September 23 2024
Now that we’re well and truly into winter, I’m sure our walking boots, UGG boots and long boots are seeing a lot more use than in the hotter summer months.
And let me guess, you had to trawl through a mountain of shoes to find them?
When it comes to the toughness and roughness of our winter footwear, some of us are probably guilty of not giving them the proper care they need and that includes properly storing them when we aren’t using them.
In this blog, we’ll take you through all the do’s and don’ts when it comes to saying goodbye for now to your winter footwear and some simple, but effective boot storage ideas.
How to store long boots
Maintaining the shape of long boots is essential in getting the best out of them for more than one winter.
The fabric of knee-high or over-the-knee boots is considerably weaker in structure and as such, if they are stored standing, the fabric will collapse on itself. This may work for you if you’re cramming them into a utility cupboard but, we recommend that if you’ve got the space to do so, standing them up in a closet or wardrobe floor is the best way to store these types of boots.
The best way for long boots to keep their shape is to stuff them and these very simple household items can help fight against ‘the fold’:
- Old newspaper, magazines and wrapping paper
- Wine bottles
- Pool noodles (yes really!)
- Empty 2-litre drinks bottles
All of the above are great and clever ways to make sure your long boots look just as good from one season to the next.
How to store suede boots
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, there are few things worse than ruining a good pair of suede boots when it comes to boot storage.
Suede boots will often be amongst your most expensive winter footwear so it’s essential you know how to properly store them throughout the year when they aren’t getting much use.
There are a few very simple but important, boot storage ideas you can use to ensure their quality:
- Never place them near a radiator, keep them away from other sources of heat and always air-dry if they get wet
- Always avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading
- Stuff them with old newspaper, wrapping paper etc. and invest in shoe bags for long-term storage
These incredibly simple steps will ensure your suede boots are kept in the best possible condition.
How to store UGG boots
UGG boots are a winter favourite when it comes to footwear but there will come a warmer time when you need to say goodbye to UGG boots and hello trainers and sandals.
UGG pay particular attention to this area of care and offer an UGG care kit for all of their boots. However, there are some additional steps you can do at home to make sure you get the best out of your furry boots for many years to come:
- As always, stuff your UGG boots with old newspaper, wrapping paper or magazines when putting them away for long periods of time
- Brush them and store them standing up with your other long boots
- Use UGG dedicated cleaning and protective solutions (if applicable)
Regardless of what type of boots you have, there are a few simple do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when it comes to boot storage ideas:
This may sound like a simple one, but make sure they’re clean before you store them
We’ve all been there, out on a winter walk in the countryside and when you get home, the first thing we do is kick off our muddy boots at the door, and leave them there for another day (or two).
To get the best out of your boots, like any footwear, it’s important to make sure they’re clean before you put them into storage for another six months.
While most of us will be focused on getting the feeling back in our fingers and putting the kettle on for a brew, spending ten minutes getting our boots in proper order before storing them will really make a difference in the long run.
Make sure you store them in a cool and dry place
Whether it’s expensive leather boots or your old ski boots that don’t get much use anymore, storing your boots properly in a cool and dry place is essential in preventing mould and a foul smell in the process.
Checking the area you plan to store your boots in prior, will help keep your winter boots in tip-top condition come next year!
If you find you don’t have adequate space at home, why not think about storing your boots in one of our storage units?
Notice a rip or tear? Get them repaired!
You wouldn’t let damage to your expensive winter coat go unnoticed so why should your boots be any different?
If you spot a small rip, tear or other damage to your boots, it’s important to deal with this right away before going into storage. If dealt with early, the boots may be returned to their former glory but placing damaged boots in long-term storage will increase the risk of further damage.
Boot-fillers are the way to go
As we spoke about at length above, maintaining the shape of your boots is very important.
Utilising household items such as old paper is a great tool to ensure boots keep their shape but also using stiff cardboard cut to shape, is also a great alternative and it’s another chance to recycle too. Win-Win!
Boots are designed to be tough, sturdy and meant to last so hopefully, these tips will help you maintain the quality of your winter footwear when it’s time to put them away for another year.
Need more help?
You can find more of our how-to blogs here, giving you a range of advice from storage tips, moving guides and even home improvement ideas.
If you need any further help, get in touch with us now!
