If you're referring to putting them in the washing machine/laundering them, it's not necessary. I think that's the #1 reason why people's pads delaminate and wear out prematurely. If you spur your pads(foam/wool), they don't need anything else. You can go 1 step further and invest in a pad washer (5 gallon bucket type), but pads don't need to be washed. A lot of people feel the need to wash them, especially when they use the same one with different products. 1 pad should be dedicated to 1 product, and should never be used with anything else. That's why I mark the back of each pad with permanent marker. It can really make a difference.