As a shoe lover, you no doubt, want to protect your shoes from all possible harm. Naturally, you think that keeping them in their original cardboard shoebox would be the best storage method for your shoes. However, this causes a lot more damage to the shoes than you would think.
“What could be the harm?” you may ask. Today, we’re going to discuss with you five reasons why you should avoid storing away your precious shoes in cardboard boxes.
1. Your Shoes Won’t Breathe
Keeping your shoes stored in a cardboard shoebox for long periods can make them absorb any moisture that builds over time.
Moisture causes the shoe to crack, making it difficult, if not impossible, to restore. It also causes discoloration, making the shoes look older or dingier than they should be. Airing them out often is a good way of preventing loss of quality.
2. Takes Up Space
Another downside to storing your shoes in cardboard boxes is that it takes up a lot of space. Stacking boxes upon boxes in your closet sounds like a great organizational system until you realize that you don’t have space for anything else.
3. Makes Your Shoes Wear Out faster
The poor circulation not only affects the overall appearance of the shoe but the quality as well. Cracks and creases that form in the shoe are not just aesthetically unpleasant, but it means your shoes are falling apart. This affects the inner parts of your shoe as well, such as the soles and gel padding.
4. Gets Dirty Quick
You would think that storing your shoes in a cardboard box will protect them from dirt or dust. However, it’s the complete opposite. If you keep them in a cardboard box for a long time, your shoes will get damp, and that can even cause them to smell.
Even if you use acid-free paper and silicon gel packs in the boxes to “protect” your shoes, they won’t do much. They’re meant to absorb the moisture instead of your shoes but, what people don’t know is that acid paper contains a certain dye that ends up damaging your shoes. Wrapping them in acid paper will eventually cause them to age quicker and turn your soles yellow.
5. Breeding Ground For Bacteria and Germs
Before storing away your shoes, be sure to clean them. Your shoes come across constant contact with all kinds of bacteria and nasty germs. All that grime can build up even more if you store away your shoes without a good cleansing. Your shoes will then be more prone to growing mold, and once that happens, it can be rough to save them.
Don’t Store Shoes in a Cardboard Shoebox
Even though storing your shoes in a cardboard box is not the best choice, that doesn’t mean you should throw them out, especially for the shoe collectors out there. If one day you decide to sell your shoes, their value will be much higher if sold in its original packing.
There are several other ways you can effectively store your shoes without damaging them. An open-rack system is one of the most effective storage systems. This will allow for your shoes to air out well and will increase the durability of the shoe.
Suppose you’re especially proud of your shoe collection. In this case, you could always use display storage units that will protect your shoes 100% and will allow you to show them off in a fashionable way where you can wow your guests! Contact our professional team today, as we can guarantee we have what you’re looking for.