How to Clean and Store Shoes for the Seasonal Change

With the arrival of the spring and summer seasons and therefore warm temperatures, it’s also time to do the seasonal wardrobe change, both for clothes and winter shoes.

But how should you store winter shoes? Proper care is needed for footwear and before putting them away until the following winter, you need to clean them, repair them, or, if they are irreparably damaged, discard them.

Here are some tips on how to clean and store shoes for the seasonal change.

Keep or discard? Make a selection

Winter shoes take up a lot of space, so it’s better to consider whether it is worth keeping them for next year or if it is best to throw away the most worn-out pairs. Indeed, some footwear, such as sneakers, get heavy use during the year and may be too worn to use again in the future.

Evaluate whether the shoes you intend to put away in the wardrobe for the seasonal change are in good condition and if a simple cleaning or minor repair can restore them almost like new – sometimes changing the laces and applying a bit of glue is enough; in other cases, shoes simply need resoling – or if it is better to discard them.

You can take the shoes you don’t want to throw away because you still like them and they need some repair to the cobbler, or bring shoes that you think could be restored to see if repairs are possible.

On the other hand, footwear that is in good condition but you will no longer wear can be donated to those in need.

How to clean shoes before storing them for the seasonal change

You cannot put the shoes you have decided to keep directly into the wardrobe or closet without cleaning them first, because over time mold can form or unpleasant odors may spread throughout the wardrobe. To avoid this and to prevent damage to clothing and other footwear stored in the same place, it is necessary to do some cleaning first.

Not all shoes can go in the washing machine; each type of footwear must be cleaned according to specific rules:

• for sneakers or fabric shoes, use a dry stain remover that easily removes dirt without being too harsh on fabrics or damaging the color;
• for leather shoes, use a dual-layer cloth, useful not only for cleaning but also for polishing. There are also special self-polishing sponges in neutral, black, or brown colors that quickly clean and shine, revitalizing the shoe’s color;
• for suede shoes, gently rub the shoe surface with a suede eraser, which absorbs and removes stains without damaging the nap.

After cleaning, insert shoe trees inside each shoe to maintain their shape, or use crumpled newspaper pages.

Don’t forget antibacterial spray at the end of cleaning

After cleaning your shoes, don’t forget to use antibacterial spray – menthol-based spray is recommended – which sanitizes and keeps the insoles of your footwear fresh and pleasantly scented.

Before storing, protect shoes with fabric bags

Final advice: before placing your shoes in boxes and storing them in the wardrobe, protect them by putting them into fabric bags for footwear. Microfiber, satin, hemp, cotton, ottoman, brushed cotton, colored cotton, TNT: the selection is wide and designed to preserve every type of footwear, protecting it from scratches and abrasions.

You could use a fabric bag for shoes for valuable footwear, also suitable for fashion accessories and leather goods.

For sneakers, you might choose a colored nylon shoulder backpack, which is convenient for carrying them when traveling or going to the gym.

Or you could opt for a black cotton bag for footwear, which works well for both men's and women's shoes.

Once cleaned, wrapped in bags, and placed in cardboard boxes, stack them in the wardrobe or storage room according to your preferred method. You will have a clean and organized wardrobe all summer!