Practical care for cleaning and preserving sneakers according to their materials and condition. Sneaker Lab provides the overview; the guides below examine specific problems without promising to restore materials that have already broken down.

• Cleaning by material and choosing products: brushes, moisture, and care for leather, suede, fabric, and other finishes.
• Yellowing sneakers: possible causes, prevention, and the limits of treatment.
• Hydrolysis and crumbling sneakers: how to recognize deterioration and what storage can and cannot prevent.
• Toe box creases: ways to reduce creasing without treating heat or restoration as a universal fix.

If you are unsure which part or material is affected, consult our sneaker anatomy guide before choosing a method. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for the specific version you own.