If you wash it with soap, don't use the bar directly on the pad. I found a few ways to clean pads, and tried them on an old qck and my older puretrak talent. The soap got deep into the pad, took a lot to take it out, didn't even feel any better than it did before.
I heard of people putting it in a washing machine, then a dryer (watch out it doesn't get too hot so the bottom melts). I haven't done it, but the method I did was shit.
Ever since I used soap on my qck the surface has not been the same. Luckily I don't find the new surface disagreeable.
I suppose I should have used a lot less soap.. but you need something to pick up the dirt. Water doesn't cut it.
Maybe if you hosed it down with a really powerful hose gun, I don't know. I used the gun thingy in the sink. It wasn't enough.
Also when the rubber back gets wet it makes it smell like rubber everywhere, especially if you have it in the dryer and makes your fingers smell all rubbery for like 3 days. It's not a problem just well, I don't even know why I mention it. Too late now hitting the Post button..
Sweat is what makes the pad unreliable, gluey and causes all sorts of problems. I put it on the corner of the bath and wash it thoroughly with the shower head (not sure if that's the correct term), use some generic soap shower gel and just rub the hell out of it with either my hands or a sponge.
I usually do it with wamish-hot water (not too warm, the glue might get "damaged"), so the grease is eliminated successfully.
I feel you pal. I know now whenever the pad isn't as smooth as I like it as flick rails just aren't as easy and doing 360's takes effort with high sens.
soap does nothing bad with these pads, but put some on sponge rather than attacking the pad with a truck load of soapbars, also best drying method is direct sunlight