Using the correct boots storage methods is essential all year round. However, you might have struggled with storing your boots during summer. And this can have negative impacts on the qualtiy of your brogues.
So, we look at how to store boots in summer in this guide.
The best way to store your boots in summer involves a unique set of methods and techniques. You have to go for solutions that referred boot storage option will also relate to a few critical factors:
7 Unique Tips to Store Boots in Summer
Tip #1. Keep The Boots Off The Floor
The best suggestion for you is to avoid organizing your footwear by chucking them on the floor in your closet or room. It’s a wrong approach for various reasons. First, such an arrangement makes it difficult to locate your shoes when everything is in clutter.
It is also likely to compromise the finish or material qualtiy of your boots. That is because you will constantly be moving them aside to search for other brogues. If sticking with the floor storage approach is suitable for you, ensure you find ways to keep shoes off the floor.
Avoid placing them in a heap, and arrange them in an organized manner. Since you probably paid for them or received them as a gift, ensure the boots sit comfortably.
Tip #2. Never Use Wire Racks
Once you are past the floor heap issue, the next recommendation is probably a shoe rack. It’s a wire contraption that is common in most homes and stores. However, it may convenient for some brogues, buts it’s not the perfect solution.
You should cringe at the thought of using wire racks for boot storage. These racks are not suitable for boots because they offer small surface areas for boot storage. Wire racks are also dangerous for storing suede boots. Why? That is because the wire racks can eventually compromise the suede boot material quality.
Tip #3. Organize the Boots into Categories
Before you start using any new storage schemes or techniques, ensure you place the shoes into organized categories. You can use the following suggestions:
- The shoes you put on regularly.
- The shoes you are less likely to wear.
You can then categorize the shoes remaining in the categories even better. Ensure you place footwear with a similar style in the same category. For instance, the footwear you use to work should be in one category.
The shoes you wear to places such as picnics or even dinner should be in another category. So, generally, ensure each boot suits the specific type of application you need it for daily.
Tip #4. Determine Whether You Need a Different Shoe Storage Solution
Many people collect footwear with any sense of originality or informed decision-making. Maybe you fall into this category of people. If you do, realize that you might be struggling with storing your boots when the summer season finally sets in.
Footwear, especially boots, often takes up lots of space, and you should go for a storage structure with adjustable shelves. The storage solutions in your home, such as closets, often have a small amount of space.
So, look at your boots collection once again, and determine whether you have to invest in a separate storage mechanism. You might even be purchasing or receiving more boots in the future as gifts.
It will be convenient for you if you can reserve a separate storage solution for the boots. The correct storage solution also applies for other instances, such as storing leather boots after winter.
Tip #5. Store the Boots Upright
Boots tend to have different sizes and lengths. The long types might flop over quickly and consume lots of floor space. To ensure they stay in shape, and are free from the beating from other shoes, find ways to store them upright.
A good recommendation for you would be to use tools such as boot shapers. Once the boots “stand at attention,” locating and storing them becomes a simple task. Or, you can use can opt for a transparent Container Store Boot Box, which is also convenient.
Tip #6: Use Wood Shoe Horns for Long Term Boot Storage
How to store boots in summer varies from storing the shoes you will still have to use constantly. If you know your boots will be off your feet for several days, invest in products such as wooden shoehorns and stretchers. These are excellent for helping to retain the shapes of your leather brogues.
Remember to use the correct shoehorn size to avoid compromising the structure of your footwear. There are some adjustable types, which you can customize to provide the perfect footwear fit.
Before using plastic or wooden shoe frames, let the shoes sit for a few hours before putting them on again. It will help remove any residual moisture, help stave off the effects of dampness that can occur over time.
Tip # 7. Stuff Acid-Free Tissue Inside the Footwear
Acid-free paper is absorbent and maintains a shoe’s proper moisture level while protecting the shoes from deteriorating. When using paper to stuff shoes for moderate or long-term storage, opt for acid-free tissue instead of newsprint.
While paper may not have enough heft to fill boots and thick leather or felted shoes, unbleached muslin fabric is an excellent alternative. Like paper, muslin wicks away residual moisture, and it also protects metal buckles and delicate sequins from scratches.
Tip #8. Choose the Correct Shoe Organizer
For footwear that you use on a regular basis, consider an open storage structure, that helps ensure damp materials can ventilate. If you plan on storing the boots for long durations, these solutions are not the best option.
The other viable options you can consider include:
1. Boot Storage Boxes
These are excellent for giving your footwear optimal protection against elements such as dust, or humidity. These elements can have a negative impact on the leather material over time, and especially on their flexibility.
Additionally, using this approach is a highly convenient measure you can use. You may have to store them in the shoe storage boxes once you wrap and store them to help preserve the material quality.
You can also opt for plastic boxes. That said, ensure your shoes are clean and dry before using this approach. Do this to help reduce any instance of mildew development or growth. The other alternative is to use the shoebox that cam with your footwear. Based on all these benefits, boot storage boxes rank high up in our list of boot storage ideas.
PRO TIP! Regardless of your preferred shoe box storage option, ensure you choose an acid-free solution.
Recommended Product: Attelite Drop Front Shoe Box
3. Shoe Racks and Cabinets
For shoes you wear regularly, a rack or cabinet with an open front allows air to circulate around your footwear while keeping dust from collecting on delicate materials. Shelving with open fronts also helps you keep shoes and boots organized.
Consider placing a shoe rack in a convenient place such as the garage, entryway or mudroom where family members can quickly put their shoes away where they belong on their way outdoors. Shoe racks and cabinets also present the best way to store boots in a small closet
By placing the cabinet or rack in as convenient a place as possible, family members have no excuse not to put their shoes away where they belong and out of harm’s way.
An organized mudroom or entryway indeed goes a long way when trying to keep your shoes in good shape. If your mudroom is in need of a revamp, get inspired by our upcycled mudroom bench project or our DIY mudroom bench tutorial.
Recommended Product : ERONE Shoe Rack Storage Organizer
3. Shoe Trees
Trees and pegboards that let you keep your shoes off the floor are excellent for keeping closets organized. If you know anyone who has ever asked, “what is the best way to store shoes upright?” Tell them to go for shoe stress!!
But because anything that fits inside the shoe and distorts its silhouette can stretch leather and fabric uppers over time, these convenient items aren’t meant for long-term storage.
Save shoe trees for running shoes, flats, and other casual footwear you use frequently. To preserve your shoes’ shape, switch the way you hang shoes or the way you put them in pockets.
Recommended Product : Stratton Cedar Shoe Tree
Tip #9. Maintain the Footwear Using Household Items
There are various household items you can use on your leather boots before storing them. First, realize that you have to protect the boots from elements such as dust. To achieve this goal, you will have to use many different techniques.
Believe it or not, you can use household items for goals such as how to store ski boots for summer. The first step is to protect your shoes from salt and water stains during the winter season. You should also apply a waterproof spray product to the boot such as Kiwi. It’s a potent product, which you can use to protect your footwear and various other footwear materials.
If the boots still accumulate salt stains, consider cleaning them using some white vinegar. Its works well because it’s acidic, and can break down the most stubborn stains in your boots. You can take things to the next level by using some saddle soap on the shoes once the process is complete.
When it comes to cleaning boots scuffs, use a clean cloth, which you insert in some baking soda. Then, use the damp cloth to clean the dirty sections of the boost, ad clean off the dirt using a separate clean cloth.
Once you have cleaned the grime, complete the boot cleaning process with an even coat of the ideal shoe polish. Some boot care kits come with several applicators, which can make this process convenient.
Household Items Required for Boot Storage in Summer
| Household Item | Purpose | Product Recommendation |
| Vinegar | ||
| Baking soda | ||
| Waterproof Kiwi product | ||
Tip #10. Clean the Boots Using Talcum Powder, A Towel, and Brush
The range of techniques you can use to store boots are several, and these three should be part of your list. Why? Well, these products work well to eliminate stubborn stains that can compromise your leather boots. Talcum powder also featured in our guide on ways to remove yellow bleach stains from shoes.
Avoid using lots of water when cleaning your suede boots that have stubborn stains. Water is likely to leave stains, and this might present an entirely new hassle. If your suede shoes get in touch with a liquid stain by accident, such as during rain, you can use talcum powder.
You will have to apply the powder on the powder and let it work overnight. In the morning, get a clean cloth and use it to wipe off the surface of the footwear. If these were any other type of footwear, one might have the temptation to add some polish.
However, avoid applying polish right after cleaning your footwear, especially the suede types.
| Household Item | Purpose | Product Recommendation |
| Talcum powder | ||
Tip #11. Clean The Footwear Using Mr. Clean
You have various options when it comes to ensuring your boots stay fresh all summer. But before we get to use this product, here are some tips to get you started:
- If your sneakers had a stench, especially odor that accumulates over time, pour some baking soda inside the boots. Let it sit overnight, and then remove the baking powder in the morning.
- Doing this should help eliminate the odor from the boot significantly. So, it’s time to getting rid of the dirt and residue on the sneakers.
- If you want to remove the stains from sneakers, clean them using a cloth. Or, get a gentle toothbrush to clean the shoe surface.
- The final step is to use Mr. Clean’s magic erasers. Many people often wonder, does Mr. clean clean shoes. Yes, it does, and you just have to be gentle when using it on the boot surface. Mr. Clean’s magic eraser is a perfect solution for how to store off-season shoes.
Steps Before Your Store Your Boots in Summer
After the long and cold winters, it’s often time for people to keep the heavy boots and opt for something else. However, before you stash your favorite winter brogues, you have to take a few crucial steps.
Doing this will ensure your footwear is ready for the following year. The recommended steps for this process include:
Step 1. Clean your boots. Give them a thorough scrub if the boots have lots of salt stains, scuff, and muck spots. You can remove the salt stains using a soft brush, and some warm water with alcohol or vinegar. Once you clean all the salt stains, get a leather cleaner and use it on the remaining boot sections. It’s one of the crucial aspects of how to store winter boots in summer.
Step 2. Deep Condition, which is vital for maintaining the quality and structure of the leather. You have to perform this process immediately after cleaning the boots. You can use a leather conditioning product, which works wonders. A deep condition is a common solution for different types of footwear, and we found it highly beneficial for how to restore cowboy boots.
Step 3. Before you store the boots, ensure you stuff their insides with some form of material such as paper or a shoe tree. Doing this will help maintain the structure and design of the shoe.
Step 4. The final step in this process would be to deodorize the footwear. Consider using a deodorizing spray for the best results.
Step 5. Now you can finally lay your boots to rest. The best way to store boots would be upright. However, if you plan to use resources as bins, ensure you place the heaviest boots down first.
FAQs;
- What is the Best Way to Store Boots in the Summer?
The best way to store boots in the summer involves several measures. You should realize the same caution that went into buying the boots in the first place should go into storage. First, clean the boots, and store them in a cool, dry, and spacious environment.
- How Can I Store Winter Boots In Summer?
The best way to store winter boots in summer would be to ensure the shoes are clean and sit in a warm, dry place. You may also have to perform some basic material cleaning to help recover the beating they took from snowy terrains.
- How Do You Store Leather Boots in Humid Weather?
The best way to store leather boots in humid weather is to ensure you place them in a cold and dry place. Be checking the boots regularly for the presence of accumulated moisture, and ensure they don’t take a beating from other boots.
- Is High Humidity Bad for Leather Boots?
Yes, high humidity can be bad for leather boots. However, you just have to store the boots in a cold and dry place. Additionally, remember to check out the boots regularly to determine any moisture issues early.
- What is the Best Approach for How to Store Boots in Closet?
The best approach for how to store boots in a closet would be to ensure that they sit upright. Or, you can also use storage solutions such as shoe racks and boxes. The best solution would be to ensure your shoes are safe from damage or beating due to poor storage.
Storing your boots in the summer should be a process involving organization and good decision-making. You have to protect your brogues from nature’s elements and a beating from your cramped up footwear store. With the proper storage measures, your boots will stay in pristine shape for the following year.
