Storing Shoes – How to Keep Them Like New

Where to put summer shoes in winter – and vice versa? If your shoe cabinet also has limited capacity, then you'll find the best tips here on how to store shoes. As a shoe and fashion label, we are absolute experts in this area and will explain what you should pay attention to and what you should never do. If you're still looking for new shoes for the season, feel free to check out our women's shoes!

Why is Proper Shoe Storage Important?

When storing boots and other shoes, there are a few things you should keep in mind. But what's the worst that can happen? Shoes are more delicate than you might think. The various materials such as leather, synthetics, or different textiles can suffer from temperature fluctuations, moisture, and incorrect storage techniques.

These factors can lead to the shoes deforming – for example, because they were stacked incorrectly or no shoe trees were used. Moisture, mold, or drying out can damage the materials, often irreparably. Discoloration is also possible in this context. Last but not least, improper storage can lead to odor formation in your shoes. That certainly doesn't make them very inviting to wear again next season!

How to prepare your shoes for storage

If you want to store your shoes for a longer period, you should first clean them thoroughly. How you proceed exactly depends on the respective materials:

  • Leather shoes: Clean leather shoes with a soft cloth and a leather cleaner. Afterwards, you can use a leather cream to condition the shoes.
  • Suede shoes: Suede is best cleaned with a special suede brush. Stains can be removed with a special eraser.
  • Synthetic and fabric shoes: Simply use a damp cloth or a soft brush and a mild detergent to clean these shoes.
  • Sports shoes: Some sports shoes can be machine washed. If your models are not suitable for this, you can clean them with a brush.

Once the shoes are clean, let them dry first. It is important that the shoes are completely dry before you store them! Please do not put them in the sun or on the heater – both can make the material brittle. Before storing them, it is also advisable to care for the shoes. For example, you can use a special shoe polish (e.g. for leather shoes), an impregnating spray for suede, and a shoe deodorant for sports shoes. The latter helps against unpleasant odors.

What to consider when storing shoes

Once the shoes are prepared, it's time for the actual storage. Storing boots and similar items follows certain rules. Make sure you follow our tips so that your shoes last a long time.

Choose the right storage location

Finding a good place to store shoes is not that easy. First, it is important that it is a dry room that cannot be affected by mold. But beware: air that is too dry can make leather shoes brittle! It is also important that the room is cool and dark. Good ventilation should also be provided.

Many people decide to store their shoes in the basement. This can be a simple solution, but it is only recommended if all these conditions are met. In basements, for example, the humidity can be too high. Storing shoes outside is also possible – but only if the conditions are good, which is often not the case, for example, due to temperature fluctuations or humidity. Often, the best choice is to store shoes in your apartment or rent a special storage unit.

Choose suitable storage

There are several ways to store your shoes in the chosen location. Sealed plastic containers are not recommended. In these, the shoes cannot breathe. An alternative is classic shoe boxes, which are also easy to buy. You can also perfectly store your shoes in a shoe cabinet or on a shoe rack – the disadvantage of the latter is that the shoes can get dusty. Fabric bags or special shoe bags are also popular. These allow the shoes to breathe better and also make it possible to stack them to save space.

Properly Prepare the Shoes

Especially with high-quality shoes – like our Libeau women's shoes – you should make sure they don't lose their shape during storage. For example, crumpled newspaper can help keep them in shape. A more professional approach is to use a shoe tree. This is particularly recommended for leather shoes.

Common Mistakes When Storing Shoes

At Libeau, your shoes are important to us – whether you bought them in our shop or already have them at home. That's why we've put together a short list of everything you should definitely avoid when storing shoes:

  • Do not use airtight boxes or plastic bags for storing shoes and boots. Moisture can accumulate in these, which can lead to mold growth.
  • Do not stack shoes directly on top of each other. This can deform them and leave pressure marks.
  • Do not store dirty shoes. Dirt can, for example, dry out the leather or cause stains. Plus, it's much nicer to retrieve clean shoes from storage!
  • Do not store damp shoes. This can lead to unpleasant odors and, of course, mold. Shoes should always be completely dry before storage.
  • Always treat your leather shoes before storing them. Otherwise, the leather can become cracked and brittle.

Find new shoes at Libeau now

Your old shoes are stored away, and now it's time for new season models to move in? Then you've come to the right place. In our Libeau shop, we offer a designer collection of women's shoes that will make all your shoe dreams come true. From elegant high heels to tall boots and cool ankle boots, from stylish sandals to comfortable flat shoes, we have it all. Feel free to browse our selection and fall in love with your next pair!

Frequently asked questions about storing shoes

Do you still have questions? Here we have summarized everything important about proper shoe storage:

How does boot storage work?

Due to their size, boots are a little more difficult to store. We recommend special, long shoe boxes or "shoe racks" consisting of long rods over which you can place the boots. Very practical for storage!

What should be considered when storing leather shoes?

Leather shoes should definitely be thoroughly cleaned before long-term storage. For regular leather shoes, this works with a cloth and appropriate leather cleaner; for suede shoes, use a special brush and eraser. Afterwards, you can apply a care product or waterproofing spray that is also suited to the type of leather. For high-quality leather shoes, you should use a shoe tree to prevent them from losing their shape.

Do you have to clean your shoes before storing them?

Yes, shoes should always be cleaned before storage. This reduces the formation of odors, and dirt cannot damage the shoe material during storage. It is important to consider the specific materials of the shoes when cleaning.

How can I store shoes in my home?

If there is no suitable storage space, it is of course possible to store shoes in your home. The conditions here are usually very good for storage. For example, space-saving storage under the bed or on top of the wardrobe is particularly popular. Here, the shoes can be stored in shoe boxes. Hook strips on which shoes are hung are also popular – with a little creativity, these can even take on a decorative form! Otherwise, suitable places for shoe storage can be found in almost every home. For example, in the suspended ceiling, under the stairs, or at the bottom of the wardrobe.

How can I avoid odor formation when storing shoes?

You can avoid odor formation by choosing a well-ventilated room and either not packaging the shoes at all or packaging them in breathable materials. Thorough prior cleaning and the use of shoe deodorant also help prevent odors.