As the weather warms up, you might be wondering how to store your boots and winter shoes for next year.
Or perhaps wet weather or a makeshift storage solution has had you wondering about the best way to store your shoes to avoid damage?
As it turns out, a bit of thought and planning can go a long way — especially for leather items, which can last a lifetime when looked after properly.
"I've got one customer who has her grandmother's shoes," says Jenny Velakoulis, the second-generation owner of a leather repair workshop in Naarm/Melbourne.
"I've got shoes that are about 40 years old from my 20s. They're amazing. I still wear them now."
Why it isn't a good idea to store shoes outside
There are many reasons why people might take off their shoes at the front door or before entering certain spaces.
In some cultures, taking shoes off when visiting other people's homes is a sign of respect. Some people might simply choose to leave shoes at the door to keep the house clean — and it works.
Mark Patrick Taylor, Victoria's chief environmental scientist and honorary professor at Macquarie University, says the soles of our shoes often contain dirt, heavy metals, chemicals and even poo.
Dr Taylor says he's a "zealot" when it comes to keeping shoes out of the home for cleanliness and hygiene reasons.
But he says that storing shoes inside — such as on a rack inside the door — can help avoid problems from mould, moisture and even insects like spiders that can get into shoes.
"You don't necessarily have to store your shoes outside," he says.
"You can easily have a rack on the inside of the house, and you just put your shoes in there [after you take them off outside]."
How to protect shoes from mould and damp
Ms Velakoulis spends her time repairing and maintaining leather shoes and handbags. She says shoes can attract mould when they're left for long times in damp areas.
Applying waterproofing treatments can help, she says. It's also important to ensure that shoes properly dry out after they get wet.
"If you're going to leave [shoes] at the door, they need to be waterproofed," she says.
It's important to apply waterproofing treatment regularly, she says — ideally about once per month.
If you prefer to take your shoes off outside, Ms Velakoulis has the same advice as Dr Taylor: carry them inside afterwards and store them out of the weather.
Dr Taylor says he keeps items susceptible to mould in warmer parts of the home.
"The other thing that people can think about to combat issues of mould in the house is to make sure there's air circulation: open the windows or get a dehumidifier," he says.
"Mould typically accumulates where there's not enough air circulating when it's a bit damp."
While dehumidifiers can be expensive, Dr Taylor says they can be particularly helpful for people in humid tropical climates like Queensland and the Northern Territory.
"If you haven't got a dehumidifier, you can run your air conditioner on the dry mode as well," Dr Taylor says.
How you can extend the life of your shoes
Ms Velakoulis likes to take good care of her shoes, so she stores them inside her home in shoe boxes.
For leather shoes and boots, she also suggests using wooden shoe trees, foot-shaped devices that you insert into your shoes.
These devices help remove moisture and maintain the shoe's shape, extending its life.
Another maintenance tip is to avoid wearing the same pair all the time.
"It makes a big difference," she says.
"A lot of blokes in particular don't realise that by wearing [the same pair] all the time, they just keep accumulating sweat, and that eventually deteriorates the lining."
With proper care and maintenance, a good pair of leather shoes or boots can last for decades or even more, she says.
"If they're leather, they will last forever — forever and ever," she says.
