Shoes may be small, but when you have a lot of them, it can be difficult to store them properly. Not only do you need to prevent them from getting deformed, but you also need to protect them from moisture and mold, all while taking up as little space as possible. It's quite a technical task. Do you know how to organize your shoes?
Storage Methods for Different Types of Shoes
Leather Sandals
Before storing leather sandals, make sure to clean them thoroughly and let them dry. Use a dry brush to remove any dirt on the soles, and apply shoe oil to maintain the leather. Stuff the shoes with cloth to prevent the uppers from sagging, and then place them in a shoe box.
Leather Boots
After cleaning leather boots, cut newspaper into rectangular pieces that are taller than the boot shafts. Roll them into tubes and insert them into the shafts to keep them upright. Then, put the boots in a breathable bag and store them in a shoe box with holes for ventilation. Alternatively, you can also use old knee-high stockings to prevent dust while allowing air circulation.
Canvas Shoes, Plastic Shoes
Use a desiccant inside canvas shoes, plastic shoes, and other types of shoes to keep them dry and prevent mold and odor.
Satin Shoes, Soft Leather Shoes
Place support material inside these types of shoes. You can use dedicated shoe trees or roll up clean, soft fabric into small rolls and stuff them inside the shoes to maintain their shape and prevent deformation.
Shoes with Decorations
Some shoes have decorative elements like bows, flowers, or thin straps. When storing these shoes, be careful to arrange these details properly to avoid crushing or deforming them. Use thin paper to gently wrap and secure these protruding decorations in their original positions and shapes, effectively preventing any issues.
How to Prevent Shoes from Getting Damp
1. Desiccant: New shoe boxes usually come with two small packets of desiccant. These can help maintain a dry environment inside the shoe box and prevent shoes from getting moldy.
2. Bamboo Charcoal: If you can't find desiccants or if they have lost their effectiveness after an extended period, you can buy several packs of bamboo charcoal and place them in the shoe box or cabinet to absorb moisture. Bamboo charcoal can also help prevent mildew and eliminate odors.
3. Newspaper: Place a layer of newspaper at the bottom of the shoe cabinet to absorb moisture. You can also roll up the newspaper into tubes and use tape to secure them inside the cabinet for dehumidification purposes.
How to Save Space When Storing Shoes
Change the Way You Arrange Shoes
If your shoe cabinet is shallow, stagger the position of two pairs of shoes, one in front and one behind, to fit an extra pair or two. If your shoe cabinet is deep, arrange the shoes into two rows, with less frequently worn or out-of-season shoes at the back and frequently worn or current season shoes at the front.
Use Professional Storage Products
It's best to choose adjustable shoe cabinets so you can customize the shelf spacing according to the height of your shoes.
Z-shaped shoe racks allow you to store more than one pair of shoes in an upside-down fashion, saving both space and preventing deformation.
