Shoes have now become an important part of the lifestyle and identity of every individual, especially in the modern fashion world. With various materials such as leather, canvas, and rubber commonly used, shoes require extra care to stay durable and look perfect. However, many shoe cleaner products on the market contain hazardous chemicals that can damage the environment.

In response to this issue, the Biology Education student team from Tidar University created an environmentally friendly innovation, namely the Citrus d’ Shoes Eco Cleaner Kit, a shoe cleaner product with lime extract as the main ingredient. The team led by Afuw Vianda with 4 other members successfully obtained funding from the Student Creativity Program (PKM) organized by the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs (Belmawa) and the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, amounting to Rp. 9,000,000.

“Lime has natural properties that can clean shoes from dirt, stains, and unpleasant odors, and has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can keep shoes clean longer,” explained Afuw Vianda. The Citrus d’ Shoes Eco Cleaner Kit product is also equipped with a chayote sponge, which is known to be environmentally friendly and can be reused. By reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, this product provides a practical solution for caring for shoes without damaging nature.

This innovation not only provides benefits to consumers, but also contributes to environmental conservation efforts. This student team hopes that with more and more people using natural-based products, people will be more aware of the importance of choosing environmentally friendly products for the sustainability of the earth. Through this product, they want to show that technology and innovation do not always have to sacrifice nature for human comfort. “We want to introduce a practical, effective, yet environmentally friendly solution for caring for shoes,” added Afuw.

With the creation of the Citrus d’ Shoes Eco Cleaner Kit, the hope of creating a fashion world that is more environmentally responsible becomes more real. This student team also hopes that their innovation can inspire many people to care more about choosing products that support environmental sustainability.