Stretching shoes one size. How to stretch uncomfortable shoes: professional and folk methods. How to stretch textile shoes

Often new shoes are a little tight, rub calluses and cause a lot of discomfort. Of course, you can wait - hobble around for a while, wait for the corns to burst and the bloody calluses to heal, but why doom yourself to such suffering when there are several ways to quickly break in shoes at home? We'll tell you how to do it yourself and share the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Before getting to the heart of the matter, we want to emphasize that it is better not to experiment with stretching fabric slippers and oilcloth clogs, because there is a high chance that the shoes will come apart at the seams or tear. The same rule applies to cheap Chinese models - choose shoes exactly in size, or better yet, with a margin and be glad that such “consumer goods” will last at least one season.

Genuine Leather

If you are a happy owner or owner of a pair leather shoes, then you probably know that this pleasure is not cheap. High quality shoes from genuine leather supplied with instructions for use (look carefully at the box and look for the icons on it). If the manufacturer has written that the model must be protected from moisture, then there is no need to stretch it with boiling water or soapy water.

Another warning: if you choose the method of breaking in using special chemicals, then test them on a small area of shoes, otherwise you risk hopelessly ruining an expensive new thing - strange stains or stains may appear.

Excessively stretched shoes There is no way to return the former “fitness”, so don’t overdo it! It is also impossible to make 40 from size 37! The most you can hope for is to stretch only 0.5-1 size!

Now let's move on to several ways to stretch leather shoes.

Specialized means

In many stores you can find special shoe stretchers - liquids, foams or aerosols. If you follow the instructions, this is the simplest and safest method. It is enough to generously apply the product to the “problem area” and walk around in shoes for about half an hour. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated.

Advantages:

simplicity;
rapidity;
safety.

Flaws:

high cost;
lack of versatility - leather products are contraindicated for suede, and useless for leather substitutes.

Block

Make a kind of foot pattern - to do this, simply trace the outline of the foot on paper and on problem areas (as a rule, these are thumb or little toe, heel, valgus, i.e. bump on the foot near the big toe) add a couple of millimeters.
Select a last of the appropriate size from a shoe repair shop or store. It can be either plastic or wooden - it doesn’t matter.
Start stretching the discomfort zones using rubber pads (secure with tape or glue) and leather masks.

Advantages:

relative cheapness;
safety.

Flaws:

dreary method;
long in time.

"Drunk" method

This, one might say, ridiculous name is explained by the fact that it is based on the use of alcohol or vodka diluted in water. If you have neither one nor the other (or your beliefs do not allow you to touch the “fire water”), then you can replace it with glass cleaner.
Soak cotton wool in alcohol and generously wipe the inside of the shoes in problem areas or around the entire perimeter. Do this as soon as possible, because... the alcohol evaporates quickly.
Put your shoes on the last and leave them for several hours; if you don’t have them, and you have remarkable patience, then put them on your feet in socks, and walk as much as you have the strength and ability to do.

By the way, if you dance, the delivery process will go faster and more successfully! I'm not kidding! It’s just that in dance steps, the foot takes on a wide variety of positions - it bends, stretches, and, therefore, the shoes will stretch at different angles.

Flaw:

Not suitable for expensive products or for samples where special substances are used during tanning, which under the influence of alcohol may lose their elasticity, structure and strength, and their appearance may also suffer.

Wet or soapy business

Soak woolen or terry socks in warm, or best of all, soapy water.
Put them on your feet and leather shoes on top.
Dance for about an hour or use the services of a block for the night.
Try again if necessary.

Flaws:

unpleasant process (if there is no pad);
the method is contraindicated for suede shoes;
useless for leatherettes.

Phenotherapy

Lubricate your shoes with cream to protect them from drying out.
Put on your shoes.
Direct the hot air stream to the areas that need to be stretched.

Flaws:

Long procces;
not suitable for patent leather shoes and boots.

Cereal method

This porridge stretching method is great for lightweight summer or spring designs that are made from thin, stretchy leather.

So, prepare your shoes, pour grain into it that absorbs moisture well and swells, for example, it could be rice or buckwheat, and pour in water. The grain will gradually absorb water and expand, thereby gently and gradually stretching the skin.

Ice Challenge

This method is similar to using cereal - it's a slow and gentle method of stretching the shoes, except you only need water and a few whole bags.

Insert the bags inside the shoes, carefully spread them over their entire size and fill them with water. The packages must be intact. Place your boots in the freezer overnight: water, turning into ice, expands in volume and, therefore, will stretch the leather.

Tip: Before putting them in the freezer, be sure to fasten all the zippers or lace up your shoes to prevent them from becoming deformed. The ice can be removed only when it melts a little and resembles snow - this is again done for reasons of preserving the integrity of the leather product.

There are also quite labor-intensive, costly, and most importantly, unsafe methods of stretching leather shoes using glycerin or castor oil. The essence of these methods comes down to the following: the leather product is generously lubricated with oil or glycerin, and sometimes this is done 3-4 times, and then steamed in a water bath (must be kept over steam), or covered with a rag soaked in boiling water. After this, the skin becomes soft and pliable, so that it can be stretched by putting it on the leg. A significant disadvantage of such methods is that many Leather Products They cannot withstand such execution and become covered with stains.

Expensive fashion items

Let's imagine that you have become the happy owner of leather shoes related to fashion products, i.e. This is a one-piece and very expensive product. One problem - the new thing is a little tight and rubs, is it really necessary to develop bloody calluses and tear the skin off your legs a couple of times in order to feel comfortable later? But no, even such shoes can be stretched if you act carefully and stick to some secrets.

Method of stretching dress shoes

Take a toothbrush and moisten problem areas with water, both outside and inside the leather product.
Insert the block divided across.
Drive in a spacer, which will also stretch the product.
Dry your shoes at room temperature for 2-3 days. Make sure that the shoes do not dry out, so you can periodically slightly moisten the problem areas. This is done so that the skin does not lose its characteristics - elasticity and rigidity of shape.

It is better to entrust this stretching method to a specialist, because... only he has the necessary set of suitable pads and spacers. In this way, the shoes can be slightly expanded, and also if the product is tight due to the high instep.

Length stretch

Be prepared for the fact that shoes can only be lengthened by half a size, and this will be done by “selecting” the desired millimeters from the width.

In this case, you can try to use the above-described “drunk”, “hair dryer therapy” and castor method, but with the obligatory use of a block. At the same time, it should completely follow the shape of the sock, and for branded leather shoes it should be rounded; It is also good to use a configuration that mimics the big toe.

Patent leather shoes

If you purchased patent leather shoes and they turned out to be too small for you, then it is best to exchange them for a larger size or sell them. If this is not possible or you don’t want to part with a shiny new thing, then get ready for a fairly long stretch: put on wet cotton socks and put on your patent leather miracle. Walk like this for several hours, periodically wetting your socks, be prepared to do this for 2-3 days. All other methods are not suitable for patent leather shoes, because... she is very capricious: varnish is under the influence cold temperature It will probably crack, and because it is high, it will bubble and peel off. Chemicals also have a detrimental effect on the varnished coating - it will not only lose its signature shine and specularity, but may also become stained.

Velor, suede or nubuck

These are also quite capricious materials that require delicate handling, especially for natural samples, so decide whether this is a natural or artificial material. How to do it? Take a close look at the product.

Faux suede. If she good quality, it will look even better than natural material. Artificial suede has a perfectly smooth fabric; for example, you will never find unusually smooth natural suede - there will definitely be some small scratches and pores. In artificial material the villi lie in one direction, while in natural material they lie in different directions.

Natural suede is a capricious material that is afraid of excess moisture. But it is easy to wear, so you don’t even have to do anything special - just put on thick, wet socks and walk around for several evenings in a row.

By the way, be sure to read about how to properly wear suede shoes.

Velours

It is a material made from treated goat or pig skin; By appearance very much like velvet. It should never be wetted with water, so velor shoes are not suitable for rainy weather. If you want to stretch them, then lubricate the product on the inside with some alcohol-containing liquid (cologne, perfume, vodka, diluted alcohol and even beer), put it on your feet in socks, or insert the pads and leave it overnight.

Nubuck

This is cow skin processed in a special way; very similar to suede, but less elastic, but stronger. It also does not like moisture, but such shoes can be stretched a little by stuffing them with wet and crumpled newspapers, and then wait until the paper is completely dry.

All of these are quite delicate materials, so proceed very carefully; you can use stretchers specially designed for them, but not various chemicals or methods using water, ice or steam.

Faux leather and other pseudo leather materials

It is worth understanding that not every similar material can be stretched, especially for those made on the basis of fabric, but with leatherette, on the contrary, there will be no problems.

Method No. 1

Pull the shoes onto the last and thoroughly walk over problem areas with a stream of hot air from a hairdryer. In this case, we recommend covering the leatherette with a damp cloth before such a procedure. cotton fabric(or any natural, but not synthetic) so as not to dry out the product. After the procedure, be sure to lubricate your shoes with a special cream.

Method No. 2

Stuff the shoes to the fullest with wet and clean potato peels, place the product in a cool place away from sources of heat and light and leave it to dry naturally. After a couple of days, the model will “grow up” and also get rid of the unpleasant smell of rubber and other “aromas”.

Method No. 3

Heat the paraffin and run it through the inside of the product; under the influence of temperature, the leatherette will expand slightly, and the frozen paraffin will fix the result. The next morning you will be able to appreciate this method distribution of new shoes.

Also remember the following tips:

if your fingers constantly rub, then wipe the problem area with vinegar from the inside;
If problems arise with the heel - constant calluses - then lubricate the heel with paraffin or laundry soap.

We hope all these tips will be useful to you, and you will be able to stretch out your slightly too small shoes to fully enjoy your new clothes.

Universal shoe stretching options

There are several ways to influence tight shoes, which are suitable for products from different materials(genuine leather, substitute, suede,). These stretching methods are also the safest for all possible models, except for fur-lined boots.

Special softening agents for shoes. They are applied to the problem areas on the inside of the shoes. (If the shoes are made of genuine leather, then you can apply it on the outside as well). Immediately after treatment, shoes should be worn with tight socks until the desired areas dry and take the shape of the foot. This stretching option can be repeated several times to achieve best result.

Stretching with castor oil is also a universal way to work on tight shoes. After treating with oil from the inside, you need to walk around in shoes for several hours. The oil softens problem areas, so the shoes acquire the exact shape of the foot. This method is inconvenient because after the procedure, shoes that are greasy from the inside must be thoroughly cleaned. You can replace the oil with an alcohol solution (one to one with water), cologne, and even kerosene. But this method is even more inconvenient, since the smell after treatment will persist for a long time.

How to stretch leather shoes

Products made from genuine leather are the strongest and most durable. Therefore, they will be able to withstand more aggressive methods of influence. For example, high and low temperatures.

When exposed to high temperatures, natural leather can expand and become softer. You can heat your shoes with a hairdryer, or hold them over boiling water for a while. Heated shoes should be worn until they cool and dry completely. Warm skin immediately takes on the desired shape and retains it for a long time. After the procedure, to prevent the skin from drying out, you should treat it nourishing cream for shoes.

Shoes made of genuine leather can also be stretched under the influence of low temperatures, using the freezing method. First, plastic bags are inserted into the shoes (2 bags each, in case the bag breaks). Then water is poured into the inner bag. You need to make sure that large folds do not form inside the shoes; to do this, the bags should be straightened out as much as possible. Water should completely fill the space inside the shoe. The bag of water is tied and the other is left open. In this position, the shoes are placed in the freezer at least overnight. As the water freezes, it will gradually increase in volume, stretching the shoes.

After treating your shoes in one way or another, you must apply cream.

As a rule, shoes made of genuine leather can wear out on their own after a few weeks of wear. Therefore, perhaps there is no need to rush into such radical stretching measures.

How to stretch shoes out of artificial leather or substitute

It is much more difficult to stretch such shoes than natural ones. When exposed high temperatures Such products fall into disrepair. Therefore, you need to act more carefully. The most effective and safest way to stretch is to fill it with damp paper or cloth. The fabric (paper) needs to be moistened in hot water, quickly wrung out and filled with the inner space of the shoe. When filling shoes, you need to very carefully design the shape so that there are no distortions or deformations. Shoes with padding should dry completely, away from heat sources. This will take quite a long time. But, after drying, the shoes will retain their given shape.

If non-natural shoes rub your heels, you can rub the inside of the heel with paraffin or laundry soap.

How to stretch boots

For boots without fur lining, you can apply the same stretching methods as for shoes.

And boots with lining can be treated with leather softeners or oil only on the outside. The safest way is to put on several pairs of socks (for greater effectiveness, you can soak them in hot water) and wear them for several hours. The procedure will have to be repeated several times, since it is impossible to wear wet winter boots with fur lining until they dry completely. After taking off worn-out boots, you need to immediately stuff them with paper or pieces soft fabric. You need to dry your boots in natural conditions, away from heat.

How to stretch suede and patent leather shoes

Such products can only be processed from the inside. Any impact on the outer surface may damage the shoes.

You can only use stretching methods with a soft, gentle effect without temperature loads. It is best to wear shoes in warm, damp socks (pre-soaked in hot water) until completely dry. In addition, you can also use padding with damp paper or cloth.

Shoes made of suede are quite elastic, so they can be broken in simply by wearing them frequently at home. After some time, it will fit perfectly to the shape of the leg.

How to buy shoes correctly

How to avoid unwanted surprises when buying new shoes:

In the morning, almost every person's leg is more refined than in the afternoon. Throughout the day, tired legs swell a little. Therefore, it is better to buy new shoes in the afternoon. Shoes purchased in the morning may turn out to be very tight in the evening.

When choosing a new pair of shoes, you also need to pay attention to fullness, width and instep. Perhaps the model you like in the required size will not fit other parameters. If your shoes are too narrow, don't buy a size up. Sliding back and forth can cause calluses on your feet.

After buying a new pair of shoes, you shouldn’t immediately go outside in them. Before this, you need to spend some time wearing new clothes at home. If you feel discomfort, shoes that have not been worn outside can be returned or exchanged for a more comfortable model.

When stretching shoes in conditions, you need to act with extreme caution. You can only stretch your shoes by half a size without damaging them, no more.

Shoes made of genuine leather lend themselves best to stretching. It is almost impossible to stretch shoes or sandals made of textile fabric; strong impact will only disrupt the structure of the material.

Cracks may appear on shoes made of leatherette after freezing or simply wet processing. Shoes made of low-quality, poorly processed leather after wet processing will become even tougher and warp when dried.

Very expensive shoes Don't stretch it yourself. It is better to contact a workshop where special shoe lasts of different sizes are used.

Sometimes your favorite shoes suddenly turn out to be too small, but you don’t want to buy new ones. What to do? Let's look at how to stretch shoes a size larger at home. Various methods are used for this purpose.

Chemical shoe stretchers for larger sizes

At home, you can use whatever is at hand - products based on various chemical compounds.

The most accessible on the farm are: paraffin, kerosene, alcohol. But there are also specialized compounds made in industrial conditions.

Shoe stretcher, shape correction. Vister universal

One of the cheapest sprays, produced in St. Petersburg. Suitable for shoes made from natural and non-natural materials.

Shoe stretcher, shape correction Salton

The German product SALTON perfectly stretches shoes and boot tops by 1 size. Apply strictly according to the instructions, then you need to put on and walk around in shoes until it dries completely. Sometimes once is not enough, the procedure must be repeated.

There are no streaks left on shoes, shoes and boots, the spray is well absorbed.

Shoe stretcher "Dividik"

Dividik stretches any shoes, even nubuck and velor, it is inexpensive. The foam is applied directly inside, then you need to put your shoes on and walk around.

The product has a light citrus scent and functions as a freshener and deodorant.

Shoe stretcher Salamander

The German product softens shoes very quickly. The aerosol can be applied to all types of skin. It is also used to adjust shoes to the foot. When using, you don’t have to break in your boots, but simply leave them with the spray applied for several hours. Shoes made of crocodile leather and patent leather are stretched from the inside.

How to stretch shoes made of different materials

Different materials require different processing methods. We will suggest ways to stretch your shoes a size larger.

Leatherette

Leather substitute is produced by grinding tanning residues, which are specially pressed into layers and treated with substances that give them strength. This material stretches very well in various ways.

Methods showing how to stretch leatherette shoes a size larger at home are presented below:

Water. The boots are soaked in the liquid, and they walk around the house wearing shoes with wet socks until the water dries.
Soap solution. Laundry soap grate, dilute with water. The resulting product is spread on the parts that need to be stretched and softened, left for half a day until completely dry.
Corn. The most folk remedy. Pour grain into the boots, fill with water, and leave overnight. By morning, the grains swell, stretching the skin. Remove the seeds and dry the shoes.
Petrolatum. They lubricate the necessary places, allow them to soak in and wear them in.

Leather shoes

Genuine leather requires careful handling, as it is a fairly expensive material. Many people have a question: how to stretch shoes a size larger? At home, there are several options for dealing with leather products.

Dip your socks into the boiling water as much as possible. Wrap your feet in a plastic bag and put a warm sock on top. Put on your favorite shoes and parade around the apartment for at least half an hour.
Find old newspapers, soak them in water, preferably boiling water, and squeeze well. Place them in boots and leave them for several hours.
Another way to wear it for a while is to spread butter on the leather, which softens the fibers of the material.
But to avoid problems with expensive leather boots, you should contact a specialist.

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Patent leather shoes

These shoes have a layer of varnish on them, which can crack when stretched. It is necessary to choose methods that will subject the top of the product to less deformation. Let's learn how to stretch patent leather shoes a size larger at home. Here are some ways:

If your shoes are too small and you have friends, with large size feet, you can ask them to walk around in your shoes for several hours. True, it will make them uncomfortable.
Choose very fat cream, rub your shoes well from the inside, walk around in boots covered with a thick woolen sock, then leave for half a day.
Old, almost forgotten way involves treating the material inside with cologne or laying down paper moistened with it.
In the evening, put a towel in warm water, wring it out, wrap your shoes in it, leaving it until the morning. Then unwrap it and put it on, walking around wearing it.

Suede shoes

Before we figure out how to stretch suede shoes, let us remind you that wet suede shoes become very unsightly, stretchers will ruin their shape, and hot appliances can have the opposite effect, that is, make the product small.

Not expensive and the best way is mechanical. Just remember the material with your hands and walk around in your boots.

For the boot, you can use a damp flannel cloth, which you need to put in the unbuttoned boot and iron it over it.

Wipe the inside of suede shoes with a weak solution of vinegar or vodka diluted with water to stretch the suede shoes as much as possible. Moreover, it is possible to change the fullness by a larger size at home, but further action is fraught with consequences.

Use special aerosols for suede.

How to stretch shoes at home

A few more ways to stretch a size larger, which are suitable for almost all types.

Using a freezer

If you have a freezer in your home that will fit your shoes, you can use this method.

Fill two plastic bags with water, preferably thick ones so as not to tear. Tie well. Place one in the sock, the other in the heel and boot.

Place the pair in the freezer of your refrigerator overnight. Water, turning into ice as it hardens, will stretch the shoes.

Medical alcohol

To use the next method, take medical alcohol or other alcohol-containing preparations.

The leather is moistened both inside and outside, then worn in.

Boiling water

Applicable only to leather materials, others may be subject to corrosion and discoloration.

Boiling water is poured into the shoes and allowed to stand for a while, then the pair is dried, but not on heating devices.

Hairdryer

The method is similar to the previous one, but a hairdryer is used as a hot product. The boots are put on with thick woolen socks and the outside is blown with a hairdryer so as not to touch the feet. Hot air softens the skin. Then you need to stay in the shoes for a while so that they take the correct shape.

other methods

During the time it has existed, a huge number of ways to stretch it have been found; let’s look at some of them. We will also see how to stretch winter shoes one size larger at home:

Castor oil. The method is no different from treating with Vaseline or butter. After use, the shoes are worn in.
Hot steam. Keep the boots open for a short time over the steam. This will soften the material from which they are made. This method is especially suitable for the tops of winter boots.

To get the desired result and not spoil your shoes, listen to our advice.

After any action, perform necessary care behind your shoes, lubricate them with special creams.
Be sure to wait for the shoes to dry.
If the effect is not observed the first time or it is small, repeat the procedure.
Do not use stretching methods on materials for which they are not recommended.
When using store-bought stretchers, read the instructions carefully.
Buy shoes in the afternoon, then your feet will swell slightly and you can choose the right size.
Those who weigh more than 80 kg should purchase boots with increased arch support.
Wearing tight shoes can cause bone spurs to form. And tall, narrow boots interfere with the movement of the knee and increase pressure on the knee nerve and joint.

Use our lifehacks from this article. Now you know how to stretch leather and other shoes a size larger at home.

Instructions

Many shoe repair shops offer shoe stretching services. With the help of special expanding lasts, your shoes will be stretched to your size; this method is especially effective when it comes to expanding the narrow tops of leather boots. But you can also stretch your shoes at home; for this there are both special means and folk methods proven by many generations.

In order to stretch shoes or boots, you can purchase specialized stretching sprays or foams at a shoe store. For example, Duke Of Dubbin, Salamander, Twist, Kiwi, Salton, Silver, Oke products have proven themselves well. They soften shoes in tight places and are especially effective in cases where you need to stretch slightly tight shoes made of soft natural leather. Apply spray or foam to the problem areas of the shoes outside and inside (for patent or suede shoes only on the inside), wetting the material generously, then put the shoes on with terry or wool socks. Walk around in your shoes until the product dries completely, usually this takes about an hour. If necessary, repeat the procedure two or three times.

One of the most effective folk ways to stretch shoes without using specialized sprays is to treat them with alcohol, which softens the leather. To do this, you can use cologne, vodka or alcohol diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. Wet your shoes generously with this solution inside and out (you can use a spray bottle or a cotton pad soaked in liquid), put them on a sock and walk around the apartment for an hour or two. However, for colored shoes, alcohol-containing liquids must be used with caution: if the paint is unstable, it may “float”. Therefore, first carefully rub a non-visible place with a cotton swab and see if the cotton wool is stained.

Too hard shoes or a pair that has become caked after seasonal storage can be softened using castor or vegetable oil, or Vaseline - they perfectly soften the skin. You process the shoes in the same way as the previous method and break them in. After a few hours, the shoes must be thoroughly cleaned of any unabsorbed oil. This method is suitable not only for shoes made of genuine leather, but also for products made from artificial materials.

To expand your shoes, you can treat the inside of them with a 3% vinegar solution. This will also help you soften and stretch shoes that are pinching your toes. The outside of the shoes can be treated with another shoe stretching agent. The disadvantages of this method include the rather pungent smell of the product - but the vinegar also dissipates quite quickly.

You can also stretch shoes that rub your feet in certain places using paraffin, that is, an ordinary candle (a white household candle without dyes is best). To do this, rub the inside of the shoe with a candle and leave it overnight. In the morning, clean your shoes from paraffin. If your shoes rub your heel, you need to treat the heel with alcohol, walk around in your shoes until the alcohol dries, and then wipe the heel of the shoe with a candle or soap.

Another common folk method for stretching shoes is wet newspapers. It is especially suitable for processing fabric, rubber shoes and demi-season leatherette shoes that are not afraid of moisture. To do this, you need to wet the shoes well, then stuff them as tightly as possible with wads of newspaper paper and leave them to dry. Once every 3-4 hours, newspapers that have absorbed moisture must be changed, otherwise the shoes may become deformed. Continue the process until the shoes are completely dry. At the same time, it is important that shoes are dried in natural conditions, away from sunlight and heating devices; it is also better to avoid drying them on a radiator.

If the shoes are too hard, stretching with newspapers can be made more effective if you use very hot water or pre-treat shoes with steam. To do this, hold it for 10-15 minutes over a kettle or pan of boiling water so that the steam goes “into the inside.” However, we must keep in mind that not all shoes can withstand the aggressive effects of temperature, so it is better not to risk expensive, spectacular shoes or boots, choosing more gentle stretching methods.

Winter boots or boots can be stretched in the freezer - or, if there are sub-zero temperatures outside, on the balcony. You just need to put it in your shoes plastic bag, fill it with water and leave overnight. It is advisable to use two bags for each shoe, tie the bottom bags and leave the top ones open. The secret of this method is to ensure that the water in the bags tightly fills the shoes from the toe to the heel. As it freezes, it will slowly expand and stretch the shoe. In the morning, take out your shoes and wait until the ice melts and the bags can be removed. The procedure for freezing shoes can be repeated if necessary. The method is effective, but it is still undesirable to use it for expensive shoes. In addition, you must keep in mind that it cannot be used for summer or demi-season shoes that are not designed for use at sub-zero temperatures - otherwise the leather may stretch, but the sole will crack.

How to increase your shoe size: probably many people have asked this question. After all, for sure, almost everyone has experienced a situation at least once in their life when, having purchased shoes, they suddenly, for some reason, turned out to be too tight for you. Perhaps they didn’t try it on right away, or maybe they tried it on, but not in the right way, and who knows what other reasons there could be. But it all comes down to the fact that it is necessary to make it freer and increase it in length or width. It is quite possible to do this, even at home.

Of course, if you purchased, for example, size 42 sneakers, but you need size 45, then nothing can be done about it. But increasing them by half a size, or making them a little wider and more spacious, is a completely feasible task. However, this should be done very carefully and many factors should be taken into account so that your inept actions do not render the product completely unusable.

Risks when trying to change your shoe size yourself

As unfortunate as it may be, hasty and thoughtless attempts to increase shoe size at home may not only fail to improve the comfort of your boots and boots, but if done ineptly, even cause irreparable damage to them. Therefore, it is better for you to first familiarize yourself with some warnings and recommendations before taking action on your own.

Before you take radical measures on your own, try simply spreading it out first - in many cases this helps. If it doesn’t help, then try to save the situation using other methods.
Synthetic products are practically not amenable to these manipulations, so it’s better not to even try. Otherwise, most likely, you will have to throw away your shoes, but at least you can give them to someone, or even sell them for a certain amount of shekels.
It will be less problematic to stretch products with wedge-shaped inserts, so if you purchased just these, it will be easier for you in this regard.
When trying to stretch fabric products, there is a risk of damaging or tearing the fibers.
Before resorting to traditional methods, try to artificially “break apart” your shoes using special means, such as:

a) Wooden blocks or spacers. The former are more suitable for maintaining shape, removing excess moisture and unpleasant odors. And by inserting spacers into shoes (or whatever else you wear), in addition to the previous properties, you can increase them a little if you insert a spacer and adjust it to the dimensions you need. Although this method can also damage the heels of shoes or sneakers if you overdo it.

b) A can of special spray, which should be sprayed onto the upper surface and then walked for 15-20 minutes. If it doesn’t help right away, you can repeat the procedure.

It is important to remember: after any manipulations aimed at increasing the size of shoes, it is advisable to cover them with a special polish to consolidate the result. It will fix the desired shape.

Traditional methods to stretch shoes

Below we will look at various folk methods by which you can quickly increase size, and which can be used at home without using any complex devices.

Vodka or alcohol

This option is most appropriate if your shoes are leather, suede or synthetic leather. Generously lubricate the entire inner surface with alcohol solution or vodka, and then put it on your foot and lubricate the outer surface. After that, walk like this for an hour and a half.

Boiling water

This radical method is only suitable for genuine leather and rubber. Pour inside shoes or rubber boots boiling water Drain it immediately and wait until it cools. Then put on the wet shoes and wear them until they are dry.

Liquid soap

Mix warm water (40-50 degrees, no more) with liquid colorless soap in a 4:1 ratio and treat the external and internal surfaces with this solution. After a significant part of the solution has been absorbed, wipe off the excess with a rag or towel and, after putting on thick woolen socks, put on your shoes and walk around the house for an hour or two.

Ice

Place a thick plastic bag without holes inside your shoes or boots and fill it with as much water as possible. Then put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Stretching will occur due to the expansion of water when it freezes and turns it into ice. After removing from the freezer, wait until the ice begins to melt (20-30 minutes), and you can pull out the bag.

Steam

Hold your sneakers or shoes over the steam from boiling water, and then walk around the house in them.

Lubrication to soften

Lubricate the inner surface with: vinegar, glycerin, petroleum jelly, castor oil or any vegetable oil. After an hour or more, as in the previous methods, we put on our shoes and walk around the apartment for at least an hour, and preferably more, until we get tired.

Hairdryer

Warm up the inner cavity with a hairdryer and put on a woolen sock. Or, putting on woolen socks and shoes, use a hairdryer to heat the area that is most painful for you. Walk around until it cools down.

Wet newspaper

This method is best suited for artificial leather products, but you can try it on other materials. Its essence is that you need to wet newspapers and put them inside, and the more, the better. So in this case, do not skimp on waste paper.

Cereals

Fill the cavity of the shoes with any available cereal and fill it with water. The cereal will swell and stretch the shoe a little.

Potato peel

Fill the cavity with potato peelings and leave overnight. If there is no tangible result the first time, then you can repeat the procedure several times.

An important point: when using stretching methods that involve filling or lubricating the inner shoe cavity, first remove the insoles from there so as not to damage them.

Well, now you have become acquainted with the main and most famous folk ways on stretching shoes. In conclusion, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is much easier to stretch a product in width than in length. We also remind you that you are unlikely to be able to stretch it more than 1 size (although even this is very problematic). In most cases, it is possible to increase only a few millimeters. So don't overdo your efforts. Yes, and these methods are suitable mainly for leather, suede or leatherette, but not for synthetics or textiles. Use our advice wisely and without fanaticism. All the best to you and comfortable shoes!