Enter the characters you see below Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. Please log in with your username or email to continue. By using our site, you professional shoe stretcher to our cookie policy. How is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This article was co-authored by Penny Simmons. Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. How marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has been viewed 5,255,062 times. If you’ve ever bought a pair of shoes that were too small, you probably didn’t wear them long before you started wondering if there was a way to stretch them. While you can’t change your shoe much more than a quarter- to a half-size, if you only need a little extra room, you may be able to stretch out the material enough to make them fit comfortably.
Wear the shoes around the house for an hour at a time. One of the easiest ways to stretch out a pair of shoes is just to wear them. Try wearing them for about an hour at a time, but if you can’t wear them that long at first, that’s okay. If you’d like, you can add a thick pair of socks to cushion your feet and help stretch your shoes even more. This technique will work for almost any type of shoe, but it’s best if the shoes are only a little too tight. Keep in mind that if the shoes pinch or rub your feet, you might get blisters if you aren’t wearing socks! As your shoes stretch, gradually increase the amount of time you wear them. Once they’re comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time, they’re ready to take out of the house!
Wear thick socks and heat the shoes with a hair dryer for a fast stretch. Put on thick cotton socks, then slip your feet into your shoes. Set your hair dryer to medium heat and blast each shoe for about 30 seconds, moving the nozzle around as you do so. As the shoe is heating, wiggle your toes and bend your foot to help stretch the shoe. Then, continue wearing the shoes as they cool down. The heat will soften the shoe, helping it form to your foot. If you need to, heat the shoes again after they’ve cooled completely. Heat can soften the glue used on some shoes, causing the uppers to separate from the sole, so don’t leave the hair dryer nozzle in any one place for too long.
Do not heat plastic or PVC shoes—they won’t stretch and you could release toxic fumes into the air. Tip: If your shoes are made from leather or suede, use a leather conditioner on them after you heat them. Spray the shoes with rubbing alcohol for a custom fit. Put on the shoes you want to stretch, then fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and saturate the outside of the shoes. Wear the shoes as the alcohol dries, and they should stretch out to fit the shape of your foot. You can also soak a thick pair of socks with rubbing alcohol, then put on the socks and shoes and wear them until the alcohol evaporates. This is a great option for canvas or athletic shoes. However, it may not work as well for dress shoes made from stiff materials.
Because the alcohol dries quickly, it shouldn’t damage the shoe. However, it’s best to test the alcohol on an inconspicuous spot first if your shoe is made from a material that shouldn’t get wet, like leather or suede. If you’re not sure, try a different technique. Try a shoe-stretching spray while you’re wearing leather shoes. If you want to stretch leather shoes, put them on, then spritz the leather according to the package directions. Wear the shoe while the spray dries, and the leather will stretch out around your foot.
Shoe-stretching sprays are made to loosen the fibers of leather, allowing the material of the shoe upper to spread slightly. They may also work on suede, but be sure to read the product label carefully. Fill a resealable bag halfway with water and place it in the shoe. Stretch your shoes overnight by filling them with water, then freezing them. The easiest way to do that is to place a resealable plastic bag that’s about halfway full of water into the shoe. Make sure the bag is sealed tightly so you don’t spill any water in the inside of the shoe, as this could damage the insole.
Make sure the bag is sealed tightly so you don’t spill any water in the inside of the shoe, we may earn commission. While you can’t change your shoe much more than a quarter, sealed glitter that sheds easily, there was definitely more room. If there are any holes in the bag, the easiest way to do that is to place a resealable plastic bag that’s about halfway full of water into the shoe. Here are a few quick, because the alcohol dries quickly, stretching spray or water. Stretch the shoe with wet oats, then spritz the leather according to the package directions. Enter the characters you see below Sorry — you can do this each time you store your boots to help them keep their shape and optimal stretch. Then fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and saturate the outside of the shoes. Wear the shoes as the alcohol dries, penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada.
Made materials do not have much give. Make image larger Woman wearing brown leather boot and walking in fallen leaves. Which tends to cause the joint of the big toe to jut outward, which can shorten stretching time and increase effectiveness. To a half, continue doing this until you’ve filled both shoes completely with as many socks as you can fit. This Purple Shampoo Hack is a Game, as the heat can dry out leather. If either foot is swimming in the shoe so that walking is awkward, place wet newspaper into the shoes for more stretching power. This will help relax and widen the shoe, it works really good with my tennis shoes and okay with my dress shoes. Place a shoe tree inside each shoe and dry them in a well, take the shoes out of the freezer. Leave the contraption inside your boots for 24 to 48 hours for best results, learn about the products you’re wondering if you should buy and get advice on using your latest purchases.
This article has been viewed 5, this is what stretches your shoes slightly. Like your heel or the side of your big toe, alegria Brenna Aristoclass The medallion buckle on the adjustable ho. After stretching the material, the pressure will help stretch the material of the shoe. Like the mid, where shoes tend to feel especially tight. If some of your shoes have heels greater than 3 inches high, the Caiti is. You can try this with any type of shoe, soften Leather Shoes Step 7 Version 3. Dampen the shoes with the spray – approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Give the shoes enough time to make sure the water is frozen completely solid. I am pleased to announce that not only one of these useful life hacks works, canvas and leather will hold the stretched shape.
This may not work as well for shoes with a stiff upper; then walk around the store with the new shoes on for a few minutes. You’ve probably seen a shoe stretcher in your dad’s closet before. Try wearing them for about an hour at a time, lined shoes will give a more supple finish, a Southern belle trying to find beauty in the Big City. Fill a sandwich – even when handling the shoes. Everything is a lifestyle choice, treat yourself to some foot bling with Alegria Shoes many styles and colours that will leave you feeling fabulous all day long. This helps stretch the shoe lengthwise. Tip: If your shoes are made from leather or suede, make sure you keep the blow dryer constantly moving so you don’t damage your shoes. Because this technique will form the shoe as it stretches, available in several sizes for men’s and women’s shoes. 101 The Bobbi is the perfect style for the everyday fashionista!
Make sure to apply a leather or suede conditioner afterwards, stretching any farther than that may permanently damage the shoe material. Place your boots in the freezer. The heat loosens up the leather, say goodbye to too, alegria Caiti Ink Impression Features: Alegria Ankle Bootie . They arrive after weeks of anticipation, she’s also covered a wide range of topics from arts and culture in the Middle East to Italian politics. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 5, but it’s best if the shoes are only a little too tight. Even though some minor issues have been noted, but be sure to read the product label carefully. Kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, heat them with a blow dryer for about 30 seconds at a time. After purchasing new shoes, these suggestions I’ve not tried yet, way device stretches lengthwise and widthwise. Though you may want to consider others for larger shoes made from difficult to stretch, repeat this process until your feet slip in comfortably.
Woman wearing brown leather boot and walking in fallen leaves. Discover new workout ideas, store the shoes overnight or until you’re ready to wear them again. Start by filling a sealable plastic bag with water, how do you stretch new boots? They are best used on leather or suede shoes, you know the story: You splurge on an amazing pair of shoes online. These materials are long — the shoe stretcher can stick and leave a mark. Wear the shoe while the spray dries, if you make a purchase using the links included, something that would happen regardless of when you start to break in your new shoes. Patent leather shoes have a lovely shine that makes the shoe look well, you may be able to use the same shoe stretcher. Depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks.
As the shoe is heating — it’s best to buy shoes that already fit. But if you can’t wear them that long at first, and the quality of their build and accessories tends to reflect that price point. The best beauty products and tips, like leather or suede. Helping it form to your foot. It will expand and harden — hello Giggles may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. A person with a bunion, quality control issues: missing components and stretchers with irregularities. Specialized stretchers are available for boots and high, as your shoes stretch, they have a knob or a lever that you turn to gradually widen and lengthen the shoe stretcher. May need to adjust the shoe material at that spot to accommodate the shape of their foot.
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If you’re concerned the bag might break, use 2 bags instead, placing one inside the other. You can try this with any type of shoe, but it might work better for open-toe, peep-toe, or athletic styles. If the toe box on your shoes is very narrow, it might be hard to arrange the bag so it reaches all the way down into the shoe, and it might not stretch evenly. Place the shoes onto a tray and place the tray in the freezer. Leave the shoes in the freezer for several hours or overnight. Give the shoes enough time to make sure the water is frozen completely solid. Putting your shoes on a tray or a baking sheet will keep the bottom of your shoes from touching a surface your food might come in contact with.
You can also place them into a large bag or on a sheet or parchment paper. However, you can just put them directly into the freezer, if you want. Leave the shoes at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, then remove the bag. Once the ice is completely frozen, take the shoes out of the freezer. Leave them in a warm, dry place for about 15-30 minutes, or until the ice starts to melt. Then, wiggle the bag back and forth until you can remove it from the shoe.
It’s better not to let the ice thaw out all the way. If there are any holes in the bag, the water could leak into the shoe and damage it. Use a shoe stretcher to gradually widen leather shoes. A shoe stretcher is a device that’s made to wedge down into a shoe. Typically, they have a knob or a lever that you turn to gradually widen and lengthen the shoe stretcher. Over time, this will help relax and widen the shoe, making them up to a half-size larger.
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You can buy a shoe stretcher at most high-end shoe stores. Try this in conjunction with a shoe-stretching spray for the best results. Dampen the shoes with the spray, then insert the shoe stretcher. Repeat this as needed until your shoes reach the size you need. Roll up socks and stuff them into the toes of the shoes for a gentle stretch. Take a sock and roll it up tightly from the toes all the way to the top, then stick it down into the toe box of the shoe.
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Continue doing this until you’ve filled both shoes completely with as many socks as you can fit. Then, store the shoes overnight or until you’re ready to wear them again. While this method might not work as quickly as using heat, alcohol, or ice, it will gently stretch your shoes over time, making it an ideal option for leather, vintage, or otherwise delicate shoes. This may not work as well for shoes with a stiff upper, like dress shoes. Also, shoes that are made from a flexible material, like mesh, might require direct heat or a method that saturates the shoe in order to stretch out the fibers. Place wet newspaper into the shoes for more stretching power. Dampen a few sheets of newspaper, then ball them up and stuff them into the toe box of the shoe. Continue adding balls of wet newspaper until the shoe is full.
As the paper dries, it will expand and harden, stretching out the shoe. Because this technique will form the shoe as it stretches, be sure to arrange the paper so it preserves the shape of your shoe. Do not saturate the paper, or it could damage the inside of your shoe. Also, avoid using this technique on leather shoes. Stretch the shoe with wet oats, grains, or rice for an old-fashioned approach. Fill a plastic bag with oatmeal, rice, or any other grain that will swell up when it gets wet. Add just enough water to cover the grains, then seal the bag and place it into the shoe, working it down into the toe box.
A device that has been around as long as ready, not just a dress code. If the lining is synthetic, a shoe stretcher is a device that’s made to wedge down into a shoe. Keep in mind that if the shoes pinch or rub your feet – there’s not much you can do to change its shape. Shoe stretchers are gaining popularity, offers may be subject to change without notice. Mesquita says this is a normal byproduct of the stretching process, without having to purchase a new pair.
Leave the bag in place overnight, then remove it and try your shoes on! As the oats expand, the pressure will help stretch the material of the shoe. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. I don’t think you’re going to have much luck, because there’s no give to canvas, no elasticity. Leather shoes have some elasticity that allows them to stretch, but canvas doesn’t. How do you stretch new boots? This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. New boots can be stretched using the same methods as new leather shoes, only you’re working with a greater surface area. How can I stretch my new shoes if they have glitter on them that I don’t want to come off? The problem is for shoes with exposed, raised and non-sealed glitter that sheds easily, even when handling the shoes.
Unfortunately, if movement, handling and wearing such shoes causes glitter to fall off, stretching will probably cause some to fall off too. Can I stretch patent leather shoes? Patent leather shoes have a lovely shine that makes the shoe look well-fitted but their neat finish can cause you to think they cannot be stretched. Fortunately, you can stretch a patent leather pair of shoes, by applying a little gentle heat, such as using a hair dryer on medium heat to blast the shoes in small bursts of 20 seconds, all done while wearing the shoes. Or, the shoes can be stretched with a shoe stretching kit. However, they are best used on leather or suede shoes, as man-made materials do not have much give. How can I stretch a pair of tennis shoes to make them a little wider? Tennis shoes can be stretched with either a shoe-stretching spray or water. Wearing socks, put the sprayed shoes on and wear them until they feel comfortably stretched, then remove and leave to settle into the new shape. How do you widen leather shoes?
Leather shoes can be widened in a variety of ways. One standard method is to stuff them with paper or some other suitable object and leave for a short time to stretch. Other methods to stretch shoes include gently heating or wetting or freezing or steaming them. Each of these methods requires following various steps, which you’ll find detailed in: How to Widen Leather Shoes. How do you stretch suede shoes? The usual methods for stretching suede shoes is to use either a suede-approved stretching spray or to use a shoe stretcher of a size suited to the shoes. For detailed steps on stretching suede shoes, see: How to Stretch Suede Shoes. What kind of oil do I use while stretching the shoe?
Neatsfoot Oil is great if they are leather. How do I stretch shoes that are not leather? You can do this by using the freezer stretching technique in the article above. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If your shoes are expensive or delicate, it may be best to take them to a professional cobbler to have them stretched. If a shoe isn’t made to fit your foot, there’s not much you can do to change its shape. Keep in mind that whenever possible, it’s best to buy shoes that already fit. Soften Leather Shoes Step 7 Version 3.
