With the changing seasons, you also change your footwear rotation. Time to replace those heavy winter boots with light summer sneakers, or vice versa. However, the last thing you want to do is just dump your expensive Jordans or leather boots in the far back of a closet.
We’ve all been there: you pull out your favorite white sneakers after several months, only to find the soles have developed an ugly yellowish hue, or your tall boots now have irreversible creases and totally slumped over.
At Yestorages, we believe that your shoes deserve better care. Whether you are an avid sneakerhead or just want to keep a tidy house, this guide will take you through how to professionally store seasonal footwear so it looks like it just came out the box.
Why Do Stored Shoes Turn Yellow or Deform?
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Yellowing (Oxidation): When shoes are made out of materials that have chemicals in them, often rubber, TPU, EVA, etc., the chemicals will react with oxygen, UV light or moisture to create yellow compounds. That is the science behind yellowing due to oxidation.
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Deformation: Having the proper wearing habits of shoes is very important; shoes that are too tight or loose will expedite deformation. In addition, the shoes' quality is also a contributing factor; well-made shoes with high-quality materials are less susceptible to deforming. Deformation can occur from improperly supporting shoes while stored too.
Here are the 5 steps to prevent this from happening.
Step 1: The Deep Clean (No Skipping!)
You should never store dirty shoes! This is the golden rule. Dirt and mud have bacteria and enzymes that exacerbate wear and tear of glues and fabrics.
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Remove surface dirt: using a soft bristle brush may be helpful in getting rid of loose mud.
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Wipe them down: either with a mild sneaker cleaner product, or a mix of water and gentle soap.
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Let them dry completely: this is hugely important to the storing process - if you store your shoes and they are wet inside, you will develop mold. Air dry your shoes for a minimum of 24 hours in a well-ventilated area, but not in direct sunlight.
Step 2: Maintain Shape (Defy Gravity)
You’ll want internal support to ensure your shoes don’t appear like deflated balloons when you finally take them out.
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For Sneakers & Dress Shoes: You can use shoe trees, but if you want to save a buck, look to acid-free tissue paper. Use the tissue to fill the toe box to help ease wrinkles. Never use newspaper as the ink will eventually transfer to the shoe.
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For Tall Boots: You should use boot shapers or inflatable forms. If the shaft of the boot bends or falls over, the leather will break down and crack at the ankle. It is non-negotiable for boots to be kept upright.
Step 3: The "Breathable Barrier" Strategy
This is where many people misapply. You may think, putting shoes in an airtight plastic bag, or the original cardboard box is protecting them. It’s not.
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Original Cardboard Boxes: These are acidic, will attract silver fish, roaches, and will fade and crumble.
- Sealed plastic bags: These are used to retain the moisture that comes with wearing, however, they do not allow for air circulation. This results in sole cracking (hydrolysis) as well as the development of mold. As time goes by, they also generate unpleasant smells.
The Solution? Breathable, Hard-Shell Storage.
The storage surroundings should provide a balance of protection and airflow. That is the reason why the drop-front shoe boxes of Yestorages are created with ventilation consideration.
- Hard-shell protection: Keeps the shoes safe from being damaged due to the pressing by other items in the closet. Transparent shoe boxes not only help to protect shoes but also make it easy to identify the shoes.
- Ventilation hole design: Small ventilation holes on the back of the shoe box enable air circulation to prevent moisture from accumulating while being closed and at the same time, they do not allow dust to settle on the dirty surface.
- UV Protection: To keep the shoes from changing yellow, it is advised to place them in a room where there is no direct sunlight.
Step 4: Moisture Control
Even if you have well-ventilated boxes, the humidity level may vary. To make sure that the shoes remain fresh and are not damaged you may do the following:
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Silica Gel Packets: Place one or two silica gel packets in each shoe box. They take in the extra moisture quickly.
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Dust Bags: For some delicate materials like suede or luxury leather, put the shoes in a flannel dust bag before placing them in the shoe box. It makes double-layer protection which stops the dust and at the same time, lets the air flow.
Step 5: Organize and Stack
How to keep your shoes in order now that they have been cleaned?
In case you have a small apartment or narrow entryway, you should make use of the vertical space. By using stackable shoe boxes, you can create your own “shoe wall” which fits perfectly in a certain place and at the same time, you can add a decorative touch to the room.
Yestorages design and manufacture various kinds of shoe storage that can fulfill different people's needs.
Summary: The "Yestorages" Checklist
By following the steps below:
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✅ Make sure to clean and dry entirely before putting them away.
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✅ Use shoe trees or acid-free paper to stuff them.
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✅ Stay away from cardboard and use strong, ventilated plastic boxes instead.
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✅ Keep the air dry by using silica gel.
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✅ Save the floor space by stacking vertically.
Do you want to raise the level of your shoe storage? Properly storing your favorite shoes is extending their lifespan - aren't you actually managing your finances? Browse the collection of Drop-Front Premium Shoe Boxes and Space-Saving Shoe Racks today at Yestorages.com. Let your shoes have the place they are worth.
