How to stretch shoes at home

How to stretch leather or suede shoes

Leather and suede are pliable, resilient materials, especially when exposed to heat.

Place your shoes in a bathtub or sink and pour boiling water over the inside. It is enough just for a couple of seconds to fill the insides of the product and immediately pour out the hot water. Blot the moisture, wait for the shoes to cool slightly, and put them on your feet. Preferably over socks so as not to burn yourself.
If you are afraid of getting your shoes wet, do the same, after putting a bag inside each shoe so that the boiling water and the lining do not touch.
Not only boiling water will be effective, but also ice. Fill two bags a quarter with water, tie and lower one by one into the boot. Place the structure in the freezer and remove when everything is completely frozen. After the ice has melted, remove it from your shoes. This procedure is suitable for a durable, undemanding pair: not every material will withstand the cold test.
Dampen the inside of your shoe with rubbing alcohol or vodka, put on a pair, and wear for several hours. Doing so will help soften the material and adjust the shoes to your foot size. But remember: alcohol is quite corrosive, so first check the color fastness on an inconspicuous area.

The same methods work with fur-lined winter shoes. Just do not wet the insides of boots or boots too much. Well, you will need to dry your shoes thoroughly.

How to stretch faux leather shoes

The leatherette stretches poorly and deteriorates easily: it cracks and loses its shape. However, it is too early to lose hope. There are ways to stretch and these shoes.

Lubricate the inner surface of the shoes with a fat cream or petroleum jelly. Wait 2-3 hours for the moisturizing mask to be absorbed into the material, and then put on your shoes and walk in them for 20-40 minutes.
You can try the familiar way with newspapers. They must be stuffed tightly into each shoe, and then leave the pair to dry at room temperature. When stuffing, do not be zealous so that the shoes do not deform. Also, do not try to speed up the drying process with a battery or hair dryer: excessive heat can damage the material.
A way for the wasteful or those who need to stretch the narrow tops of high boots. Insert a bag into the shoes, pour any small cereals into it, and fill it with water on top. The grain will swell and stretch the pressing shoes without your participation in 8-10 hours.

How to stretch patent leather shoes

Stretching varnished shoes is more difficult because there is a risk of damaging the top coat: it can crack and lose its shine. You can painlessly enlarge the shoes if under the varnish there is soft and thin leather (natural or artificial). Is your mate exactly like that? Then to the point!

Mix alcohol and water in a 2: 1 ratio, moisten your socks with the resulting solution. Now put them on, and over the top - pressing shoes. You should walk in shoes for about an hour or two until the socks are completely dry.
Apply petroleum jelly or cream to the inside of the shoe, paying special attention to the dense parts: the toe and heel. Then you need to insert pads into the shoes (if you have them) or, as usual, put shoes on tight socks.

How to stretch rubber shoes

If your waterproof friends are made of durable classic rubber - alas, no way. If it is made of polyvinyl chloride (aka PVC), which is now widespread, then it's as easy as shelling pears. To check the material, a needle or an awl and a lighter are enough. Heat the metal and touch the boots in an inconspicuous place, just do not pierce them. If the boots have started to melt, then it is PVC and the shoes can be stretched.

You will need:

several liters of boiling water,
deep container with ice water,
woolen or terry socks,
your boots and your feet.

Pour boiling water into rubber shoes and wait 3-5 minutes: the material will become noticeably softer. Put on tight socks and move the basin of cold water closer. Pour the boiling water out of your boots, blot them quickly with a towel so as not to get your feet wet, and put them on your socks. In the heated steam, walk well and walk for a few minutes. Leave the shoes in cold water for an hour, and then remember to dry them.

This method will not only enlarge the rubber boots, but also adjust them to the shape of your foot. True, stretched shoes should be walked only after a day or two, when the boots have finally hardened.

How often do you have to struggle with tight boots? Do you have your own secret shoe stretching techniques? Share your tips in the comments.