Shoe Packing Hacks to Use Before Moving

When it comes to moving, shoes can take up a lot of space in suitcases and boxes, being that they’re awkwardly-shaped. Some are bulky, others come in a range of shapes and sizes, and some are even dirty.

But regardless of their shape and size, they still need to be packed. Believe it or not, there are some hacks to getting the job done without wasting too much time trying to fit them all in 1-2 boxes. Check out these shoes packing hacks to save space when moving:

1. Stuff Each Shoe with a Pair of Socks

A lot of shoes will become squished during the move after piling them on top of each other. But if you stuff in a pair of socks into the toes, they’ll be able to maintain their shape during the move. Consider adding another to the shoe if it’s a boot or bigger kind of shoe.

But if you already packed up your socks by the time you read this article, feel free to use plastic wrap or clean packing paper.

2. Pack Fancier Shoes Individually

It might be ok if the old shoes you use to work around the yard or running shoes become scuffed or damaged during the move. But fancy pair of shoes like heels, wedges, loafers, etc. should be packed individually.

Pack them in with wrapping paper so they are snug in place. If you didn’t save the box that came with them, no big deal. Simply pick up some smaller cardboard shoe boxes or plastic bins from the store. It will be well-worth protecting your investment.

3. Tie Sneakers Together

For all shoes with laces, which will probably get tossed into a box, keep them together by tying their laces. Then you won’t be digging through the box trying to find the other one at the last minute, especially if you’re in a hurry.

4. Get Rid of the Shoes You Don’t Wear

What are the chances you have a bunch of pairs of shoes in your closet that you haven’t worn in years? So much that they’re collecting dust. So what’s the point in bringing them with you? Instead of packing them up, organize them into piles of which you want to donate and toss.

There are plenty of organizations in need for lightly worn shoes, including your local Good Will or research Soles 4 Souls to help you figure out where else you can donate them. If they’re not in good condition, you can also recycle them.

5. Pack Essential Shoes Separately

Packing shoes is usually one of the last items to be packed since you never know when you’ll be needing them. It shouldn’t be too hard separating the shoes for everyday use and those for special occasions, so you can start the process perhaps a few weeks before moving day.

Keep in mind that you will probably be wearing gym shoes for moving day , so it’s important to set those aside too. You will also need a few pairs to match with everyday clothes as well as a nice pair to wear out to a fancy dinner.

6. Use Clean Packing Paper

Anyone that uses newspaper or dirty packing paper will end up with stained shoes that will be hard to clean. To keep everything clean, only use clean, white packing paper or even paper towel to wrap and secure your shoes.

7. Keep Shoes Fresh with Tea Bags

Especially for gym shoes and sneakers, leave them out overnight before packing them so they can release any odors. If any still have odors by the next day, you can put them in the freezer to kill any latent bacteria in them. Consider putting them in a plastic bag first.

For extra freshness, slip an unused tea bag into each shoe to keep them smelling nice during the move.

8. Pack Heavier Shoes on the Bottom

When you’re ready to start packing, put the largest, heaviest shoes on the bottom. This will even out the weight and make it a lot easier for the movers to carry. But if you do put any heavy shoes on top of the lighter ones like heels, you will risk damaging the lighter, more delicate pairs.

9. Use Bubble Wrap Instead of Plastic Bags

It can be easy to use plastic bags instead of bubble wrap when packing. But these can easily rip and bubble wrap is a lot more sturdy and adds a lot of protection when packing delicate pairs of shoes.

Use the bubble wrap for heels and buckles and ensuring that dirty shoes don’t come into contact with clean shoes. Just makes sure that all shoes are completely dry to avoid trapping in moisture that leads to mold growth.

Safety and Damage Prevention Tips When Packing Shoes

Packing shoes is not just about saving space. How you pack them also affects how they look and feel when you unpack in your new home. A few small habits can prevent scuffs, dents, and long term damage. Try to:

1. Avoid airtight wrapping on leather shoes: Leather needs a little air. If you seal leather shoes tightly in plastic for a long move, the material can dry out and crack. Wrap leather shoes in clean packing paper instead of plastic, and leave a small opening so they can breathe.
2. Protect heels and delicate details: Never stack heels point first onto other shoes. Thin heels, buckles, and straps can easily dent or puncture softer shoes. Wrap heels, buckles, and decorative details with bubble wrap, then place them so the heel is protected, not pressing into another shoe.
3. Skip cheap garbage bags: Garbage bags rip quickly, trap moisture, and do not protect shoes from pressure or sharp edges. Use sturdy boxes, plastic bins, or heavy duty moving bags instead. They hold shape better and keep shoes safer.
4. Do not overpack shoe boxes: It is tempting to squeeze in “just one more pair” but stuffing boxes too full bends shoes out of shape and makes the box harder to carry. Leave a little room so the lid closes flat. If the box bulges, use another box.

Packing Kids’ Shoes vs Adult Shoes

Adult shoes can follow the same rules, but these steps make the biggest difference for kids’ shoes.

Common Mistakes People Make When Packing Shoes

Even people who are usually great at organizing can run into trouble when it comes to packing shoes. Here are a few mistakes we see all the time, and they’re easy to avoid once you know about them.

• Packing shoes while they’re still damp: If shoes are even slightly wet, sealing them in a box is just asking for odor and possibly mold. Let them dry completely before wrapping or boxing them.
• Using newspaper on light shoes: Newspaper ink can rub off, and it’s frustrating to try to clean. Light-colored shoes especially can end up stained. Clean white packing paper is always the safer choice.
• Mixing clean and dirty shoes together: It doesn’t take much dirt to make everything in the box look messy. Give dirty shoes a quick wipe or wrap them separately so they don’t ruin the others.
• Packing every single pair and forgetting to keep one out: It happens more than you’d think. Everything gets packed, and suddenly there’s nothing comfortable to wear for moving day or the first few days after. Always keep at least one reliable pair easily accessible.
• Throwing all shoes into one giant box: It sounds efficient until the box is unbelievably heavy and the shoes at the bottom get crushed. Medium-sized boxes are much safer and easier to handle.

Work with Professional Movers

When packing your belongings, it’s important to make sure that nothing will become damaged during the move. So everything will need to be packed carefully to avoid as much damage as possible. You may also want to consider adding on packing services from your moving company (if available) if you are pressed for time or don’t want to deal with the stress altogether.

Call Movers and Packers in Illinois Today

If you are moving to or from the Chicagoland area, check out our professionals at Mid-West Moving & Storage. Each of our movers is licensed, trained, experienced, uniformed, and background-checked to provide you with complete peace of mind during the move. Everything from packing, crating, moving, and even managing the move, you can count on our professionals to have everything arrive safely to your new home or building.

Whether you’re moving across town or to another country, our movers can provide the moving services you need to get all of your belongings to your new location efficiently.

Contact Us

For a free estimate on our moving services, including packing, give us a call at 847.593.7201 or fill out a contact form and we will be in touch with you shortly.