Shoes protect our feet from weather conditions, sharp objects, and uncomfortable surfaces. With all the benefits they provide, it is appropriate to take good care of them to maximise their longevity. By storing your shoes properly, you can keep them wearable for years, saving you money. So whether you are keeping them in a self-storage unit or in your home, here are some shoe storage tips to take note.
1. Use a shoe tree
Excessive moisture can affect the overall quality of your shoes and may cause the material to curl, deform, and crack. To avoid shoe damage or deformation, insert a shoetree into your footwear. This holds the shoe in its proper shape so it dries out correctly, keeping the material from cracking.
If you are planning to store your shoes for a long time, you need to use a wooden shoe tree. They can help your footwear keep their original shape even if you don’t wear them for a week or so. However, you must ensure that you use the correct size to avoid stretching the shoe. Before using wooden or plastic shoe frames, give the shoes some time to rest to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate. Otherwise, the shoe frame could trap the moisture within the shoe leading to damage.
To protect your shoes from deterioration and maintain their correct moisture level, you can use acid-free paper. This is ideal if you are planning to leave your shoes in a long-term storage facility. Stuffing acid-free tissues inside keeps the shoe material from sagging and losing its shape.
Before placing your shoes in your self-storage unit, clean them thoroughly. If they are made from leather, you can apply conditioner to their soles and uppers. For suede shoes, brush the surface to remove dirt and stain. Meanwhile, you can refresh your running shoes using a brush and any available cleaning solution. Once they dry out, wrap the shoes with a length of muslin or acid-free paper before placing them in their containers.
Another important aspect you need to consider when caring for your shoes is where you will store them. You can choose from a range of shoe storage options such as wire racks, boxes or custom cabinets. For shoes you often wear, you may opt for open storage, letting damp leather and fabrics breathe, keeping your shoes fresh.
As most shoes can be sensitive to extreme humidity and temperature, it’s preferable to store them in climate-controlled storage, like the ones offered by Kent Space. This way, you can ensure that your shoes remain in peak condition.
Espadrilles and shoes with cork soles are made from lightweight fragile materials. In addition to this, they are known to have low humidity tolerance. To remove the moisture and eliminate odour-creating bacteria, add some packets of silica gel to their boxes.
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