Washing Kuoma boots in the washing machine

Kuoma is the most popular brand of demi-season and winter shoes. Felt boots from a Finnish manufacturer perfectly retain heat even at an air temperature of -40 degrees, and spring models adapt to changeable weather, preventing your feet from sweating. At the same time, they are very light, comfortable and stylish.

The line also includes adult models, but children's Finnish felt boots are more popular. They are ideal for both very young and older children. Prudent mothers are wondering how to properly wash Kuoma boots in a washing machine, whether it is possible to throw a pair into the machine, or whether it is better to clean them by hand.

What kind of boots are these?

The brand sews winter and demi-season boots for children and adults, taking into account the anatomical features of the foot structure. In Russia, boots were nicknamed felt boots, as they retain heat perfectly even in the most severe frosts. Before washing Finnish shoes, you should figure out what materials they are made of.

Externally, the boots only vaguely resemble felt boots. Kuoms are more advanced; they have a high-quality rubber sole with a slight rise, firmly connected to the frame, protective rubberized inserts and reflective elements.

The outer surface of the boots is made of dense water-repellent material. The fabric does not allow moisture to pass through, but at the same time “breathes” perfectly, providing air circulation. Under the top covering there is a protective layer of heat-insulating plastic. Finnish felt boots are also impregnated with a special composition that protects them from contamination and getting wet.

High-strength polyurethane is used to make the soles of the boots.This material is able to withstand heavy loads without losing its shape. The inside of the Kuoma is lined with high-quality faux fur. The pile does not wear off, the edge is very wear-resistant. Natural sheepskin is used to make insoles. Usually, in the box with the product you can find spare warm “inserts” under the leg.

Choose your cleaning method carefully

Kuoms are not cheap shoes, so before deciding how to wash your boots, study the manufacturer's recommendations. New boots must have a label that provides basic care tips. Most Finnish felt boots are allowed to be machine washed, but for some models cleaning in a machine is still contraindicated.

If you wash Kuoms incorrectly, felt boots may lose their water-repellent, anti-dirt and heat-insulating properties.

This is why it is so important to study the product label. Most models are made entirely of synthetic materials, so both machine and hand wash are allowed.

Let's use the washing machine

If the manufacturer allows you to wash your shoes in a machine, then why not take advantage of this opportunity. This method is the simplest and most convenient. To ensure that Finnish felt boots do not lose their properties after washing, you need to take into account the basic recommendations for Kuom automatic washing. The sequence of actions should be like this:

• wash the sole, remove all dirt, remove stuck stones from the tread;
• take out the insoles, they will have to be washed by hand;
• put Kuomas in the machine. It is advisable to pack each boot in a special mesh bag for washing. Regular pillowcases are also suitable for these purposes;
• Load the washer with a counterweight to avoid unbalancing the drum.This could be tennis balls, laundry balls, an old towel or unwanted pants. The shade of the fabric should match the color of the shoes; this measure will prevent the shoes from staining;
• pour washing gel into the powder receptacle. You should avoid powders; they dissolve poorly in cool water and get stuck in the material. Stains may remain on the fabric;
• set the delicate mode or the “Wool” program. Make sure that the water heating temperature does not exceed 30-40°C;
• disable the spin option.

After checking the washing parameters, you can start the cycle. After the end of the program, all that remains is to take out the felt boots, shake off excess water and dry them in any available way.

Traditional care

If you have free time, you can wash Finnish shoes by hand. When there is little dirt and the stains are fresh, you can simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth. If the boots are very dirty and this treatment is not enough, proceed as follows:

• Clean the sole with a damp sponge, remove dirt and debris stuck in the tread;
• remove the insoles. They need to be washed separately;
• fill a basin with warm water (not hotter than 40°C), add gel or shavings of laundry soap, mix well until the product is completely dissolved;
• Immerse the boot in the soapy water and gently clean it. First of all, the inner fur is washed, then the outer surface is wiped with a sponge or cloth;
• rinse your shoes. The procedure is repeated until the water becomes clear.

Do not scrub your boots with force or use hard brushes - this will easily damage the fibers of the upper water-repellent material.

Insoles are washed separately.They are made of natural fur, so the cleaning requirements are slightly different than those of artificial materials. Sheepskin does not tolerate high temperatures. Therefore, fill a basin with cold water and dissolve washing gel, shampoo or regular liquid soap in it. Soak the items for 5 minutes, then wash off the dirt using gentle “wrinkling” movements. Afterwards, all that remains is to rinse the “liners” several times and dry.

Removing moisture from boots

It is equally important to properly dry Finnish felt boots. The manufacturer does not recommend accelerating the drying of Kuom using heating elements. Boots should not be placed on radiators, near heaters, blown with a hot hairdryer, or used in electric shoe dryers. It is necessary to allow the moisture to evaporate naturally.

First you need to let the water drain. Therefore, place the washed boots in a bathtub or in a basin, at an angle. Next, it is better to stuff the shoes with white paper; it will absorb moisture from the inside. You cannot use newspaper pages, otherwise the printing ink will leave marks on the material. Sheets should be changed when they get wet.

Due to the special shape of Finnish shoes and the breathable materials used in sewing, the boots dry very quickly. Therefore, no additional heat sources are required to speed up drying. If the weather permits, you can put wet boots stuffed with paper on the balcony.

It is recommended to treat dry Kuoms with a special impregnation, sold in shoe stores. The composition will restore the water- and dirt-repellent properties of the material, which may be partially lost after washing.

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