Shoes are an indispensable part of our lives. We often buy more shoes than we really need, and then we run out of space to store them all! Then caring for them is a whole other issue!

Here are some organizational tips, as well as tips on how to keep your shoes in top condition.

Storing a lot of shoes in a small area can sometimes be a difficult challenge. Try these shoe storage tips!

How to Store Your Shoes

While shoe racks and shelves are a natural choice, getting creative can give you some options. Bookshelves are a way to display your beloved high heels and baskets (or in this case magazine holders) can be used for slippers and flip flops. Another great way to store your shoes is by using a dresser (without the drawers). Each drawer section, with the use of clear shoe boxes, can be designated for a type of shoe style: flats, heels, sneakers, sandals…

Now that you have created storage stow away your shoe collection, if space is still limited you might consider rotating shoes according to the season. Place your off-season shoes in a box with a lid, and label them. This will ensure your shoes will not get dusty and are easily stored and stackable on a high shelf or under your bed.

Now comes how to keep your shoes looking new and clean year after year.

It comes in very handy to have a box or a basket with all your shoe care essentials as a kit. This way, you have everything you need at your fingertips and you can easily spot which supplies are running low or what you are missing.

If you opt for a plastic box with a lid, the lid will come in handy as a surface protector while you are polishing.

How to Take Care of Different Fabrics

Leather:

1. Clean: Apply a leather shoe cleaner and rub with a soft shoe brush, buff with a soft cotton cloth.
2. Condition: Apply leather conditioner with a sponge or cloth, paying attention to wipe off the excess product.
3. Polish: Apply colour leather polish, rub it in a circular motion and buff.
4. Protect: Apply a spray waterproofing protector.

Suede:

1. Clean: Rub the surface of the suede with a towel, absorb the stains with a paper towel; you might need a suede eraser for heavy or tough to remove stains. If you have oily stains, you will need a degreasing suede cleaner. Last, rub with a suede brush to remove all the shiny spots and restore the nap of the suede.
2. Condition: Apply suede conditioner with a sponge, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions found on the product.
3. Protect: It’s important that you remember to never shine suede. All you need is to spray on suede protectant.

Canvas & Fabric:

1. Clean: first things first: remove all the shoelaces. Then scrub the fabric with a toothbrush using a mild soap. You could also use sneaker shampoo. Scrub the interiors and the liners and stuff the clean shoes with crumpled paper.
2. Polish: Apply canvas polish if necessary and remove any excess with a sponge. Spray on a protectant to prevent future stains. Allow your canvas shoes to air dry .

You’ve invested hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in your shoes. With a bit of organization and elbow grease (and shoe cleaner), your shoes will look good as new!

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