How to Clean Orthotic Inserts: Safe Methods and How Often

Orthotic inserts work hard—soaking up sweat and friction in a tight, dark space. It’s no surprise they can smell, discolor, or feel slick. The problem? Common “quick fixes” like tossing them in the washer, soaking them, or using harsh cleaners can warp shells, crack top covers, or trap moisture. For people with diabetes or sensitive skin, poor insole hygiene can even raise infection risk.

The good news: a gentle, consistent routine keeps them clean and safe. With a few household items and 10–15 minutes, you can remove grime, reduce bacteria, and stop odors—without flattening foam or loosening glue. The keys are simple: know the material, use mild soap and lukewarm water, avoid soaking, disinfect wisely, and dry completely.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to clean and deodorize orthotic inserts, what to use (and what to avoid), and how often to do it. We’ll cover proper drying, ways to extend lifespan, when to replace, and special care for leather, cork, heat-molded, and non-removable insoles. Ready to keep your orthotics fresh and supportive? Let’s begin.

Step 1. Know your orthotic material and read care instructions

Before you decide how to clean orthotic inserts, identify what they’re made of and follow the maker’s or clinic’s care guide. Most custom devices combine a plastic/composite shell with a fabric or leather top cover. These materials dislike soaking and high heat—both can warp shells, loosen glue, and damage covers. When in doubt, choose the conservative approach: mild soap, lukewarm water, a damp cloth, and thorough air-drying laid flat.

• Plastic/composite with fabric cover: Hand clean with mild soap and water; avoid full submersion and protect glued edges.
• Leather top covers: Use minimal water and a gentle wipe; air dry completely—water can damage leather and adhesives.
• Heat-molded/thermoformed: Keep away from heaters, dryers, and direct high heat to prevent deformation.
• All types: Skip washing machines and dryers; air-dry only in a well-ventilated area.

Step 2. Gather safe cleaning supplies

Set out gentle, non-damaging supplies so you can work quickly and avoid soaking. Skip bleach, solvent cleaners, and machine-washing; they can deform shells and loosen glue. These are the only basics you need to clean orthotic inserts safely.

• Mild liquid hand or dish soap
• Lukewarm water in a small bowl
• Soft cloth or sponge, plus a soft-bristle brush (old toothbrush)
• Clean towel or microfiber for drying
• Spray bottle for a 1:1 water–vinegar or diluted alcohol solution
• Baking soda for deodorizing

Step 3. Remove the inserts and pre-clean debris

Remove the orthotics from your shoes before you clean orthotic inserts so you can reach all surfaces and avoid wetting the shoe. Dry-prep first—loose grit can scratch top covers once wet. Tap the inserts together, then hold them over a bin to shake off dirt and lint.

• Brush: Use a soft-bristle brush to lift dust along covers and heel cups.
• Inspect: Note any lifted edges; don’t pull or pry at adhesives.
• Wipe: Address sticky spots with a barely damp cloth, keeping seams dry.

Step 4. Hand-wash with mild soap and water (no soaking)

This is the safest, most effective way to clean orthotic inserts without deforming them. Keep water contact brief and controlled—soaking can warp plastic shells, loosen adhesives, and damage leather or fabric covers. Use lukewarm water and a gentle touch.

1. Mix a mild solution: Add a few drops of gentle dish or hand soap to lukewarm water.
2. Dampen, don’t drench: Dip a soft cloth or sponge and wring it out well.
3. Gently scrub: Wipe in small circles across the top cover; focus on heel and forefoot where sweat concentrates. Clean the underside, too.
4. Protect seams: Avoid saturating glued edges and any lifted areas.
5. Rinse by wiping: Use a second cloth dampened with clean water to remove soap residue.
6. Blot dry: Pat with a towel to remove surface moisture, then set aside flat to air-dry before disinfecting or deodorizing.

Step 5. Disinfect without damaging the materials

Once surface grime is gone, disinfect gently—no soaking, no harsh chemicals, and no high heat. Use light mists or wipes, keep glue lines as dry as possible, and always spot-test colored fabrics. Bleach and strong solvents can degrade covers and adhesives, so avoid them. Let the inserts air-dry completely before reinserting.

• Vinegar solution (1:1 water:white vinegar): Lightly mist or wipe both sides, then air-dry. This natural deodorizer helps reduce bacteria.
• Rubbing alcohol (1:1 water:isopropyl): Mist or wipe sparingly to sanitize; allow to dry. Useful on plastic/composite shells—spot-test fabrics.
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%): Dab or lightly spritz to target bacteria; use sparingly and spot-test to avoid lightening dyes.
• Disinfectant soap wipe: A damp cloth with disinfectant soap and lukewarm water cleans and freshens without oversaturating materials.

Optional: a brief period in indirect sunlight can assist with drying and surface bacteria—avoid hot dashboards, radiators, and direct high heat.

Step 6. Deodorize and lift stubborn stains

After you clean orthotic inserts and lightly disinfect, tackle any lingering odor or marks with low-moisture, spot-only methods. Keep applications targeted, avoid soaking seams or leather, and always spot-test dyed fabrics. Most odors respond to dry deodorizers; most stains lift with gentle acids or alcohol used sparingly.

• Baking soda (overnight): Sprinkle a light layer, let sit 6–12 hours, then brush off. Excellent for odor control.
• Baking soda paste: Mix 2 parts baking soda : 1 part water to a thick paste; rub onto stains, wait 10–15 minutes, then wipe clean.
• Vinegar solution (1:1): Dab onto stains or odor zones, wait 10–15 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth; helps neutralize smells.
• Isopropyl alcohol (spot only): For ink/scuffs on plastics or covers, dab with a cotton ball, then wipe with clean water.
• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (optional): Spot-treat light fabrics only; may lighten dyes—test first, use sparingly, and wipe residue.

Step 7. Dry completely the right way

Drying is what keeps clean orthotic inserts from turning musty or misshapen. After washing or disinfecting, remove as much moisture as possible, then air-dry fully. Avoid machines, radiators, and direct high heat, which can warp shells, loosen glue, and damage leather. Keep them flat in a well-ventilated area and let airflow—not heat—do the work.

• Blot first: Pat both sides with a clean towel to remove surface moisture.
• Air-dry flat: Set in an open, ventilated spot; keep out of direct sun. A brief stint in indirect sunlight is fine.
• Use airflow, not heat: Place near a fan or by a ventilated A/C stream; don’t cover or stack them.
• Confirm dryness: Edges and glue lines must feel fully dry and cool to the touch before reinserting.

Step 8. Maintain freshness between cleans (shoe care and foot hygiene)

Keeping odor at bay starts with daily habits that limit moisture. Sweat and trapped dampness feed odor-causing bacteria, so give inserts and shoes time to dry fully after wear. Simple, low-moisture steps between deep cleans will help your orthotics stay fresh longer and reduce how often you need to clean orthotic inserts.

• Air them out: Remove inserts after wear and let them dry for a few hours in a ventilated spot.
• Use baking soda: Lightly sprinkle on inserts or inside shoes overnight; brush off before use.
• Sun assist (brief): Short periods in indirect sunlight can aid drying and surface freshness; avoid high heat.
• Keep shoes dry: Place near a fan or A/C stream; never on radiators or heaters.

Step 9. How often to clean—and when to replace

Air out inserts after every wear and wipe them down whenever they feel damp or look soiled. Do a gentle hand-wash and thorough air-dry at least once a month; clean sooner after sweaty workouts or if odor appears. Most orthotics last about 2–3 years, with some lasting up to five depending on use and care.

• Routine schedule: Air out daily; spot-wipe as needed; perform a monthly hand-wash (no soaking).
• Replace when you notice: Loss of shape or cushioning, peeling top covers or loose glue lines, cracks in the shell, or odor that returns quickly after proper cleaning.
• Clinical cue: If support feels “flat” and your foot pain returns, it’s time to reassess or replace.

Step 10. What to avoid to keep orthotics in shape

Preserve structure and adhesives by avoiding shortcuts that saturate, overheat, or abrade your orthotics. These mistakes can warp plastic shells, delaminate top covers, and lock odors deeper into foam. Especially with leather or heat-molded devices, one misstep can undo the precise fit you rely on—so skip the “quick fixes” below.

• Washing machines/dryers: Deforms shape and loosens glue.
• Soaking/submerging: Traps moisture; risks warping and mold.
• High heat: No radiators, hair dryers, hot cars, or direct sun.
• Harsh chemicals: Skip bleach, solvents, undiluted alcohol or peroxide.
• Aggressive scrubbing/wringing: Avoid stiff brushes, scouring pads, twisting inserts.
• Reinserting damp: Never store or wear before fully dry.

Step 11. Special cases: leather, cork, heat-molded, and non-removable insoles

Some orthotics need small tweaks so cleaning doesn’t damage covers or change their shape. Prioritize minimal moisture, gentle wipes, and zero heat. Always spot-test dyed fabrics and keep glue lines as dry as possible.

• Leather top covers: Use a barely damp cloth with mild soap; no soaking. Skip alcohol and peroxide; rely on baking soda overnight for odor. Air-dry flat away from heat.
• Cork footbeds: Wipe with a lightly damp, soapy cloth; avoid submersion. Deodorize with baking soda; use a brief vinegar dab only if needed, then wipe clean and air-dry.
• Heat-molded/thermoformed: Keep far from heaters, dryers, and hot cars. Clean quickly with lukewarm water and mild soap on a damp cloth; disinfect with diluted wipes; dry with moving air only.
• Non-removable insoles: Spot-clean in-shoe with a lightly damp, soapy cloth; don’t saturate the shoe. Lightly mist 1:1 water–vinegar (or diluted alcohol) and air-dry with the shoe open. Use baking soda overnight for odor.

Step 12. When to contact a podiatrist or get replacements

Orthotics are medical devices—if they stop feeling supportive, pain returns, or your skin shows irritation, don’t wait. A quick check can prevent bigger problems and ensure your inserts still match your feet and activity level.

• Persistent odor or dampness even after proper cleaning.
• Visible damage: peeling covers, cracks, compressed foam, or a warped shell.
• Pain changes: heel/arch/knee pain, balance issues, new calluses or blisters.
• Diabetes/neuropathy: any redness, hot spot, or wound—seek same‑day care.
• Timing/growth: after growth spurts (kids) or about every 2–3 years (adults), or sooner with heavy use or heat/water damage.

Key takeaways

A safe clean is simple: remove debris, hand‑wash briefly with mild soap, lightly disinfect, deodorize only as needed, then air‑dry flat until fully dry. Done routinely, this preserves shape, reduces bacteria and odor, and keeps support consistent—especially important for active users and people with diabetes.

• Keep it gentle: Hand‑wash with mild soap and lukewarm water; no soaking.
• Disinfect smart: Use 1:1 water–vinegar or diluted alcohol/peroxide; spot‑test; skip bleach.
• Deodorize dry: Baking soda overnight; use a baking‑soda paste or brief vinegar dab for stains.
• Dry right: Blot, air‑dry flat with airflow; avoid heaters, dryers, hot cars, and direct sun.
• Stay on schedule: Air out daily; wipe as needed; do a monthly wash (more after sweaty use).
• Watch for red flags: Persistent odor, peeling covers, cracks, warping, or returning pain.

Need personalized guidance or replacements? Schedule care with the podiatry team at Achilles Foot and Ankle Center.