How to Make Shoes Last Longer

Co-authored by Marc Sigal

Last Updated: May 30, 2021 References

Shoes are an important aspect of anyone's wardrobe. They help get you around and can be a great accent to a fabulous outfit. If you have an expensive pair of shoes, you may want to keep them looking new for a longer period. Because you are always walking around in them, keeping your shoes looking fresh can be difficult. Luckily, there are ways that you can store, protect, and maintain your shoes that will make them last longer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Storing Your Shoes

1
Keep your shoes in the box for long-term storage. Your shoebox was made specifically to store shoes and is the optimal storage area for longer-term storage. Storing your shoes in the box protects the shoe from the dangers of sunlight, dust, and extreme temperatures. When using a plastic shoe box, make sure it is completely dry to prevent mildew from growing.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Examples of shoes that you'd keep in long-term storage include dress shoes or heels.
2
Let regularly worn shoes air out. Shoes that you wear often will likely have more moisture and are exposed to more humidity than ones that stay in your closet. For regularly worn shoes, store them in an open storage area to allow the damp fabric or leather to breathe. Rotating which shoes you wear each day will also help them dry out.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}

Advertisement
3
Use a wooden shoe tree. A wooden shoe tree will absorb the moisture from your shoe and will keep them feeling and looking new for a longer time. A shoe tree helps the shoe keep its natural shape, which also lessens the possibility for warping and cracking. Insert your shoe tree into your shoe an hour or two after you've finished wearing them.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- Shoe trees can cost anywhere from $15 to $700.
- Wooden shoe trees are ideal for leather or suede shoes and can be purchased at most major department or shoe stores.
4
Stuff your shoes with newspaper. Stuffing your shoes with newspaper is a more affordable alternative to a shoe tree. Filling your shoes with newspaper will help keep the shoe shape, absorb moisture and alleviate odors. Stuffing your shoes with newspaper is great for casual shoes or sports sneakers.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
5
Keep your shoes out of harsh environments. Storing your shoes in a harsh environment will contribute to them wearing out faster. Keep your shoes out of direct sunlight or places that have a lot of humidity. Exposing your shoes to constant water can damage them and make them unwearable. The best place to store shoes is in a closet, where it is separated from the elements, dirt, and dust.
6
Hide your shoes from pets and other dangers. The most dangerous thing for shoes is exposing them to dangerous external environments where they can become damaged. Keep shoes out of the center of the floor to prevent people from tripping or stepping on them. Also, pets like dogs may be lured to the scent of leather shoes and be inclined to tear them apart. If you do have pets who are known to chew on shoes, keep the shoes high on a shelf in your closet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Maintaining Your Shoes

1
Hand wash your shoes. Make sure to hand wash your shoes with a shoe foam cleanser or baking soda instead of throwing them into the washing machine. Using the machine can warp your shoes by putting stress on the arches and soles and can damage them over the long run.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.} Suede and leather are both special types of shoes and shouldn't be hand washed.
- To wash suede shoes, use a suede brush or suede eraser.
- To clean leather shoes use polish or saddle soap.
2
Keep your shoes clean. Dirt and debris not only look unpleasing, but they can also actually damage your shoes over a long period. Make sure to hand wash your shoes regularly and keep them clean. Instead of waiting for dirt and mud to harden from a hike or walk, make sure to clean your shoes when you get home.^{[6]
X
Research source}
3
Spray your shoes with a water protector. Water and humidity add to the damage on leather or suede shoes. To protect them from rainfall or other wet conditions, protect them by spraying a layer of water protector over them before going out into the elements.^{[7]
X
Research source} Leather protectant spray can be purchased online or at many retail shoe locations.
4
Get your shoes professional fixed. When you begin to feel your sole or heel getting soft or holes begin forming on the sole of your shoes, you should take them to get professionally fixed. Replacing the critical part of your shoe should be reserved for nicer, more expensive shoes because the work can range anywhere from $40 to $80. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- A cobbler can reinforce your heels, outsoles, and toes. Reinforcing your shoes will add another layer of protection to the most vulnerable pieces of your shoe. ^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- As an alternative, you can also purchase a sole protector and attach it to your shoe yourself to add another layer of protection for your shoe
- As a quick fix before taking them to a cobbler, you can apply a strong glue to hold your soles or side panels onto your shoe.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
- Options, like Shoe Goo, is made specifically for the purpose of keeping worn shoes together.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- Taking your shoes to a cobbler for reinforcement can cost anywhere from $5 to more than $100.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
5
Polish leather shoes. If you want your expensive leather shoes to retain their shape and look, you need to shine and polish them regularly. Apply leather lotion to your shoes with an old rag or t-shirt whenever you notice there is a scuff or scrape. Shoes that are worn more often should also be polished more often.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- As a general rule of thumb, shining your shoes once a week will keep them looking new.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}
- A cheap and easy fix to hide scuffs and scrapes on black shoes is to use a black magic marker on them.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wearing Your Shoes

1
Don’t drive in your nice shoes. Driving in shoes, especially on long trips can contribute to their wear and tear. Instead of wearing your favorite shoes while you drive, consider using an old pair of shoes or getting driving shoes. This will minimize the stress on your shoes and elongate their life.
- Do not drive barefoot.
2
Get specific shoes for sports and physical activity. Extensive physical activity is the number one factor in wearing out shoes and sneakers. If you are concerned with the cost of buying more than one pair of shoes, you should consider the fact that wearing out one pair of shoes will eventually necessitate the purchase of another pair, which can cost you more over the long run. Casual shoes should also be kept separately from your dress shoes.
3
Lace and unlace your shoe laces. While it doesn't seem like it would help, tying and untying your shoelaces will make your shoes last longer. When you slip on shoes without tying them, you put pressure on the heel counter, which provides structure and shape for your shoes. Don't slide your foot in and out of your shoe without tying them.
4
Use a shoe horn. A shoe horn is a piece of wood or metal that helps you slip on your shoes. The apparatus fits behind your foot and forms to your heel. As an alternative, you can use a credit card or driver's license if you don't have a shoe horn. Just like tying and untying the laces, not using a shoe horn can damage the structural integrity of your shoe.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best way to store shoes?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Wooden shoe trees are a great option. They'll help your shoes keep their shape and absorb any moisture that makes its way inside of your shoes. Store your shoes in a dry location and keep them out of the sun.
Question

What is a shoe tree?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

A shoe tree helps the shoe hold its shape. It'll also absorb moisture from the shoe. This can help your shoes last longer. Put the shoe tree inside your shoe for an hour or 2 after wearing your shoes.
Question

Does hairspray work on shoes?

Community Answer

Don't use any products that aren't designed to clean shoes. As a general rule of thumb, you can use a two drops of a mild dishwashing liquid with a cup of water if you need a safe solution to clean your shoes. Hairspray may just make the shoes sticky.