How to Store Shoes Long Term (Only the Best)

Yes, we know!

You have a lot of variety of shoes right up for discrete events and occasions. But do you know how to store shoes for the long term as per their quality and type?

It’s really a headache to store them properly for avoiding being smelly and dusty.

Some of them are hard, clunky, and tricky too! And if you have concise space, that poses to be even more challenging.

No worries! We will tell you the best way to store your shoes, sneakers, heels, boots, and sandals, etc.

Good knowledge to store shoes for the long term, keep them wearable and supple for a long time eventually saves money.

Proper shoe storage will help them look new and last for years by saving them from deterioration.

How to Preserve Shoes for a Long Time

  • Use polish and conditioner for the long-term durability of shoes.
  • Use shoe shapers, or wooden shoe horns but let all the moisture evaporate first.
  • Dirt and dust on shoes cause shoe material to degrade with the passage of time
  • Shoe storage requires a place secured from sunlight, water, and dust.

How to Clean Shoes Before Long Term Storage

  • Storing wet shoes would smell bad.
  • Dry all the shoes completely and then they are ready to store even for long. Wet or soggy shoes would be moldy soon in storage and get degraded.
  • Plastic shoes can be washed directly.
  • Dust off the canvas shoes with the brush and remove stains with soapy water.
  • Use special leather or suede cleaner for stain removal.
  • Sprinkle baking soda on shoes and leave overnight. And toss off the next day.
  • White vinegar works wonders to make shoes look like new.
  • Use a non-scratchy soft brush to clean up dust or dirt.
  • Leather and suede shoes need care while cleaning.
  • If you aren’t gonna store them and want to wear them the following day even then it’s good to clean them before leaving in their place.
  • All shoes need to be cleaned before you store them for a long duration.

How to Keep Shoes from Dry Rotting in Llong Term Storage

If you store shoes for a long term and don’t wear them frequently, then they start rotting.

First of all, the glue gets yellow, soles crumble, rubber breaks down and leather or suede begins to rot.

Reasons for dry rotting in shoes

  • If you wish to store shoes for the long term, don’t compromise the quality. Bad quality material rots even if you store them with the best measures.
  • Heat also dissolve glues that clench components of shoes together
  • Glue works not as well as proper stitching.
  • Soles made from low-quality rubber disintegrate quicker than those made of good quality.
  • Synthetic leather rots faster than real leather or suede.
  • Suede and leather need breathability in storage to stay long.
  • Mostly dry rot is the result of humidity of the moist environment in which shoes are stored, which would form mold and cause damage to the material of shoes.

How To Manage Shoes For Long Term Storage

  • To prevent boots from flopping over and to maintain space, use old plastic bottles as boot shapers and put them on the bottles hanging upside down.
  • Transparent shoe bins can store a lot except tall boots or high tops.
  • Transparent shoe boxes with lids and labels can be a good option for storage.
  • Keep in their original boxes to keep shoes from getting dusty
  • Organize your shoes into categories according to your day-to-day needs and then store them. So that at the time you know where to search.
  • Don’t put them in or under a closet entangled. It makes it difficult to find while needed.
  • Avoid putting shoes in a pile to prevent deformation and falls.
  • Make sandal holders using wire hangers by cutting the bottom and bending the ends into the curled hooks.
  • Delicate dressy high heels can be knick-in bins or cubbies.

How To Make Categories Of Shoes For Storage

  • You may change categories and groups according to your choice and need.
  • Arrange your exercise shoes and casual shoes in the same place
  • Flip flops, sandals, and other summer shoes can be stored together.
  • Store your winter boots and other winter shoes in the same location.
  • Put heels and other dress shoes together.

Plastic Boxes Vs Original Boxes To Store Shoes For Long Term

Although, original shoe boxes are more desirable in order to store shoes for the long term instead of plastic boxes.

But in some unique situations, plastic boxes are more recommended.

Boxes made of plastic prevent natural air circulation and build moisture and eventually cause mold that enables dry rotting procedure.

But cardboard can be fragile and can be barren and dusty that can cause

shoes dry and brittle.

Rodents ??,  pests, and insects can easily be attracted and may enter cardboard boxes.

Clear plastic boxes are strong and prevent shoes from such dangers.

Mildew is another threat to wreck an expensive pair of shoes. It spreads like wildfire in a moist climate in plastic boxes or wraps.

So, plastic or cardboard boxes can be used with silica gel packets in them to avoid moisture.

Suitable Places For Shoe Storage Racks

  • Donate the gently used pairs with good conditions to non-profit organizations. Keep the shoes that you really wear.
  • Downsize the collection by throwing non-wearable shoes before storing them.
  • Build your walls to include a built-in shoe rack near the doorway. It won’t block the way and can be extended deep.
  • You can make tiny shoe shelves in narrow corners. These shelves are excellent to maximize storage space.
  • Place the shoe racks in a convenient place like a garage.
  • Never put the shoe rack near the main door.
  • Don’t place the shoe rack in the bedroom, prayer room, or in the kitchen. It has a bad influence on the mood.
  • Attics and garages are generally not a reasonable location to store shoe long-term for poor insulation.

How Long Do Shoes Stay In Stores?

The synthetic materials in modern sneakers will start to rot whether you wear them or not, you keep them in their boxes or in a cool dark place, after a period.

The midsole foams will get stiff and the cushioning will disintegrate after five to ten years. They would be completely unwearable after twenty to twenty-five years or maybe sooner.

Store Shoes For A Long Period Without Getting Decayed

  • If you need to store shoes for the long term then don’t save them in bins but in baskets. Cubbies are also a good way to store them.
  • Sneakers are athletic shoes by nature and made to withstand rough surfaces so demand less expensive shoe storage possibilities.
  • Never use water to clean suede or leather but buff suede boots with talcum powder, a brush, and a dry towel.
  • Use conditioner or polisher once or twice a year for shoe durability while long-term storage.
  • Cleaning them before and after wearing them will help remove bacteria established in them.
  • Wear your shoes every now and then to expose them to fresh air to prevent them from dry rot.
  • A room closet with less humidity is a better choice than laundry or basement to avoid mold.
  • Neither store shoes in high heat nor in too cold. Also, avoid direct sunlight exposure.
  • Wrap shoes with fabric or paper before putting them in a storage container to prevent scratches of buckles or sequins.
  • Unbleached muslin fabric is an outstanding choice for shoe stuffing.
  • Use cedar shoe tree, silica gel packets, acid-free tissue papers, newspaper to absorb extra moisture.
  • Store your shoes in a proper dry environment.

Cedar Balls Vs Moth Balls To Store Shoes For Long Term

Mothballs are made of a toxic chemical to repel moths in storage.

Mothballs have a particular infusive chemical smell that instills in all the things stored with and is hard to remove plus Mothballs are hazardous for use around children and pets.

So, the use of mothballs is not much desirable instead cedar trees are the best option. The cedar balls contain antibacterial and deodorant properties that keep the mold and bugs away and shoes smell good.

The dark-colored heartwood of red cedar carries natural oils that serve to abolish clothes-moth larvae.

In Short

You have paid a lot for your shoes, so handle them well and manage them nicely, particularly if you are in desire to store shoes for the long term.

Store them in a cool but dry place with no moisture and less humidity so mold can’t be formed.

Review all your stored shoes once a year. After a rainy season must expose them to fresh air and store again.

The temperature and humidity ratio that humans find acceptable is also reasonable for shoes in the store.

Desiccants can be used if you don’t have silica gel packets

Clean the shoes before and after use before storing them.

Shoes must be completely dry before storing them for long. If you follow the aforementioned measures you can store shoes for a long time without decaying and dry rot.

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