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LIFE TECH FEATURE

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In the beginning… The DNA of the modern sneaker can be traced back to the first half of the 19th century and a gentleman named Wait Webster. Webster created a system for fixing a rubber sole to a shoe.

Surprisingly, the Sneaker Cleaner has a fair bit of torque for a battery-operated device, and you must keep a firm hand on the area to prevent it from skipping off. Testing on a leather pair of sneakers, the exposed side of the sponge sole had six years of grime soaked in, and there was surface mud on the uppers. Dipping the stiff brush into the solution, we set to work on the side of the sole. Repeated work back and forth didn’t take long to lift the dirt. A damp cloth close at hand to periodically remove the dislodged dirt from the area being worked on is advisable. We used the sponge head on the leather upper to avoid unnecessarily scratching the surface. After about five minutes of work on each sneaker, the results were impressive. You’re never going to restore to a shop-new level, but the trainers were fresh and ready to go back into circulation. In total, we cleaned five pairs of sneakers, and once the laces were put through the washing machine, they were restored to an excellent and, more importantly, wearable condition. Once finished, the cleaning heads can be washed with mild soap and water, ready for the next pair. For the price, the Philips Sneaker Cleaner is a product that any discerning sneaker wearer or collector will want to add to their maintenance armoury. The three cleaning head choices offer versatility, and the unit has enough power to challenge the toughest stains. If you’re looking for a practical gift for the sneaker obsessive in your life, you’ve found it.

Revive and restore your dirty pumps without all the elbow grease with the Philips Sneaker Cleaner. Words Paul Jones T here’s just something special about stepping out with a new, fresh pair of sneakers on your feet. But that clean, different cleaning heads depending on the type of material and level of dirt you’re confronted with: one stiff brush, one finer brush, and a CLEAN SNEAKERS ARE GO!

sharp look doesn’t last long. Street grime, sports, weather, and crowded spaces are all enemies of pristine sneakers, and eventually they reach a stage where they’re no longer fit for duty. Keeping them clean is an eternal battle. Do you risk irreparable damage by throwing them in the washing machine? Or turn to the many chemical-based sneaker cleaner products on the market? We’ve tried both in the past with average results, but what options are available when a damp cloth no longer cuts it? The Philips Sneaker Cleaner could be the answer that you’re looking for. Designed to bring the muckiest trainers in your possession back to life, the Sneaker Cleaner is a decidedly simple – but effective – device to use. In the box, you get the lightweight sneaker cleaner handheld unit that looks like a mini hairdryer, three interchangeable cleaning heads, and, quite generously, four AA batteries to get you straight in the game. There are three

sponge head. The head spins at 500RPM. There’s no cleaning solution in the box. However, a simple Google search revealed a myriad of suggestions, and we went with mild laundry detergent and warm water.

For the price, the Philips Sneaker Cleaner is a product that any discerning sneaker wearer or collector will want to add to their maintenance armoury.

50 DECEMBER 2022

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