The leather shoe is an iconic symbol of fashion and style. But as you may have guessed, these shoes are not cheap to purchase since high-quality leather does not come cheap. This article will discuss;
- How long do leather shoes last in storage,
- What can prevent leather shoes from lasting long in storage,
- How to prepare leather shoes for long-term storage,
- What happens if leather shoes are not prepared for long-term storage, and more!
So, How long do leather shoes last in storage? The lifespan of leather shoes in storage varies depending on the quality and care the leather shoes receive before and during storage. In the right conditions, leather shoes can last up to 20 years provided you clean, condition, and protect them every 6-12 months.
Let’s discuss in detail the points highlighted above to get a better understanding of the topic of the day.
What Can Prevent Leather Shoes From Lasting Long In Storage?
For your leather shoes to remain in good condition throughout their time in storage, you will need to take care of them. The following are the most common causes of damage to leather shoes during long-term storage;
1. Poor Preparation Of The Leather Shoes For Storage
For your leather shoes to last long and in good health in storage one of the first things you need to do is properly clean and prepare them for long-term storage.
If the leather shoes are not cleaned, conditioned, and/or protected before storage, they can suffer from a variety of problems such as mold, mildew, dry rot, cracking, and shrinking.
Preparing the leather shoes will require cleaning the leather shoes with a good leather cleaner and then conditioning the leather with a good quality conditioner before putting them away in your storage facility.
2. Bad Storage Conditions
The second common mistake people make when storing their leather shoes is improper storage conditions. Leather shoes should be stored in a place with low humidity levels and room temperature.
Keeping the shoes in high-humidity areas can cause mold, mildew, and dry rot to grow on your leather shoes.
Also, keeping your leather shoes at extremely cold temperatures for a long period of time will result in cracking and shrinkage of the leather material.
So you need to make sure the place you will be storing your leather shoes in a dry place with a constant room temperature.
You need to keep your priced leather shoes in a place where you can easily control the humidity or temperature levels as well as access them whenever you need to.
3. Direct Sunlight In Storage
Another common factor that can damage leather shoes during storage in direct sunlight.
If you store your leather shoes in an area where there is constant exposure to the sun, it will cause the color of the leather to fade and also dry out and crack the leather shoe material.
Also, the UV rays from the sun will break down the natural oils in the leather, causing it to become brittle and dry.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you store your leather shoes in a dark place with low humidity levels.
You want to see to it that windows and any other source of sunlight are not able to get into your storage space or else you will be exposing your leather shoes to direct and harmful UV rays.
4. Very Little Or No Ventilation
Although this point may have been hinted at by the previous point, it is important I give it the attention that it deserves.
If your leather shoes are not stored in a well-ventilated area, they will be at risk of accumulating moisture and also mildew which can cause permanent damage to your leather shoe over time if left untreated.
Leather shoes need to be stored in an environment without extreme levels of humidity and temperature but also with enough fresh air circulation for good ventilation.
This means that you should try your best not to store leather shoes in an air-tight room or storage space that has poor ventilation where the moisture and mildew can easily accumulate.
5. Not Using Shoe Storage Racks
Shoe storage racks are very important if you want to store your leather shoes for an extended period of time.
Having a good shoe storage rack for your leather shoes will allow you to keep them in their best condition while protecting them from the environment around them.
For example, if you have a shoe storage rack for your shoes, you will not have to put your shoes on the bare floor that could result in them getting dusty, dirty, and scratched.
It also prevents you from putting your leather shoes in a pile or box where they can be easily squished and damaged.
A shoe storage rack is a good way to keep your shoes in an upright position with enough air circulation so that the leather will not deteriorate over time.
Make sure whichever shoe storage rack you purchase is made from good quality materials that will not damage or wear down your leather shoes over time.
6. Rodents And Insects Chewing Leather Shoes
This is a rare problem for most people but it can happen especially if you live in an area where there are a lot of rodents and insects.
Mice and rats can sometimes nibble on your leather shoes. Also, wood wasp and larder beetles can eat their way through or pierce your leather shoes.
There are also insect larvae among many others that can also do justice to your leather shoes if kept in very poor conditions – resulting in small little holes.
7. Storing Your Leather Shoes Near The AC or Radiator
Last but not least, storing your leather shoes near an air conditioning unit, heater, or radiator can dry out and crack the leather over time.
This is because these appliances emit hot air which dries up moisture from their surroundings, including your leather shoes.
This can take a huge toll on the leather over time and can cause it to crack and become brittle.
In order to prevent this from happening, make sure you store your leather shoes in a cool, dry place away from any appliances that emit heat.
How To Prepare Leather Shoes For Long-Term Storage?
The best way to protect your leather shoes during long-term storage is by proper preparation before placing them in storage. The following are some best practices for leather shoe storage.
Clean Your Leather Shoes
First, make sure to clean your leather shoes before you place them into long-term storage. This will remove any dirt and grime that may otherwise worsen or attract pests infestations when in storage.
You want to use mild dish soap or saddle soap to thoroughly clean your leather shoes. Be sure to rinse off all the soap and then allow them to air dry completely before storing.
If your leather shoes are already clean, you can wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust or debris and then air them out.
Condition The Leather Shoes
After cleaning, you will want to condition your leather shoes with a quality leather conditioner. I will recommend Leather Honey for this as it can last 6-12 months after each application.
But feel to get any other leather conditioner that you trust to help protect your leather shoes from drying out and cracking.
When applying the conditioner, apply it in a thin coat and avoid oversaturation. This will help keep them looking good for years to come.
Once you’re done doing this allow your leather shoes to thoroughly air-dry before you place them into long-term storage.
Pack Your Leather Shoes
Next, pack your leather shoes back into the box they came in when you bought them. This includes the main shoebox, the dust bag, and paper stuffing that keeps the shoe in shape.
This is the best way to store them. This is why you should never throw away the original shoebox that you bought them in.
If you do not have the original shoebox, consider getting a shoe storage bag or container to keep them protected and dust-free when not being worn for long periods of time.
This will also help protect it from pests and rodents while also protecting the material of the shoe itself.
Tips On How To Store Leather Shoes For A Long Time?
Now that you know how to properly store your leather shoes, it’s time for the big question. How do you store leather shoes for a long time? There are many ways to do this.
- First, you can put them back into their original shoe box and store them in a cool dry place – away from any heat appliances or sunlight.
- You should also make sure that it is free from humidity like moisture or condensation by elevating your leather shoes off the ground using woodblocks, shelves, or shoe racks.
- Another option is using a storage bag for leather shoes. This will help protect your shoe from pests and rodents while also protecting it from any damage that may come to the shoebox or plastic container itself over time.
- Remember to stuff your leather shoes with some acid-free paper before placing them in the storage bag to help keep their original shape.
- Store leather boot upright. You can use boot stands or improvise using a wedge of wood to hold the boots upright.
- Store your patent leather shoes in clean white, or color-free cloth bags as patent leather is prone to color or dye transfer.
- You should never hang your leather shoes when storing them long term.
Where Can You Store Leather Shoes?
Before you head out, let’s take a look at where you can store your leather shoes. It’s best to store your leather shoes in a cool, dark, and dry location like the following;
Dresser Or Cabinet
You can store your leather shoes in a dresser or cabinet. This is a great place to store them if you don’t have the original shoe box that they came in.
Just make sure to stuff your leather shoes before placing them into the cabinet to keep their shape.
You can make a pouch out of acid-free paper and place your shoes inside of it before putting them into the cabinet.
Shoe Rack
This is the best way to store your shoes if you have the space. You can use a wooden shoe rack, plastic shoe rack, or metal shoe rack to store your shoes.
Just make sure to place your leather shoes in an upright position and that the shoe rack is in a cool, dark, and dry location.
Shoe Storage Bags
Another good option for storing your leather shoes is using a shoe storage bag. This will help protect them from dust, pests, and rodents.
Just make sure to store your shoes in a cool, dark, and dry location when not being worn.
Underneath Beds Or Couches (away from any heat source)
This is a good way to store your leather shoes if you do not have a lot of space.
Simply lay a shoe mat under your bed or couch and then place your leather shoes on top of it – making sure there is enough space between them.
Final Thoughts
Leather shoes will last a long time when you take proper care of them. If prepared and stored correctly, they can last for years to come without any damage.
This is why it’s important to make sure you clean and condition your leather shoes before placing them into storage.
It is important to make sure your storage is good such as having the right temperature and humidity level, clean, and organized with shoe racks to allow good ventilation.
I hope this article helped answer your question on how long do leather shoes last in storage and any related question you might have had in mind. Thanks for sticking around!
FAQ’s
Do Leather Shoes Expire? With proper care and maintenance, leather shoes can last indefinitely. However, if they are not stored or cared for properly, the lifespan of your leather shoes will be shortened.
How Long Do Unworn Leather Shoes Last? Leather shoes will last much longer if they are not worn on a regular basis. If you only wear them on only a few occasions, care, maintain and store them properly, they could potentially last for many years.
Do Leather Shoes Deteriorate If You Don’t Wear Them? Leather shoes will not deteriorate if they are not worn, but constant exposure to moisture, sunlight, and other harsh conditions, and improper storage can cause them to dry out resulting in cracks that are very bad for the leather material.
Do Leather Shoes Need To Be Worn? No. They do not need to be worn as long as they were maintained properly before storage. However, regular wear on leather shoes is recommended to keep them in good condition and well broken in.
Can You Store Leather Shoes In A Closet? Yes, you can store leather shoes in a well-ventilated closet as long as it is free from moisture and humidity. Additionally, it’s important to make sure your closet shelves are clean and organized to allow proper ventilation.
Can You Store Leather Shoes Outside? No. It is not recommended to leave leather shoes outside or in a garage as they can be subject to sun damage, dirt, and moisture which may cause them to crack over time. You need to store your leather shoes in an environment where you can easily control the temperature and humidity.
Do Leather Shoes Go Bad In Storage? No, they do not go bad in storage as long as you properly take care of them before placing them for storage. However, if exposed to the elements or extreme temperatures, leather shoes can deteriorate over time which will shorten their lifespan significantly.
Is It Safe To Store Leather Shoes In The Refrigerator? It is safe to store leather shoes in a refrigerator as long as it is only for very short periods. You can keep your leather shoes in the refrigerator to kill odor-causing bacteria or help break them in, but it is not recommended to store them for long periods of time.
Can You Store Leather Shoes In A Plastic Container? It is not recommended to store leather shoes in a plastic container as the heat and humidity levels may not be ideal for the longevity of your shoes. However, if you are unable to store them in their original shoe box, using a storage bag is better.
How Can I Make Leather Shoes Last Longer? Cleaning and conditioning your leather shoes before storage is essential in making them last longer. Additionally, using a shoe storage bag or box will help protect them from any damage that may come to the shoebox over time.
What Happens If I Store Leather Shoes In The Wrong Environment? Storing your leather shoes in a humid, moist, or wet environment will cause them to deteriorate at an increased rate which is why it’s important for proper storage conditions are being met.
