Storing your shoes properly will allow you to keep them at their best and make them last for as many seasons as possible. Footwear must be protected from dust, water and sunlight, so that they do not fade and do not lose their shape while they are in a box or shoe cabinet. Make sure you don't stack them or throw them in an unidentified pile, as this can damage them. Keep them in their original boxes or inside containers that will always make them look like new.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare Shoes Before Storing
Step 1. Clean them
Storing shoes that are dirty, dusty, or full of other residues over time could cause the material to degrade. This is especially true of leather or suede footwear. In any case, whatever shoe it is, a thorough cleaning is the first step to do. It is essential to clean them even if you only put them away for one night and plan to use them the next day. Let them dry before storing them.
- Clean leather or suede shoes by removing dirt and dust with a soft, non-scratching brush. Use a cleaner designed for these materials to remove stains.
- Clean your canvas shoes by brushing them, then use soapy water to remove the stains.
- Wash your plastic shoes with soap and water.
Step 2. Break them down by season and purpose
If until now you have always kept boots, heeled shoes and running shoes in an undefined pile and searched for the right pair when needed, now is the time to divide them by category. Following a criterion (such as the season or the use you make of them) will help you organize the closet and preserve them carefully, because you will not throw them here and there in bulk.
- Group heels and dress shoes together.
- Try to keep your boots and other winter shoes in the same place.
- Group your flip flops, sandals and other summer footwear together.
- Put running shoes and casual shoes in the same category.
Step 3. Find a dark, cool, dry place to store your shoes
Footwear does not deteriorate if it is not exposed to an excess of sunlight, or to temperatures that are too hot or cold. The best place to store them is a cool, dark cupboard that doesn't get excessively hot and doesn't have a mold problem. If you don't have enough space, you can put them under the bed or buy a shoe cabinet.
Do not store shoes in the basement, garage or other places that could be freezing cold in winter and hot in summer. The cold causes the footwear fibers to break if they are continuously exposed to these conditions
Step 4. Fill them with crumpled acid-free paper
If you will be storing your shoes for at least a month before wearing them again, filling them with paper will ensure that they do not lose their shape. Just make sure it's acid-free, as it can otherwise damage the material of the footwear. Avoid that of newspaper, because it could stain them.
- You can also use bits of toilet paper.
- Use shoe lasts in order to best preserve them. If you have a pair of leather shoes, store them this way so they will always be in pristine condition. Tools of this type made with cedar wood refresh the smell, and also keep moths and other insects at a distance. They can be found in shoe stores or on the internet.
Step 5. Store the boots upright
If you have a nice pair of boots that you want to store carefully, use a suitable shape to keep them straight. In case the top falls off, a permanent crease may form after months of storage. Don't feel like investing in this tool? Here's a trick that will come in handy: Use empty, dry wine bottles to achieve the same result.
Part 2 of 3: Finding an Affordable Solution
Step 1. Prepare a mat to place your everyday shoes on
If you and your family wear certain shoes on a daily basis, the best way to store them is to choose a place to put them, such as a rug. Arrange it near the door or coat hanger and ask the people who live with you to take off their shoes and line them up neatly so they always know where to find them.
- You could also buy shoe cubes for this purpose. Reserve them for shoes that are worn most often, such as those to go to school or used in your free time.
- Use a different place to store wet shoes that need to dry, such as a rug on the balcony or entrance.
Step 2. Use a shoe cabinet, open or closed
If you have a large collection of shoes, you need a second space to store the ones you don't wear very often. Shoe racks make it easier to organize shoes in a walk-in closet, otherwise you can lean them against a bedroom wall. Choose a plastic or wooden one and group the shoes by category, lining them up neatly and putting them away after each use.
- If you have an old wooden ladder, you could use it to create a unique shoe cabinet. Just paint it to match your room decor, then lean it against a wall. Line up your shoes on the steps for easier storage.
- Another useful solution? Get a wooden pallet from a home improvement store. Affix it to the wall using a post detector, so you will be sure to secure it properly with screws. Store your shoes by inserting the tips between the slats. It is not convenient for you to use this method for more expensive leather shoes, as this can cause creases to appear. However, it is ideal for tennis shoes, flip flops and so on.
Step 3. Store your shoes in shoe racks that you can hang on the walls
If you don't have a lot of space, buy a wall shoe rack and start using it to organize them. This way, you remove them from the floor and systems so they don't continue to take up valuable space.
Step 4. Put them in their boxes to keep them longer
If you are storing shoes that you don't intend to wear for at least a month, it is best to place them in a box. You can leave them in the original ones or use transparent plastic containers: you will be able to find them immediately when you need them.
- Old boxes that contained wine bottles are good substitutes if you can't find the original shoe ones.
- Wrap your shoes in acid-free tissue paper for safe storage.
- You can also use silica gel to help keep the materials they are made of cool. This product can be found in home improvement stores.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding False Steps
Step 1. Do not store shoes when they are wet
Do not put them in the containers or closet until they are completely dry. Wet shoes can become moldy after being stored, and then they will be subject to the formation of bad odors. Place them in a dry, ventilated area and allow them to dry completely before storing.
Step 2. Do not wrap leather or suede shoes with plastic
These shoes need ventilation after being stored. Wrapping them in plastic could cause mold or stains to form. Instead, use acid-free tissue paper.
Step 3. Preserve your shoes using cedar balls, not mothballs, which are made up of toxic chemicals instead; not only do they repel moths, they are also dangerous for animals and children
Naphthalene has a characteristic unpleasant chemical odor, which is absorbed by all objects that come into contact with it and is very difficult to eliminate. Instead, store footwear with cedar balls or using shoe lasts made from this type of wood. It is a material that naturally repels moths, is non-toxic and gives a fresh smell to shoes.
Step 4. Don't stack your shoes
Many keep them in this way to have more space, but it is a harmful method, because over time they can lose their shape. You can certainly stack the flip flops, but the more structured and delicate footwear should be stored side by side. As much as you try to fit them carefully, after a few months they will start to deform.
Advice
- Make it a habit to go through all your shoes once a year to figure out whether to repair them, give them to charity, or sell them in a second-hand shop.
- Label the shoe boxes by briefly describing the contents. This will help you find the ones you need more easily.
- If you use the original shoe boxes, take a picture of the shoes and glue it on the outside, so you know the contents without having to open every single container. You can stick the photograph anywhere in the box you like, but make sure you follow the same method for all containers and that the images are clearly visible after stacking them.
- Boots are bulkier, so it is more difficult to store them. In fact, they are usually contained in much larger boxes than classic ones. Keep this in mind when thinking about how to organize the space.
