Shoes are some of the most essential accessories, and the most hardworking. Quality ones are not cheap. However, most of the people do not store their shoes well after use. Instead, they dump them into a pile in their closets. With proper storage, your shoes can remain in good condition for an extended period, saving you money.
Whether you are storing your shoes for a long or short period, consider a method that keeps them in shape, dry and clean. There are several methods you can use to store your shoes. These tips shared here will help in determining the best mode of storage for any shoe.
1. Insert a Shoe Tree When Storing Shoes for a Short Period
With regular use, humidity, aridity and gravity take a toll on your shoes. The shoes also form creases and folds that become permanent deformations of the structure. Other materials get stiff while vintage shoes that come with curled insoles become crumbled. If you are storing your pair for the short term, a shoe tree can help to reshape the shoes when setting them on the shelves. Ensure that you do this soon after removing the shoes.
2. Use Shoe Horns When Storing them for Long
If you are going to store the shoes for a long period, they need a structure so that they do not lose shape. One of the best things to keep shape and structure is shoe horns and stretchers. Ensure that you use the right size to avoid overstretching and damaging the shoes. There are adjustable versions that let customise the tree size as per the size of the shoe.
Give the shoe a day or so before inserting the horns. This ensures that all trapped moisture is evaporated to prevent it from being trapped by the tree and damaging the shoe.
3. Stuff Shoes with Acid-Free Tissue
When you use an acid-free paper, it absorbs excess moisture while preventing the shoe from deteriorating. Use this paper for stuffing shoes in moderate and long periods instead of a newspaper. If you are looking for enough heft to fill thick boots and felted shoes, go for muslin fabric that is not bleached. The fabric wicks off the moisture and protects the metal parts from scratches.
4. Ensure that the Shoes are Spotless before Storage
Clean your shoes thoroughly before storing them. Apply a leather conditioner to leather uppers and soles. The stuffing material should only smooth out the toe box and heel and not stretch them. Then, wrap the shoes with a muslin paper before storing them away.
5. Pick an Appropriate Shoe Organiser
The type of shoe storage you use is as essential as preparing the shoe for storing. There are several specialised storage options including boxes, wire racks and custom cabinets, among others. Your storage option depends on the duration it will stake before the shoes are worn again.
Shoeboxes offer the highest level of protection from environmental elements and temperature. You can go for plastic, photograph storage boxes and original boxes. On the other hand, shoe racks and cabinets are suitable for shoes that are worn regularly, as they allow the air to circulate. You can also use the shoe trees and pegboards to hang your shoes. However, they should not be used for long-term storage, as the stuffing material is likely to stretch the uppers due to gravity.
