How to Store {and Clean!} Your Winter Boots

Once winter hits and everyone’s shoes seem to expand to about three times their normal size {into clunky snow boots!}, we all need help. Help to corral all those boots and the wet, muddy mess they inevitably track indoors. Today’s post is all about how to store and clean your winter boots. If you read this post, you’ll have the help you need to keep the winter mess to a minimum.

For starters, a boot tray is essential. It helps corral all the family’s boots and gives them a spot where they can safely drip dry without ruining your floors. Line your boot tray with something absorbent, like leftover wine corks. Or fill in the bottom of the tray with small rocks and pebbles. This will let the snow, rain and muck drain away from the boots. Then you can carefully carry the tray outside to pour off the accumulated water and muck later on.

If you want to hide away those boots when you aren’t wearing them, stow the boot tray inside of a storage chest. This is a genius idea, because the chest doubles as a place to sit while you put on and take off your boots.

Wood crates make excellent storage for an area where you don’t actually have a mudroom. And it looks fantastic!

If you’d rather keep the mess outside, build an outdoor boot rack like this one from The Mom Bot.

The easiest way to clean those dirty leather boots is to brush them with a shoe brush. Then to get rid of salt stains, wash them with body wash and water. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and spray on the salt stains. After cleaning, rub a little hair conditioner into the leather to replenish the moisture removed by cleaning. For more winter boot cleaning tips, see Good Housekeeping.