Shoe Tree Alternatives: 5 Substitutes To Know [Important Facts]

Shoe trees are necessary to keep the shoes in good condition, but most of us cannot afford or don’t want to spend a huge amount on shoe trees.

So does that mean your shoes will remain in a bad state? No way!

The good news is you can create alternative shoe trees out of household materials that perform similarly to a shoe tree.

And now, I’m here with a step-by-step instruction that will teach you how to make shoe trees in no time.

So, let’s get started on writing.

Shoe Tree Alternatives: DIY With Household Items

The shoe tree plays a part in maintaining a pair of shoes. Unfortunately, shoe trees are rather costly, often costing more than a pair of shoes.

And you’ll need to buy two shoe trees for the shoes, which will undoubtedly cost a fortune.

But what if I tell you that you have too many shoe trees in your house?

Yes, you read that correctly. All materials needed to construct a shoe tree alternative are already in your home; you only need to know how to use them properly.

Please keep in mind that these DIY shoe tree alternatives only provide temporary solutions; if you want a long-lasting and professional finish, I recommend investing in a shoe tree.

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Here are the ways to make shoe tree alternatives:

Method 1: Use Newspaper

Things you’ll need:

• Old newspaper or recycled paper
• Plastic freezer bag

1. Scrunch a couple of newspaper or old paper sheets into a spiral form.
2. Wrap another piece of newspaper around the first and twist them together.
3. Wrap and twist the newspaper again to produce a shape that you will place into the shoes.
4. Make another newspaper shoe tree for the opposite leg.
5. Put the newspaper shoe tree in a plastic freezer bag and close the bag tightly so no air can get inside. Also, make sure to remove all of the air from the plastic bag.
6. The purpose of covering the newspaper with a plastic freezer bag is that if the newspaper emits ink, the plastic bag will function as a barrier rather than staining the shoes.
7. Place the newspaper shoe tree inside the shoes; if the shoe tree takes up all of the space within the shoes, you know your form is correct.

If the shoe tree is too loose, construct a larger one close to your shoe’s shape.

If the newspaper shoe tree becomes too large for your shoes, compress it and make it smaller.

8. Repeat the process with the other shoes.
9. If you use the newspaper shoe tree to draw moisture from your shoes, carefully remove the shoe tree once the shoes have dried.

However, if you use this shoe tree to keep the form of the shoes, you may leave the newspaper inside them until further use.

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Method 2: Use old T-shirts

Things you’ll need:

• Old T-shirt (White color)

1. Choose one pair of plain white t-shirts that you no longer wear. Any other color will stain the shoes; thus, the t-shirt must be white.
2. Take one t-shirt and fold it in such a manner that it will fit inside the shoes.
3. Tie the t-shirt with an elastic band to keep it in place.
4. Repeat the process with the second t-shirt.
5. Insert the t-shirt inside the shoes.
6. Keep the t-shirt inside the shoes until there is no moisture remaining in the shoes.

Stacking the shoes with a t-shirt removes excess moisture and keeps them in shape.

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Method 3: Use Rice

Do you always have sweaty feet? Do your shoes get damp and not at all feel fresh?

Rice comes to the rescue!

Rice has a fantastic ability to absorb moisture and leave your shoes crisp and fresh.

Things you’ll need:

• Rice
• Socks

1. Take a pair of white socks and fill them with rice on both. Don’t overfill; you’ll need some room to tie the knot at the end of the socks.
2. Put the rice bags inside the shoes.
3. Leave them overnight. The next day you will see that there are no indications of wetness as rice draws out all the moisture.

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Method 4: Use Play-doh

Easy mold clay such as play-doh is an excellent alternative for shoe trees. If you want to retain the form of your shoes, this technique is for you.

Things you’ll need:

• Play-doh
• Plastic bag

1. Fill play-doh in a plastic bag and secure the end tightly with an elastic band so that the clay doesn’t leak.
2. Make a second one for the other pair of shoes.
3. Place the play-doh inside the shoes. With your fingertips, give the clay the shape of the shoes and make sure the clay fills up all the space inside the shoes.
4. Now is the time to dry the clay so that it hardens and adopts the shape of the shoes.
5. You may store the shoes in direct sunshine, but don’t overdry them, or they’ll become brittle.
6. Once the clay has dried appropriately, you may use it as an alternative to shoe trees; the results are remarkably similar.

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Method 5: Use Plaster

Plaster can be an excellent option for shoe trees, but it is difficult and time-consuming to make. But, if you correctly follow all of the instructions, I hope you receive the greatest outcomes.

Things you’ll need:

• Plaster
• A bowl
• Water
• Ballon(White color)

1. First, make the plaster mixture. See the manual for the water and plaster ratios, and then combine them in a mixing bowl.
2. Fill a white balloon with plaster and knot it closed.
3. Carefully place the balloon into the shoes. The balloon should be large enough to fill the whole inside area of the shoes.
4. Place the balloon inside the shoes for a few minutes to allow the plaster to dry and take on the shape of the shoes.
5. Once it dries, take the plaster out and remove the balloon.
6. Let the plaster set overnight to dry. And once it dries thoroughly, you can use them as a shoe tree.

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Why Are Shoe Trees Necessary?

Shoe trees are an absolute necessity for shoes; they are the secret weapon for keeping shoes in good shape.

For the time being, you can utilize alternate shoe trees. However, shoe trees are required for the best results.

Here are the reasons why shoe trees are necessary:

• Because it takes time for damp shoes to dry, there are times when you wear them and go for a walk.

Nevertheless, this practice is extremely harmful to your feet because damp shoes are a breeding ground for germs.

That’s when shoe trees come in handy. Place a cedar shoe tree inside the shoe overnight, and your shoes will be dry the following day.

As a result, both the shoes and your feet stay in good health.

• Use a cedar shoe tree to keep your shoes and feet bacteria-free since sweaty feet cause shoes to stink, and the dampness rots the shoe lining.

Cedar shoe trees wick away moisture, remove odor, and are antimicrobial, keeping your shoes and feet healthy.

• A shoe tree is a fantastic tool to keep the shoes in shape and prevent them from creasing.

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Few Last Words

Your shoes will eventually become obsolete, but using a shoe tree can ensure that they remain in good condition and, most importantly, that your feet stay healthy.

We often discard shoes whose shape is in poor condition, but the outsole, midsole, and top are fine. A shoe tree can be used to store certain types of shoes.

Instead of spending loads of money on new shoes owing to the deterioration of the old ones, better save up some bucks and purchase a shoe tree.

Take care of your shoes as well as your feet. Goodbye!