How Should You Store Seasonal Shoes and Boots?

Before storing seasonal shoes and boots, clean each pair according to its material, let everything dry completely and use tissue, shoe trees or boot shapers where appropriate. Pack pairs in labeled shoe boxes or suitable containers, then organize them by season and expected use.

Self-storage may give you room to rotate eligible footwear when closet space is limited. However, avoid storing designer footwear, pairs that cannot be replaced or a collection that would exceed the stored-value limit in your rental agreement.

Seasonal Shoe Storage Checklist

Which Shoes Should You Place in Seasonal Storage?

Start by separating footwear into four groups:

• Wear during the current season
• Store for another season
• Repair or clean
• Donate or discard

Seasonal storage may work for eligible everyday footwear such as:

• Clean winter boots
• Rain boots
• Sandals
• Casual sneakers
• Garden shoes
• Hiking boots
• Insulated footwear
• Everyday dress shoes

Do not use a storage unit for designer footwear, shoes that cannot be replaced or a collection whose combined value would exceed the amount permitted by your rental agreement.

Public Storage rental agreements prohibit storing property with a total value of more than $5,000 per unit.

Should You Clean Shoes Before Storing Them?

Yes. Shoes and boots should be clean and completely dry before storage. Dirt, mud, road salt and moisture may affect materials or contribute to odors during storage.

Cleaning methods vary, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before using water, soap, polish or another product.

General preparation may include:

1. Removing loose dirt with a soft brush.
2. Wiping rubber soles with a suitable cloth.
3. Cleaning leather, suede, canvas or synthetic uppers as directed.
4. Removing and cleaning detachable insoles when appropriate.
5. Washing eligible laces separately.
6. Allowing every component to air-dry.
7. Checking for worn soles, loose heels or other needed repairs.

Avoid placing wet shoes near a heater or using another drying method that the manufacturer does not recommend.

Complete any polishing, conditioning or waterproofing at home. Do not pack liquid cleaners, shoe polish, adhesives, aerosol sprays or other chemical products in the storage unit.

How Should Different Shoe Materials Be Prepared?

Footwear materials require different care. Always prioritize the instructions provided by the shoe manufacturer.

Leather Shoes and Boots

Brush away dry dirt and clean the leather with an appropriate method. If the manufacturer recommends conditioning or polishing, complete that step at home and allow the footwear to dry before packing.

Use a shoe tree, boot shaper or clean tissue when appropriate to help support the original shape.

Suede and Nubuck

Use a brush or cleaning method intended for suede or nubuck. These materials may react differently to water and cleaning products than finished leather.

Make sure the footwear is dry before placing it in a shoe bag or box. Avoid tightly wrapping suede in plastic unless its manufacturer recommends doing so.

Sneakers and Fabric Shoes

Remove dry dirt and clean the uppers, soles and laces according to the care label. Not every sneaker is machine washable, so confirm the proper method first.

Allow fabric, foam and insoles to dry completely before reassembling and packing the shoes.

Rubber and Rain Boots

Wash away mud and debris, then dry the interiors and exteriors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before applying any product to the rubber.

Use boot shapers or suitable tissue if the shafts need support.

How Can You Help Shoes Maintain Their Shape?

Shoes and boots should not be crushed or tightly packed.

Depending on the footwear, you may use:

• Shoe trees
• Boot shapers
• Clean, ink-free tissue
• Acid-free tissue
• Rolled fabric recommended for the shoe material
• Original internal forms

Do not overfill the toe box or stretch the upper. Avoid using newspaper directly against footwear because ink may transfer to some materials.

Tall boots should be supported so their shafts do not remain folded. Store them upright when their construction and container allow, or follow the position recommended by the manufacturer.

Are Shoe Boxes or Plastic Bins Better?

The right container depends on the footwear material and storage instructions.

Original Shoe Boxes

Original boxes are sized for the corresponding pair and are easy to label. Make sure each box is clean, dry and sturdy enough to stack.

Replacement Shoe Boxes

Replacement boxes may help create a more uniform arrangement. Select boxes that provide enough room for the shoes without crushing them.

Clear Plastic Containers

Clear containers make the contents easier to identify. However, an airtight plastic bin may not be appropriate for every leather, suede or fabric shoe. Confirm whether the material needs ventilation before sealing it inside plastic.

Fabric Shoe Bags

Clean shoe bags may work for pairs that need separation from other footwear. Make sure the bag and shoes are dry before packing.

Whichever option you choose, avoid placing shoes loosely in oversized moving boxes. They may shift, become compressed or lose their intended arrangement.

How Should You Label Seasonal Footwear?

Label each box or container with specific information, such as:

• Winter boots
• Summer sandals
• Hiking shoes
• Rain boots
• Children’s shoes
• Men’s dress shoes
• Women’s casual shoes
• Next-season rotation

You can add the wearer’s name and shoe size when storing footwear for multiple household members.

For a larger collection, create a simple inventory on your phone. Record the container number, category and approximate location in the unit.

How Should Shoes Be Arranged in a Storage Unit?

Organize containers by season and frequency of use.

• Keep the next season’s footwear near the front.
• Place later-season pairs farther back.
• Keep heavier boots below lighter shoes.
• Avoid stacking containers so high that they become unstable.
• Leave labels facing the aisle.
• Use freestanding shelving when appropriate.
• Keep footwear away from wet or dirty outdoor equipment.
• Avoid placing heavy boxes on shoe containers.
• Leave a walkway when space permits.

Do not attach racks or shelving to facility walls without permission. Check the shelving manufacturer’s weight limits and assembly instructions.

What Shoe Accessories Can You Store?

Clean, dry accessories may be stored in a labeled container. Examples include:

• Extra laces
• Clean insoles
• Boot socks
• Dry shoe brushes
• Shoehorns
• Boot shapers
• Shoe trees
• Empty shoe bags

Keep footwear-care products at home. Do not place liquids, creams, adhesives, aerosols, chemical cleaners or waterproofing sprays in the unit.

Review the Public Storage storage policies and your rental agreement if you are unsure about a particular product.

What Size Storage Unit Do You Need?

The right unit size depends on the number of containers, the size of the boots and whether the shoes will share space with other eligible belongings.

Before renting:

1. Count the pairs you plan to store.
2. Select the containers you will use.
3. Measure the completed stacks or shelving.
4. Include room for labels and access.
5. Consider what else will be stored in the unit.

Use the Public Storage Size Guide to compare common options. Actual unit sizes, layouts and features may vary, so inspect the available space when possible.

Is Climate-Controlled Storage Worth Considering for Shoes?

Climate-controlled storage may be worth considering for leather, suede, fabric and other footwear materials that may react to temperature or humidity changes.

These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than standard storage. Conditions may still vary, and climate control does not guarantee that footwear will remain unchanged.

Public Storage offers climate-controlled storage at more than 4,300 facilities. Availability varies by location and unit.

How Often Should You Rotate Seasonal Shoes?

Review your footwear when the seasons change or before an expected weather shift.

During each rotation:

• Remove the upcoming season’s shoes.
• Check their condition before wearing them.
• Clean and dry the outgoing season’s pairs.
• Update labels and inventory records.
• Donate or discard shoes you no longer use.
• Make sure containers remain clean and stable.
• Confirm that no prohibited footwear-care products were left behind.

Regular rotation can keep the unit organized and prevent forgotten pairs from occupying space indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to store seasonal shoes?

Clean and dry each pair, support its shape and place it in a suitable labeled container. Organize containers by season and expected use.

Can shoes be stored in plastic bins?

Some shoes may be stored in clean plastic containers, but airtight bins may not be appropriate for every material. Check the footwear manufacturer’s instructions, particularly for leather and suede.

Should shoes be wrapped in plastic?

Avoid wrapping shoes tightly in plastic unless the manufacturer recommends it. Some materials may need ventilation.

Can you use newspaper to stuff shoes?

Clean, ink-free tissue or an appropriate shoe tree is generally a better option because newspaper ink may transfer to some materials.

How should tall boots be stored?

Clean and dry the boots, then use boot shapers or suitable tissue to support the shafts when appropriate. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended storage position.

Can shoe polish be kept in a storage unit?

No. Keep shoe polish, liquid conditioners, adhesives, cleaning solutions and aerosol sprays at home rather than packing them with stored footwear.

Should you consider climate-controlled storage for shoes?

Climate-controlled storage may be worth considering for materials that react to temperature or humidity changes. Conditions vary, so review the footwear instructions and inspect the unit before renting.

Can designer shoes be stored?

Do not store designer footwear, belongings that cannot be replaced or items that would cause the unit’s total stored value to exceed the limit in your rental agreement.

Make Seasonal Shoe Swaps Easier

A successful footwear rotation starts with clean, dry shoes and clear labels. Prepare each material according to its care instructions, support the shape of boots and structured shoes and keep prohibited footwear-care products out of the unit.

Public Storage offers month-to-month rentals at more than 4,600 facilities nationwide. Find Public Storage near you and compare available unit sizes and features before renting.