Shoe storage tricks to keep your shoes looking their best
Did you know that the way you store your shoes can affect their longevity? Yep, just like hand-washing your delicates (which, er, we definitely do), setting up a 'shoedrobe' can make all the difference to how long your favourite pair of sole-mates last you.
Longevity is something we think about a lot at Mustard. "We design our lockers with the intention that they'll last you for years," says Becca. "So, I really love the idea that you can use your locker to extend the lifespan of your other belongings too, like your shoes."
Whether you're collecting dust on a shoe rack or you've started your own shoe pyramid in a pile at the door, let's find out some simple steps to take care of your footwear.
more care, more wear!
We may know our storage, but when it comes to footwear, we thought we'd better call in the experts. So, we teamed up with our friends at Merry People, who know a whole lot about shoes!
"Properly caring for your shoes is one of the very best ways to keep them going for longer," says Merry People founder Dani. "Good shoe storage helps maintain your shoes' shape, cleanliness and in the case of our boots and clogs, it also helps maintain their colour and condition." When you care about colour as much as we do, that's a very big priority!
under cover
The first thing Dani looks for in proper shoe storage? It's gotta be inside! "Keep your shoes stored inside your house, so that they're safely tucked away from direct sunlight and weather damage," she says. "If you do need to keep them on your porch, make sure you have them in a protective cover or storage unit to shield them from the elements." If you're a shoes-off household, popping a locker inside your entryway or by the front door makes it easy to kick your shoes off and straight into their proper storage space.
stay cool
"Heat can damage the material of your shoes," Dani tells us, "so make sure that they're indoors and also in a cool place — watch out for heating vents!" Speaking of vents? Your shoedrobe will need air vents! "Make sure your storage system is well ventilated," Dani says, "so that you're not trapping in any bad odours or moisture (which can lead to mould growth – we don't want that!)" Luckily, all our lockers have our signature vents on the doors, plus sneaky cable holes in the back which let a little more air flow through. Feel the breeze!
make space
Dani says it's really important to have enough space for all your shoes. "Shoes piled on top of shoes can lead to them getting marked, scratched and even some funky squished shapes, so make sure your storage has enough room for all your shoes!"
This is where lockers come in! If you're sporting an impressive collection, you can purchase extra shelves for our lockers, to give you more spots for more beautiful shoes. The Midi and The Lowdown have plenty of room for extra shelves ("The Lowdown is a great size for storing our boots – we use it in our office!" Dani says), or go for The Twinny if you fancy yourself a Carrie Bradshaw-level shoe lover. You can match your extra shelves to the colour of your locker, or go for a contrast to give your shoedrobe your own stamp!
Need somewhere to sit while you pop your shoes on? The Standard can hold up to 150kgs on top, so you can use it as a bench seat as well as a shoedrobe. Clever!
clean + clear
The final footwear tip is as simple as it is easy to skip: keep it clean and organised! Dani suggests giving your shoes a quick clean before you store them. "Dirt and grime can break down the materials and shorten the lifespan of your shoes, so a quick wipe-down before putting them away can make a big difference!" And if they're an extra-special pair that you don't wear daily, it might be worth keeping them in a breathable dust bag for extra protection.
Our favourite thing about both lockers and Merry People boots or clogs, is that when they're properly cared for they can last you for years and years! "We hear stories from lots of customers who are still wearing some of the very first pairs of Merry People I sold at farmer's markets," Dani says. "It's always exciting when you see a pair from the early days still out and about in the wild!" That's exactly how we feel about lockers, too.
"If looking after the things we love means we can keep using them for longer," says Becca, "that's a win for the planet as well as for our favourite colourful accessories."
