How to stretch shoes at home shoes. Features of stretching shoes. How to stretch patent leather shoes at home

Who among us has not encountered a similar problem: the purchased shoes or boots were not the right size. If your shoes are tight and you don't know how to widen them yourself, here are some proven methods you can use at home. How to stretch shoes at home without resorting to the services of a workshop? The answers are in our article.

Is it possible to stretch tight shoes on your own?

Before resorting to any method by which you can quickly, efficiently and without prejudice to increase a new tight shoes wide or slightly lengthen it, you need to find out what material it is made of. This will help you, firstly, to choose right ways and means for stretching, and secondly, not to completely ruin your favorite shoes or boots.

The answer to the question of how to stretch shoes directly depends on the quality of the shoe itself and the material of its top. For example, shoes from genuine leather, nubuck and suede. shoes from faux leather and other unnatural synthetic materials stretching is problematic. Here it is necessary to warn in advance that many methods will, in best case, are not effective, and at worst - from strong stretching, you can even deform or tear your shoes.

IMPORTANT! Do not stretch low-quality and worn shoes. Its flimsy, stretchy upper can tear very easily.

If your shoes have a lacquered surface, then if they are inaccurately worn, the lacquered upper can easily crack. But boots made of durable rubber, you will not be able to stretch at all, no matter what method you use.

How to stretch shoes made from genuine leather

Expand a small leather or suede shoes Can different ways, but only by a few millimeters, a maximum of one size. The most common method that is usually used at home is to use alcohol or vodka. Plentifully moisten the inside of the shoe with this product, put it on tight socks. Walk in it for a couple of hours, as long as you can stand it. If it will strongly reap the legs, do this procedure in several stages. For example, break in your shoes for 10 minutes, but at least 5 times a day.

IMPORTANT! This method may not be suitable for brightly colored leather material. In order not to spoil appearance boots or shoes, do a small test by wetting the underside of the leather top in some inconspicuous place with alcohol. If the skin does not change its color and does not brighten, you can safely use this method.

Genuine leather is a rather elastic material, so it is easy to stretch it, having previously treated it with heat. To do this, pour boiling water over inner surface shoes, drain excess water and blot with a dry cloth. Put on a pair of socks (it is advisable to wrap your legs in a bag on top) and walk around for a while.

By the way, you can not wet the shoes, pour boiling water into a plastic bag that was previously enclosed in it. Another way is to moisten thick socks, squeeze them out of excess water, put on shoes over them and walk like this for a certain time, preferably until the socks are dry.

Sometimes on the Internet you can read the method of dipping shoes in hot water entirely. In no case should this be done, and not only because your couple can fall apart. Genuine leather doesn't like getting wet. After such procedures, the leather upper will begin to deform and crack.

If you are tight suede shoes or boots, try steaming them over hot steam. To do this, you can boil the kettle and hold the shoes over the spout from which steam comes out, or do it over a bowl of boiling water. When carrying out such procedures, be extremely careful not to scald your hands! With this method, you will be able to expand the shoes and give the suede material an updated look.

A fairly effective “dry” thermal method with which you can stretch narrow shoes is to use a household hair dryer. Wear a pair of thick socks and heat with hot air from a hair dryer. The warm air will help the leather material become softer and more elastic. When the shoes are fully warmed up, walk around in them for a while.

You can stretch shoes made of soft genuine leather using special branded sprays and foams, which are sold in shoe stores. Consult with the seller and you will pick up what exactly you need. Such softening the skin funds are applied to the internal and outer side shoes, precisely on those places that are very tight. The exception is lacquered and suede materials. They are processed only from the inside.

Next, do everything in the same way: put on thick socks, and put on your shoes on top of them. You will have to wear it in until the product is completely dry. Those who have already tried similar preparations for expanding tight shoes were convinced of their effectiveness and ease of use. It will take you about an hour to do everything about everything, but if the need arises, you can repeat the procedure several times.

You can increase the volume of tight boots by applying ice. To do this, strong bags are laid inside, which are partially filled with water and tightly tied with a string. The shoes are wrapped in a common plastic bag and put in the freezer for a while until the water completely freezes. After that, they are taken out of the freeze and after waiting for the ice to melt a little, the bags are removed.

IMPORTANT! In the freezing method, the law of expansion of water is triggered when it passes into an icy state. However, we advise you to use it only on sturdy shoes made of thick, even rough skin. Delicate thin leather material (also lacquered) may not withstand such a procedure, tear or crack.

As you can see, there are many ways, and now you know how to stretch shoes at home. Of all the methods listed above, it is difficult to single out the most effective, so the choice is yours. However, the best, professional can be considered the one that is used in shoe shops. Namely, using special pads. They are good because with their help you can effectively not only expand or lengthen the shoes, but also increase them in the instep. To give the skin softness and elasticity, it should first be lubricated from the inside with petroleum jelly or a fat cream.

IMPORTANT! Nubuck should not be treated with alcohol and fat-containing products, otherwise stains may appear on it. And here natural suede it is better not to wet, so as not to spoil its texture.

How to stretch tight shoes made of faux leather and eco-leather

Leatherette, leatherette and eco-leather are all synthetic materials, they are practically not amenable to stretching. Moreover, with careless and rough stretching, you can easily tear such shoes. Therefore, if it does not suit you in size, it is better not to experiment. In cases where you only need to slightly expand tight, pressing shoes in some places, you can use the following recommendations.

IMPORTANT! Do not dry any wet shoes on hot radiators and near heating appliances.

How to stretch narrow textile and PVC shoes

Some shoes are made from dense textiles, such as velor or denim. You won't be able to increase it by much, but you can spread it a little.

Sometimes it’s enough just to put a wet insole inside and walk around for a while, putting on thick socks. Another way is to soak the shoes in alcohol and wear them in until they are dry.

Textiles are also stretched with 9% table vinegar. But keep in mind that you need to break in wet cloth shoes only on light, white socks to avoid shedding.

If your shoes or boots are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they will first need to be moistened with boiling water from the inside, and when they become softer, wipe the inside dry terry towel and break them in, put on thick socks. To fix the required size, after all it is desirable to process the PVC material with cold. It can be cold water, ice, or just put your shoes out for a few minutes in the open frosty air.

As you can see, there are many recipes for increasing the volume of shoes, so there is no need to pay extra money for the services of a shoe workshop. Although in some cases, for example, if you purchased branded shoes made of expensive leather, the question of saving is inappropriate. You should also know that new purchased shoes that do not fit you can be returned to the store, unless, of course, you have a receipt and the goods remain in the same clean condition.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to stretch new leather shoes or favorite boots made of genuine leather, which have dried out a little during summer storage, become stiff and tight. You can take advantage of the services of professional shoemakers who know how to stretch leather shoes to the width or a size larger with the help of expanding lasts specially designed for this.

But this requires additional financial costs. Therefore, before taking tight shoes to the master, you should learn how to stretch leather shoes at home and try to do it yourself.

How to break in leather shoes that are tight

When shopping for any footwear, it is important to know that most people tend to have swollen feet in the evening. This is why a pair of shoes or boots bought early in the morning may be too small in the evening and will pinch your toes and rub your feet. It is necessary to take into account this physiological feature making a purchase in a shoe store.

If your new leather shoes feel a little tight in your toes or rub your heels when you walk, don't despair. Over time, the skin will stretch and pain will pass. Here are a few tips to help you quickly break in new leather shoes without chafing corns on your feet and other troubles.

Break in a new pair of shoes gradually. To do this, it is best to wear it several times during the day for half an hour - an hour.
Rubbed areas should be sealed with adhesive tape.
The back of the shoes can be lubricated with soap or alcohol - this will make the skin a little softer and rub the heel less.
Great for softening the inside of shoes Castor oil or vaseline. After the oil has been absorbed, wipe off the residue with a cotton cloth or cotton pad.

If these tips do not help, and you understand that you obviously made a mistake with the size when purchasing a new pair of shoes, proven ways to stretch your boots or boots by half a size or even a full size can save you.

How to stretch leather shoes a size larger at home

Compared to suede or textile leather shoes, it is easier to break in, since high-quality genuine leather has the ability to stretch well without significant deformation of the last and endure short-term impact high temperatures and moisture without sacrificing appearance.

Therefore, in order to stretch tight genuine leather shoes a size larger, you can use one of the old effective methods (or several of them).

Abundantly moisten the boot with a cotton swab or using a spray gun inside and out with vodka or other alcohol-containing liquid (cologne, diluted alcohol, moonshine). Then put on a thick sock (ideally woolen) on your foot, put on alcohol-treated shoes on top and walk around the house in it for two hours. Alcohol softens the leather, which helps to spread the products with ease or make their hard parts softer.
You can break in new leather shoes that are tight with wet woolen socks. To do this, the owner of a pair of shoes rubbing corns must put on socks moistened with hot water, then put on problematic shoes on top. After several hours of walking around the house, leather shoes take the shape of the foot and no longer press.
If the prospect of walking in wet socks for two hours does not impress you, try soaking a tight pair of water (or vodka) and stuff paper or old newspapers as tightly as possible into your boots. As the paper becomes soaked, it must be changed until the boots are dry.
There is another rather aggressive, but really coping with the task, way to stretch leather shoes: pour boiling water inside it, leave water for a couple of minutes and pour it out. When the shoes or boots have cooled down to such a temperature that you can put them on, you need to put your feet in them and walk around until completely dry.

shoes from real leather with such actions, it is guaranteed to increase by size. But if there are doubts about the quality of the leather or the adhesive joints seem unreliable, you should not stretch the shoes with water or other liquids. You can try to do it in other ways.

How to stretch leather shoes at home

The people have come up with many more gentle ways to stretch leather shoes on their own. For example:

tightly stuff the tight boot with peeled potatoes and leave it inside for 10-12 hours or overnight;
put on feet with thick socks (dry) an inconvenient pair of shoes and heat it with hot air from a hair dryer for a minute;
winter leather boots or boots can be stretched with frozen water: place tight plastic bags with water inside and put the shoes in the freezer (or on the balcony in hard frost) for solidification of water sacs; when frozen, the liquid tends to expand, which means that by increasing in size, the bags will help stretch the boots.

For leather shoes or demi-season boots that are not intended for use in sub-zero temperatures, this stretching method is not suitable, since the fact of the sole cracking in the cold is not excluded.

How to break in tight leather shoes at home

Fitted but tight-fitting shoes stretch well if:

tightly fill it with torn wet newspapers, leaving it for a couple of days to dry (only away from heaters and the sun);
in the evening, pour cereal inside the shoes and pour hot water to swell - increasing in size, the swollen grain will stretch tight shoes, in the morning it remains only to remove the gruel, wipe it with a cloth and boldly go about your business;
at night, rub the shoes from the inside with ordinary candle paraffin and put any fabric (socks, towel) into them as tightly as possible; in the morning, taking out the contents, we get a stretched and soft pair.

If necessary, all of the above methods can be repeated or alternated until obtaining desired result. Practice shows that boots or shoes from quality leather stretch well both in width and in length (of course, within reasonable limits).

How to quickly break in leather shoes in modern ways

If suddenly the old-fashioned ways to stretch boots or shoes made of genuine leather seemed too dangerous or ineffective, you can always find an alternative to them using more gentle modern methods.

True, you will have to spend a little money on the purchase of special tools and devices in shoe stores, but then you will be 100% sure that the method is safe and the result is reliable.

Purchase special shoe stretching products (foam or spray) well-known firms: Salamander, Duke of Dubbin, Twist, Kiwi, Salton. Needs to be applied to tight shoes or shoes according to the instructions for use and put on for breaking in on your feet (it is possible with woolen socks for best effect). Such products soften the skin well, leaving no traces and odors, and contribute to the faster wearing of new shoes.
Having treated with specialized means leather boots that have shrunk slightly due to improper storage, or a new pair of shoes that are a little tight, you need to pull them on special stretchers - a plastic or wooden block in the shape of a foot. Stretchers are sold in some shoe departments of supermarkets or from shoemakers. This method is especially effective if you want to stretch narrow shaft boot.

Both methods require money, but if the family often needs to stretch shrunken or improperly selected expensive shoes, this is not worth saving. Blocks and spray will help to carefully and quickly carry more than one pair of shoes or boots.

In order not to wonder how to stretch shoes, you need to try to buy them in the daytime or in the evening and take your time when trying on. A purchase that does not fit in size, made in an online store, can always be returned if you are not sure that you can break in the pair of shoes you like, but obviously tight.

Do not skimp on shoe products that prevent drying out when long-term storage, and use a very old, but still relevant way - to stuff your favorite boots or shoes tightly with newspapers before putting them in the closet until the next season. If you follow these simple rules, you will never have to learn how to stretch leather shoes so as not to rub calluses and test them and your feet for strength.

In order not to spend money on going to the workshop and not to wait for the master’s verdict on the possibility of softening shoes, we offer proven home methods. They have been tested by more than one generation of women, so 100% will give the desired result.

The main thing is not to try to combine methods from different sections - what gives an excellent result for artificial shoes will turn into a deadly procedure for “capricious” varnish and “delicate” suede.

Keep in mind: in no way can you break shoes in length, only in width. Although if the toe rests just a little bit, then spreading the shoes wide, the toes will feel more comfortable.

5 Proven Ways to Stretch Leather Shoes

Before proceeding with the procedures for increasing the size, determine visually the appearance of the skin. If it is thin and soft, a light impact will be enough. But for rougher shoe leather, almost any method is good - this natural material is very resistant to any "hardships of life".

1 way - woolen sock

So, let's start with the most gentle approach - the usual grandmother's wearing inappropriate shoes to the toe. It's simple: they put on tight shoes on the warmest (terry or woolen) sock and walk around the apartment for a couple of hours, taking them off from time to time so as not to put pressure on the feet. Quick result you should not wait, but your favorite shoes do not deform and fit perfectly on the leg.

2 way - alcohol

If the usual stretching did not work, or if you could not go out for the prescribed two hours, you can slightly speed up the procedure with an alcohol solution. To prepare it, mix medical alcohol and ordinary water in a ratio of 1: 1, pour it into a spray bottle and treat the inside of the shoe. Let it soak a little with the solution, and then put it on warm sock and break it in for half an hour.

Residual moisture should dry naturally away from direct sun rays. alcohol solution can be replaced with household alcohol-based window cleaner, cologne or toilet water.

Alcohol dries out the skin, so after the shoes have dried, treat them with slightly warmed petroleum jelly or moisturize with any cream.

3 way - vaseline and castor oil

If you need to stretch expensive shoes for a size or more, use a tandem of petroleum jelly or castor oil and a special boot for breaking in shoes. Plentifully lubricate the inside of the shoe with petroleum jelly and place a block bought in a special store there for a day. It will help to gently expand the skin without deforming the original shape. The next day, clean off any remaining Vaseline with a soft cotton pad.

4 way - soaking in boiling water

This emergency method is suitable for more undemanding boots and boots made of thick leather. Pour hot water inside the boots for 30 seconds, pour them out, and immediately put them on a pair of thick socks. If this "soaking" seems too daring to you, you can just wrap the wrong pair old t-shirt soaked in hot water.

But before walking resuscitated ATVs, dry them thoroughly at room temperature without using a hair dryer.

5 way - freezing

There is another method exclusively for thick boots - stretching according to the "cowboy" method or freezing. Both are based on physical processes. In the first case, the “active substance” is ordinary water, which, when frozen, becomes a natural stretcher. But do not pour it directly into the shoes, it is better to place a thin plastic bag in the middle, and pour water into it already. To avoid deformation, leave the bag ajar.

In the second case, pre-soaked grain is poured into the boots, which swells, thereby stretching the skin. The main thing is not to forget about it, otherwise on the second day it will be possible to collect waste and wonder where such a specific smell came from in the apartment.

The procedure is best done at night, in order to get the "frozen" shoes in the morning and let them thaw at room temperature. Remove the bags and leave the shoes all day in a dark, cool place. In the evening, you can try them on and gently smear them with natural petroleum jelly to restore the natural balance of the skin.

Note: after each aggressive influence, leather shoes should be carefully dried and treated with any natural odorless vegetable oil or specialized impregnation. This will prolong its life and keep it looking beautiful.

How to stretch fabric, nubuck, suede and fur shoes

None of the previous methods (except for wearing on the toe) should be used for nubuck shoes and any other natural materials. Alcohol is not suitable for the reason that "drunk" shoes will go to divorce, and after drying it may crack, and the oils will be left on the fabric and suede greasy spots. Boiling water is too aggressive, cryotherapy will completely "kill" the shape of model shoes ... But remember - there is always a way out!

Method 1 - professional tool

The easiest way to stretch suede or nubuck shoes is to buy a special spray at the supermarket. For example, a stretcher from Salamander, Oke, Twist, Salton, Kiwi, Silver. Just ask the consultant how, apart from the price, one jar differs from the other. Perhaps the more expensive product is also water repellent or safer on shoes and feet.

Method 2 - using a newspaper

More hard way stretch shoes made of delicate materials - the use of "yellow press". Crumple enough newspapers, shove them inside uncomfortable shoes and leave overnight. The paper will straighten slightly and thereby adjust the width of the shoe.

People's councils suggest moistening newspapers with alcohol or even ordinary water. We strongly do not recommend doing this: there is a high probability that printing ink will be printed on the walls of shoes or sandals.

Keep in mind: it is almost impossible to stretch shoes with fur. The best way out is to wear it around the house on warm socks and periodically warm it up with a hairdryer. You can also replace the native insole with a thinner one from the store. This will make the foot more vulnerable to the cold, but it will allow you to wear your favorite boots without pain.

How to stretch leatherette shoes

It is better to immediately take tight shoes made of artificial leather to the store or give them away to friends, because they are practically not stretchable. Leatherette does not have the softness and suppleness of natural leather, so it is too difficult to change it “in the image and likeness” of natural leather. But you can try one of the two options.

Option 1 - thick sock

A really effective way to increase the size of leatherette shoes is to wear artificial "suede" or "leather" shoes around the house with a warm toe for several days. To heighten the effect, the inner surfaces can be lubricated with petroleum jelly. Such tricks will not allow you to make shoes a size larger, but they will help wayward shoes sit clearly on the leg.

Option 2 - paraffin

If the shoes are really dear to you, but they rub or squeeze in the instep, you can try to soften the leatherette a little with paraffin. Before the procedure, dry the shoes and warm them thoroughly with a hair dryer. Then take a paraffin candle, warm it up a little on the fire and treat the problem areas from the inside with a soft side (most often it is the heel, seams, side surfaces). When the paraffin hardens, put on wayward shoes with warm socks and walk around the house for a day or two.

After such a procedure, the artificial material should be distributed in width, and the rough areas will stop pressing due to the slippery paraffin coating. At the end of wearing, gently scrape off the remaining paraffin and wipe the shoes with a cotton pad with petroleum jelly.

An effective way to stretch rubber shoes

Well, not the classic one. rubber shoes, and from fashionable to last years PVC.

To recognize what material your rain boots are actually made of, heat an awl and lightly touch the shoe in an inconspicuous place, avoiding a puncture. If the material began to melt, then in front of you are shoes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which will not be difficult to stretch.

Boiling water + thick socks + ice water

Prepare a couple of liters of boiling water, a deep basin of ice water and a few terry socks. Pour boiling water into boots and wait 2-4 minutes until the material becomes noticeably softer. Drain the water, put your boots on warm socks, step on the spot a little so that the material tightly wraps around your leg and stand in the basin with cold water. PVC will not harden according to the shape of the factory cast of the “ideal foot”, but in accordance with the structure of your foot and ankle.

After such a procedure, it is better not to subject the boots to loads for 1-2 days, allowing the material to rest and remember the new shape.

How to stretch patent leather shoes

This case is the most difficult, since the lacquer coating on the shoes does not allow the leather backing to stretch, and when aggressive impact the varnish cracks and loses its luster. Therefore, stretching such shoes even half a size is almost impossible, the maximum that can be done is to soften the inner surface of the shoes so that it stops rubbing.

Method 1 - sock + alcohol

For starters try classic way- wearing tight shoes to the toe for 2-3 days. To speed up the process, you can lightly dampen your socks with a 2:1 solution of water and alcohol and leave your shoes on until completely dry.

Keep in mind: in no case should you heat the varnish with a hair dryer or hot water, otherwise dull spots and cracked meshes cannot be avoided. Shouldn't warm up patent leather shoes even from the inside, in 80 cases out of 100, the varnish loses its properties, becomes brittle and dull.

Method 2 - fat cream + block

Most effective method- the use of fat cream, petroleum jelly or any natural oil and a special pad. If you are afraid of stains, you can replace greasy substances with a special stretching foam for patent leather shoes. Treat critical areas (heel, toe, corns) more thoroughly and lightly knead with your hands to speed up the stretching process

Then put on your shoes special block at least a day, and if necessary, repeat the procedure. All this time, shoes should be away from sunlight, batteries and any heating devices.

If you have never stretched your shoes, then practice first on an old pair that you don’t mind ruining.
Do not heat shoes with plastic elements. Hot air can melt them.
After stretching, the skin loses its natural oils and becomes drier and more brittle, especially when treated with heat and alcohol. After stretching, apply a special conditioner to the shoes or moisturize with any cream.
Do not rush to stretch the shoes with aggressive means. If your new shoes are a little tight, it's best to stretch them while wearing them. It is quite possible that it will be enough to endure a couple of days - and the model will sit on its leg, like a cast one.
Expensive shoes are best taken to a good workshop. At home, there is a risk of spoiling it.

All these methods have been developed over decades, so there is no doubt about their effectiveness. Just don't compare dear Italian shoes and off-road shoes bought on sale. It is quite possible that a delicate, skillfully crafted material, firstly, will not withstand mechanical and chemical exposure, as it is simply not designed for such loads. Secondly, he will feel great both after freezing and after bathing in boiling water! Therefore, before resorting to emergency methods, first try more gentle ones - perhaps they will just give the expected result.

Whatever way you choose to stretch tight shoes at home, do all the necessary manipulations carefully so as not to spoil it. After all, an uncomfortable pair for you can, in extreme cases, be returned to the store, but a hopelessly damaged one can only be thrown away.

Many people periodically face the problem of narrow and tight shoes. As a result, there is a risk of serious discomfort. Therefore, the question of how to stretch shoes at home is extremely relevant. There are many professional techniques And folk ways to achieve the desired effect.

Models made of high-quality natural material stretch best. They are able to withstand adverse effect external factors and not lose its shape. For artificial models, such methods should not be used - they can only ruin the shoes.

So, how to break in leather shoes that are too tight at home? It is recommended to resort to such means:

Ice. To implement the technique, you need to put sachets in shoes and fill them with liquid for about a quarter. Place in the freezer and keep there overnight. When the liquid freezes, the material will expand, which will help adjust the size of the product. When the ice melts slightly, it is recommended to pull it out of the shoe.
Boiling water. Under the influence of hot water, the product quickly softens, which helps to stretch leather shoes. It is recommended to pour enough water into the shoes so that it fills the inside. Then boiling water is recommended to be poured immediately. The product must be slightly cooled, then put on. Walk in such shoes until the model is completely dry. If there is concern that the model will not withstand exposure to moisture, it is worth placing bags inside before filling with water.
Warm socks. This old way, which allows you to increase the size of the shoe. To do this, it is worth putting on thick wet socks under the shoes for several days - woolen or terry products are suitable. This method will help to increase the cramped model by half the size.
Alcohol. Vodka or cologne is also great. It is perfectly acceptable to use a solution for washing windows. Combine the composition with water in equal parts, and then lubricate or spray on shoes. It is processed from all sides - outside and inside. Particular attention should be paid to the heel. If you lubricate the model from behind, it will become much softer and will not rub. After that, the shoes should be put on warm socks and vilified for a couple of hours.
Castor oil and vaseline. This technique is suitable for people who are interested in how to stretch shoes a size larger at home. To achieve the desired effect, it is recommended to combine the funds in equal proportions, after which it is good to process the product from the inside. Then place a special block in the product. It is sold in a hardware or specialized shoe store. This procedure will help increase the size of narrow shoes, but will not lead to its deformation. After a day, it is recommended to remove the remnants of the product with a sponge.

Home remedies that soften shoes made from natural materials

Note: It should be borne in mind that alcohol can dry out natural material. Therefore, it is recommended to treat it with warm Vaseline. This will help break in shoes made of genuine leather and keep it looking flawless.

The listed methods are suitable for different models - winter and summer. However, it must be remembered that warm products not recommended to wet too much. After processing, they should be dried thoroughly. If you need to slightly increase the size of the boots with fur, just remove the insole.

To stretch genuine leather shoes at home without negative consequences, it is best to turn to professionals. Typically, workshops have devices that provide heat and pressure. It should be borne in mind that the process of stretching the model can take about 1 day.

Mechanical action from the inside will help not only stretch narrow shoes, but also soften hard areas that rub the skin of the legs.

Recipes for lacquered models

It is much more difficult to increase the size of patent leather shoes than ordinary ones. leather models. This can be done exclusively in width, provided that under the varnish layer there is a thin and soft material. In any case, it is important to exercise extreme caution. Otherwise, the product may lose its luster or even crack.

To stretch the shoes in width, you should use the following recipes:

Alcohol and water. These components are recommended to be combined in a ratio of 2: 1. Soak thick socks in the liquid. It is recommended to put them on your feet under shoes. Wear shoes until completely dry - this will take about 2 hours.
Spacer and cream. This is an effective method to enlarge tight shoes. First, with a fat cream, you need to process the model from the inside. Then you need to place a special block in it. When applying the cream, it is worth paying attention to the roughest areas - a hard back, a toe. If necessary, the manipulation is recommended to be repeated. The effectiveness of the technique depends on the softness of the skin.
hair dryer. To increase the size of a new lacquered model, it is worth exposing it to elevated temperatures. First, the shoes should be thoroughly warmed up with inside, then put them on warm socks. When using this method, it is worth considering certain features. If you run the dryer too long or the temperature is too high, the polish may become less shiny. In addition, the manipulation must be repeated periodically.
Terry towel. It is recommended to moisten it with hot water and squeeze it out. Wrap the product with a towel and put it in the bag. On next day dry at room temperature.
Steam or boiling water. It should be borne in mind that this method should not be the main one, since the influence of high temperatures will cause damage to the varnish. If other methods do not help, you need to pour boiling water into the shoes and leave it there. After a few minutes, pour out the water and substitute the product under a jet of steam. It is important to protect the varnished surface. Immediately after completing the manipulation, you need to put on shoes with warm socks and walk around a bit.

In order not to damage the varnish surface, lubricate the shoes with a thick layer of cream or petroleum jelly before manipulation.

Important: To quickly and effectively stretch such shoes, you should resort to special tools. If you follow the instructions on the package, you will be able to achieve good results and do not damage the product.

Features of stretching textiles

Zoom in rag shoes very problematic. Textiles are not afraid of moisture and getting wet. Therefore, using only water for a denim or fabric model will not work. To get a good effect, it is worth freezing the shoes.

Also, the product can be washed or just wet well. After that, it is worth putting the model on socks and walking until the product dries. With a high elasticity of the fibers of the material, small shoes can be increased by half a size.

If the model is made of natural material, it should be moistened with vinegar from the inside. It is not recommended to dry shoes after stretching. It is especially harmful to leave it in the sun. It is best to wear cloth shoes on your feet to give them the desired shape. To speed up the process, use a hair dryer.

How to stretch different parts of shoes

In some cases, it is required to stretch not the entire product, but only a certain part that causes the greatest discomfort. In most situations, the sock or heel is the problem. Also, the bootleg or instep is often the cause of discomfort.

Narrow toe

The front of the shoes should be treated with cream or petroleum jelly. After that, they need to be put on socks and walk for several hours. You can also put bags of water in the sock and put them in the freezer. Not less than in an efficient way will be the use of newspapers (paper) or boiling water.

A small flat bottle can be placed in socks. Pre-leather shoes should be wetted. Lacquered shoes are best lubricated with paraffin or soap.

tight heel

Freezing will be an effective method of breaking in shoes. To do this, the sock should be stuffed with dry newspapers, and a bag of water should be placed in the heel area. When frozen, the heel counter will become wider, and the toe area will not deform.

An effective extension method would be to use a regular solid deodorant. With this tool, you need to process the heel from the inside, then put on socks and move in shoes until the back is free.

Special gel pads to soften the heels

Climb

To increase the product in this zone, it is worth stocking up on cereals. First, socks and heels should be stuffed plastic bags, and at intervals pour cereal and add a little water. Remove item from freezer. Then it can be taken out, when the ice thaws slightly, the contents of the shoe can be pulled out.

boot shaft

If the boots press hard in the calves, it may be difficult to fasten the zipper. To solve this problem, it is worth using wet newspapers. They are tightly stuffed to the bootleg.

The shaft is best stretched on a professional machine, at home it can be replaced by small logs and wood chips, which need to be added alternately to the boot

To increase the size of shoes at home and not damage it, you must follow certain recommendations:

The first time you need to stretch not too expensive shoes. On such a pair, it is worth experimenting and choosing the most effective method.
In some situations, it is much easier to return shoes to the store, because many of them make it possible to exchange a model for a product. bigger size. This is especially true for children's shoes. Sometimes specialists completely stretch the model to order.
It is worth remembering that after experimenting with shoes, it will not be possible to hand them over to the store. The difference will be too obvious.
Under the influence of heat or water, ice, cheap products can break. Therefore, such methods are recommended to be used only for high-quality models.
Shoes with plastic elements should not be exposed elevated temperatures. Under the influence of heat, such parts can simply melt.
When using a hair dryer and the absence of a special conditioner, it is enough to rub the shoes with an ordinary cream. This will help restore the water balance in the tissue.

Now you know how to expand shoes. For this purpose, it is worth using professional tools or folk recipes. It is not recommended to neglect such opportunities. If the shoes are tight, it will lead to leg deformity and other backfire for good health.

plus

Try to avoid such purchases when the purchased shoes are too small for you. If you still could not resist and bought slightly small shoes or boots in the store, near which you simply cannot pass by, we will tell you how to stretch your shoes already at home and still enjoy the purchase.

Ways

You can slightly modify any tight shoes at home: stretch leather, suede, patent leather, rubber, artificial, and even nubuck. At the same time, it will not affect the appearance and will not spoil the shoes.

Purchased shoes are not always exactly small and do not always need to be stretched as much as a size. It may fit perfectly, but be a bit narrow or stiff where it meets the ankle. Sometimes it needs to be stretched a little in width.

In fact, not only new shoes, but also, for example, shoes made of genuine leather, which for winter season shrunken or caked in the most uncomfortable way in the closet.

How to be? Do not throw away because of this purchase or favorite ankle boots? Looking for a shoe shop in the city, in which shoes are stretched along your leg with the help of blocks, there is neither time, nor strength, nor desire? The situation can be saved even at home!

There are some of the most effective and proven ways to stretch shoes:

With alcohol

And the very first and most effective on this list is to stretch shoes with ethyl alcohol.

We moisten the shoes from the inside with alcohol (you can equally successfully use vodka and colognes);
We put on thicker cotton socks (the leg should be back to back inside the shoe);
We put shoes on our feet;
We process shoes with alcohol and outside. To prevent the alcohol from quickly eroding, over the shoes you need to wear large, thick and loose socks five sizes larger than your usual size;
For 1-2 hours we walk around the apartment until the shoes get the size you need.
It will be easier to treat shoes with alcohol, bay water solution alcohol (1:1) in a container with a spray bottle.

With oil

The oil itself is a very plastic substance, in the old days it was very actively used to soften or stretch shoes. Especially this method effectively resurrects leatherette shoes that have not been worn for several years and helps to return original view patent leather shoes.

Castor oil is most suitable, which is devoid of a pronounced smell, but has excellent elastic properties and will help stretch shoes. If it was not at hand, and the shoes urgently need resuscitation, then ordinary refined vegetable oil may also work.

On cotton pad the required amount of oil is applied;
Shoes are processed abundantly - either the entire block, or only the problem area of \u200b\u200bthe shoe, which directly presses and rubs the legs;
Cotton socks are put on (for “oily” procedures it is better to choose old socks that you won’t be sorry to throw away) and shoes are worn in for 1-2 hours.

With boiling water

What you can always find at home is hot water. Just as pasta swells in boiling water, shoes made of genuine leather can also behave.

Attention! This method will allow you to stretch shoes only from natural materials! Shoes made of leatherette or some synthetic materials may lose their shape, appearance and other qualities.

So, the shoes are stretched with boiling water according to the following scheme:

pour boiling water over shoes from the inside;
hold for a couple of seconds for exposure;
drain water from shoes;
we put on the cooled shoes on a thick layer of socks, as described in the previous methods;
wear until the shoes are completely dry.

If you are embarrassed by such a “boiled” method and you are afraid of ruining your shoes, then use a more gentle variation. Shoes will have to be steamed over boiling water for a certain time. Hot steam will have a similar, though lesser effect on shoes. Then she should give the desired shape as soon as possible, stretch it properly and fix the result (shoes can be fixed with plastic spacers or tightly crumpled paper).

With the use of cold

This label is radically opposite, but no less effective. If your shoes are tight and there is free place, then you can stretch your shoes in one night! (Well, or in balcony conditions, if it happens in winter).

Put plastic bags filled with water in your shoes. Before being sent to the freezer, also place shoes in a bag for hygiene purposes. In the evening, you leave uncomfortable shoes in the cold, and in the morning you take out the ice blocks from them and you get already comfortable shoes!

Take all precautions:

In order not to spoil the shoes, use two tight bags, the first of which is tied, the second is left open;
See that the water fills the entire space (if you stretch the shoes to size) or only the toe (if you stretch the shoes in width).
In the morning, keep the shoes for about 20-30 minutes at room temperature, and then remove the ice blocks.

Using paper, newspapers

It is also one of the earliest popular ways to stretch shoes at home. Leather shoes does not always confirm its high performance, but for fabric moccasins, rubber boots or flip flops, as well as shoes made from other non-natural materials, it fits almost perfectly.

Prepare a lot of newsprint;
Soak it in warm water(you can also use a little alcohol from the first option for stretching shoes);
Protect your shoes from the inside from newspaper paint clean slate paper or bag)
Tamp wet newspapers tightly inside (by the way, they practice stuffing shoes not only with paper, but also with wet cloth, however, it holds a new shape a little worse);
Leave shoes to dry.

When forming a shoe from wet newspapers, it is important to be careful and accurate, because what shape your shoes will take on now, it will remain so when it dries.

If the shape seems slightly distorted to you, it is better to redo this papier-mâché shoe.

It is very important that with any of the “wet” stretching methods, the shoes are dried gradually, and not on batteries, heaters or in the open sun. Because the result can be obtained inversely proportional. Shoes will dry out even more and will be unpleasantly deformed.

With a hair dryer

In an apartment, you can stretch your shoes with a regular hair dryer. The shoes are warmed up and then treated with a stretcher (or treat the shoes with one of the home remedies suggested above), then the shoes are put on the toe. You will have to repeat this procedure several times so that the shoes stretch gradually.

Using vinegar

The arsenal of answers to the question of how easy it is to stretch shoes is not exhausted. Pretty much anything you can find in your kitchen cabinets or refrigerator can be used. For example, vinegar. They are most often treated with shoes with narrow "noses" that squeeze the fingers and foot. Cook 3-% vinegar solution and process the shoes from the inside. It will become softer and more pliable. But on the outside, it is better not to treat shoes with acetic acid - it is not known how shoes will react to it.

other methods

If you have at home paraffin candles, then you can use them by analogy with the "freezer" method. Melt the wax, pour into bags and into shoes. We are waiting for hardening, take it out and get comfortable shoes!

If your shoes rub your foot, in problem areas, treat the heels and side walls of the shoes with soap or a paraffin candle.

Kerosene perfectly and effectively softens leather shoes. But this method is unlikely to be popular with fashionistas because of its unpleasant companion - a persistent smell.

With the use of special tools

Perhaps experimenting with shoes is not your method, or shoes are too expensive, then of course it is better to save home remedies for the most extreme case. Stretch shoes will help affordable professional tools, which are sold directly in shoe stores. The most famous of them do not need advertising:

Kiwi;
salamander;
Duke Of Dubbin.

The method of application of these sprays and foams is indicated on the packaging. But the conditions are the same as with home remedies. We apply, put on with terry or other thick socks, and “walk around” the shoes until completely dry.