When Sneaklin opened its doors on November 5, 2020, it wasn’t just starting another laundry service. It was making a statement: sneaker care in Nigeria deserved to be as premium, stylish, and innovative as the kicks themselves.
By March 26, 2021, the brand had a flagship walk-in store in Lagos, setting a new standard for what “convenience” could look like. Then came expansion partnerships with RooomXIX, LBS Collective, and UltraSports created convenient drop-off and pick-up points across the city. For sneaker lovers, this meant less hassle and more time enjoying their collection.
Now, Sneaklin is taking the culture into a new dimension with the launch of Care by Sneaklin, the first mobile app of its kind in Africa’s shoe care industry.
A Step Forward for African Sneaker Culture
Sneaker culture in Africa is booming, driven by youth fashion trends, hip-hop influence, and a growing streetwear economy. But while the sneaker resale market has gotten attention, the aftercare industry has been slower to innovate.
Care by Sneaklin changes that. The app offers a full-service sneaker laundry, and expert care guide, all accessible from a smartphone. This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about making professional sneaker care as integral to ownership as the purchase itself.
In addition to its services, Sneaklin also sells a range of self-care products for sneakerheads who prefer to clean on their own, including the Sneaker Cleaning Kit, Shoe Quick Wipes, and Suede Cleaner all available directly on sneaklin.com.
The Tech Behind the Shine
With Care by Sneaklin, users can:
- Book Services in Seconds – Schedule a pick-up, and confirm payment all within the app.
- Track Orders in Real Time – Watch your sneakers move from doorstep to cleaning bench and back.
- Access Expert Care Tips – Get pro-level guidance on cleaning, storage, and maintenance.
“Our mission has always been to make sneaker care seamless, stylish, and accessible,” says ‘Tife Pariola, Sneaklin’s founder. “With the app, we are bringing the future of shoe care into people’s hands literally.”
Why This Matters
In a city like Lagos where unpredictable weather, rough commutes, and busy schedules make sneaker upkeep a challenge, on-demand care could be a game changer.
For the industry, Sneaklin’s move signals something bigger: service brands in Africa can compete with global standards by merging tech, logistics, and culture. And for the consumer, it’s a sign that local innovation isn’t just catching up, it’s setting the pace.
What’s Next for Sneaklin
To celebrate the app’s launch, Sneaklin hosted a three-day event at Urban Jungle, Ikeja City Mall, from August 15th to 17th. The event brought together celebrities, influencers, and industry professionals, with appearances from Asherkine, Osas, Pexxie, Sneakeytitan, and many more. It was a vibrant showcase of how deeply sneaker culture runs through Nigeria’s youth scene.
The launch of Care by Sneaklin is just one step in the brand’s vision. With its network of physical locations and partners, the company could easily scale into other cities and even explore subscription-based care plans for heavy sneaker users.
Sneaklin’s story from a single flagship store to a tech-powered service isn’t just about shoes. It’s about how African lifestyle brands are embracing technology to reimagine entire industries.
The Care by Sneaklin app is available now on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
