How to Store Shoes

Co-authored by Caitlin Jaymes and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

It’s great to have the perfect pair of shoes for every occasion, but where and how should you store all of them? This article lists lots of great shoe storage advice, including tips for everyday storage and some “do’s” and “don’ts” for long-term storage of your favorite footwear. So before tossing your sneakers by the door or your boots in the back of the closet, read on to keep your shoes looking good for years to come!

1

Hanging closet caddy

Hang shoes you use a few times a month in a space-saving spot. Get an over-the-door shoe storage caddy to hang on the inside or your closet door, for example. Or, choose a caddy that hangs on the closet rod along with your clothes. Either option keeps your shoes off of the floor and organized so they don’t clutter up your closet.^{[1]
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- Choose a hanging shoe caddy that has breathable fabric pockets for individual shoes. Avoid plastic pockets that don’t let your shoes “breathe.”

2

Shoe rack or cubby

Keep your not-quite-everyday shoes in an organized space. Set up the shoe rack or shoe cubby in a hall closet near your main entry door, for instance, or just in a convenient spot along the wall. Use a plastic, wood, or metal shoe rack that allows for good air circulation to keep your shoes dry and fresh. For a multifunctional option, pick a shoe cubby that doubles as a hallway bench. Or, if you’re crafty, try your hand at making your own shoe rack out of everyday items.^{[2]
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- For example, if you have an old wooden ladder, cut it if needed and lean it against the wall. Line up your shoes on the rungs of the ladder for easy storage.
- Search online for lots of creative DIY shoe rack ideas. You’ll find options ranging from PVC pipe sections to wooden pallets to pieces of wire fencing!

3

Shoe mat

Set up a conveniently located spot for everyday shoes. When you kick your shoes off as soon as you come in the door, make sure there’s an organized, functional spot for them! Put an absorbent mat near the main entry door that’s large enough to fit the pairs of everyday shoes for the household. Some shoe mats even have shoe outlines on them so you can line up each pair neatly.^{[3]
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- Here’s a cool idea if you often have wet or snowy shoes: make an absorbent shoe mat out of an old sheet pan filled with smooth pebbles. Rinse and dry the pebbles and pan every so often to keep them clean and fresh.

4

Cupboard, cabinet, or dresser

Repurpose furniture that offers some airflow for shoe storage. Any storage spot can be a shoe storage spot if it is roomy enough, has some air circulation, and offers protection from sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity. For instance, you might dedicate a couple of drawers in your bedroom dresser to shoes, or do the same with shelves in your closet or bedroom. Opt for wood furniture and consider leaving the door or drawer ever-so-slightly open to improve airflow.^{[4]
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- Don’t store your shoes in any kind of furniture that’s located in a basement, attic, garage, or another place that gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. The shoe materials will break down more quickly under these conditions.

5

Shoebox or cardboard box

The original shoebox is the best option for long-term storage. Okay, so there’s a decent chance that you didn’t actually save all the original boxes for your shoes. In that case, try asking around at any retailers that sell shoes for extra shoeboxes. Or, if needed, opt for any kind of cardboard box—like a package delivery box—that’s the right size for your pair of shoes.^{[5]
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- For extra protection, individually wrap the shoes in a layer of acid-free tissue paper before putting them in the box.
- While they seem like a good idea, avoid using clear plastic shoe storage boxes. They don’t allow for enough air circulation. If you want to be able to “see” your shoes in the box, take a picture of the shoes and tape it to the outside of the shoebox.

6

Shoe-stuffing paper

Use acid-free tissue paper—the kind you find stuffed in new shoes. Stuffing your shoes with balled-up paper helps them retain their shape during long-term storage. Tissue paper is ideal for this job, but make sure it’s acid-free tissue paper since acidic paper can damage shoe materials. And don’t jam your shoes full of paper—add just enough so that they keep their natural shape.^{[6]
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- Don’t use newspaper—it’s not acid-free and the print might discolor your shoes.

7

Cedar shoe balls or trees

Cedar shoe trees or balls offer the best footwear protection. Bunched-up acid-free tissue paper is fine for most of your pairs of shoes, but invest in cedar for your favorite and/or most expensive shoes. Shoe trees and shoe balls both help your footwear retain its shape, and cedar has a great fresh scent that repels moths and other bugs.^{[7]
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- Shoe trees are available at shoe stores or online.
- Use cedar instead of mothballs to keep bugs away. Mothballs are made with toxic chemicals that aren’t safe for kids or pets and that create an unpleasant scent that’s very difficult to get rid of.

8

Long boot supports

Keep long boots on stands or stuff them to hold their shape. Boot stands are an ideal option here—just flip the boots upside-down and set each boot on one of the pegs. Alternatively, keep your boots right-side-up and slide a cut-to-length piece of foam pool noodle into the upper section of each boot.^{[8]
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- If the tops of your long boots flop over, they could end up with a permanent crease after just a few months.

9

Shoe cleaning

A quick pre-storage cleaning helps shoes last much longer. Your shoes pick up dirt, dust, and other residues that could cause the materials they’re made from to degrade over time. This is especially true for leather and suede, but all shoes benefit from being cleaned up before you store them. If you use any water during the cleanup, let your shoes air dry fully before putting them in storage.^{[10]
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- Clean leather and suede shoes by brushing off dirt and dust with a soft, non-scratchy brush. Use a special leather or suede cleaner to remove stains.
- Clean canvas shoes by brushing them off, then using soapy water to remove stains.
- Wash plastic shoes with soap and water.

10

Shoe sorting

Arrange them by purpose and style, and weed out extras. While your everyday shoes don’t necessarily need to be perfectly sorted and arranged, it’s definitely worth your while to sort your shoes for longer-term storage. Sorting by season, purpose, and style makes it easier to find and access the shoes you want whenever you want them. And it keeps things looking nice and neat!^{[11]
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- For example, group together all your dress shoes, your winter boots and other winter shoes, your flip flops, sandals, and other summer shoes, and your exercise shoes and casual shoes.
- While sorting and arranging your shoes for storage, weed out shoes that you haven’t worn in a while and probably won’t wear again. Donate or sell them to declutter your collection and make storing your shoes that much easier.

11

Shoe storage “don’ts”

Make sure your shoes are dry, can breathe, and aren’t scrunched. Treat your shoes well and they’ll return the favor! Keep the following “don’ts” in mind when it comes to shoe storage:^{[12]
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- Don’t store shoes that are wet. Wet shoes get stinky and may even start to rot. Set up a fan to blow air over the outside of your shoes if you want them to dry faster. To help dry out the inside, stuff in some acid-free tissue paper for about an hour to soak up the moisture.
- Don’t seal up your shoes in plastic. This is especially important for leather and suede, but all shoes need to breathe! Wrapping, bagging, or boxing your shoes in plastic could cause them to end up moldy and discolored.
- Don’t stack shoes on top of each other. It’s okay to save a bit of room by stacking your flip flops, but avoid stacking any shoes that have more structure to them. Otherwise, within a few months or even weeks, your shoes will look more worn out and less stylish!

Expert Q&A

Question

How should I store shoes that I don't wear a lot?

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.

Caitlin Jaymes

Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

Expert Answer

You can store them in a coat closet, under your bed, or on a shelf in your closet. You can also store them on hanging shelves.
Question

What is best to put in the toes of my running shoes so they keep their shape in storage?

Community Answer

You can use shoe forms or just some wadded up newspaper.
Question

How do I store the leather shoes after manufacturing?

Community Answer

If you love those shoes, get a dust cover. Place them side by side on a shelf with the dust cover over them.