Moving can be stressful. Amongst all the responsibilities, you also need to find the best and safest way to pack your beloved possessions. While kitchen appliances and electronics are often given a lot of thought, shoes are one possession that most people don’t think about.
Some people simply throw shoes into a box or bag at the last minute and regret it later. If you don’t pack your shoes properly, they can become scuffed, crumpled, or even damaged. So, if you are wondering how to pack shoes for moving, this article seeks to highlight the best ways to pack shoes for moving so that your shoes aren’t damaged in any way.
Best Ways to Pack Shoes for Moving
Purge your Shoe Collection
The first step when packing your shoes for moving is to go through your collection and see if there are any shoes that you don’t need or want anymore. Chances are you have shoes that you don’t wear regularly, forgot about, or that is so worn it’s time to say goodbye.
If you’re moving to a place with a different climate, then certain shoes may not be practical anymore. If they are in good condition, consider donating them instead of throwing them in the trash.
1. Sort your Shoes
After purging your collection, it is now time to sort the remaining shoes by type. You can sort them into categories such as casual, seasonal, formal, and so forth. You can even take it one step further and sort them by types, such as boots, sneakers, high heels, and flip-flops.
However, keep in mind that different shoe types and materials will require different storage, so sort shoes in a way that’ll allow you to pack and prepare your shoes accordingly.
2. Leave out a Pair of Shoes to Wear on Moving Day
Don’t pack all your shoes because you will need one pair to wear on moving day. If it’s summertime, you will need a closed-toe pair of shoes that allows you to be active and won’t bother you in any way. They should be comfortable and waterproof just in case it rains. On the other hand, if you are moving in winter, your moving-day shoes should be a pair of boots that keep your feet warm.
You may also need to wear other shoes before you move as well. You will need shoes for daily wear, work, and any events you will be attending. You can leave these aside and pack them the night before the move.
3. Ensure Shoes are Clean and Dry
Before you start packing your shoes make sure that they are clean and dry. Remove debris and dirt by wiping them down and look out for any stones embedded in the soles. It’s important for your shoes to be clean and dry before packing to prevent mold.
If your shoes have a foul order, spray them with antibacterial spray, some rubbing alcohol, or place teabags or baking soda inside of them. To prevent moisture, you can sprinkle moisture absorbing powder.
4. Stuff the Shoes
You can stuff your shoes with packing paper or socks so that they maintain their natural shape during the move. If you have tall boots, there’s no need to fold them, stick a pool noodle into the legs and there will be no creasing.
5. Choose the Right Materials to Wrap Shoes
You may be tempted to grab old newspapers or leftover gift-wrapping tissue to wrap your shoes. Don’t do this as these types of materials can stain your shoes. It may be hard if not impossible to remove these stains so try to use clean packing paper, bubble wrap, or paper towels to wrap your shoes.
6. Shoe Wrapping
Shoes that are worn or casual like flip flops won’t need as much protection as your dress shoes, high heels collection, or high-end sneakers.
If your high-end shoes came with flannel bags for storage you can place the shoes in the bags instead of wrapping them. Otherwise, stuff and wrap each shoe individually using the materials detailed above.
7. Placing Shoes into Boxes
After wrapping, you can place the individually wrapped shoes into shoe storage boxes or containers. If you saved the original box, then place the shoes in their respective boxes. If you go for a bigger box to pack all your shoes, cushion the bottom of the box and pack your heaviest shoes first. The material you use to cushion the bottom will act as an extra layer of protection.
Once your heaviest shoes are at the bottom, cover them with another sheet of paper before placing the next items on top. Keep in mind that if you are packing small boxes inside of one big box, there should be proper cushioning between the layers as well.
If you have seasonal shoes, then you can pack out-of-season shoes separately since you won’t be needing them right away. If you’re moving in summer, put all winter shoes in one box and you can unpack them when you have time or when winter comes around and vice versa.
8. Pack Shoes on their Side
Once your heavier shoes are at the bottom, pack your lighter shoes on their sides. This way the soles add support to the box. Try not to overpack the box as shoes at the bottom can crease even though they’re stuffed.
9. Tape Up and Label your Boxes
Make sure you tape up your boxes well and label them clearly so that you are aware of their contents. Things can get crazy when you move, and you don’t want to be diving into the box after box looking for shoes. Try not to place any heavy objects on top of your shoe boxes after they’re packed and ready to go.
Bonus Tip: How to Pack Shoes in a Suitcase
If you’re wondering how to pack shoes in luggage when you’re on the move, then follow these simple steps.
1. Stuff Shoes with Socks
Stuff your shoes with socks to help maintain their form since shoes can easily get squashed in your luggage. Socks can be placed in shoes, platforms, and even stilettos.
2. Cover your Shoes
You can cover your shoes to protect them from getting scuffed or to keep them from dirtying the other contents of your suitcase. Use packing paper or bubble wrap to do so.
3. Arranging your Shoes
If your suitcase has wheels, place the soles of your heaviest shoes flat against the walls of the suitcase near the wheel. If you are packing additional shoes, place them with their soles flat against the other walls of the suitcase.
4. Pack Bulky Shoes Separately
Do not place bulky shoes next to each other as they take up a lot of space. Pack them separately to maximize the room in your suitcase. However, if you must place them side by side, do so by arranging them in a heel-to-toe formation.
5. Pack your Lightest Footwear Last
Footwear like flats and flip-flops can be placed in inside pockets or any extra space available after you’ve finished packing. They can even go on top of clothes if they’re clean.
Conclusion
Moving is hard and packing shoes for moving can often be an afterthought. However, with a bit of organizing, you can get through it with as little stress as possible. If you do need help, follow the tips and tricks above.
Once you’re moved into your new place and ready to unpack, read this how to store shoes guide to make the process easier.
