5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering Shoes
Decluttering shoes can be a tedious task. There are many reasons why decluttering is necessary but the most common is for space sake. It’s not always easy deciding which ones to declutter, especially if you have an extensive shoe collection that you’ve had for years.
Thankfully, there are specific questions you can ask yourself to decide which shoes to declutter.
Let’s go over these questions and review tips on what to do with the shoes you’ve decided to declutter.
Before we go there, though, if you’re wondering whether there’s a market for used footwear and whether it’s sanitary, take a look at this information.
And, to ensure that your shoes are in decent enough shape to be given away, follow these guidelines.
Which shoes to get rid of
When it comes to decluttering shoes, there are a few questions you should ask yourself:
Do these shoes feel comfortable?
If the answer is no, get rid of them. You don’t want to be in pain while wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. It’s understandable to want to be in style. Nevertheless, the health of your feet is more important. Buying shoes that fit will avoid health issues, such as shoe bites down the line.
Are these shoes worn out?
If so, declutter them immediately. You likely have a good idea of when it’s time to replace your shoes. So, if they’re scuffed up, torn, worn out, and beyond repair, it’s time to declutter them. Extending the durability of your shoes can only go so far.
Do you have too many of the same style shoe?
Perhaps you’re someone with plenty of similar shoes in your collection.
It’s good to ask yourself if you’re wearing all of these shoes?
When decluttering shoes that are similar, get rid of all but the one or two pairs that you wear most often. So, if you have five pairs of black pumps, consider keeping only the one or two pairs you wear frequently.
Do these shoes fit your current life stage?
If your stage of life has changed, declutter your shoes that are no longer a match. For instance, perhaps you’re retired and wear more casual footwear at this point in time. The need for work-style shoes is no longer a priority. And can be added to your declutter pile.
Are these shoes out of style?
You likely have some shoes that are out of style and should be decluttered. When you purchased them, you were following a certain trend, now they look out of date. Consider buying classic styles going forward that are timeless and can be worn for years to come.
Now it’s time to put this information into practice. Grab a trash bag and start decluttering shoes! It may be tough to let go of some of your favorite pairs, but remember to keep your decluttering goals and the end result in mind.
What to do with decluttered shoes?
Now that you’ve chosen the shoes you’re keeping and have a stack of the pairs you’re getting rid of, what’s next?
Here are some options:
Throw them in the trash
For your shoes that are worn out and beyond repair, simply throw them out. Clearly, these are the shoes that are not good enough to be passed along to someone else.
Gift them to someone
While decluttering shoes, you likely have pairs that weren’t worn very much.
These can be passed on to family members or friends. Think about those who may have complimented a particular pair of your shoes and would love to have them. Giving them to someone who can still find use for the shoes is considerate and thoughtful, particularly if the shoes are of good quality and in good condition.
Donate them
Donating decluttered shoes is another consideration.
One great option is donating them to a women’s shelter. Women’s shelters are always in need of donations, and decluttered shoes can provide much-needed comfort and support to the women who use them.
Also, there are many organizations that accept gently worn shoes. Shoe donations in particular help provide footwear for families in need, no matter the time of year.
Besides the Salvation Army or Goodwill, other charitable and not-for-profit organizations accepting shoe donations are listed below:
Sell them online
Zazzle and eBay are two of the many sites on which you can list and sell your shoes.
Keep these tips in mind when selling shoes online:
- Keep track of shipping costs. Know how much it will cost to ship your shoes. If you’re not sure, try using the calculator on the post office’s website or ask your local post office to calculate it for you.
- Pack your box securely so the shoes don’t fall out during transit, but be careful not to pack them too tightly or else you might inadvertently damage the shoes.
- Be clear, upfront and honest in your descriptions of the item. Authenticate all items by providing multiple photographs taken at different angles.
- Always provide accurate measurements to ensure that the shoes will fit your buyer.
- If the buyer asks for a local pick-up and you’re comfortable with it, never meet the individual alone; make sure someone is nearby whenever you meet any buyer and hold your meeting in a public place, such as a coffee shop or restaurant; however, mailing or courier are both more secure and less time-consuming.
Recap
When decluttering shoes, it’s important to remember that you’re not just getting rid of a few pairs of shoes. Clutter creates chaos and disorganization in your life. And getting rid of excess shoes is one way to simplify your space and create more order in your closet and home. Not only will this make it easier to find the shoes you need when you need them, but it will also free up some much-needed storage space.
So, before you go out and buy a new pair of shoes, take a look at your current collection and see if any old or unused pairs can be decluttered from your life.