20 best ways to quickly stretch your shoes at home
Many people wonder how they can stretch their shoes at home. It is a difficult task that requires a lot of care. To achieve good results, you need to choose the right method, taking into account the material from which the shoes are made. To solve this problem, you can use folk recipes, chemicals. You can also use mechanical methods or contact professional craftsmen.
Why is it necessary
There are many reasons that lead a person to stretch a shoe:
- I liked the shoes, but they were the wrong size;
- the waist holds in the length, but presses in the width;
- length and width presses are within normal limits;
- becomes cramped in the evening;
- the shoes sat down after the rain.
There are many ways to flaunt your shoes. If you don't want to do it yourself, you can contact the professionals. In the workshop, the size will be increased by means of special equipment.
How much can you stretch
With the correct use of special means and devices, instep shoes can be increased by 2 sizes. The same result can be obtained with the width of the product. However, it is important to consider the material and its structure. With the increase in shoe size in length, things get a bit more complicated. The most flexible are the natural leather models. They can be increased in size. Leatherette shoes cannot be enlarged by more than half the size.
How to stretch
To stretch the product, it is recommended to use effective folk recipes. Today there are many tools that can achieve a good effect.
Alcohol
This product can be used to stretch a specific area of the shoe - the toe or the heel. It is worth handling the shoes with a swab or cloth, which is recommended to soak in alcohol. It is rubbed in the necessary places. The product is then put on and worn until the liquid has evaporated.
Instead of rubbing alcohol, vinegar can help make shoes bigger. Its concentration should not exceed 3%. However, only the inside of the shoe is treated with the agent.
Boiling water
To expand the boots, they can be dipped in boiling water. This method is used for shoes made of natural or synthetic material. This method is good for leather substitutes. This material is sensitive to temperature variations.
Pour boiling water inside and pour it immediately. After that, you need to put on thick socks, then wet boots. Walk for 20-30 minutes.After that, shoes should be removed and dried well. It is best to remove the insole before the procedure, as there is a risk of reducing its size.
castor oil
This remedy can be used to enlarge dark leatherette shoes. It is best not to use castor oil for light colored shoes, as it can leave stains afterwards. It is recommended to oil the areas that are under pressure from the outside. Then it is recommended to put on and wear the shoes. Excess product is removed with a towel.
Small groats
This tool is rarely used. To stretch a model of a shoe made of natural or artificial leather, it is worth pouring gruel inside. Wheat or barley porridge will do. Then it is worth pouring water and keeping it for 24 hours. This will increase the grain size and help stretch the shoe.
After the specified time has passed, it is worth removing and drying the shoes away from heat sources. If the groats are difficult to clean, then it is worth rinsing the shoes with water.
Frozen
You can use the freezer to stretch your shoes. It is a safe method that does not deform the shoes. However, it should not be used on patent leather as it may crack. Also, do not put moccasins, sneakers or sneakers with white soles in the freezer. The effect of low temperature will cause it to turn yellow.
First, airtight bags are placed in the shoes. They must be filled with water and tied. Place the shoes in the freezer and let sit for 24 hours. Then the boots should be removed and thawed at a temperature of 20 degrees. When the ice melts a little, the contents should be removed. Dry the shoes and try them on. If the expected effect is not achieved, the procedure is repeated.
Heat
This method is suitable for synthetic materials. Artificial leather melts when exposed to hot air. Thanks to this, she manages to give the required shape. To begin with, you need to put on thick socks on your feet, then shoes. Direct a jet of hot air from the hair dryer at the front of the model. When it warms up nicely, you should walk around the room. It is important that the shoes are completely cold. To enhance the effect of the hair dryer, you can pre-moisten your socks. However, the shoes will need to be dried.
Army way of stretching
It is a simple and affordable way. To do this, you need to take socks, moisten them with warm water and squeeze them to remove excess moisture. Wear tight toes. Walk around in it until the socks are dry. Then dry your shoes with newspapers. Under the influence of the liquid, the skin will be able to stretch and give it the shape of a leg.
Soap and paraffin
These products are suitable for different types of shoes. They make it possible to enlarge nubuck or leather shoes. Also, the materials are used for lacquered products and artificial leather. To do this, rub the shoes from the inside with paraffin or soap. Then it is recommended to put them on and wear them until the required state. Substances help to form a special layer inside the product, which makes it easier to put on and take off shoes.
To smoke
To stretch tight shoes, hold them above the steamer. Then it is recommended to put on shoes and walk around. The heat will stretch the skin. To improve this process, it is worth using thick socks.
cowboy style
In the Wild West, grain was used to stretch leather boots. It was poured into shoes and water was poured. During the night, the croup absorbs water and swells, which contributes to the stretching of the skin. In the morning, the load was removed from the shoes, wiped and worn until dry. This method can still be used today. However, it is not suitable for lined shoes.
Spray with alcohol or beer
Moistening the inside of the shoe with alcohol makes it softer. When choosing a drink, it is not recommended to use products that contain dyes. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the shoes. To get rid of the alcohol aroma, you need to use a shoe deodorant. An alcohol or beer spray should be applied carefully to the tightest areas.
Features of working with different materials
When choosing a method of stretching, it is worth considering the material from which the product is sewn.This will help to avoid undesirable consequences.
Leather
Leather shoes are easy to adjust. To do this, you can use the following methods:
- Boiling water will help the shoes fit under your feet. Just pour it into your shoes and pour it right away. When the shoes have cooled down a bit, they should be put on. It is recommended to wear a pair until it dries completely.
- Take tight bags. The balloons are also great. It is recommended to place them in shoes and fill them with water. Put in the freezer overnight. As water turns to ice, the size increases.
- Alcohol or vodka is a good remedy. It is recommended to treat shoes with this substance from all sides. Pay particular attention to the heel.Then the product should be put on warm socks.
- Put new socks and shoes on top. Walk in it for several days. This will help improve the shape of the shoe a bit. It is better to wet the socks.
- Buy a special stretching spray. Treat the shoes and let them dry.
- To transport new boots, it is recommended to moisten them with a towel. To do this, it is recommended to moisten it in boiling water and wring it well. Wrap the product with material and leave for 5 hours. The towel should be moistened periodically.
Leatherette
Artificial leather does not stretch well. If you overdo it, it may crack. To avoid such problems, you should use proven tools:
- Vaseline will help make leatherette shoes. This tool is used to process shoes from the inside. After a few hours, the shoes should be wiped with a towel and walked around for 30 minutes.
- Dampen old newspapers with water and put on boots. It is important to ensure that their shape does not change during the filling process. It is worth removing the material after drying.
- Pour grain into the boots, then pour water over them. Leave it overnight. In the morning, it is recommended to pour the groats and wear the shoes for 1 hour.
Sweden
The material is leather which has undergone a special treatment. As a result, it acquires a soft consistency. Suede shoes are flexible and moisture resistant. To distribute it, you can choose the following methods:
- Gradually wear out at home. It is better to wear shoes without additional bottoms.Suede is considered an elastic material that stretches well.
- To speed up the process of increasing the size, it is worth moisturizing the inside of the shoes and putting them on wet socks. You can use beer instead of water.
- More modern methods are special tampons and sprays. You can buy them at shoe stores. It is important to ensure that the products are suitable for suede.
- We recommend using a damp flannel cloth for the top of your boots. It should be placed in an unbuttoned boot, then ironed with an iron.
- Vinegar or vodka is a good remedy. It is recommended to mix them with water before use.
Polished leather
Such shoes are difficult to adjust. Its size can only be increased in width. Be careful though. The material can lose its luster and even crack. Safe recipes include the following:
- Mix alcohol and water. It is recommended to do this in a ratio of 2: 1. Soak thick socks in the solution, put shoes on them. Walk around the house until your socks and shoes are dry. It will take 2 hours.
- You can use an ordinary hair dryer. They are advised to warm their shoes well from the inside and put them back on their socks. If you leave the hair dryer on for too long, the polish may stop shining. It should be borne in mind that the manipulation must be repeated periodically.
- The most effective way will be to use fat cream and tampons. To begin with, the inner surface of the shoe should be treated with cream or petroleum jelly, after which it is worth inserting the shoe inside. You can also wear shoes with warm socks.When using the cream, you need to pay special attention to problem areas - socks and heels.
Dermantine
To stretch dermantine shoes, you can use the following tools:
- Grind laundry soap and mix with water to make a paste. Apply inside the shoe and leave to act for 6 hours. Remove the composition with a washcloth and put shoes on socks. To maintain the obtained result, shoes should be filled with paper and left overnight.
- Potatoes work well. To do this, you need to peel a few roots, wash them and, wrap them in paper, put them in your shoes. The shoes will stretch as the vegetable dries. Finally, wipe them with a damp cloth.
Textile
It is difficult to increase the size of such shoes. A volume increase of a few millimeters is a good result. To enlarge textile shoes, walk down the street in wet weather, then stuff them with newspapers and let them dry.
You can also use the thermal method:
- put the shoes on a bowl of boiling water;
- fill it with wet paper;
- dry wet items at room temperature;
- after drying, the newspapers must be removed.
Rubber
Ordinary rubber does not stretch. If the boots are made of PVC, they can be stretched. To check this, simply touch an inconspicuous area with a hot object. If it starts to melt, you can try increasing the size.
To soften the material, simply fill the boots with boiling water. It should be left for a few minutes to soften the PVC. Place the boots over several pairs of socks and fill the container with cold water. As the water in your boots cools, you should drain it and put your shoes on immediately.After a few minutes, immerse your feet in a basin of cold water. This will help the material harden.
How to stretch certain parts
Sometimes it becomes necessary to stretch not the whole product, but only a certain fragment of it. Usually the discomfort occurs in the heel or toe area. The instep or bootleg can also suffer.
Back too tight or too narrow
If the heel of your shoes rubs, they can freeze. To do this, fill the sock with dry newspapers and place a bag of water in the heel area. Place the product in the freezer. As a result, the heel counter will expand and the sock will not deform.
You can also grease the heel with petroleum jelly or oil. After that, it is recommended to put on the product and walk in it for several hours. This will help increase the width of the product.
Ordinary solid deodorant is also considered a good remedy. They are advised to rub the heel from the inside, then put the shoes on the toes. Walk through it until the backdrop expands.
Toe too narrow
If the product presses on your fingers, grease the front with petroleum jelly. You can also use a cream. Then the shoes are put on socks and walked in them for several hours. Put bags of water in a sock and put them in the freezer. The use of newspapers or hot water is considered effective. Soap or paraffin is good for patent leather shoes.
contraband
If the boots put pressure on the shins, there is a risk of binding problems. To expand the product in this area, it is recommended to use damp newspapers. They should fit snugly into your boots.You can also put bags of water inside and put them in the freezer.
A good solution would be to use a special device.
Rising
To enlarge the model in this area, you will need croup. First put bags on heels and socks, then add cereal and a little water. Place the product in the freezer. Then it must be removed. When the ice melts a little, the contents can be removed.
How to deliver new shoes
To carry new boots or shoes, you can use the following tips:
- It is not recommended to immediately go out in a new dress on the street. The narrow model should be worn at home. It is recommended to walk there several hours a day.
- If the first method does not work, the shoes should be taken to the workshop. In a few minutes, a specialist will expand them to the required size.
Use of special stretchers
To achieve a quick effect, it is worth using special stretchers. These are sprays or foams that are sold in shoe stores.
Chemical products
These products are perfect for independent use. To do this, it is enough to treat problem areas with a chemical composition.
Salton Professional Comfort Complex
This product is suitable for leather models. It helps to increase size and correct shape. The composition allows you to get rid of discomfort when wearing boots or shoes.
DIVIDIK
It is a versatile tool that can be used for all materials. It can even be used for velvet and nubuck. It is worth processing the product from the inside with foam, and then putting it on the sock. The composition has a pleasant citrus aroma and can replace deodorant.
SALAMANDER
This remedy is used for natural leather and suede.Thanks to its use, the product becomes more comfortable and soft. It is easy to apply the composition: just spray it on the outside and inside of the shoes. Then you should put them on and walk for half an hour.
Comfort barcode
It is a good product that can stretch various models. Applying the compound helps increase size in places where shoes are tight. The product softens the material and increases its flexibility. It is used for all materials - leather, suede, nubuck, velor, textiles.
Olvist 2095ES
It is an effective remedy that stretches leather shoes and helps to correct their shape. Also, the composition can be used for suede and nubuck. Before use, be sure to read the instructions.
Damavik Shoe Stretching Spray
The composition quickly corrects certain areas of discomfort. It can be used to increase the length and width of the product. After the procedure, you can get stable results. The composition does not cause destruction or deformation of the fibers.
Pregrada
This remedy increases the size of the shoe. It can be applied to the skin. With the help of a substance, it is possible to soften rough places. To apply the composition, it is enough to process the shoes from the inside and walk through them.
Mechanical stretch
For this, special pads are used. They are usually made of wood and equipped with a screw mechanism that allows the expansion force to be regulated. Bulky stickers are sold with stamps. They help identify problem areas.
Before placing the last in the shoe, it must be adjusted. Otherwise, there is a risk of increased stress and divergence of the seams.
How they do it in the workshops
To increase the size of your shoes quickly, you can consult a professional shoemaker.It will perform the following actions:
- Before starting the stretch, the specialist will measure the client's leg and determine the extent of the work.
- Chooses the best method to adapt the shoe to your foot.
- Most often, masters try to solve the problem in an integrated way. To do this, use several stretching methods at once.
There are many ways to increase your shoe size. To get good results, you need to choose the right stretching method.This is done taking into account the material from which the shoes are made. To solve the problem, you can use folk recipes or chemicals.