How to remove shoes with alcohol. What to do if your shoes rub: simple tips

Even the most careful selection of shoes does not guarantee trouble-free wearing in the future. It often happens that sneakers that seemed so comfortable begin to rub your feet until they bleed. The reasons for this may be different, for example, the wrong size or the desire to “walk” a new thing as soon as possible without wearing it out even a little. However, the inconvenience of shoes is not a reason to say goodbye to them. There are many ways to break in shoes at home.

The easiest way to solve the problem is to contact a shoemaker who has special stretching devices. If there is no such desire or possibility, there are other methods that you can use yourself:

Hardware stores sell chemical agents - stretchers based on alcohol and emollients. They are available in the form of spray, liquid and foam. Different products are suitable for different materials - leather, suede, varnish, leatherette. They are very simple and easy to use: moisten a cotton swab with the product and apply it inside to the rubbing area , and then put on socks and walk in the treated shoes for about an hour.
In shoe stores you can purchase special devices (lasts) for shoes.
If there is no urgency in using a new pair, you should break it in gradually, wearing it at home for one to two hours over a week or more.
If there is still an urgency, it is recommended to wear tight boots with thick woolen socks. After two to three hours they will have increased by half a size.
If the shoes are pinching in a certain place, for example, rubbing the heel, hot wax or paraffin is dripped onto this place, after which the shoes are put on. In a few days, the paraffin will wear off and the shoes will stretch.

How to stretch natural leather

Leather is a natural and most comfortable material. It is naturally easier to distribute products made from it than from any other.

Most DIY methods also apply primarily to leather, although some can be applied to other materials as well.

Alcohol

Alcohol is an effective extender. It can be used to stretch hard shoes made of both smooth and patent leather.

Alcohol is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2 and poured into a spray bottle.
Spray the solution onto the inner surface of the product.
Wear shoes with thick socks and wear them for about 2 hours until the alcohol has completely evaporated.

Instead of shoes, you can wet your socks with an alcohol solution. It is allowed to treat it from the inside with cologne.

Do not wipe the outside of shoes with alcohol - this may worsen their appearance.

Cold

This is perhaps the most unusual way to stretch shoes.

Sealed plastic bags are placed in the shoes.
Cold water is poured into the bags - as much as will fit.
The shoes are laced up to prevent water from spilling out and placed in the freezer for at least 8 hours.
After a while, take out the ice pack and let it thaw a little. Do not remove ice from your shoes immediately to avoid tearing or scratching them.

When exposed to cold, the shoes will expand slightly.

The method is suitable for genuine leather, good leatherette and suede. Winter boots without fur also stand up well to temperature changes. However, you should be careful: low-quality shoes, like shoes made of very thin leather, can crack at the seams.

Boiling water

This method seems extreme, but there is nothing wrong with it, and it allows you to stretch hard shoes very quickly.

Boiling water is poured into the shoes and immediately, after a maximum of 30 seconds, poured back.
Put on the shoes and break them in for about half an hour so that the leather cools and takes the shape of the foot.

The method is suitable for genuine leather, suede and textiles. Artificial leather and leatherette do not tolerate high temperatures.

Newspapers

A method whose effectiveness has been confirmed by many generations of housewives.

The newspapers should be wetted, torn and stuffed into the shoes as tightly as possible.
Then you need to wait until the newspapers dry naturally (usually about a day).

You cannot “help” newspapers dry near the radiator - this will deform the shoes.

Blow drying

There is a known method using a hair dryer.

Thick socks are put on the feet, and tight shoes are put on them.
Then turn on the hairdryer and warm the area of the foot with it.
Wait for the surface of the shoe to cool down.
Repeat the procedure as many times as necessary.

Then the shoes are lubricated with a special moisturizing conditioner.

Moisturizing with a towel

You can break in new leather boots by lightly dampening them with a towel.

Wrap the shoes or the box with them in a towel soaked in boiling water and well wrung out.
Leave for 4–5 hours, periodically moistening the towel.

Cowboy method

Cowboys of the Wild West wore leather boots like this.

They filled them with grain.
The grain was filled with water in sufficient quantity.
Left it overnight.

The grain swelled, stretching the boots in length and width. While still wet inside, they were put on and dried directly on themselves, as a result of which the stretched shoes fit perfectly on the foot.

Instead of grain, you can take any cereal that swells with water.

How to stretch artificial leather

Faux leather comes in different varieties. Its basis can be fabric, which does not stretch at all, or rubber, which can be made larger, but again smaller will not work.

Not all methods applicable to natural leather are suitable for artificial leather. The most painless way to increase leather shoes by half a size is to use a hairdryer. From frost and boiling water they can crack, and from swollen grain they will become so huge that it will no longer be possible to wear them.

Artificial leather also helps to carry fat-containing substances.

Lubricate the shoes from the inside with vegetable or castor oil, fish oil or Vaseline. .
Then it is put on a warm sock or last.
After a few hours it needs to be cleaned.

How to stretch suede

Suede shoes usually stretch well, so you need to buy them strictly according to size. Even if they are a little tight, it usually takes a few days to wear them out. If, however, walking in suede shoes causes unbearable pain, it makes sense to try to stretch them too.

Of the methods already mentioned, drying with a hairdryer is suitable for suede. But there is also a specific option designed specifically for her. This is beer.

The shoes are moistened from the inside with beer and put on thick socks.
After a few hours, remove it and place it on an open window to remove the smell of an alcoholic drink.

Suede cannot be treated with other types of alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing products.

How to stretch rubber boots

Like leather shoes, PVC rubber boots can be slightly expanded with boiling water. However, the procedure in this case will be slightly different. Step by step it looks like this:

Pour boiling water into the boots and wait a few minutes until they become softer.
Meanwhile, fill a basin with cold water and put on woolen socks.
When the water in the boots has cooled a little, it is drained and the shoes are put on.
After a few minutes, they stand directly in their boots in a basin of cold water so that the PVC hardens under the influence of temperature changes.

To distinguish PVC from natural rubber, you should touch the boots with a hot object in an inconspicuous place. If the material begins to melt, then it will not be difficult to stretch it. With regular tires this is no longer possible.

How to stretch textile shoes

Unfortunately, the most likely answer here is no. In some cases, the refrigerator method mentioned above may help. In general, textiles are not prone to elastic deformation, so the only advice I can give here is to buy shoes in your size, without expecting them to stretch over time.

How to choose the right shoes

To save shoes from unpleasant procedures, which, moreover, do not always pass without a trace, it is recommended:

Buy products only from natural materials - they are easy to wear naturally, and your feet feel more comfortable in them.
Go shopping in the afternoon, when the leg is already swollen and increased in volume.
Try on winter boots only with thick socks or tights.
If your feet are fuller, buy shoes a size larger.
Do not make a purchase if you have even the slightest doubt about the size.

A balanced approach to choosing shoes or boots will allow you to avoid difficulties with breaking them in and maintain their original size for a long time.

For some, this is just a way to protect their feet from the negative influence of the environment, for some it is a technique for self-expression, and for a number of consumers it is even an indicator of the status of the owner. And all this is about one thing - about shoes. Moreover, men and women of different ages have at least once been faced with the fact that the purchase of a beautiful pair has already been made, but it is impossible to wear: the size is too large. So what should we do? Return it to the store (and if you bought it second-hand, what then?), give it to a friend (and be jealous, imagining yourself in his place) or try to deal with the problem at home? Let's choose the latter and see if we can reduce the volume and size. Moreover, sometimes shoes simply wear out and become too big, so the first two solutions certainly won’t work.

Right 14 days

According to current legislation, you can return shoes that do not fit in size or for other reasons within 14 days from the date of purchase. But the product must meet a number of parameters:

be without signs of being worn outdoors or indoors;
have a marketable appearance (that is, without creases, abrasions, etc.);
be in the original configuration (that is, in a box, with heels, insoles, etc., which was available at the time of purchase).

To properly process a return (or exchange, if possible), the buyer must provide a cash receipt (or a copy thereof), a warranty card for the shoes and a passport.

Myth or reality

First you need to find out what characteristics the pair does not fit in size. First, shoes can be longer than your feet. Second: the shoes may not fit the width of your feet. So, is it possible to make your downsizing dream a reality? Of course yes. Moreover, there are even 2 approaches for this.

Contact the workshop. Professionals will use full or partial constriction, that is, they will separate the heel and sole, and attach the upper to the last of the required size. This is if the shoes are not the right length. If the pair is wide, they will sew it up or choose another way to solve the problem.

This is interesting. Not all shoemakers will take on a non-leather pair, much less sneakers or sneakers that have a special cut. But sandals, clogs or flip-flops can only be narrowed in a workshop, where the straps are carefully stripped, shortened and sewn into place.

Try to use folk wisdom. This is where there are no restrictions on the quality of shoes. Only according to the material, although there are methods suitable for all types. Let's start with them.

Universal ways to reduce shoe size at home

Photo gallery: Special shoe inserts

A shock-absorbing insole is the best way to reduce the length and volume of sports shoes Toe pads are indispensable for high-heeled shoes This unusual insole can actually reduce your shoe size.

Special insoles. An additional insole is inserted into each shoe, and if it is still uncomfortable, then 2 are possible. This technique is only possible for closed shoes, but insoles can be for “different seasons”: made of foam rubber, synthetics or wool. Using this method has another bonus: the insoles protect the delicate skin of the feet from calluses and chafing.

This is interesting. This sizing method is especially good for sneakers and other athletic shoes, as it adds a cushioning effect.

Silicone heel pad. Despite the fact that the main task of such “half-insoles” is to protect against chafing and prevent slipping, they do an excellent job of reducing shoe size.

This is interesting. For shoes with a heel height of more than 7 cm, silicone heel pads increase the risk of ankle injury.

Shock-absorbing finger pads. This method is just the solution for lovers of high heels, as it allows you to achieve not only a reduction in size, but also saves you from fatigue when walking for a long time in stiletto heels.
Cotton wool, fabric or paper. A primitive method that our grandparents used if the shoes did not fit in length: soft material is stuffed into the sock (and if you have paper at hand, you can use that). The main thing is not to rub your fingers.

This is interesting. This size reduction option is only possible for closed shoes.

The secret of models. The beauties on the catwalks not only present their outfits gracefully, but also know the secrets of how to make shoes fit like a glove, even if they are a couple of sizes too big. To do this, they glue double-sided tape to the inside of the sole - the foot is glued and does not slip. One important nuance: the pair should only be worn on bare feet.

This is interesting. The most progressive and effective of the universal techniques is the option with silicone pads.

Leather shoes

Genuine leather is a very pliable material, which clearly proves the theory of compression under the influence of sudden temperature changes.

Hot water and washing powder

Instructions:

Dissolve the washing powder in a bowl of hot water (about 50 degrees) (as for regular washing).
Lower the shoes for 3-5 minutes.
Dry in direct sunlight or near a radiator.

After drying, spray with leather shoe break-in product and immediately put on. It is important to observe the soaking time in water and not to dry out the shoes, otherwise the result may not be at all what you expected.

This is interesting. An alternative may be when the inner surface of the couple is moistened with a spray bottle of water and dried near heating devices. This option is perfect for reducing the size of leatherette shoes, for which prolonged contact with water can be destructive.

Result: the skin will become very soft and will sit on the leg.

This is interesting. You can reduce patent leather shoes yourself only with insoles or overlays.

Ice water and hairdryer

Instructions:

We put a pair on our feet.
Place in a bowl of ice water and leave for 2-3 minutes.
We take off our shoes and dry them with a hairdryer or near a radiator.

This is interesting. The procedure is quick, but only for closed shoes, otherwise you may catch a cold.

Thread and needle

You can reduce the length of a pair made of leather or faux leather using an elastic band sewn on the inside of the heel.

Instructions:

We secure the elastic on one side of the heel with pins.
We stretch and attach the second end to the other side.
We sew it on, trying to grab the insole.

This is interesting. This method is only suitable for thin leather, since thick material will be difficult to pierce with a regular needle.

Video: What to do if your shoes fall off

Suede shoes

As with leather, suede will shrink when exposed to temperature changes. This time you need to hold the shoes over steam and then put them in the freezer.

This is interesting. Fans of this material know firsthand how capricious suede is. So it won’t be surprising for them that there is only one “home” option for reducing her size. And even that guarantees only that your shoes or boots will lose their presentation.

It is best to leave the reduction of the size of suede (as well as patent leather) shoes to professionals, that is, take it to a workshop.

Sneakers and sneakers

Leather sports shoes can be made smaller by adding an extra insole by tightening the laces. With fabric sneakers the situation is a little more complicated: another insole may simply leave no room for your feet. There is an option to wash the pair in hot water - the fabric will shrink a little. But literally after an hour or two of wearing it, it will expand again. So there's only one thing left to do: lace it tight.

Boot tops

Despite the fact that the heroine of the famous film Eldara Ryazanov convinced that accordion-shaped tops are fashionable, and we know that fashion repeats itself periodically, there are ladies who like the top to fit tightly around the leg. The surest way to achieve this is to go to the workshop. Among the risky, but real, options, there are 2:

Sew several elastic bands on the inside in a circle, securing one edge and pulling the other.
Use a sewing machine and stitch the fold at the back.

This is interesting. You won't be able to do any of these things without good sewing skills.

Video: How to narrow the tops of boots without a sewing machine

Optical illusion, or how to make shoes look smaller

Silicone inserts (on the heel or toe) are an ideal solution to several problems at once: your shoes will not fly off when walking, you will reduce the heel, the volume of the shoes, and in general you will ensure that your pair is definitely reduced by one size. But there are a few more tricks that create the effect of an elegant leg:

high heels (and not only stilettos, but also massive thick heels visually reduce the size);
rounded noses (taboo on long and pointed noses);
dark or rich colors (light and pastels make your legs look bigger);
relatively thick straps in moderation, if we are talking about sandals;
buckles, bows, pull tabs and embellishments create a little shoe look.

Video: Secrets from Evelina Khromchenko on how to visually make a leg more elegant

Video: Reducing the internal volume of shoes

You can reduce your shoe size at home, but only if you act deliberately and consistently. The easiest and most reliable way is to go to a shoe store for special silicone inserts. These can be pads under the heel or under the toe. You will get many more benefits from these devices, for example, your feet will not slip, your shoes will stop rubbing. If you are not a supporter of additional insoles or inserts, then when choosing a way to narrow your shoes, you need to start from the material from which the pair is made.

01/05/2017 2 31 473 views

You bought your last pair of shoes, but they turned out to be too small, and now you are faced with the question: how to break in shoes that are too small at home? There is a solution to this problem, and the choice of the optimal method depends on the material from which the product is made.

But first you need to find out which shoes can be worn in.

What kind of shoes can I wear?

Products made from genuine leather usually lend themselves well to breaking in and can increase in size; suede can react completely differently, so the process must be very careful; there is no need to rush in this situation. But shoes made of artificial leather are rarely stretched, because the material from which they are made is usually very hard.

A product made from natural material can be either increased in length or expanded.

Folk remedies?

People always encounter the problem of tight or narrow shoes, someone ordered a model on the Internet and decided to keep it, someone really liked the model and could not help but buy it. To make wearing shoes comfortable, they try to bring them to the ideal; in this case, they can expand and do this by using some folk secrets.

Newspapers

Many people probably know that newspapers can be used to increase new shoes by one size. This process is quite simple; to implement it you need:

A large number of newspapers need to be moistened in plain water, torn into small pieces and placed inside the shoes, and it is important to push as much paper there as possible.
Shoes with newspapers are left for several days until the pieces of paper are completely dry.

Using this simple method, you can get shoes or boots a size larger, but it is important to understand that, most likely, they will become wider.

Under no circumstances should an artificial heat source, such as a radiator, be used to dry the product. Exposure to warm air will cause the skin to become significantly rougher and lose its structure.

Alcohol

If the question arises that you need to stretch leather shoes, then you can resort to the help of ordinary medical alcohol, which, if necessary, can be replaced with vodka. This method allows you to increase it by one or even two sizes without harm to the product. It is important to remember that this method is absolutely not suitable for shoes made of suede, nobuck, artificial leather, or if they have a patent leather or fabric covering.

A genuine leather product is generously moistened with alcohol or vodka from the inside.
You need to wear shoes or boots and walk in them until the alcohol disappears and is absorbed, after which the procedure should be repeated.

It may take several days to stretch your shoes this way, so be patient.

If there is no alcohol or vodka in the house, then you can use 3% vinegar, it will have a similar effect on shoes.

Bags, water and freezer

When time is limited and you simply don’t have the strength to endure the pain, you can think of another method of stretching shoes; it will be the most humane, however, it will give an excellent result.

To implement this you will need two plastic bags and a freezer.
They put bags in the shoes, pour water into them and tie them tightly so that if suddenly the water does not leak out.
Place it in the freezer and wait until the water turns into ice. As soon as the liquid changes its state to solid, it will begin to put pressure on the shoe from the inside and will cause the product to become wider and slightly longer.

Since this method of stretching is quite difficult to control and you can only rely on chance, you should not use it when it comes to summer shoes made of thin leather, and you should not use it when it comes to winter shoes.

Hairdryer

Nowadays, a hair dryer is used not only for its intended purpose; you simply cannot do without its help if you decide to stretch your shoes. The procedure is quite simple, but requires patience and possible discomfort in the fingers.

The thickest sock, or several thin ones, are put on the foot.
When putting on shoes, you may have to try to squeeze your feet in.
The hairdryer is turned on to hot mode and begins to heat the surface of the product.

After a few minutes, turn off the hair dryer and wait for the material to cool, without pulling out your leg. As soon as the skin has cooled, the procedure is repeated.

After “hot” stretching, shoes must be lubricated with a special conditioner so that they do not become rough. Do not use a hair dryer to increase the size of a suede product.

Corn

You can quickly increase your shoe size using grain and do it quite simply:

Grain is poured inside the product, watered with enough water and left for one night.
During this time, the grain in the shoe will swell and begin to put pressure on the material from the inside, stretching it.
The contents are removed and the product must be worn and worn until it is completely dry.

This method of stretching is quite simple, but it is important to take into account the fact that not all material is able to “survive” such an interaction with water.

Special product

If you don’t want to experiment at all and look for “grandmother’s” method of stretching shoes, then you can go to a specialized store, where they will select a product that is perfect for your material.

Professional stretchers can be sold in the form of sprays, foam or creams, which you prefer is your personal choice.

To stretch your shoes using a special tool, you need to:

Spray the product in the place where you need to achieve an increase.
Put on your shoes and walk around for a few minutes, you can even put on thicker socks.

In just a few minutes the result will be noticeable, besides, these products are great not only for natural leather or suede, but also for artificial ones. At the same time, you don’t have to worry that there will be stains or marks on your shoes; in the store you can buy either a transparent spray or a color that suits you.

Products designed to stretch shoes should not be used thoughtlessly. Often their application can cause the leather or leatherette to lose its original structure and appearance.

Video: how to wear shoes at home?

In order not to encounter shoes that are too tight for you, it is very important to choose them correctly, especially if you like to shop in online stores:

You need to buy shoes based not on your usual size, but on the length of your foot. Place the ruler on the floor and place your foot so that your heel is at zero and look at the scale. It is important to remember that most people have different sized feet, so take this into account when purchasing.
If you buy shoes in a regular store, then tell the seller your size. In our country, European standards are used, so a professional can easily select a suitable pair of shoes.
Be sure to consider what a particular pair of shoes is made of. You should not buy a product “to grow” or hope that it will easily wear out over time. Walking in shoes that are too big is quite uncomfortable, and there is a risk of developing blisters, but wearing shoes that are too small is even worse. Constant discomfort, and as a result, pain in the foot and calluses on both the toes and heels.
If you buy high-heeled shoes, then before paying for them, walk around the store, check whether you are comfortable, whether your feet lie well and whether they are tight in the nose area.
Try to shop during the day, when your feet are not swollen from the day. If you buy shoes in the evening, you may find out the next day that they are too big for you.

A few more ways to help cope with the problem of pinching shoes:

Leather shoes can be stretched if you lubricate them with vegetable oil or Vaseline, this must be done both on the outside and on the inside. Afterwards, be sure to wipe your shoes with a dry towel.

If the shoes press in the heel, then the bulk of the mass should be applied to this area. Instead of vegetable oil, you can use castor oil, but you need to be extremely careful with it, as it can ruin the color of the product.

A few tips to help avoid blisters and other troubles if your new shoes are too tight:

after purchasing, do not rush to put on shoes and go out for a walk in them, it is better to first try walking in them at home, it is better if you do this for several days;
shoes made of genuine leather are much easier to stretch, so to correct the size of such a product you can use almost any means and methods;
Before putting on new shoes for the first time, seal the most vulnerable places, i.e. those where calluses most often occur;
to prevent the appearance of calluses in advance, moisten the backdrop with soapy water, alcohol or petroleum jelly and let it dry - the skin will become much softer;
the inside of the shoes can be safely lubricated with castor oil;
You can stretch the product in shoe repair; a specialist will use special tools to adjust the size to your foot.

To avoid having to torture yourself and new shoes, you need to buy them wisely and be sure to first try them on and walk around in them for a few minutes.

If you still couldn’t refuse to buy shoes that don’t quite fit you in size, then you can try to correct the situation at home and use one of the methods listed above. If the risk of ruining new shoes or boots is much higher than getting the desired result, contact specialists, but remember, even they are not able to increase shoes by two or three sizes.

Is it possible to make shoes smaller?

Every person at least once in his life has encountered such an unpleasant situation when, immediately after purchasing new shoes, he discovered that they were slightly too big for him. You can, of course, return a pair of shoes straight back to the store, especially if you never wore them. Pack your shoes in a box, take your receipt with you, and go get a replacement. But what if the store doesn’t have similar shoes in a smaller size, but you like this pair so much that you don’t want to part with it? Below are some simple and effective tips.

Warm water will help. If a showdown with management and shoe store salespeople doesn’t seem like a good solution to you, then you can try reducing your shoe size yourself. To make shoes smaller, dip leather items in warm water, then leave to dry at room temperature. It is not recommended to dry leather shoes near a radiator or in the open sun - this may cause the material to crack.

Please note that patent leather shoes should never be soaked or dried. Using the above method you can only reduce the size of leather shoes. After the shoes have completely dried, they should be generously lubricated with cream.

Unfortunately, this procedure only reduces the shoe size for a short time, since the leather stretches again during wear. In addition, there is a risk of ruining it. There are more loyal ways to make shoes smaller.

The best solution to make shoes smaller is socks and insoles

Regular insoles can help make shoes slightly larger to fit your feet. For example, you can insulate winter boots with sheepskin insoles, but it is best not to remove the insoles that were originally in the shoes. Autumn boots can be slightly reduced using regular insoles.

To reduce the size of shoes, special insoles are sold that can be placed under the toe or heel, securing them with Velcro. Such insoles can raise the foot by several millimeters, making the shoes appear smaller. In addition, they firmly fix the foot in the shoe.

If you bought winter or autumn boots that turned out to be too big for you, you can put a warm sock on your foot, adding a few extra millimeters to your foot. As a result, the leg will be fixed, and the boots will stop falling off when walking. In addition, in cold weather your feet will freeze less in warm, thick socks. One of the options to make shoes smaller is to also put a little cotton wool in the sock.

How to make shoes smaller - professional solutions

As we all know very well, progress does not stand still for a second. Recently, special transparent gel insoles have appeared in stores, which have the effect of making shoes smaller. These insoles are suitable even for open sandals and shoes. They can be purchased at large shoe stores. In addition, there are special heel inserts and half-foot toe inserts. These inserts can “eat” half a centimeter each, while reducing the size of the shoe by 1-1.5 centimeters.

If you do not want to waste your precious time and effort on various tricks to reduce your shoe size, you can always contact a qualified specialist. Any self-respecting workshop will help you make your shoes smaller using partial or complete reupholstery. In this case, the heel and sole are separated, and the top is placed on a last of a smaller size. The heel and sole are selected to the required size, and the entire structure is reattached. This option is not suitable for all shoe styles, so you must first consult with a specialist about your specific case.

Thus, if you really like new shoes that don’t quite fit you, there are no insurmountable obstacles.

Everyone has encountered the problem of tight shoes that pinch and not only cause terrible discomfort, but also terribly rub in their lives. Most people painfully but patiently wear tight shoes, waiting for them to stretch on their own. But there are many ways and useful tips on how to break in shoes that are too tight, and with their help you can make your brand new shoes or boots comfortable quickly and without any suffering.

Simple effective ways

Perhaps you should start with the simplest methods, which will require a minimum of effort and time from you, but also some material costs.

Donate shoes for stretching

A master can help you quickly carry out shoes. Just take your brand new shoes or boots to the most ordinary workshop, of which there are plenty in every city, and there they will quickly be stretched for you to the desired size. In this case, no damage remains on the shoes, but the master may refuse to work. It all depends on the material: shoes made of genuine leather will be accepted without problems, but a pair made of leatherette may not be accepted, especially if it is not of very high quality.

The work is carried out using a special stretcher; you can pick up the shoes in 1-2 days, and you will have to spend from 300 to 500 rubles.

Stretch with a special spray

You can buy spray or foam immediately with your shoes, since such products are offered in almost any shoe store. The cost of the spray is not so high - up to 300 rubles, but its effectiveness can pleasantly surprise you. You need to apply it where it hurts or rubs the most. It can be used both inside and outside, only in the second case it is necessary to first apply the product to a small area of the material to check whether it will damage the paint.

After treatment, new shoes should be put on and walked in them until completely dry. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated a little later.

The product effectively stretches shoes without causing any harm to them.

Shoe extensions

To break in tight shoes at home, you can purchase special expanders - devices that follow the contours of the foot. They are made of natural wood or metal, complemented by many holes into which you can insert screws and other devices to change the shape of the shoe to suit the characteristics of your feet.

You can find them in the wardrobe department or order them online. There are special extenders for men's boots and shoes and for women's ones. One device is suitable for both left and right feet and, although it is a little expensive (from 500 to 2500 rubles), it lasts a very long time and will stretch more than one pair of shoes.

Stretching will take from one to several days. The devices that work most efficiently and quickly are in combination with a special spray.

For those who still want to avoid unnecessary costs and are willing to sacrifice time and make their own efforts, many folk methods have been invented that will help quickly break in tight shoes.

It should be remembered that the higher quality the material, the easier it is to stretch without damage. Breaking in leather shoes is much easier than making faux leather shoes or boots more comfortable.

Low-quality material not only does not stretch well, but is also easily damaged, and you risk irreversibly ruining your new item.

Stretching with water and freezer

To do this you will need: a couple of thick plastic bags, plain tap water and a refrigerator with a freezer. You need to do the following:

Fill the bag with water and place it inside the shoe.
After tying the bag tightly, place the shoes with water bags in the freezer.
Wait 8-10 hours and take the shoes back.

Frozen water, turning into ice, expands and easily stretches new shoes.

Stretching with socks

To break in genuine leather shoes, you will need the thickest wool socks and a hair dryer.

You need to do the following:

Put socks on your feet and try to squeeze them into shoes that are too tight.
Heat the areas where your legs are tightest with hot air from a hair dryer for 20–30 seconds.
Once your boots or shoes are warm enough, leave them on your feet until they cool completely.
If necessary, repeat the procedure until you achieve the desired result.
Once the size suits you, apply a special conditioner to the skin, which will moisturize it after a long blow-dry.

Important! When heating dress shoes, be as careful as possible and do not overdo it, because the heat can weaken the adhesive bonds.

Stretching with alcohol or vinegar

Any alcohol-containing liquid (the best option is cheap vodka) or a vinegar solution is suitable for this method. You need to do the following with them:

Wipe or soak the inside of the shoes thoroughly with alcohol or vinegar.
Wearing thick socks, pull the shoes onto your feet.
Walk around the house in your shoes for at least 1 hour and then take them off.
Wash the inside of your shoes with a soap solution to eliminate the unpleasant odor.

How to stretch tight shoes - video

Stretching with boiling water

You can also wear tight shoes thanks to hot water, from which they easily stretch, become softer and take on the desired shape. But only genuine leather can cope with the hot water test. Leatherette will most likely immediately lose its attractive appearance.

You can use boiling water to remove narrow shoes as follows:

Pour hot boiling water over the inside of your shoes or boots.
Drain the water and let them cool slightly.
Put on your shoes and wear them until they are completely dry.
If you are not satisfied with the result, repeat the procedure again.

Stretching with potatoes

Safely
The most ordinary potatoes will help you carry out artificial shoes, boots or sneakers. You just need to do the following:

Take a couple of large potatoes and peel them.
Place the potatoes in the shoes so that they are cramped there and even stick out a little.
Leave it overnight, and in the morning, remove the potatoes and wipe the inside of the shoes with a damp cloth.

Stretching with newspapers

Another tip on how to wear shoes made of artificial materials without the risk of ruining them concerns the use of wet newspapers.

Take a lot of newspapers and tear them up finely.
Fill the newspaper mass with water until it gets wet and swells.
Stuff your shoes with the resulting porridge as tightly as possible.
Leave to dry for a couple of days. But shoes should dry naturally, away from heating devices!

You can simply wet the inside of the shoes with water, fill them tightly with wads of newspaper and leave them overnight. If necessary, the procedure is repeated a couple of times.

Stretch with grain

To do this, you will need oatmeal or any other grain (cereal) that swells when wet.

Fill your shoes with it.
Pour water until it reaches the grain level and leave overnight.
The increased grain size will stretch the shoes, so the next morning, take out the mixture, wipe the shoes with a cloth and put them on.
Wear until the shoes are dry.

All these methods are extremely simple and quite effective, but you shouldn’t hope for a miracle and try to make a 43 from a size 40. The expansion occurs mainly in width and a little in length, so stretching at home will only help if your shoes are tight or a little tight in your toes .