How to stretch shoes at home

Reasons why shoes can chafe

Sometimes the shoes are tight and chafing because the feet are swollen. What to do, the foot can be wider than the standard size, and then the shoes are very difficult to fit. Everyone can get into a situation where shoes have been chosen for a long time and look great on their feet, but they begin to rub on the heels or squeeze their toes during wearing. Here are some cases of discomfort in which you can stretch your shoes at home, making them comfortable without damaging them:

• shoes one size smaller than necessary, because your size was not on sale;
• shoes fit in length, but narrow in width;
• the leather on the boots has shrunk after getting wet;
• shoe sizes are suitable, she begins to squeeze her legs after a long walk;
• stiff shoes, rubbing on the heel, or pinching your toes.

How to quickly stretch your shoes along your leg, 5 tips

There are several effective methods for quickly stretching shoes in the home. Before you wear out new shoes, boots or sneakers, you need to consider the properties of the materials from which the shoes are made. Genuine leather stretches easily while retaining its structure. Other materials - fabric and leatherette can tear or lose strength under strong stretching. Rubber shoes practically do not stretch. Over time, all shoes wear out, but sometimes you want to speed up this process.

Here are the 5 fastest ways to stretch your shoes:

1. Apply the patch to the areas of the foot that are in contact with the hard areas of the shoe.
2. Purchase a spray or liquid for spreading, apply it according to the instructions.
3. Moisten the inside of the shoe with an alcohol-containing liquid, put it on, wear it until it is completely dry.
4. Fill the shoes with plastic bags filled with water and put them in the freezer.
5. Pour boiling water into your shoes, pour out the water and put on shoes for one hour.

INFO: a cardinal method that can be applied in extreme cases is to soften the edge of the shoes with a hammer, after wrapping it with a thick cloth. Of course, this method is only suitable if the material of the product is rough leather or hard textiles. It is advisable to stretch expensive shoes in more gentle ways.

Medical plaster

The use of the plaster not only protects the foot from damage if it rubs the heels of the shoes. The patch will stretch the shoe where it comes into contact with the material. If a blister develops in the heel, it may be sufficient to soften the trailing edge of the shoe using one of these methods.

Special spray for stretching

Foam for stretching different types of leather, fabrics and suede can be purchased at shoe stores or shops with household goods. In addition to sprays, there are solutions and gels in the range of ready-made stretching agents. The method of application is simple: the inner surface of the product is treated with a cotton swab dipped in the product. After processing, the shoes are put on a thick sock or stuffed tightly with paper, and they wait until it dries. Ready-made sprays are suitable for various types of footwear: suede, artificial leather, fabric.

Freezing

One effective way to stretch your boots is to pour water into them and then freeze them. The bags inside the shoes are filled with water and tied not close to the water, but leaving space for expansion. The shoes are wrapped in a bag and placed in the freezer. After 7-8 hours, they are taken out and wait for the ice to partially melt in order to remove it without damaging the products. If the size has not increased enough, the whole process can be repeated again.

Stretching with boiling water

This is a very quick and effective method to stretch tight shoes.Boiling water is poured into shoes for a few seconds and poured out immediately. From heating, the material from which the shoes are sewn becomes softer and more pliable. Now, if you put it on and wear it for 25 minutes or more, the shoe will take the shape of a leg. Having cooled down, she will retain this shape and stop rubbing and squeezing her legs. Shoes made from natural leathers stretch more easily than from artificial substitutes.

Liquids containing alcohol

Vodka, cologne, or another product that contains alcohol can help stretch your shoes. The alcohol-based product must be safe. The best option is to use a food product, such as vodka and half water. The inside of the shoes or boots is wiped with a swab moistened in it. Then the shoes are put on and walked in until they dry.

INFO: specialized means for stretching footwear include alcohol and chemicals that soften the material. Usually they also contain flavors. At home, alcohol can be replaced with vodka or cologne. After using vodka, it is recommended to wipe the inner surface of the shoe with a lemon wedge (to remove odor).

How to increase the length and width of your shoes at home

The easiest popular way to stretch is to put on tight sports shoes on wet wool socks and walk in them until they are completely dry. The method is long and not very pleasant. One time is enough only for genuine leather shoes. For other materials, you will have to repeat the procedure several times.

You can use alcohol or alcohol-based liquids instead of water. Under their action, the material softens and becomes more pliable to change its shape.

Alcohol contributes to the softening of the material from which the shoes are sewn, and its subsequent stretching

Alcohol is great for stretching sneakers with a rubber front or back.

1. Spread the rubber surfaces with a cotton pad moistened with an alcohol-based liquid.
2. Apply mechanical action to a still wet surface: use a stretcher block or put on sneakers on thick socks and walk until completely dry.

How to quickly expand rag shoes: the ice method

This method is based on the property of a liquid, familiar from a school physics course: water expands when it goes into a solid state, increasing in volume. This creates pressure on the surface of the shoe, causing it to stretch.

Procedure:

1. Insert a thick plastic bag inside each sneaker or trainer and straighten it well inside.
2. Pour in water and tie the bags tightly.
3. Place your shoes in the freezer for 24 hours.
4. If you press your fingers and you need to stretch the front of the sneaker, then put a towel rolled with a roller under your heels.
5. Take your shoes out of the freezer.
6. Wait for the ice to melt a little.
7. Take out the packages.
8. Use a tissue to wipe off excess moisture and dry your shoes.

This method is suitable for both natural and artificial dense materials.

Thermal stretching of textile and fabric sneakers

The essence of the method is to treat shoes with a hairdryer.

1. Wear sneakers or trainers over thick woolen socks.
2. Warm up problem areas with a hair dryer for 20-30 minutes.
3. Walk in your shoes until they cool.

The method is effective and, importantly, does not impair the original quality of the shoe

Stretching new suede sneakers with a hairdryer - video

We use newspapers

There is another well-known method - newspaper. Our grandmothers actively used it. For stretching, they used wet newspapers, which they stuffed the shoes tightly with and waited for it to dry. In this case, the rammed wet paper dries naturally for at least three days, the insoles and the surface of the shoes become soaked and deformed. This method has more disadvantages than advantages, so today it can hardly be called effective.

Newspaper and other homemade ways to stretch shoes - video

To make the best decision about which method to choose, compare the cost of the shoe and the cost of adjusting it.

How can you stretch artificial leather shoes or boots

Today, on the shelves of fashionable shoe stores, there are many beautiful and stylish models of shoes and boots made of artificial leather. If, after the skill of the manufacturers was appreciated and the shoes were purchased, a person began to feel discomfort due to the size discrepancy, one can resort to certain methods. The skin substitute is difficult to stretch, but it can be done in several ways.

Put on a thick sock or a few thin ones and wear shoes in this way for several days. After a short period of time, the boots will stretch and take the shape of a leg. Another option is to treat the inside of the shoe with a cream or pharmacy petroleum jelly. It is necessary to carefully rub the product into those places where the shoes are cramped. Then you should wait until the cream or petroleum jelly is absorbed into the surface. After that, put on boots or shoes and walk around the apartment in them for about 30 minutes

It is important to walk, and not sit, so that the critical zones of the shoe are stretched in the right places. Another of the "old-fashioned" methods of stretching shoes made of a leather substitute is dense packing of newspapers soaked in water inside the shoes.

When the mission is completed, you must leave your boots or shoes to dry. In no case should you dry your shoes by the intervention of a hair dryer or a heater when there are newspapers inside. Such actions can lead to deformation of the material. Another popular way is to stretch artificial leather shoes using grain or cereals. To adjust the size using this method, you need to put plastic bags inside the shoes and pour small cereals into them. The seeds should completely fill the inside of the boot or shoe. Pour water into the bag and leave the "clothes" for the legs for a day. Grains, which will swell under the influence of water, will stretch the shoes in eight to ten hours.

An effective method to expand boots where they rub is to lubricate critical spots with paraffin wax candles. Then you need to put on toe boots and walk in this way. The effect should be visible a few days after this method of stretching.

All of the above methods will be helpful in how to stretch the shoe one size larger and soften the chafing spots in the shoe. The main thing is to act deliberately and carefully, using various methods to adjust the size to the leg.

What if the shoes are tight?

New shoes often chafe and can pinch the foot in a wide variety of places. And it is not surprising, because everyone has a different rise, width and other parameters of the foot, and the shoes are made in production according to standard measurements.

There are three ways to deal with the problem:

Contact a specialist - hand over the shoes for stretching. But you need to take into account the professionalism of the chosen master. It turns out that not everyone can cope with patent leather or suede leather; moreover, special equipment is needed to stretch such a delicate material. Before giving a new thing, ask the master where and in what way he plans to solve your problem.

Go to the store for a special product that helps soften the shoes in places of rubbing and stretch them a little. The disadvantage of this method is that you need to find a suitable composition for the material of your shoes, and no one will give guarantees that it will work exactly as you need. Perhaps it will be wasted money and time.

Seek advice from the people. For a long time, people have figured out how, with the help of objects and things that are in every home, to stretch their shoes and not suffer from wounds and dropsies.

Stretching patent shoes with a hairdryer

Using aggressive stretching techniques, varnished shoes are easily damaged. From incorrect intervention, such troubles are possible:

• the varnish cracks from the temperature drop, surface deformation is possible;
• when using a chemical stretching agent, the varnish coating is damaged;
• from mechanical impact, the integrity of the skin structure is violated.

One of the gentle ways to increase the size of patent leather shoes is to stretch with a hair dryer.

This requires:

• direct a stream of hot air deep into the shoe, processing lasts at least 30 seconds;
• while the inside is hot, quickly treat it with any fatty cream;
• wear warm socks, as thick as possible and shoes;
• walk as long as the leg can withstand, but not less than 1.5 hours.

When processing with a hairdryer, try not to hit the varnished surface with a jet of hot air - its structure may be disturbed.

Need to know! New lacquered shoes cannot be stretched in length, they can only be stretched in width.

Professional ways to increase size

If, for some specific reason, you are unable to return tight sneakers back to the store, then use professional preparations for stretching. In workshops for repairing sneakers, it is customary to use:

• surface treatment liquids;
• pads, on which the shoes themselves are pulled, in need of stretching.

Manufacturers advise using sprays and stretching foams.

When purchasing them, you need to pay special attention to the peculiarities of their use. If the spray is marked "for all types of natural leather", then it will not work at all for sneakers made of textiles.

How to use:

1. Shake the balloon filled with stretching foam.
2. Apply the contents of the product evenly and efficiently to problem areas from the inside as well as the outside.
3. Put wet shoes on terry or woolen socks.
4. Walk in it until the applied product dries completely.
5. Repeat the procedure a few more times to completely eliminate the discomfort.

Before using foam or spray, you need to check the effect of such a tool on an inconspicuous area of ​​the shoe.

An analogue of a professional shoe will be a mechanical device: a shoe spreader, special mechanical stretchers, mold holders. Usually they are completely universal and are suitable for several sizes at once, of different completeness. The spacers include a special screw mechanism that ensures good stretching. Also included are plastic overlays for the protrusions in the foot. Such devices cost a lot, but you can also use them more than once.

Methods for using mechanical shoe strut:

• Sneakers should be treated with a special stretcher spray or moistened with water.
• A mechanical spacer must be installed inside a sneaker or a sneaker, after having installed plastic overlays on it.
• Using the screw mechanism, you need to give the shoe the desired tension. This should be done carefully so as not to accidentally damage the material.
• Leave to dry completely.
• If necessary, you need to repeat the procedure.

If you do not get rid of the problem yourself, then you need to entrust your shoes to the master. The specialist will be able to fit the shoes as accurately as possible to the desired size and features of the foot, while fully preserving the quality of the product and its appearance.

Use of special tools

A semi-professional method of stretching shoes is the use of specialized products: aerosols, sprays or foams. It is easy to use them by studying the instructions, which differ little from different manufacturers and include the following points:

1. Shake the can thoroughly.
2. Apply the liquid liberally to the inside or outside of the shoe.
3. Let it soak in for a few seconds, put boots on thick socks, do not take off for 30-40 minutes.
4. Remove excess moisture (if any) by wiping the surface with a soft cloth.

Stretching agents are allowed to be used together with wooden blocks, in this case the shoes should be left in this form overnight. If necessary, overlays can be added to the mechanical stretch according to the characteristics of the foot. This will effectively stretch the pair without fraying.

Spray the entire surface of the shoeWear a pair with a warm sock and walk for 40 minutesRemove excess moisture

Stretching suede shoes with a hairdryer

Suede shoes require special delicate handling. To increase the size of your favorite shoes, do the following manipulations.

Method number 1:

• 10-15 seconds blow their inner part with hot air directed from the nozzle of the hair dryer;
• Then quickly grease it with castor oil or glycerin;
• put on tight socks, shoes, and walk in them.

Such actions should be carried out repeatedly until the size of the shoes increases. When processing with glycerin or oil, you must be extremely careful - greasy stains may remain on the suede.

Method number 2:

• put wet tight socks on your feet;
• put on suede shoes;
• direct the hairdryer at the shoes from a certain distance, but do not bring it at a close distance.

With this method, the shoes, heating from the outside and moisturizing from the inside, will follow the contours of the leg, while stretching.

Stretching leather shoes

It is especially a pity when the expensive “clothes” for the legs, left on the store shelves in a single size, rub the leg and press it. But I really don't want to return back a pair of shoes or boots that I liked so much. Before stretching leather shoes, you need to make sure that the material is truly natural. After all, natural leather better tolerates the effects of various aggressive factors and is less likely to deform.

• One way to expand boots or shoes made of genuine leather is to pour boiling water inside the product. After a couple of seconds, pour out the water, put shoes on your feet in a soft sock and walk around the apartment in these shoes until they are completely dry. If you don't feel like getting your new shoes wet from the inside, you can put plastic bags inside and pour the liquid into them without touching the inside of the boot.
• Another way to stretch leather shoes at home is to use ice. Inside the boots or shoes are placed in a plastic bag. Then one fourth is filled with water and the shoes are immersed in this form in the freezer. Due to the fact that the water will freeze and increase in volume, the shoes will stretch. Boots or shoes should be removed from the freezer, wait until the water inside the bag melts, and then remove the bags.

You can expand natural leather using alcohol solutions. For this mission, you can use vodka, alcohol-based cologne, and even a window cleaner.

It is necessary to generously lubricate the outer and inner parts of boots or shoes with a solution, paying special attention to the heel zone, in which the leg is most often rubbed. After processing, you need to put on a thick sock and walk around the apartment in shoes for several hours

Knowing how to stretch leather shoes, you can expand boots or shoes to the desired size without damaging the overall structure and quality of the material.

The main thing is to act very carefully so as not to spoil the shoes when trying to stretch them.

Best methods for winter boots

Wearing out winter boots or boots is much more difficult. There are two main methods: ice and alcohol treatment. Instructions on how to quickly spread winter shoes with the first substance:

• place the bag inside the boot as close to the toe as possible;
• add water to it and tie;
• put the boots in the freezer for 10 hours. During this time, the liquid will freeze, enlarge and expand the product.

Any alcohol-containing composition is applied inside the product, then a sock is put on, and boots on top. When exposed to alcohol, the leather material reshapes the foot. This method is suitable if you need to increase the size of the bootleg.

How to quickly spread shoes that are tight

There are even more drastic ways to stretch leather shoes with water. The insoles are removed from the shoes or shoes, boiling water is poured inside for a few seconds, and then the shoes are worn out for several hours.

This method is used for footwear made from natural or synthetic material.

The next method is based on the physical property of water to expand when frozen. The pressing shoes are unlaced if necessary. Two sealed plastic bags are laid inside, straightened, pressed against the inner walls of the shoe so that there are no creases and voids

Cold water is carefully poured into an improvised container and the bags are tightly tied. Shoes in another bag are placed in the freezer of the refrigerator, overnight

The frozen water turns into solid ice, while expanding in volume, it exerts pressure on the leather of the shoe, stretching it.

This is a safe method that does not deform the shoes.

How to stretch patent leather shoes

You can stretch shoes at home, regardless of what material it is made of. Patent-coated shoes or boots are the most difficult to fit. However, it is possible. If you choose the wrong method for stretching patent leather shoes, you may not only fail to get the result, but also permanently ruin the coating. Therefore, when trying to increase the size of shoes made of varnish, you need to be extremely careful and use extremely gentle and harmless methods. These are:

Wearing shoes with a thick sock on the foot. You can put on several pairs of terry or woolen socks and walk around the apartment for several hours a day. Lacquered shoes will not stretch much, but you can easily expand them in volume for comfortable wearing. When using this method, it must be borne in mind that the lacquered surface should in no case be heated either with a hairdryer or in other ways. This can lead to surface cracking and loss of gloss.

Another method is to soften the inside of the boot. This can be done by lubricating shoes or boots with a greasy cream or special foam for stretching patent leather shoes in those places where it rubs. After spraying or smearing the inner surface of boots or shoes, a special last should be inserted inside the shoe, which helps to naturally expand the critical zones in the “clothes” for the feet.

Before stretching the shoes in width or length, you need to choose the safest and most gentle method. This will preserve the integrity of the material and result in not only comfortable, but still beautiful shoes.