The Art of Eco-Friendly Sneaker Rejuvenation
It's 2023 and there's no denying that many of us are trying to make more conscious decisions when it comes to curating our kick collection. With endless options for pre-loved heat flying under the radar, we're embracing the 'new to us' rather than always the brand new. People may overlook worn pairs thinking they're too far gone, but they’re easier to clean and bring back to life than you think, especially with the help of Sneaker LAB's eco-friendly lineup. With their Green Tag certification and biodegradable formulations, they make it simple to go green while keeping your new (to you) sneaks clean.
According to a recent report by , buying and wearing secondhand clothing would reduce carbon emissions by an average of 25 per cent. In the same report, they stated that if every consumer in the world bought just one secondhand piece as opposed to new, it would reduce carbon emissions by over 2 billion pounds (the equivalent of taking 76 million cars off the road).
With the sheer amount of secondhand shopping options ready and waiting for you to swipe your card, it’s never been easier to find pre-owned heat and make it look new again. So if you’re craving that new shoe feeling but want to shop responsibly, we’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide for secondhand sneaker restoration.
Thorough Inspection
Once you've perused, purchased, and received the secondhand sneaker, give them a thorough inspection to plan out what you’ll need and how to clean. Sometimes when you obtain a used pair in-hand, you'll be able to spot some unexpected stains and signs of wear. Don't fret, a few extra blemishes won't hinder your cleaning efforts! Sneaker LAB have a wide array of products to not only get your footwear looking immaculate, but to help them last longer too. Our Air Jordan 1 ‘Pollens’ were pretty beat when the postman dropped them off, with dirt and subtle stains covering most of the upper and plenty of superficial scuffs on the midsole.
The First Wipe
Sometimes all a well-used pair needs is a quick wipe, and that’s why we recommend hitting your latest cop with Sneaker LAB’s Sneaker Wipes first. Bolstered with the South African brand’s biological cleaning solution, this will remove any loose dirt and help you determine whether a deep clean is needed. In the case of our ‘Pollen’, the initial wipe helped remove a build up of surface level grime that had accumulated across the upper and midsole. While the top layer of dirt had been removed, we could go further and use other Sneaker LAB products to get our ‘Pollens’ in tip-top shape. If your sneaks look good after the first wipe, then go straight to the 'Always Wear Protection' step! But if they don’t, continue on....
Deserving of a Deep Clean
Now that you’ve decided your secondhand trainers need a deep clean, it's the perfect job for Sneaker LAB’s Basic Kit. For the ‘Pollens’, we started with a generous helping of the eco-friendly sneaker cleaner. Next up, we dipped the Premium Brush in water and cleaning solution, using it to scrub the upper. Our Air Jordan 1s were leather, and the dirt came right off! The Microfiber Towel also came in handy to lift off the excess scum. We repeated the above step for the midsole and outsole and were pleasantly surprised at how they came up. We lucked out when it came to the laces on the ‘Pollens’, as they were in good knick. If yours aren’t, unlace them to be cleaned separately with the same Sneaker Cleaner we used on the upper and sole. Just ensure they’re nice and dry before re-lacing your sneaks.
Always Wear Protection
Since we’ve gone through all the effort of cleaning up this beast, adding protectant will keep our Air Jordan 1 ‘Pollens’ fresher for longer and increase their lifespan. To do this, we used the Sneaker Protector and Odor Protector. Once everything was dry, deep cleaned and looking sparkly, we coated the upper in Sneaker Protector. This will shield our sneaks from dirt and stains and make future cleans easier. You could also opt for Sneaker LAB’s Leather Care, which prevents cracking and nourishes the fabric. Lastly, because these are a used pair, we sprayed the inside and removable insole with Odor Protector, banishing bacteria and keeping stinky feet to a minimum.