Storing Wet Winter Boots

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I don't know about the rest of you but I'm getting kinda tired of walking into cold, wet, sandy spots in my entryway and mudroom!  With snow, mud, sand, gravel, salt and whatever else is out on the roads I can't manage to keep the floors clean.

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So let's look at some handy solutions for storing wet winter boots that will keep all the grime off my (our) floors and allow said boots to dry out properly, shall we?

I like this option except for the two tiers.  The poor people with boots on the bottom are likely to have muddy drips on the inside of their boots - not good.  Maybe if they hung upside down instead?

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Ah, here we go.  Boots are off the floor and upside down so that no drips get in.  If you could just place this over a heat register you'd be golden!  And it looks as though there are plenty of different designs on this theme.

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Here's one you can mount on the wall.  You'll need several, though, if you have a family.

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Here's a boot dryer!  Not the prettiest thing in the world, but if your kids come home after playing in the snow for hours, it would be awesome to have several of these lined up and ready to go.

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In this mudroom the boot dryer concept has been taken to the next level.  Each locker has boot dryer pipes!  Now they just need those rock trays below and they'd be set.

photo credit:  Vanessa Vanderspuy

If you want your boots hidden away this is a great idea.  This padded storage bench is lined with a rubberized tray (in green) and has rocks on the bottom that the boots rest on so that the water and grime drips down through the rocks.  However, I see two problems with this design.  One is that no one can get to the boots if someone is sitting on the bench putting their boots on.  In my house it's a mad dash in the morning to catch the bus and this would be a huge problem.  And number two, I think lifting the lid on this unit after boots have been in there for a day or two would make a strong man feint from the musty sweaty smell.  Just sayin'.

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Same idea as above but out in the open so that the boots can dry out a bit, both inside and out.  True, they aren't hidden away, unless you put these babies in closet.  But getting people to put things in a closet is such a hassle that we created mudroom lockers, right?  So just keep them out and put one of these under each locker!

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This is a great idea that still incorporates a bench, and sort of hides away the boots but keeps them accessible to others and keeps them in the open air.  I'm liking it!

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And if you'd like a little spot just to dry off those boots, but want it out of the way later, here's a handy dandy shelf that folds back up against the wall.

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So go splash in the snow and the rain and the mud.  Now you're equipped and can handle anything they throw at you!

Sorry, this was just too cute to pass up!
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Source:  Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors