Baking Soda to Clean Insoles

Did you know that you can shake baking soda into your shoes to remove the bad smell?

• Remove the insoles and put them into a large ziplock bag with baking soda.
• Shake the bag to mix it in with the insoles and let it sit overnight.
•  In the morning, empty the bag.
• Clap the insoles together to remove any loose baking soda that remains. 
• The insoles can be wiped clean with a wet cloth to remove any remaining baking soda.

Your insoles should smell much better now. 

Can You Spray Lysol in Your Shoes?

Don’t be tempted to spray a household deodorizer like Lysol into your shoes.

Use vinegar or baking soda instead.

Trust us on this.

Your smelly shoes will do just fine using something less harsh than a cleaning or disinfectant product. 

Keep ‘Em Clean

Stay ahead of the stink to keep your feet happy.

It is easy to let your shoes get dirty and yucky, but it also is not difficult to keep them smelling fresh and clean.

If you take some preemptive measures as described above, your shoes never have to get to the point where you are embarrassed to take them off when you enter a friend’s home!