Washing Karhu sneakers: Instructions

Whether it's Karhu Fusion 2.0 , Legacy, Synchron, or Aria – with the right care, your Karhu sneakers will stay clean, retain their shape, and stay colorfast for longer. Key factors are understanding the materials, using gentle cleaners, and drying correctly. As a general rule, hand washing is the gentlest method; machine washing is only suitable for robust fabrics and should be done with caution. Always check the care instructions on the shoe, clean only specific areas instead of soaking the entire shoe, and avoid heat to protect adhesives, molds, and colors. You can find model and material details in the Karhu brand overview .

Important before starting: Check and prepare your equipment

Many Karhu uppers combine mesh/textile with suede or smooth leather overlays. Treat each area appropriately for the material. Test cleaners on an inconspicuous area and work from light to dark to avoid color transfer. Preparation saves time and minimizes water contact. You can find more background information on material quality here: Robustness and durability of Karhu sneakers .

• Remove coarse dirt: Brush off dry dust and dirt with a soft brush or microfiber cloth.
• Remove the inner lining and insoles: Clean them separately so you can better access the seams and tongue.
• Prepare the following tools: soft and medium-hard brush, microfiber cloths, mild liquid detergent or sneaker cleaner, bowl of lukewarm water.
• Do not completely soak: Use foam and damp cloths instead of drenching the shoes.

Properly cleaning shoes and insoles

Clean insoles and vamps make the whole sneaker look fresher and reduce odors. Treat them separately from the shoe to prevent the upper and glued parts from getting unnecessarily wet.

• Hand washing of veterinary scarves: Soak in lukewarm water with a little mild detergent for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub with your hand or a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and air dry. For white veterinary scarves, you can use a paste made of baking soda and water, let it sit briefly, and then rinse.
• Washing instructions for Veters in the washing machine: Place in a laundry bag or pillowcase, delicate cycle at 30°C, low spin speed. No bleach. Then air dry, do not tumble dry.
• Insoles: Never put them in the washing machine. Instead, spot clean them with a slightly damp cloth and a drop of mild cleaner. For stronger odors, sprinkle them briefly with baking soda, let it sit for 2 to 3 hours, and then shake out the excess. Allow the insoles to air dry completely before putting them back in your shoes.
• If all else fails: Replace badly frayed or hardened suede and damaged insoles. This will protect the shoe and your comfort.

Should Karhu sneakers be washed in the washing machine - yes or no?

The safe answer: Hand wash if possible. Gentle machine washing can work for purely textile or synthetic uppers, but carries risks such as loosened glue, deformed heel counters, or color loss. Leather, suede, and nubuck should not go in the washing machine. You can find a detailed explanation here: Karhu Sneakers in the Washing Machine: Yes or No?

DOS

• Program: Delicate wash or wool program at 30°C, gentle spin 400 to 600 rpm or spin off.
• Protection: Place shoes in a laundry net and add 2 to 3 towels to cushion impacts.
• Quantity: Maximum one pair per wash cycle, wash veters separately in a net.
• Detergent: Mild liquid detergent without bleach, no fabric softener.
• Pre-treatment: Brush off coarse dirt beforehand, loosen stains in spots with foam.

Don'ts

• No leather, suede, nubuck: These materials must be treated by hand.
• No heat: No 40°C program, no dryer, no heating during drying.
• Do not soak: Do not soak shoes in water beforehand and do not subject them to high spin speeds.
• No harsh cleaners: No bleach, no aggressive household cleaner, no dishwashing liquid in the machine.

Material-specific hand wash

Textile and mesh

Karhu textile uppers respond well to gentle foam rather than a lot of water. Mix lukewarm water with a squirt of mild liquid detergent or sneaker cleaner, work the solution into a lather with a soft brush, and start with small sections. Brush in circular motions, immediately wipe away the loosened dirt with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, and repeat until the fabric is clean. Avoid getting water into seams and toe caps. You can clean edges on the midsole and outsole with a medium-stiff brush. Finally, wipe with a fresh, only slightly damp cloth to remove any detergent residue. Shape the shoe and loosely stuff it with clean paper to help it retain its shape. For iconic models like the Karhu Legacy 96 , it's better to work patiently in small sections than to soak large areas.

Smooth leather

Smooth leather needs little water and a special leather cleaner or a mild soapy solution. Lightly dampen a soft cloth, apply some cleaner, and wipe away dirt without applying pressure. A separate, slightly stiffer brush is sufficient for the edges of the sole. Carefully remove stubborn rubber marks on the leather with a leather eraser. Wipe dry immediately afterward. Optionally, work in a very thin layer of leather conditioner to keep the leather supple. Never soak or machine wash.

Suede and nubuck

Always start cleaning suede and nubuck dry. Use a suede brush to brush the fibers in one direction to loosen dust. Gently rub away any shiny spots or stains with a nubuck or crepe eraser. Only if necessary, lightly dampen the area with a specially formulated suede cleaner. Avoid soaking the surface, as this will cause water stains. After cleaning, brush the fibers again to restore the characteristic feel. Then allow the suede to dry thoroughly and protect it with a suitable waterproofing spray.

Drying without deformation

After cleaning, remove moisture with a microfiber cloth and stuff the shoe with paper. Change the paper every few hours until the moisture is gone. Always dry at room temperature, in a well-ventilated area, away from heaters, direct sunlight, and dryers. Insert shoe trees only when the upper is almost dry to maintain its shape without creating pressure points.

Impregnation and protection

Once the shoes are completely dry, protect them with a waterproofing spray suitable for the material. Apply a thin coat from a distance of 20 to 30 cm; two to three light coats with short breaks in between are more effective than one thick coat. For suede and nubuck, choose only products specifically designed for these materials. Reapply regularly, especially after rain or intensive cleaning. Waterproofing reduces water absorption and slows down dirt adhesion, making the next cleaning quicker.

FAQs

Can I wash Karhu shoes in the washing machine?

Only machine wash pure textile or synthetic uppers on a gentle cycle. Leather, suede, and nubuck should not go in the washing machine. Even with textiles, there remains a risk of damage to adhesives and molded parts. Hand washing is usually the safer option.

Which washing machine program is best for sneakers?

Wash delicate or wool items at 30°C, spin at a low speed of 400 to 600 rpm, place shoes in a mesh laundry bag with 2 to 3 towels as a buffer. Use liquid detergent without bleach, no fabric softener.

What's the best way to wash sneakers?

By hand: brush off coarse dirt, remove veters and insoles, use foam made from lukewarm water and mild cleaner, clean section by section with a soft brush, wipe with a damp cloth, dry gently and then impregnate.

How often should I wash my sneakers?

Clean as infrequently as possible, as often as necessary. Treat stains immediately and brush regularly with a dry brush. Only clean thoroughly when visibly soiled. Waterproofing helps extend the intervals between cleanings.

How do I clean white Karhu sneakers?

Clean white textile surfaces with a gentle foam and a soft brush; clean sole edges with a medium-stiff brush or a melamine foam eraser. Do not use chlorine bleach. A baking soda and water paste works well for Veters shoes. Use only mild leather cleaner on white leather. Brush and eraser white suede exclusively with a dry cloth, using water only minimally and precisely.

With proper care, your Karhu sneakers will look fresh for longer. If you're looking for new models, you'll find them here: Buy Karhu sneakers .