Clean them, let them dry right through, pad them gently so they keep their shape, and wrap them in something breathable, such as a cotton dust bag or acid-free tissue, rather than plastic. Then box them, keep them off the floor and away from heavy loads, and they’ll come out as good as they went in.
Before they go in
Wipe off dust and marks, and empty every bag and pocket: a forgotten lip balm or snack is the last thing you want in a box for months. Shoes worn recently, or anything caught in the rain, need a day or two at home to dry completely. Moisture packed in with leather is what gives mould its chance, and the Canadian Conservation Institute notes that humidity above 65% favours mould on leather.
Keeping their shape
Give leather support from the inside. The same conservation guidance suggests padded supports inside bags, purses and boots, and padding objects out to keep their shape, but warns against overstuffing, which puts the leather under tension and can stretch it.
In practice:
- stuff shoes and handbags loosely with acid-free tissue or plain, ink-free packing paper, rather than newspaper, whose ink can rub off;
- fill boot shafts so they stand up rather than fold;
- tuck straps and chains inside the bag before it’s wrapped.
Wrapping and boxing
Plastic is fine for the journey, but in storage it can trap moisture, and that leads to mould. Conservation guidance recommends covering leather with materials such as cotton or acid-free tissue, which handle humidity better. A designer bag’s own dust bag is ideal; an old cotton pillowcase works well too.
Then put shoes and bags in sturdy boxes, ideally one layer deep, so nothing heavy sits on them. Label each box on more than one side, and keep it near the front of your unit if you’ll want anything back for a wedding or a new season. Lift boxes off the floor on a pallet or a row of heavier boxes, and leave a small gap at the walls so air can move.
How our units help
Our units are clean, dry and secure, and every site has professional pest control. We offer standard storage rather than climate-controlled units, which is why packing dry and breathable makes the real difference. Our Box Shop sells boxes and ink-free packing paper, delivered to your door.
Everything you store needs contents cover, through our contents protection or your own policy, so remember to include valuable bags and shoes in the replacement value you declare.
Storing something precious and not sure how to pack it? Call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll talk it through, or get a price online.
Related questions
- Will wooden or leather furniture crack or warp in a storage unit?
- How do I stop clothes going musty in a storage unit?
- Does contents protection cover damp and mould?
Further reading
- Canadian Conservation Institute: Caring for leather, skin and fur