Frequently asked
questions.

We work with a wide range of footwear, from everyday trainers and traditional leather shoes to specialist, technical and designer footwear.

Materials we regularly encounter include leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, mesh, knitted textiles, synthetics, sheepskin and mixed-material constructions.

Our workshop has experience with footwear from Nike, Adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Salomon, Hoka, Clarks, Solovair, Common Projects, Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga, Maison Margiela and many others.

Every material responds differently to cleaning and treatment. Rather than applying the same process to every pair, we assess its construction, condition and finish before recommending an appropriate approach.

If your footwear isn't listed, you're still welcome to submit it for assessment.

Every pair is assessed individually, with consideration given to its materials, age, construction and previous treatments.

We use specialist products and techniques developed through years of practical workshop experience. However, no cleaning or restoration process is entirely without risk.

Delicate finishes, aged adhesives, unstable dyes and previously treated materials can behave unpredictably. We'll explain any significant limitations or identifiable risks before proceeding.

Our aim is always to improve and preserve the footwear without unnecessarily compromising its original character. Read our Terms & Conditions for further information.

1. Start with Diagnostics. Visit Start Here and select the treatment you're interested in.
2. Tell us about your footwear. Enter the requested details and upload photographs where required.
3. Confirm the service. Standard treatments may proceed directly to checkout. For repairs, restoration and other specialist work, we'll review the information and send a proposed treatment and quotation for your approval before payment.
4. Bring or send your footwear. Drop it off at our Manchester atelier or post it to us using a tracked service. We'll provide the relevant instructions.
5. Workshop treatment and return. Once your footwear arrives, we'll inspect it and undertake the agreed work. If the scope needs to change, we'll seek your approval before proceeding. We'll let you know when it's ready to collect or when it has been dispatched.

Standard Clean — £40 per pair
Professional cleaning for everyday dirt, general wear and routine maintenance.

Premium Deep Clean — £50 per pair
A more involved treatment for heavier soiling, staining or more demanding material combinations.

Depending on the footwear and selected treatment, cleaning may involve the uppers, midsoles, outsoles, laces and accessible interior surfaces.

Optional treatments include protection spray and steam sanitisation, where appropriate. Cleaning does not automatically include structural repairs, repainting, restoration or sole replacement.

Explore our Care services.

• Standard Clean: £40 per pair
• Premium Deep Clean: £50 per pair
• Vibram Sole Protection: £50 per pair
• Vibram Resoling: £145 per pair
• Donor Sole Swaps: From £200 per pair

Repair and restoration prices depend on the materials, condition and complexity of the work. We'll confirm the proposed treatment and quotation before proceeding. Any additional work requiring a change to the agreed quotation will be discussed for approval.

Yes. Alongside cleaning, we undertake specialist repair and restoration work, including heel lining repairs, stitching, mesh darning, sole regluing, colour restoration, repainting and structural repairs.

Each job is individually assessed for feasibility and material compatibility.

Explore Repair and Restoration, or submit photographs through Diagnostics.

We accept footwear at our Manchester atelier and by post from customers across the UK.

In-store drop-off — free
Sneaker Pharm
28 Dale Street
Manchester
M1 1FY

Send by post
After completing the relevant assessment or order, follow the provided instructions and package your footwear securely. Please use a tracked postal service; we recommend appropriate insurance for valuable or difficult-to-replace pairs.

Collection or return delivery
Collect your footwear from our Manchester atelier free of charge, or select a paid return delivery option. Tracked return delivery starts at £6.95, with additional insured options available.

Return delivery is not included in the treatment price. We do not currently offer door-to-door collection.

• Cleaning: 7 calendar days
• Express Cleaning: 3 calendar days
• Repairs: 7 calendar days
• Restoration: 2 weeks
• Vibram Resoling: 4 weeks
• Sole Protection: 5 calendar days

Turnaround is calculated from the physical arrival of your footwear at our workshop, provided the agreed treatment is ready to proceed. These are estimates rather than guaranteed completion dates; postal transit is additional.

Express Cleaning is available for an additional charge, subject to availability. It does not apply to resoling or restoration.

For mixed-treatment orders, separate returns can be arranged, with additional postage charges where applicable.

Not necessarily. We work with footwear as it arrives, including its existing wear, material condition and history.

Cleaning and restoration can significantly improve appearance and condition, but some staining, discolouration, ageing and structural wear may be permanent.

We don't guarantee an 'as new' result. Our approach is to achieve the best reasonable outcome while respecting the limitations of the original materials.

If you have concerns about completed work, please contact us with your order details and photographs so we can review the outcome.

We'll assess whether the agreed service was carried out with reasonable care and skill and discuss an appropriate resolution where necessary.

Some cosmetic limitations are inherent to cleaning and restoration, particularly with older materials or permanent damage. Your statutory consumer rights remain unaffected.

Please see our Terms & Conditions.

We regularly work with challenging materials, including delicate suede, nubuck, premium leather, technical textiles and mixed-material constructions.

However, not every material or form of damage can be treated successfully. Some finishes are sensitive to moisture, agitation, cleaning agents or mechanical intervention.

Where a treatment presents an unreasonable risk, we may recommend an alternative or decline the work rather than promise an unrealistic result.