Deals to Keep Your Toes Fantastic

Deal of the Day

Shoes.com: Save 20% on shoes storewide with code HEART. Expires February 28th.

How to Store Shoes

If you’re anything like me, your first instinct on coming home might be to kick off your shoes and leave them in an ever-growing pile by the door. While the satisfaction of tossing off your outdoor wear for slippers or bare feet might feel just wonderful, taking a few extra minutes to take care of your shoes increases their life.

Rule 1: Don’t kick off your shoes. My mom used to chide me for pulling off my tennis shoes by using my toes to hold the shoe in place while I slid my heel out. “You’re ruining your shoes!” she’d say. And she was right. Take off your shoes Mister Rogers’ style. Sit down and nudge them off gently.

Rule 2: Put your shoes away nicely. Invest in shoe organizers or find a clear patch of closet floor so shoes have individual spots. Anything that keeps your shoes from falling into piles will do. And if you’re a no-shoes-in-the-house family, try switching your most worn shoes from your bedroom closet to your hall closet. You’ll be more likely to put them away.

My favorite shoe storage solutions are available at any big box store:

• Over-the-Door Shoe Rack ($30)
• Over-the-Door Pocket Shoe Organizer ($13)
• Shoe Cubbies ($27)
• Komplement Shoe Boxes ($9 for 4)

Rule 3: Use shoe trees on leather. Shoe trees, especially nice cedar shoe trees, help leather shoes retain their shape. Cedar shoe trees keep moisture at a minimum prevent shoes from getting too stinky.

Rule 4: Clean your shoes. Up here in Michigan, shoes get dirty, especially when the sidewalks and parking lots fill with salt. If your shoes get messy, wipe them down when you get in the house. And be sure to give your most worn shoes a good polish every couple of weeks.

Shoe Boxes by JeffK via flickr