It's great when you have the right pair of shoes for every occasion, but where and how do you store them? This article includes a variety of shoe storage suggestions, including everyday storage tips, as well as some dos and don'ts for storing your favorite footwear for the long term. So, before leaving your sneakers lying next to the door or stashing boots in the back of a closet, read this article to keep your shoes cool and durable for years!
Step
Method 1 of 11: Doormat
Step 1. Determine the right place to store shoes that are used daily
Once you open the door and then take off your shoes, make sure there's a functional and neat place to store them! Place a highly absorbent mat by the front door large enough to fit the everyday pair of shoes that each family member wears. Some mats even have a shoe outline that you can use as a guide for placing your shoes neatly.
Here's an interesting tip to follow if your shoes are often wet or damp: make a highly absorbent shoe mat from old sheets filled with fine gravel. Rinse and dry the gravel, and dry it occasionally to keep the gravel clean and fresh
Method 2 of 11: Shoe rack (cubby)
Step 1. Store shoes that are rarely worn everyday in an organized place
Place a shoe rack near an entryway, for example, or in another convenient area along the wall. Use a shoe rack made of plastic, wood, or metal that allows good air circulation to keep your shoes dry and fresh. For a multifunctional option, choose a shoe rack that doubles as a bench. If you enjoy making crafts, try making your own shoe rack out of existing items.
- For example, if you have a wooden (or metal) ladder that is no longer in use, cut the ladder as needed and lean it against the wall. Line up shoes on each rung for practical storage space.
- Look for creative DIY shoe rack ideas. You can find a variety of options, from PVC pipes, wooden pallets, to strips of wire fencing!
Method 3 of 11: Hang shoes (for wardrobe)
Step 1. Hang shoes that you only wear a few times a month in a space-saving place
Buy a caddy or shoe storage bag to hang on a wardrobe door, for example. You can also buy caddy or containers that are hung from metal or wooden supports, along with other clothes. Both of these solutions help to keep your shoes organized and keep them off the floor so they don't fill or litter the closet.
Choose a case or caddy with shoe pockets made of breathable fabric. Avoid containers with plastic pockets that do not allow airflow
Method 4 of 11: Wardrobe or cabinet
Step 1. Reuse furniture that allows airflow as a shoe storage area
As long as the space is large enough, has air circulation, and is protected from exposure to sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity, any storage medium can be used to store shoes. For example, you could use some of the drawers on your desk or bedroom cupboard specifically for storing shoes (or closed shelves in your wardrobe or bedroom). If possible, choose wooden furniture and slightly open doors or drawers to allow airflow.
Don't store your shoes in furniture stored in the basement, attic, garage, or other place where it gets very cold in the rainy season (or too hot in the dry season). Material or shoe materials become damaged more quickly if exposed to these conditions
Method 5 of 11: Shoebox or cardboard
Step 1. The original shoe box (which you get from the store) can be the best choice of storage media for the long term
You may have tossed the original shoe boxes out of the store. If so, try asking for or getting leftover/extra shoe boxes from the nearest shoe store. If necessary, choose any cardboard (eg pack cardboard) that is large enough for your shoes.
- For added protection, wrap your shoes in acid-free tissue paper before you put them in a box or cardboard.
- While this may seem effective, avoid using transparent plastic shoe boxes as much as possible. Boxes like this don't provide much air circulation. If you "want" to see the shoes in the box, take a photo of the shoe, print it, and stick it on the outside of the box.
Method 6 of 11: Shoe filling paper
Step 1. Use acid-free tissue paper, like the paper you usually find in new shoes
By filling your shoes with paper rolls like this, you can keep your shoes in shape when stored for long periods of time. Tissue paper can be a good choice, but make sure the paper you are using is not acidic because acidic paper can damage the shoe material. Also, don't fill your shoes with tissue paper until they're bulging or cramped. Just add enough tissue paper to maintain the original or natural shape of the shoe.
Don't use newsprint. Besides being acidic, ink on paper can change the color of shoes
Method 7 of 11: Cedar shoe balls or shoe trees
Step 1. A ball or a cedar grinder can be the best protection for your footwear
Acid-free tissue paper rolls or balls will work for most shoes, but it's a good idea to buy a cedar ball or grinder for your favorite and/or most expensive shoes. These two items help to maintain the original shape of the shoe. In addition, cedar wood also has a fresh aroma that can repel moths and other insects.
- Shoe grinders are usually sold in shoe stores or the internet.
- Use cedar wood instead of camphor to keep insects away. Camphor is made of harmful chemicals that are not safe for children or pets, and produce a strong odor that is difficult to remove.
Method 8 of 11: Long bot buffer
Step 1. Store long bots on stands or supports, or fill the bots with a stirrer to keep their shape
The boss booth is an ideal choice. Just flip the bots over and attach each bot to one of the pegs. Alternatively, keep the boots upright, then cut a cylinder of foam pool noodle the appropriate length to fit into the top of each boot. You can also use used wine bottles or drinks. In addition to wine bottles, rolled up magazines can also be used as a substitute for a booth or bot shaker.
If the top of your long boots is loose, after a few months the boots will have permanent wrinkles or creases
Method 9 of 11: Shoe cleaning
Step 1. Cleaning the shoes before storing them helps maintain their durability
Shoes are exposed to a lot of dirt, dust, and other debris that can damage the shoe material over time. This is important to remember, especially if you have leather or suede shoes. However, cleaning can be done on all types of shoes to maintain their durability before the shoes are stored. If you use water when cleaning your shoes, let them dry before storing them.
- Clean leather or suede shoes using a brush or soft brush to remove dirt and dust. Use a special leather or suede cleanser to remove the stain.
- Clean canvas shoes by brushing them. Use a soapy water mixture to remove stains.
- Wash plastic shoes with soap and water.
Method 10 of 11: Sorting shoes
Step 1. Store shoes according to function and style, and throw away those you don't need
Shoes that are worn everyday do not need to be sorted or arranged perfectly. However, it's a good idea to sort and arrange your shoes if you want to store them for a longer period of time. By sorting your shoes by weather/season, function and style, you can easily find and access the shoes you want, whenever you need them. Plus, sorting keeps shoes looking pretty and neat!
- For example, you can group all formal shoes, thick boots with other shoes for the winter/season, flip-flops with regular sandals and light shoes (for the dry season), and sports shoes with casual shoes.
- When sorting and arranging shoes on storage media, get rid of shoes that you haven't worn in a long time or won't be using anymore. Donate or sell the shoes to reduce the collection and facilitate the process of storing shoes in the future.
Method 11 of 11: Do not store shoes
Step 1. Make sure your shoes are dry, breathable, and not bent
Take good care of your shoes so they are always clean and tidy. Keep these restrictions in mind when you want to store shoes:
- Do not store shoes that are still wet. Wet shoes can smell bad and even start to rot. Install a fan to circulate air to the outside of the shoe if you want it to dry faster. To dry the inside of the shoe, place acid-free paper towels inside the shoe and wait an hour to absorb the moisture from the shoe.
- Do not store shoes in plastic. This is important to remember, especially for leather and suede shoes, but all shoes need to "breathe"! Wrapping, packaging, or storing shoes in plastic actually makes shoes easy to mold and change color.
- Do not stack the existing shoes. You can stack flip-flops or regular sandals to save space, but try not to stack shoes that have more structure. Otherwise, in a few months or even weeks, your shoes will look worn and out of style!
Tips
- Make it a habit to review all of your shoes once a year to see if there are any shoes that need repair or can be donated to a nearby charity or secondhand clothing store.
- Label the shoe box with a brief description of the shoe. That way, you can find the shoes you want more easily.
