A huge part of building a more sustainable closet is prolonging the lifespan of the items that you own. Shoes, however, can be tricky because they’re worn on a part of the body that moves a lot and is in constant contact with the ground.

But as everyday people who care about the environment, we can still do our best to take care of them. So here are four steps that you can take to make your shoes last longer for a more environmentally-conscious closet.

1. Buy The Right Size

The first step in getting your shoes to last longer is ensuring that they actually fit. Ill-fitting shoes can not only cause biomechanical issues like changes in gait and movement that can impact your physical wellbeing, but will actually wear down faster as well.

Shoes with roomy toe boxes will crease more than they need to. Additionally, shoes that are too heavy or big might cause you to drag your heels and lead to accelerated degeneration. To start your sustainable shoe journey off on the right track, always buy shoes that fit properly.

2. Clean Them Often And Properly

I’m sure we’ve all done this before, but ideally, you would never use a washing machine to clean your shoes. While it may be the easiest, most low-effort way to clean your shoes, throwing them in a washing machine can expose them to unnecessary mechanical stress and deform their shape. Instead, scrub your shoes by hand and try to do so as soon as they get dirty. 

Removing dirt and grime from your shoes on a regular basis will keep them flexible and prevent any bacterial or mold growth. This will keep them in tip-top shape for longer. Also, please, please, please wear fresh socks every time.

3. Store Shoes Properly

While shoe storage can be a complicated process depending on the type of shoe we’re talking about, here are some general points to keep in mind…

Always let regularly worn shoes air out after wear. Make sure that you keep them in an open storage area to allow the damp fabric or leather to breathe. Alternating between pairs of shoes will also give them additional time to dry out.

For special occasion shoes, keep them stored in their original boxes (if you can) and out of prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Stuff them with newspaper or use a shoehorn to prevent lingering odors and help maintain the shape.

4. Get Them Repaired

As your shoes begin to wear out, you can extend their lifespan by repairing them in bits and pieces.

The first thing to wear out on a quality shoe is the sole. Depending on the type of shoe, you can purchase new ones that match the original model and get them swapped out.

After the outsole, the insoles are the quickest part to wear out. They’re compressed with every step and often hold on to damp and odor. Routinely swapping between different insoles will lengthen wear time and refresh your shoe. Furthermore, a simple cosmetic swap like replacing your old shoelaces can give your old shoe a new look and inspire more rotation time.

Sustainable shoes are a nuanced conversation. Whether or not shoes made with recycled materials are actually better than conventionally made shoes depends on how sourcing and production are carried out. But one thing that we can all do to make the globe a little cleaner is to wear our shoes for longer. By taking these simple steps to care for your shoes, you can keep them in your closet and out of the landfill for a little while longer.