How to Change Your Shoes for the Season

Shoes, like clothes, also need to undergo the seasonal change . And for shoes, as with clothes, this is an ideal time not only to tidy up and clean , but also to avoid waste . And perhaps to remember to give a nice gift, a pair of shoes we no longer use but are still in excellent condition, to someone in need, rather than letting them rot in the usual overstuffed closet. But how do you do the seasonal change of shoes? How can you make this home routine easy, effective, and stress-free? Just follow 10 simple everyday household tips, and you'll see that your shoes will always be in the best possible condition, while your waste of this accessory will be zero. Whether you've had them for a lifetime or just a season, you always want them to be in excellent condition and ready to be worn again. Using old newspapers and simple cardboard boxes, carefully preserving your shoes becomes child's play! Here are some tips.

Index of topics

Clear out the closet

Proceed methodically. It's always best to first clear out the closet of shoes that need replacing , and then go and look at the ones you'll wear for the new season.

Control

Take advantage of the change of season to do something precious: check the condition of your shoes . Those that need resoling, for example, should be taken to the shoemaker. Or even those that need a good sprucing up.

Cleaning

Another thing to do when the seasons change: a good cleaning of both those that go out and those that go into the wardrobe.

Specifically, leather and suede shoes should be cleaned with specific products, while fabric shoes (such as sneakers) can be hand-washed or machine-washed. A recommendation that applies to all types of shoes: never store them in closets unless they're thoroughly dry.

Decluttering

Don't insist on keeping shoes you no longer wear comfortably, putting off any final decisions. The rules of decluttering apply to shoes, as well as clothes.

The cardboard boxes

To avoid unwelcome mold, remember that it's always best to store shoes in their cardboard boxes, preferably wrapped in tissue paper or cloth.

Get organized

Store the boxes in an orderly fashion , writing on the outside which shoes they contain (or putting a photo) and organizing them according to the season of use (winter and summer).

The newspaper

Stuff the shoes with newspaper to keep their shape.

The top hat for boots

When storing your boots, remember to use the cardboard cylinder provided with your purchase, which prevents the leg from deforming. If you don't have the original, you can make a DIY version using a paper towel roll cylinder.

When to make new purchases

Don't waste your shoes and don't be compulsive about buying new ones : in general, they're accessories that last a long time, especially if you know how to store them effectively.

Donate unused shoes

Don't ignore this last tip: it's the most important . If you have shoes you no longer use, even if they're still in good condition—and you'll surely find them at every change of season— don't just throw them in the trash or elsewhere. Instead, get busy and decide who to give them to . Don't have any ideas? Contact your nearest parish.

How to change your shoes seasonally