Shoe and "Sneaker" cleaning

[Paul_]

Firstly sorry about using the term Sneaker but if you want to be down with the kids then that's how it has to be!

Does anyone offer shoe and more importantly sneaker cleaning? Until now i've turned any cleaning down as thought it was beneath me as a craftsman. However two events this week have got me thinking. 

Firstly a customer came in with 2 pairs of shoes that have gone a bit mouldy in storage and asked me to clean them and the cost was irrelevant to them! Secondly my son revealed this week that he sent his sneakers to a lad who has set up a cleaning service locally  and he happily paid £35 to have them cleaned!

On doing some research it seems £30-£50 is the going rate, plus these companies are charging extra for laces, protection etc. This seems like a no-brainer doesn't it?

My missus keeps banging on about it, saying it sounds like an easy way to earn a bit extra, but i'm convinced for this to be a success i'd need to be a 20-odd year old lad with good socials and to be down with the kids....not a grumpy (very nearly) 50 year old cobbler.

Thoughts anyone?

[Count Muppet]

There’s good money in it

check out @reno_station on X (Twitter)

they do some great work

[Auto Key Wizard]

Gary at Formby Shoe Repairs has investested a few grand to offer the service
I'm sure he'll offer mail-in and trade service

https://formbyshoerepairs.co.uk/contact/

[k4mrc]

we steam clean when needed, screwfix  https://www.screwfix.com/p/karcher-sc-2-easyfix-1500w-steam-cleaner-240v/799vf

amazon, https://www.amazon.co.uk/CAYAMA-Handheld-Pressure-High-Temperature-Upholstery/dp/B0D2NNMQ34/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1X21QZ37FN0J8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jGGCdKHxP_u1KycDTXd6FEWge2jAdi2QDrMjnSAkxoRgzLFKrw6vitYrhbd_enUVj8X9Ga1jzmq343Ft7f9WrzMlLpK_LF366i36bHvM2n0FmBqBCayIa4jFwUMdfNaq7xgzQ-_BBVDd42nRiCOeBkYznSUXlFztt3u_oI5PYu0lKJjDzaWW3TdlfgnM6lgsovaDKoZ-ALRtzO9LJYmmiGC0SUQ63dFpaF1yM5PeiyU.UldYxENVl0UeJwRFTr-sqfEq6h8pMc6KzElz2wh01kE&dib_tag=se&keywords=steam+cleaner&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729929991&sprefix=stem+cleaner%2Caps%2C613&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

£80

so good on suede etc

we charge around 15 - 20£

[YouGee]

On 10/25/2024 at 6:19 PM, Paul_ said:

Firstly sorry about using the term Sneaker but if you want to be down with the kids then that's how it has to be!

Does anyone offer shoe and more importantly sneaker cleaning? Until now i've turned any cleaning down as thought it was beneath me as a craftsman. However two events this week have got me thinking. 

Firstly a customer came in with 2 pairs of shoes that have gone a bit mouldy in storage and asked me to clean them and the cost was irrelevant to them! Secondly my son revealed this week that he sent his sneakers to a lad who has set up a cleaning service locally  and he happily paid £35 to have them cleaned!

On doing some research it seems £30-£50 is the going rate, plus these companies are charging extra for laces, protection etc. This seems like a no-brainer doesn't it?

My missus keeps banging on about it, saying it sounds like an easy way to earn a bit extra, but i'm convinced for this to be a success i'd need to be a 20-odd year old lad with good socials and to be down with the kids....not a grumpy (very nearly) 50 year old cobbler.

Thoughts anyone?

Am doing some sneakers cleaning, renovating,changing soles. Also suede refreshing