While it might not be very fun, learning how to pack shoes for moving is an important part of your relocation preparations. To make this process easier, try to classify your collection by categories and reduce moving stress to a minimum. Be sure to read some of the finest hacks and save yourself a lot of time and space.
Relocation to a new country sounds fun on paper until you realize that you’re moving on a stretched budget or that there is a ton of paperwork and things to sort through. When it comes to preparing and packing footwear, you should know that good organization is key to everything. Try to declutter worn-out or unused ones by throwing them out or donating to a charity. Gather packing materials and clean your footwear before you store them for a move. None of this has to be overly complicated if you follow our stepped-out path on how to pack shoes for a move.
Why Is It Important to Know How to Pack Shoes for Moving Overseas
The typical mistake of every relocation and packing process is time management. Whether you have a bunch of shoes or not, planning as far ahead as you can is your best fighting chance. If you’re a collector of some prime or mint pieces or are a great sneakers collector, every pair needs to be cleaned and boxed up with care.
Gather original packaging, purchase new boxes and wrapping paper, or simply hire professional packers and arrange storage services. Calculate everything, consider everything, and determine where your footgear stands in the creative turmoil of your major transition.
Decluttering Is Essential Before Packing Shoes for Moving Abroad
Take your shoe collection in the middle of the clearing and start storing it in piles for special occasions, every day or never used, and worn-out pieces. Everyday footwear should be moved aside and prepared for your suitcase, as you will probably want them with you when you settle down. Special occasions and never used pairs should go through the rigorous purge of what is worth keeping and what can be donated to charity or sold online.
Finally, now that you’re in the middle of packing and saving up space, you certainly don’t need a sixth pair of running sneakers that are almost bottomless. So don’t hesitate to throw them out appropriately. Don’t skip decluttering in any stage of your packing process, as it will save you time, space, and, preferably, money.
Sort Everything Out by Categories Before Shipping Overseas
Now that you know what you are working with, try sorting your footwear by categories or seasons. This means that all the sportswear, dress shoes, or everyday pieces should go into separate piles.
If you decide to go with a seasonal pairing, put all the spring/summer pairs together and autumn/winter ones on the other side. In case you’re moving to a cold climate, you can even skip on some of your summer footwear and decide to wear the bulkiest pair you own for a moving day and save even more space that way.
When Moving Internationally, Set Aside Essential Footwear
Shoes are usually among the last items to get unpacked, as you won’t be going anywhere while you are settling down. In any case, leave easy access to at least one box with the footwear you need when you start getting back to your normal routine.
You should take a big transparent container and fill it with favorite go-to’s for everyday errands, one work pair that goes well with most of your essential clothes, and one pair for a dinner night out when you decide you deserve a break.
Donate or Sell Footwear You No Longer Need
Don’t make your junk someone else’s work. If you don’t know what to do with your worn-out footwear, don’t expect that a second-hand shop or charity can find someone to wear them either.
Recently even Goodwill stated that people should stop sending them garbage. So if you are planning to give your footgear for a greater cause, make sure it is not torn, near breaking, or has a hole in it. Clean them gently and pair them up before you send them away.
Gather Important Materials for Boxing up Your Footwear
Before you start conquering the mountain and utilizing the best moving hacks, you’ll have to acquire different packing materials. Buy or gather everything from this list of tips so you can start boxing it all up.
- Original packaging,
- New boxes,
- Clear containers,
- Clean packaging paper,
- Towels,
- Socks,
- Moisture or tea bags.
Keep in mind that while newspapers can be useful for packing appliances and other household items, any kind of pre-used, colored, or printed materials can stain your footwear. Some of the stains can be hard or impossible to take out later. With that in mind, try to only use clean, unused paper or even towels.
Moisture-absorbing and tea bags should be used before you stuff your footwear with socks or excess packing materials to soak up any odors or liquids. It will give them a dose of freshness. Utilize dry tea bags under socks to keep footwear fragrant during the transition.
Before You Wrap Up Your Footwear, Make Sure It Is Clean
If you have started decluttering and sorting at least a month before the move, you may have enough time to even wash and dry some of the washing machine-friendly items. Everything must be stored in a clean and dry environment to prevent mold and dormant bacteria from growing.
Delicate pairs should be cleaned by hand or with a damp towel from dust, water splash debris, mud, and dirt. To freshen them up and remove any odors, employ those tea bags and moisture absorbers. Ones with a stubborn smell can be wrapped in a bag and frozen overnight. That will help destroy any germs that may still be present.
A Step-By-Step Guide on the Best Way to Pack Shoes for Moving
When it comes to moving across the world, footgear can be quite a challenge as they won’t just travel there by themselves. They are available in a variety of sizes and forms, and you need to prevent them from breaking in or getting utterly destroyed in transport.
While filling, pairing, and protecting them require some creativity and effort, it is not much more difficult than boxing other items in your wardrobe. These packing tips will remove the confusion of trial and error from the equation, which will enable you to pack quickly and efficiently.
To ensure your footwear won’t lose its shape in transport, you have to stuff them well. That way, you will keep them in shape, especially boots or ones with delicate heels. Here is the list of ideas for securing your footwear from the inside.
- Fill them with extra crumpled clean paper or towels to help them hold shape.
- Stuff them with rolled-up socks, as this is one of the top options for saving space (it’s one of the more creative storage ideas) when packing up drawers and saving up money, as you already have them on hand.
- Use a shaper even when your footwear is in boxes or shoe cabinets to keep them in prime condition.
- Anything roller-shaped like a bottle, cardboard from a used kitchen towel, or pool noodle can help you keep your taller footwear from breaking in the middle.
Everything comes in pairs – this especially stands for your footwear. No one wants to go through the hassle of hunting for the other shoe just before they are about to go to work or have a night out. Prepare yourself that some will get separated in transport, but you can try preventing it from happening on a disastrous scale.
You can work with what you already have as you can simply tie their laces together lightly or use a durable rubber band for your flats by binding them in the middle, with their bottoms facing in. Avoid plastic bags, as they can be easily damaged in transport, which will result in mangling or scratches.
Now that our footwear is fluffed up and stable, adding an extra layer of protection can’t hurt. Wrap your tied pairs with bubble wrap or clean paper to keep them rubbing off of other stuff. Footwear with leather or satin parts should be wrapped separately so that they don’t scratch one another. Again, skip anything plastic as it is prone to tearing up and attracting moisture.
The next step is to store them in boxes, preferably the original ones. If you haven’t saved up the packaging that they came in, try to hunt down moving, liquor, or medium-sized boxes, plastic containers, or simply utilize a suitcase. You can also enfold the entire storage cupboard they are already stored in. Pack them vertically or make sure that the heel is facing the toe of its pair for extra space.
Choose a label color for each category. This way, you won’t get a headache while unpacking and locating boxes in your new home. Note the content of each box on each label so you can keep track of everything.
Each Category Requires a Different Boxing-up Method
Each category can be stored differently, as some can be made of sensitive materials, some have complicated shapes or easily scratchable heels, and some can be rare and precious. Read through each category and learn how your foot babies can reach you in the best state possible.
Head Over High Heels
Sensitive heels that can easily break in transit should go in their separate storage. They need an extra layer of protection by themselves, as it’s almost like you are packing fragile items. Enfold each heel in crumpled paper and cover it with bubble wrap.
These Boots Are Made for Walking
To keep your boots from losing shape and breaking in the middle, stuff them with rolled-up socks or balls of crumpled paper. Pack them in their original package and fill the extra space with additional towels or packing peanuts.
Packing Your “Glass” Slippers
The easiest way to save space is to wrap your slippers facing each other. You can secure them with tissue paper or roll them in clothes and transport them in a suitcase.
Sneakers Fun Facts and Special Editions
Sneakerheads have a special place in their heart for their regularly worn sneakers, but limited edition babies and the packaging they come with are something else. Anyone interested in this type of collecting knows that it is imperative to keep them in near-mint condition. Selling sneakers is a billion-dollar worth industry, and on average, one person has up to six pairs of them. Go through your valuables, and pick ones that are worthy of taking with you. Stuff them with socks and put them in the box.
If This Is Hard on You, Call the International Moving Company to Assist You
When everything fails you, and you find yourself lost in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a move, you can always hire a team of professionals to ready your footwear for you. This will take the weight off your shoulders and ensure that your shoes reach you in the best possible shape. Take the time to research and choose a reputable overseas moving company that can offer you the best moving services.
You Can Use a Variety of International Moving Services
If you want your relocation to go fast and easy, you can use more than one service that a professional company offers. That’s why when you hire Sunset International Shipping, you’ll get a one-stop shop for all your relocation needs. We offer to move by sea as well as vehicle shipping services.
Your Shoes Will Be Safe in Sunset International Shipping Storage
When you hire our overseas shipping company, our professional packers will ensure your footwear is well-protected and stored. We utilize modern storage facilities that are climate controlled and under surveillance 24/7. These facilities come in handy when your new home is not ready yet.
Get Your Foot in the Door and Move With Us at Ease
No matter the reason for your relocation, we can help you move efficiently. And our professionals can guide you through stressful transitions. Boxing up is one of the tasks that can take a lot of time, but you can always opt to hire a genuine international moving company. Contact us at Sunset International Shipping for the best relocating experience.
