5 Ways to Store Shoes Properly at Home

by Tess D. Content Strategist

Photo by Zachary Keimig on Unsplash

Whether you’ve just bought a few new pairs of shoes or you have a growing collection that could use some organizing, we have a few easy tips to help you take the best care of your boots, sneakers, hikers, dress shoes, and more!

1. Store Them in the Original Shoe Box

If you are ordering shoes online or shopping for them in person, be sure to save the box they come in! It’s sometimes tempting to toss the box in the trash, but the very best way to keep your shoes in the best condition is to return them to their original box after you’ve taken them off.

Cardboard boxes are the go-to standard for shoes and they offer protection from dust, sunlight, and temperatures that can degrade the quality of your shoes. Wrapping the shoes in tissue paper will help to prevent scratches (an important consideration for shoes with heels) and provide a second layer of protection from dust and sunlight.

You can store shoe boxes in a closet for easy organization. They are stackable and firm for prolonged use. Keep your most worn pairs in an easy-to-reach place in your closet to save you time when getting ready!

2. Utilize Plastic Organizer Bins

Not all cardboard shoe boxes are created equal — some of the original boxes you receive may not be sturdy enough to keep your shoes in good condition. For shoes that come in flimsy or damaged boxes, it’s a good idea to go ahead and replace the original box with a plastic shoe organizer bin. These bins come in small and large sizes and are great for storing and stacking. Choosing clear bins allows you to see the contents as well. Another benefit to using plastic shoe bins is that they offer better protection in humid environments or in extreme temperatures (extreme hot or extreme cold). When you are looking for your favorite occasional shoes, boots, tactical shoes, or heels, being able to sort through the boxes quickly is a great time-saver.

3. Use Shoe Trees or Shoe Inserts

If you choose to stick with the original cardboard box or a plastic organizer bin, try to use shoe trees to keep your best leather or suede loafers, oxfords, and heels in like-new condition! Shoe trees are made from woods, like cedar and alder, that absorb excess moisture in your leather shoes to keep them from creasing and cracking. If you don’t have any shoe trees in your closet, pick up a few pairs and put them in your best leather shoes, stat! Using shoe trees is the best way to maintain men’s shoes.

Shoe inserts are similar to shoe trees, however, they come in a variety of materials including cardboard and plastic. They help keep the shape of boots, rain boots, loafers, and heels but don’t contribute to leather goods by wicking moisture.

4. Storing in Shoe Bags

Not only do shoe boxes and shoe trees or inserts help keep shoes in great shape, but shoe bags can also add life to your best pairs of shoes and boots. Flannel shoe bags often come with pairs of high-end shoes. The bags are individual to each shoe. Some flannel shoe bags have a drawstring, others are simply open at the end.

Shoe bags are the best protection for your shoes against scratches and surface damage. Delicate, soft materials and light colors are a must for additional protection using shoe bags. Tissue paper, while effective, doesn’t endure as shoe bags do. Packs of shoe bags can be purchased online for reasonable prices and are great for shoe storage and travel.

5. Store on Shelves or Shoe Rack

You may be storing your shoes on shelves in a closet or on a shoe rack placed in your room or near the entrance of your home. While storing your individually flannel-wrapped shoes in boxes with shoe trees inside is the most protective way to store your shoes, you may opt for convenience over care.

Although we know it's easy to simply take off your shoes at the door and put them on a shoe rack, we caution against this method of storage for high-end shoes. Sneakers, children’s shoes, orthopedic shoes and other inexpensive shoes will tolerate being placed on a shelf or rack without noticeable damage. Keeping high-end shoes on a climate-controlled closet shelf with shoe trees or shoe spacers, however, is a long-lasting storage method.

Take Care of Your Shoes

Whichever methods you choose to store your favorite shoes in your home, be sure to keep a few things in mind.

Material — Delicate materials such as velvet, suede, and sensitive materials (like leather) should be cared for appropriately. Use flannel shoe bags, shoe trees or inserts, and shoe boxes to keep your high-end suede and leather shoes in their best condition.

Quality — When you make a substantial investment in a pair of shoes for work or casual wear, be sure to keep them in like-new condition and wear them for years by storing them correctly. Using flannel storage bags, shoe trees or inserts, and shoe boxes will keep high-end shoes in great condition.

Follow these easy five steps to make storing women’s and men’s shoes at home simple. Keep your high-end purchases looking brand new for years to come!