What Goes into Creating Our Sustainable Sneaker Care Products?
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We are well aware that the sneaker care industry has long relied on chemical-heavy formulas to clean, protect, and restore footwear. Those of us in the sneaker community
have always held true to the idea that sneakers transcend the footwear category; they are cultural symbols, and sneakers continue to be feats of design and engineering within the fashion space.
So, our vision at Sneaker LAB has always been clear, and predicated on two simple questions: how do we respect the care practices instinctive to our community, while moving the needle forward for fashion care practices that protect the planet?
Our commitment to biotechnology-driven solutions prioritise both performance and environmental responsibility; what exactly goes into creating a sneaker care product that is effective, safe, and sustainable?
At the core of our care products is probiotic biotechnology—a science-led, planet-first approach that harnesses beneficial microorganisms to break down dirt and grime at a
molecular level.
Unlike traditional cleaning agents that rely on harsh surfactants and synthetic chemicals, probiotic-based formulas leverage naturally occurring enzymes to digest organic matter.
If it seems kind of sci-fi, well; that’s because it is.
Our process is futuristic, and our products are announcements that the future is here, now.
The development of these probiotic enzymes begins in a controlled lab environment, in which specific bacterial strains are cultivated for their cleaning efficacy. Our bio-chemistry team isolates and grows these microorganisms in optimal conditions, ensuring they produce the enzymes necessary to degrade stubborn stains, odours, and biofilms on sneaker materials. These enzymes work continuously even after application, providing a long-lasting cleaning effect without the need for repeated use of harsh chemicals. What makes these probiotics even more fascinating is their ability to create a self-sustaining ecosystem on your sneakers. Instead of stripping materials of all bacteria—good and bad—like conventional cleaners do, our probiotic formulas encourage beneficial bacteria to outcompete the harmful ones. This means that every time you clean your sneakers, you’re actively creating an environment that resists future grime and odour buildup.
Creating a sustainable sneaker care product that is eco-conscious, includes ensuring that it performs at the highest level. How else would we convince you to take the road less travelled? Each Sneaker LAB product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure effectiveness on a wide range of sneaker materials, including leather, suede, canvas, mesh, and synthetic textiles. The research and development team conducts laboratory tests to measure cleaning efficiency, pH balance, and material compatibility. Controlled stain tests simulate real-world conditions, exposing sneakers to common contaminants like mud, food, and oil. These tests help refine the formula to deliver optimal cleaning power while preserving the integrity of delicate materials.
Luckily, we have been around for some time and the wear-testing we do today is conducted within our community. Our product must meet the expectations of sneaker collectors, athletes, and everyday wearers: and they do.
Beyond functionality, our team ensures that the probiotic-based formulas don’t degrade the adhesives that hold sneakers together or cause unexpected colour changes. The goal is to provide a cleaning solution that sneaker lovers can trust—one that works on rare archival Jordans just as well as on your everyday pairs, that encounter all kinds of surfaces and terrains.
The development of these probiotic enzymes begins in a controlled lab environment, in which specific bacterial strains are cultivated for their cleaning efficacy. Our bio-chemistry team isolates and grows these microorganisms in optimal conditions, ensuring they produce the enzymes necessary to degrade stubborn stains, odours, and biofilms on sneaker materials. These enzymes work continuously even after application, providing a long-lasting cleaning effect without the need for repeated use of harsh chemicals. What makes these probiotics even more fascinating is their ability to create a self-sustaining ecosystem on your sneakers. Instead of stripping materials of all bacteria—good and bad—like conventional cleaners do, our probiotic formulas encourage beneficial bacteria to outcompete the harmful ones. This means that every time you clean your sneakers, you’re actively creating an environment that resists future grime and odour buildup.
Creating a sustainable sneaker care product that is eco-conscious, includes ensuring that it performs at the highest level. How else would we convince you to take the road less travelled? Each Sneaker LAB product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure effectiveness on a wide range of sneaker materials, including leather, suede, canvas, mesh, and synthetic textiles. The research and development team conducts laboratory tests to measure cleaning efficiency, pH balance, and material compatibility. Controlled stain tests simulate real-world conditions, exposing sneakers to common contaminants like mud, food, and oil. These tests help refine the formula to deliver optimal cleaning power while preserving the integrity of delicate materials.
Luckily, we have been around for some time and the wear-testing we do today is conducted within our community. Our product must meet the expectations of sneaker collectors, athletes, and everyday wearers: and they do.
Beyond functionality, our team ensures that the probiotic-based formulas don’t degrade the adhesives that hold sneakers together or cause unexpected colour changes. The goal is to provide a cleaning solution that sneaker lovers can trust—one that works on rare archival Jordans just as well as on your everyday pairs, that encounter all kinds of surfaces and terrains.
Ethical practices, community-led innovation, and performance you can trust — all for a cleaner future.
Sustainability is a vast concept, encompassing many facets. Alongside our commitment to the environment, our ethical considerations are equally important. Sneaker LAB ensures that all its products are cruelty-free, meaning they are never
tested on animals. We take care and pride in maintaining ethical supply chain practices, working with suppliers that uphold fair labour standards and environmentally
responsible production methods. Our commitment to social responsibility also extends to community initiatives; so the things that make us sustainable are broader than our
product offering. We know firsthand how sneaker culture and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
We're also Green Tag Certified, which means our products meet the highest global standards for sustainability, safety, and environmental responsibility. This independent certification evaluates everything from ingredient transparency and eco-toxicity to ethical supply chain practices, ensuring that our sneaker care solutions are as planet-friendly as they are effective. Our low-impact innovation is driven by biotechnology, designed for performance, and committed to a cleaner future.
As the demand for sustainable care products grows, so does the potential for innovation. We continue to invest in research and development to enhance its probiotic cleaning technology and refine formulas for even greater efficiency. Looking ahead, we believe the future of sneaker care lies in circular systems—in which packaging can be upcycled, refilled, or composted, and where biotech advancements further reduce environmental impact. With continued commitment to sustainability, we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for the footwear and fashion industries.
Sneaker culture is built on passion, and caring for sneakers should reflect that same dedication. By choosing products that prioritise both performance and the planet, we are dedicated to contributing to a more sustainable future—without compromising on style, or our shared love for design.
We're also Green Tag Certified, which means our products meet the highest global standards for sustainability, safety, and environmental responsibility. This independent certification evaluates everything from ingredient transparency and eco-toxicity to ethical supply chain practices, ensuring that our sneaker care solutions are as planet-friendly as they are effective. Our low-impact innovation is driven by biotechnology, designed for performance, and committed to a cleaner future.
As the demand for sustainable care products grows, so does the potential for innovation. We continue to invest in research and development to enhance its probiotic cleaning technology and refine formulas for even greater efficiency. Looking ahead, we believe the future of sneaker care lies in circular systems—in which packaging can be upcycled, refilled, or composted, and where biotech advancements further reduce environmental impact. With continued commitment to sustainability, we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for the footwear and fashion industries.
Sneaker culture is built on passion, and caring for sneakers should reflect that same dedication. By choosing products that prioritise both performance and the planet, we are dedicated to contributing to a more sustainable future—without compromising on style, or our shared love for design.
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