The Lab (formerly Sneaker LAB) is a range of premium, eco-conscious cleaning and care products for sneakers, apparel, hats, and denim. We focus on high-performance formulas that protect your items while being mindful of the environment.

Where can I buy The Lab products?

You can purchase directly from our website or at select retail partners. Check our Store Locator for a full list.

Are The Lab products safe for all materials?

Yes, our formulas are designed to be safe for most fabrics and materials, but always check the product instructions before use on delicate or specialty items.

Are The Lab products environmentally friendly?

Yes, our packaging uses recycled materials, and our formulas are biodegradable wherever possible, without compromising cleaning performance.

What makes The Lab different from other shoe care products?

At The Lab, we're about the Future of Fashion Care. Our products are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, and our packaging is recyclable. We are one of the only sneaker care brands to be Green Tag certified (Global Green Tag is the most trusted, globally recognized eco-label). Our products are made from biotechnology solutions (rather than harsh chemicals) that clean and protect your sneakers at a microscopic level for up to 3 days after application. Giving back is also important to us, which is why we partner with green initiatives and community projects across the world.

How many pairs of shoes does each bottle clean?

This largely depends on just how dirty the sneakers are and if they had been treated with a bottle of our Sneaker Protector first. On average one bottle of Sneaker Cleaner (50ml/1.7 Fl oz) will provide 250 sprays. We suggest 5-10 sprays per sneaker, per cleaning.

Which products do I use on which material/fabric?

The Lab's Leather Care and Leather Wipes can only be used on leather. The rest of our products are safe to use on most materials including canvas, nubuck, mesh, suede and leather. While we've successfully tested our Sneaker Wipes, Sneaker Cleaner, Sneaker Protector and Odor Protector on dozens of materials, we suggest you do a spot test on a small part of the sneaker before use.

What order do I use The Lab products in?

Keep your new sneakers fresh by applying Sneaker Protector and/or Leather Care to protect them. The formula helps to protect and strengthen the material, prevent stains and makes cleaning them in the future a lot easier. To give older or dirty sneakers a bit of love, start with Sneaker Cleaner and finish with our Sneaker Protector and Odor Protector. Use our Sneaker Wipes and Leather Wipes to keep your sneakers clean and protected respectively while you're on the go.

Can I use The Lab products on new sneakers?

Absolutely! We recommend using Sneaker Protector on new sneakers to keep them looking fresh and stain-free. Leather Care will do the same for leather sneakers.

How do I use The Lab's sneaker cleaner?

Give each sneaker 5-10 sprays, depending on how dirty they are, and let the solution set for at least 2 minutes. Dip our Premium Brush in a bowl of clean water and brush until the solution foams. (NB. Do not use water on suede). After brushing, wipe your sneakers down with our super-absorbent Microfiber Towel to remove any excess solution and/or dirt.

How do I use The Lab's sneaker protector and/or leather care?

Protect your sneakers from light stains by creating an invisible dirt-repelling barrier with The Lab Sneaker Protector. To apply, hold the bottle about 15cm/6in away from your sneakers and spray 5-10 times to cover the entire sneaker. For leather sneakers, apply a small amount of Leather Care to our Microfiber Towel and rub it into your sneakers in a circular motion. This will moisturise and protect the leather to prolong the life of your sneakers.

How do I use odor protector?

The Lab Odor Protector works best when used at the end of the day and when sneakers are left to air overnight. This gives the odor-eliminating bacteria time to really work. Spray the insole and inside of each sneaker several times and leave to dry for at least 15 minutes.

What are the sneaker wipes and leather wipes for?

The convenient wipes were designed to keep your sneakers looking fresh on-the-go between full cleans. Our Sneaker Wipes and Leather Wipes contain the same solutions found in our Sneaker Cleaner and Leather Care respectively. Use the Sneaker Wipes to clean on-the-go and use the Leather Wipes to quickly treat your leather sneakers to protect and nourish them.

Why do I need your microfiber towel?

The Lab's Microfiber Towels were designed specifically for sneaker care. The fibers on the towel are 20% finer than human hair, making them incredibly soft and absorbent so you can gently clean dirt and dust off any material (including leather) while drying heavily saturated or damp sneakers.

How often should I clean my denim?

To maintain color and fit, we recommend spot cleaning rather than frequent full washes. Wash only when necessary.

Will The Lab products affect denim color?

No, our formulas are color-safe and designed to preserve original denim tones. However, Denim colours depend on colour fasteneres used and there will be colour bleed with most Denim manufactures when in contact with any liquid. We recommend spot cleans with our Denim Refresh Wipes and Denim Refresh. When your Denim's are needing a more extensive celan, our Denim Wash can used when handwashing.

How do I clean my hats without defomring them?

Use our hat wipes or cleaning solution with a soft brush. Gently clean the surface, then air dry on a hat stand or rolled towel to maintain shape.

Will The Lab products remove sweat stains?

Yes, our formulas target sweat, oils, and odors, keeping your hats fresh and looking new.

Can The Lab clean all clothing fabrics?

Our apparel care range works on cotton, polyester, blends, and most washable fabrics.

Do The Lab products remove sweat and odor?

Yes, our apparel care formulas are designed to neutralize odor and remove light stains without harsh chemicals.

Are The Lab products safe for gym or technical fabrics?

Yes, our gentle formulas protect performance fabrics and help maintain breathability and stretch.

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“ENTER THE LAB” is the content series where we showcase the talented, innovative and expressive individuals within our community.

The aim is to connect with the person in front of the camera beyond just the imagery. The approach is both grand, portraying their personalities/uniqueness in a monumental style, while maintaining a personal element, revealing a side of them that viewers have never seen before.

Graphic reading Better for your sneakers, better for your earth.

Back of a t-shirt reading Rather Late Than Never and club meeting details.

Grace and Wayne are a creative duo with a passion for running. They aspire to foster change within the community, and to achieve this, they have combined their love for design and sports to create a platform where the Everyday Athlete can connect and grow - Running Late Club.

"Rather Late Than Never" is their signature phrase and acts as their sense of urgency to achieve. Symbolising that even though it may sometimes seem like it's too late for people to pursue forgotten dreams, try new hobbies, break nasty habits, or even take up running - the sense of urgency prevails.

Woman stretching on a studio floor in a Run Late Club t-shirt and running sneakers.

Boutique with a nitty gritty neon sign beside a Sneakers Point storefront.

Three views of a modern sneaker store with green walls and a terrazzo counter.

HYPE sneaker storefront beside the busy interior of a SUBTYPE store.

Collage of Sole Lab, Kith, and other minimalist sneaker boutique interiors.

RUNNING LATE CLUB

While they do host the running club every Wednesday at 18:30, in Cape Town, South Africa, it serves as the platform and starting line for much more, with some incredible connections, stories and collaborations blooming from the Weekly Runs.

Atmos store wall of sneakers on white shelves beneath a blue neon atmos sign.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Two Forty Two, also located in Cape Town, is the brother brand (coffeeshop/space/studio) to Running Late Club, and is a place where anyone, and everyone, can come to further bond over coffee & community. "We can't wait to see where the next few years take us and all the incredible people we meet further along the journey."

Man mid-stride in an RLC tank top, sunglasses, and running shoes.

Man wearing a Running Late Club cap and RLC tank top in a studio portrait.

ENTER THE LAB EPISODE 5: WAYNE & GRACE