Are you wondering the best way to pack your shoes properly when moving? If YES, here are 7 best ways to pack shoes while moving. Moving is a chaotic time full of mounting responsibilities and endless ‘to-do’s while trying to find the best and safest way to store all your beloved possessions.
You must have considered how you will move your large electronics, your fragile dishes and china, and your appliances. But what about your shoes? Most times, people on the move usually don’t consider how they will pack their shoes when moving. They may end up frantically throwing them in a box or bag at the last minute, which can make them scuffed, crumpled, or damaged.
Knowing how to pack shoes for moving starts with figuring out what to keep and what to toss. Moving is a prime opportunity to sort out your shoe wardrobe and get rid of outdated or worn out pairs.
Separate your shoes into three piles based on whether they are keepers, worth donating, or just need to be thrown away. Make a trash bag available for the shoes you’re giving away. If you’re donating any shoes to a charity, consider replacing any insoles with new ones. Before you toss any into the garbage, try and see if there is a place that recycles shoes in your community.
Also note that sorting your shoes into groups will make packing go more smoothly overall. Divide your shoes into categories such as dress shoes, athletic shoes, and boots. If you have any seasonal shoes, consider putting those in storage containers. Do this for each person in your household and keep each person’s shoe piles separate.
Take your time to go through your shoes and look for ones that need cleaning or minor repair. See if any need new shoelaces or soles. Four to six weeks before you move, drop off any shoes that need resoling at a shoe repair shop to give yourself plenty of time to pick them up before moving day. Have leather shoes such as boots reconditioned. Clean sneakers and synthetic shoes with mild soap and water. Dry shoes thoroughly and let them air dry before packing them.
Have it in mind that a primary step in knowing how to pack shoes for moving is taking steps to prevent damage. Packing shoes in their original shoe boxes or small moving boxes is indeed a prime way to prevent your shoes from getting crushed. Stuff each shoe with socks or clean packing paper so it can retain its shape.
Use boot trees or rolled magazines for high boots. Protect nicer or designer shoes like heels from scuffs by wrapping each shoe with paper or stretch wrap before putting them in a box. Remember that the best way to pack shoes is with plain packing paper, not a newspaper. Newspaper print can rub off and leave a mark.
What is the Best Way to Pack Shoes When Moving?
Properly packing and storing your shoes when moving may seem like a daunting process. But taking a little bit of extra time and some protective steps to prepare and care for your shoes will prevent your shoe collection from getting damaged in transition. But by following these simple steps on how to pack shoes for moving, you will feel comfortable knowing your shoes are secure.
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Assess Your Shoe Inventory
Note that the very first step to pack shoes for moving is to plan out your project. Before you start cleaning and boxing them, take a moment to go through your current assortment of shoes. Choose if there is anything you may not need or want anymore. How do you know when it is time to throw away shoes? Ask yourself:
- Are there any shoes that are seriously damaged and beyond repair? It might be time to let them go.
- Did you find shoes you forgot you owned because you never wear them? If you know you are probably not going to wear them in the future, consider donating your shoes. A local charity or an organization, such as Dress for Success that prepares homeless women to enter and succeed in the workforce, is a great option.
- Do you have shoes you don’t like anymore? Do a final run-through. If shoes don’t fit right or you are just not happy with them, now is the best time to clear some space and move on.
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Sort Your Shoe Collection
After you must have made your final line-up of the shoes that will be making the move, keep going. Sort the shoes into categories such as casual shoes, athletic shoes, dress shoes, leather shoes, etc. Always remember that different shoes and materials have different storage needs, so sorting your shoes will allow you to prepare and pack your shoes accordingly.
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Don’t Forget Essential Shoes for Moving Day
Before preparing your shoes for the move, extensively consider your needs for moving day and the transitional days before you reach your final destination. You will still need shoes for day-to-day wear. This includes shoes for work, any events you may be attending, and exercise. Set aside a few pairs to pack up separately for immediate use.
4. Prepare Your Shoes For Packing
Have it in mind that preparing your shoes to be packed away is an integral part of how to pack shoes for moving. A little preventative maintenance will ensure they do not get damaged or develop mould. Follow these easy steps:
- Clean your shoes: Ensure your shoes are free from debris and dirt by wiping them down. This is especially important with athletic shoes. Once the shoes have been cleaned, allow them to dry fully before moving on to the next step.
- Combat odour: Do you have some unpleasant smelling shoes in the bunch? Use this opportunity to get rid of the odour before packing them up. There are various strategies you can use to get odours out and freshen them up, including: Freeze your shoes, Use citrus peel (such as lemon, lime, and orange) to absorb odours, put some baking soda in them overnight to absorb the smells, and then throw out the remnants. If your shoes are still not completely fresh, consider packing them up with a dry tea bag.
- Stuff your shoes: It is imperative to stuff your shoes with rolled-up socks, packing paper or any crumpled paper to ensure they hold their shape when packed. Shoe trees are also an excellent option for loafers. But they can get a bit expensive when there is a large collection of shoes.
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Choose the Right Material for Wrapping and Packing Your Shoes
Storing your shoes properly involves a lot of paper, whether it is for stuffing or wrapping. Although you may be tempted to grab some old newspapers or leftover gift-wrapping tissue paper, it is recommended that you don’t even try! Using printed newspapers or coloured tissue papers can leave hard-to-remove stains all over your shoes. It is advisable to use a clean packing paper for anything that will be touching your shoes. Are you wondering how to pack shoes for moving without using too much paper? An even better option that will save you money and space is to use your socks to stuff your shoes.
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Wrapping and Packing Up Your Shoes
Note that some of your shoes that are worn down or very casual, like flip-flops, may not need to be protected in transit. But your dress shoes, your collection of high heels, and any high-end basketball sneakers will need an extra layer of protection to ensure they are not damaged. For your gardening shoes or running sneakers that have experienced some wear and tear and don’t need special care for storage, simply tie the shoes to each other by the laces and store them loosely in a box.
For your higher-end shoes, finish stuffing the shoes and then wrap them. Leverage clean packing paper, bubble wrap, paper towels, or even fabric towels to wrap each shoe individually and prevent scuffs. Also, note that some higher-end shoes come with flannel bags for storage. If you still have these, then you can store the shoes in the bags instead of wrapping them. Once you have wrapped the shoes, store each pair of shoes in individual shoe storage boxes or containers. If you have the original shoe box, then that is an easy and affordable packing solution for your pairs of shoes.
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Box Up Your Shoes for Moving Day
When boxing up your shoes, it would better to pack shoes that are out of season separately from shoes that are more likely to be worn in the short-term. Take your time to separate these shoeboxes before boxing up the shoes. Focus on shoes that are presently needed versus shoes that won’t be used for months down the line. This will make unpacking easier to prioritize. Now that your shoes are stored in individual boxes, choose how you intend to transport the boxes efficiently. You can use large plastic storage containers or moving boxes to stack and store the shoe boxes.
However, when filling up your boxes or containers, take note to place the heavier shoes on the bottom of the pile and then stack the lighter shoes on top. This will make the box easier to carry and move. It will also ensure that your heavier items do not crumple up and crush your more delicate and lighter shoes. Also, make sure to use high quality packing tape that will keep the bottom of the box closed during your upcoming move.
Conclusion
Packing your footwear when moving home is not exactly a walk in the park, but this will most likely not keep them in the best possible shape. To prevent any damage associated with moving, you need to pack your shoes in the most effective way. By following these simple steps on how to pack shoes for moving, you will feel comfortable knowing your shoes are secure. They will make it through your move, into your new home, and back on your feet without a hitch.