How to Clean and Boost Your Midsole for Maximum Comfort

What makes your shoes and footwear so comfortable is its midsole. It would not be wrong when state the midsole is solely responsible for comfort and providing your feet fantastic feel. However, even the strongest midsoles accumulate with dust, dirt, grime, soil, etc. due to regular walkthroughs and numerous treks of life.

Despite regular use, if you want to keep the midsole in optimal condition, you need to invest your time in midsoles cleaning regularly. Though this process doesn’t need much effort, learning how to clean and boost your midsole for maximum comfort remains undeniable.

What Common Materials Are Used In Midsoles?

Before we dive into the cleaning process, it’s essential to get an understanding of the materials used for manufacturing the midsoles. These are normally crafted from diverse materials, and each one has specific features and benefits. Some most common materials utilized in midsoles include the following:

• Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam: EVA foam is lightweight, flexible, and gives exceptional cushioning. It’s generally used in athletic and informal shoes for its shock-absorbing properties. 
• Polyurethane (PU) foam: PU foam gives durability and stability while presenting support and cushioning. It’s often found in performance footwear for sports like walking and trekking.
• TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane): TPU is a versatile material that mixes the numerous benefits of PU foam with delivered durability and responsiveness. It’s utilized in midsoles to decorate aid as well as strength.
• Air cushioning: Some midsoles feature air pockets or chambers packed with pressurized air to offer lightweight cushioning and impact absorption. This particular type is popular in athletic shoes, especially those designed for walking and basketball players. 
• Gel cushioning: Gel inserts or pockets inside the midsole offer targeted cushioning and shock absorption, especially in areas at risk of high effect. Gel cushioning is usually used in athletic and lifestyle shoes.
• TPU beads: TPU beads are tiny pellets that may be fused collectively to create a responsive and adaptive cushioning device. This type is regularly found in midsoles designed for greater comfort and guidance.
• Cork: Natural cork is utilized in midsoles for its lightweight, moisture-wicking, and antimicrobial properties. It works as a cushy and sustainable opportunity for standard foam materials.

Why Regular Maintenance Is Important?

Apart from knowing the materials, understanding why midsole cleaning is important is also worth considering when it comes to learning how to clean your midsole for maximum comfort.

• Preservation of Cushioning and Support: Over time, the buildup of dirt, debris, and moisture in the midsole can lead to the compression and degradation of cushioning materials such as gel inserts or EVA foam. Regular cleaning helps to keep these contaminants out of the midsole, preserving its ability to provide the optimum support and cushioning. 
• Prevention of Odor and Bacterial Growth: Within the midsole, perspiration, and moisture from the foot can foster the growth of bacteria and fungi. Frequent cleaning lowers the possibility of offensive odors and diseases associated with the feet by getting rid of bacteria and fungi that cause odors.
• Extended Lifespan of Footwear: By halting early wear and degradation of the midsole components, proper maintenance can increase the lifespan of your shoes. Your shoes’ overall longevity can be increased and abrasion can be reduced by maintaining a clean and debris-free midsole.
• Enhanced Comfort and Performance: A properly cared-for midsole enhances wearer comfort and performance. Having clean midsoles improves stability, energy return, and shock absorption so you may run, stroll, or do other activities with greater comfort and performance.  

How to Clean and Boost Your Midsole for Maximum Comfort

Now that we know how your comfort is directly related to the cleanliness and quality of your footwear’s midsole. Let’s dive into the following sections to learn more about the straightforward steps followed by boosting performance tricks and maintenance tips.

Thorough Cleaning Process: Essential Steps

Foremost, we’ll take a quick look at the thorough cleaning process. While performing these steps, you’ll need some tools. The list of tools may include these:

• Soft Brush
• Sneaker Cleaner 
• Water
• Sponges
• Old Toothbrush 
• Paper Towels 
• Sneaker Cleaning Kit (Optional)

Removing Surface Debris

For a thorough cleaning, you’ll need to address the surface debris first. Start by removing the shoe laces. Once removed you’ll get access to the midsole. You can use a toothbrush to sweep away the loose dirt particles. Crevices and edges must be cleaned with greater attention. 

Preparing Cleaning Solution

No matter whether you’re using normal detergents or any specialized cleansers, preparing the cleaning solution is your next step. Lukewarm water will be perfect for the cleaning solution. Ensure that the cleaning solution forms suds. Dipping a sponge or microfiber cloth into it will be beneficial for checking if the cleaning solution is fine or not.

Cleaning the Midsole

Use the same sponge to start scrubbing the midsole’s surface. While concentrating more on the areas that might have visible dirt particles, scrub all over the midsole in a circular motion. This will remove even the hardest stains and spots with ease. Applying a little pressure on such areas is not a bad idea. 

Rinsing and Drying

Once you’re satisfied with the scrubbing, use running water to rinse off the entire midsole. Make certain that excessive water doesn’t penetrate the midsole or else it will take longer to dry. A towel is suggested to use for pat dry the midsole. Don’t expose it to heat sources, instead, consider drying it in a properly ventilated place.

Also Read: How to Clean a KitchenAid Oven

Tips and Tricks : Boosting Midsole Performance

Once the midsoles are appropriately cleaned, their performance will automatically get a boost. However, you can also do this by using some boosting products. Well, boosting midsole performance consists of the following:

Identifying Wear Patterns

Whenever taking measures to boost the midsole performance, you first need to assess the wear patterns. Consider inspecting the entire midsole so that you can get an insight into the uneven wear or high-compression areas. This will help you know the exact condition of the cushioning properties. Balls of the foot, heels, arch areas, etc. are the most susceptible ones. 

Applying Boosting Products

After identifying the concerned areas, you need to choose the appropriate boosting product for revitalizing your midsole. The products might include cushioning gels, revitalizing sprays, and even foam inserts. You’re suggested to consider the manufacturer’s guidelines before choosing any boosting products to avoid uncertain outcomes. 

Massaging and Restoring

Once you’ve got the most appropriate boosting product suitable for your needs, use your palms or fingers to gently massage the midsole’s surface. The applied pressure must neither be excessive nor too low, ensuring that the particular boosting product penetrates inside the midsole. Allow it to set for a while so that it restores its pristine resilience.

Also Read: How to Clean a TubShroom

Additional Tips For Maintaining Long-Term Comfort

Midsole Cleaning and boosting its performance are just the initial steps to get long-term comfort. To attain that more effectively, you may consider some additional tips that will surely help you in the long run. They include:

• Your shoes will get extremely worn out when you wear the same shoe pair regularly. Rotating the shoes allows them to get some air circulation and protects the midsole from getting uneven wear. This helps in boosting the midsole’s lifespan and your comfort simultaneously. 
• Investing in shoe trees could be undeniably beneficial as they help to maintain the pristine shape and condition of the shoes and midsoles. These trees help absorb excessive moisture and bad odors resulting in comfortable wear for long.
• When you’re not using your shoes, consider storing them properly keeping away from heat sources and other environmental fluctuations. Don’t keep so many footwear in one place. Instead, consider giving separate storage bags or boxes to each pair. 
• Insoles also affect your shoes’ durability inappropriately. If your shoes have removable insoles consider replacements if you notice damage or reduced quality. Replacement will not only provide better comfort but also boost the appearance and longevity.
• If you wear your shoes in extreme weather conditions that are not meant for the same, then it can result in reduced quality and discomfort. In case, you’ve to deal with such weather conditions, make certain that your shoes are accurately cleaned and dried afterward.
• You can’t keep wearing the same shoes for an infinite period. So, know when you need to replace your shoes to avoid any issues or discomfort. Keep a check on uncertain possibilities including worn-out treads, higher compression of the midsole, etc. Once you start experiencing extreme discomfort, consider replacing the footwear. 

Final Thoughts:

Now that you’re done with each aspect of how to clean and boost your midsole for maximum comfort, you may rest assured that these things are not so tricky.

Abiding by some basic tips and tricks can make your midsole look and feel like new all over again. Maintenance and storage remain paramount while considering the midsole’s longevity and exceptional performance.