Sounds weird but many people are indeed paying for getting their sneakers cleaned or even repaired. Many of us don’t like wearing dirty sneakers and don’t know how to get it properly cleaned. Either we manage with those dirty ones or throw away. Seeing this Mumbai-based Sandeep Gajaka gave birth to the idea of Shoe Laundry in 2004. Sandeep has given the people of getting their sneakers cleaned and giving them a fresh look. In this post, we are talking about how you can get your old sneakers or shoes repaired, colored, cleaned, and washed with Shoe Laundry/ShoeVival service.
Note: The post has been updated with the latest info at the end.
Get your old Sneakers repaired, colored, cleaned and washed with Shoe Laundry/ShoeVival service
Initially started his business with Rs 7000 in his room, Sandeep handled the entire business of his own. From picking to deliver it back was managed by him all alone. It took time for people to digest the concept of shoe laundry, but soon Sandeep Gajaka’s unique business flourished. Now Shoe laundry is a mature and stable process which follows a ten-step cleaning and repairing process
Sandeep’s laundry now provides service to leading showrooms, 5-star hotels in Mumbai and many hospitals. Charging Rs 150 pair** – does it sounds much? Actually no. This charge is inclusive of pick up from your doorstep, washing, drying, even repairing /carrying out touch-ups giving a new life to your sneakers. They also replace the worn-out laces if any. What else can you demand at this charge? The present revenue is around Rs 80 Lakhs with 15 employees.
** The rates may vary depending on the condition of the shoes
I liked this weird idea of Mr. Sandeep Gajaka. The concept is creative and solves the problem of, in fact, every house. Heard and read about shoe laundry in India for the first time in India, and I think that not many people are aware that such a service exists in our country.
ShoeVival retail franchise of Shoe laundry
I wrote about Shoe Laundry in 2009, fast forward today, the company has opened its retail franchise – ShoeVival. They offer the same service in multiple cities both in India and outside the country. It is available in Dehra Dun, Pune 1 – Hadapsar, Bhutan, Kenya, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai South, Mumbai Ghatkopar & Chembur, Mumbai Bandra & Khar, Udaipur, Vadodara, Gorakhpur, Siliguri, Sikar, Nagpur, Nagpur 2, Guwahati, and Bhilai. While not mentioned, I see its listing in Kolkata as well on the Google Maps.
They offer the following services:
- Cleaning/ Washing: During the process, the footwear is dried in a room temperature atmosphere to prevent pasting, color, and crack issues.
- Repairs: Minor stitching, pasting, detached sole, torn fabric, torn shoe parts, etc. are taken care of here.
- Color correction: The color correction treatment not only helps prevent scratches (or nearly eliminate them), it also helps in restoring the footwear to its most original set of colors. So no more cracks discolored and deteriorated footwear.
- Maintenance services: If you want, you can keep it under continuous maintenance.
Shoe/ footwear cleaning service takes a maximum of 2-3 days.