Introduction
Leather shoes have been a sign of quality and style for many years. They can be worn both on formal and casual occasions while providing a comfortable alternative to other types of shoes. But it would be a shame if you stored your leather shoes under the wrong conditions because it may cause damage to your expensive footwear. If you want to bring out their appearance for years, In this article, I will discuss how to store leather shoes for a long time. So let us get started.
List the Advantages of Storing Leather Shoes Properly
There are several benefits when you know how to store leather shoes properly; aside from extending their use, this will also prevent any damage over time. Leather is very durable, but prolonged exposure to harsh elements like friction and direct sunlight can damage it. It can also lose its shape and color, especially if not stored properly. Here are the benefits of keeping leather shoes properly:
1. The shoe will retain its appearance and qualities. If you know how to store a leather shoe properly, your favorite may last longer as it will maintain its quality and overall appearance over time. With this, you won’t have to buy another pair or replace those damaged from prolonged exposure to the elements.
2. Your shoes will always be ready-to-wear whenever you need them. Another benefit of storing leather shoes properly is being able to wear them at any given time without spending too much time preparing them first before going out. Instead, you take them out from storage, dust them off, and you’re ready to go.
3. You won’t have to worry about odor. A common problem with most leather shoes is their strong leathery odor due to prolonged exposure to the elements or not storing it properly after use. When you know how to keep a leather shoe properly, this odor will be gone for good as they retain their quality even if unused for some time.
In other words, your favorite shoes don’t produce that smelly smell anymore! One way of preventing the odor from returning is by permanently storing your shoes inside a breathable storage bag when not in use. This prevents moisture from building up while avoiding direct contact with harsh elements like dry heat from radiators and other appliances, damaging its overall appearance and quality.
4. It’s cheaper than buying new ones. If you know how to store leather shoes properly, you can always use them again once they get damaged from exposure to the elements or prolonged wear and tear of everyday use. This is more economical than buying new pairs all the time, which are very expensive in the long run.
5. They won’t be at risk of insect infestation. The last benefit of storing leather shoes properly is avoiding the risk of being infested by insects when not kept in proper conditions over time. When left untreated, these pests might make their way into your favorite pair in search of food and shelter, leading it to permanent damage if not attended to early before any destruction happens too much to handle.
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A Detailed Stepwise Guide on How to Store Leather Shoes for a Long Time
1. The first thing you need to do is to check whether the pair of shoes is made of whole grain or top grain leather. If it’s full-grain, then store them for a shorter period; otherwise, if they are made up of top-grain leather, you can keep them safe for at least six months by storing them properly. It’s true and works 100%.
2. Now grab some newspaper and place an extra layer between the sole and footbed so that the natural crease doesn’t appear in your shoes. You can also use paper towels and tissue paper instead if you don’t have any newspapers in hand. Ensure that all your pairs are stored with their sole’s crease facing downwards to avoid any damage.
3. One crucial thing I would like you to remember here is that don’t place your shoes in any tight plastic bag or cover them with a rubber band before storing them. This may cause the pair to curve and deform over a period, resulting in premature wear and tear of the shoe.
4. Another significant step you need to follow here is that don’t put anything directly above them after placing your shoes on a shelf or cabinet. This might also result in the natural curves getting affected by gravity over a period, resulting in severe damage later on. Again, the best way is to store them separately from other shoes so that there are no issues at all with your shoes.
5. The best place to store your leather shoes is in a dry, cool place where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the day. It would be even better if you could keep them away from humidity. This may affect their longevity and durability over a period which will let you down with less mileage on the road (no pun intended here, though).
6. Another step that I would like you to remember is to NEVER use any chemical-based products like polishes, creams, or polish shoe solutions over your pair before storing them for an extended period. This might give you some quick results, but they won’t last more than a few months. So, make sure to avoid using chemicals on your leather shoes before storing them away.
7. The simple step of using a suede eraser might help you get rid of the dust particles and grime stuck to the surface of your shoe, which can result in staining later on if not removed carefully by hand or with a polish brush. Ensure that you don’t use any product over it like waterproofing sprays, creams, etc. (refer to step 6). This will only damage the look and finish even further before you store it for an extended period.
8. When I said making them look good, I meant to clean up all areas, including creases, because these are prime areas where grime gets accumulated over time if not cleaned properly. So again, make sure to avoid using chemical-based products over your shoes before you store them away.
9. The very last thing that I would like you to do here is always to remember that when you come back after a long gap of time, don’t wear your shoes immediately and instead leave them in the sun for an hour or two to adjust back with the warmth and humidity which may have changed during storage (or even exposure to water if any).
This will make sure that they retake their natural form without much hassle and hard work. Usually, this happens when you place them straight in front of an AC unit after removing them from a dry, cool cabinet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Store Leather Shoes in Garage?
A garage is a place where cars are stored, and also, in some countries, it is the place where people keep their house furniture. But it cannot be used to store leather shoes. Leather shoes are not recommended to be kept outside as they may get damaged due to moisture or dust.
Why Do Leather Shoes Go Mouldy?
Leather shoes go moldy because they are made from leather. Leather is a natural material that will eventually decompose and become discolored if not taken care of properly.
There are many reasons why leather shoes can go moldy:
- You may have accidentally spilled water on your shoes, which allowed the excess moisture to seep into the leather and cause rotting.
- Moisture can also enter your shoe through cracked seams or weak stitching.
- The shoes could be old enough to have gone through natural wear and tear where molds might have started to grow in the crevices between the sole and the upper part of the shoe.
Do Shoes Deteriorate in the Box?
It is true that shoes do deteriorate in the box, but it’s not because of a particular chemical reaction. Shoes degrade when they are exposed to light and oxygen. This means that if you want your shoes to last for years, you should store them in a dark place with little or no air circulation.
The best way to keep your shoes looking new is by using shoe trees to help absorb moisture and prevent odors from forming on the inside of your shoes.
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Conclusion
So, these are some basic steps that should help you keep your shoes secure by storing them for an extended period without any issues. Make sure to follow these steps carefully the next time you plan to store your leather shoes for an extended period.
I hope this helped learn how to store leather shoes for a long time. Don’t forget to share it with other people who might be facing similar issues while keeping their leather shoes over a long-term basis. Thank you and have a nice day!
