A well-known phrase says: “Beauty requires sacrifice,” and indeed many women neglect their own comfort for the sake of a beautiful pair of shoes, turning “decoration” for their feet into a real object of torture.

Bloody calluses and corns - what sacrifices desperate fashionistas are ready to make, paying tribute to the beauty industry. But someone else’s fleeting “approval” of beautiful shoes or boots is not worth such discomfort. Shoes, first of all, should be comfortable. So, is there really no way out, and the new thing is destined to gather dust in the closet? It turns out that it is possible to solve the problem of tight and narrow shoes even at home! There are several effective ways to stretch uncomfortable shoes so that you can now wear them with pleasure!

Effective methods for stretching narrow shoes at home

Before you begin the process of stretching your shoes, you need to establish the type of material from which they were made. It often turns out to be very difficult to “deal” with leatherette, so it is recommended to buy shoes only made of genuine leather, which, if the need arises, is much easier to adjust the size on your own at home.

Effective ways to stretch uncomfortable shoes on your own:

1. Use alcohol. It is necessary to pour a little substance into each pair of shoes and “stomp” around the apartment in them for one and a half or two hours, if possible. It is recommended to carry out this procedure with a newly purchased pair of shoes, even in cases where, when trying them on in a store, they did not squeeze the feet and seemed ideal. After all, it often happens that initially the shoes “sat” on the foot as comfortably as possible, but upon the first wear, shortcomings were discovered - for example, hard rubbing areas. They can be noticeably softened by using a cotton swab moistened with alcohol, which is used to wipe the “problem” parts of the shoes. If discomfort is still present after such wearing, then you should repeat the procedure, wearing thick socks for an additional effect.

2. Boiling water - go to work! With shoes that put a lot of pressure on your feet, regular boiling water can handle it without any problems - just “steam” the tight shoes or boots with it. When the boots, soaked in hot water, reach a comfortable temperature, you need to walk around the apartment in them for several hours, protecting your feet from getting wet with a plastic bag. Thus, the shoes will take a comfortable shape exactly according to the structure of the foot.

3. To give the boots the perfect shape for your feet, you can use a hairdryer to dry a damp pair of shoes worn with thick socks. This procedure will additionally add softness to hard boots.

4. A basin of water will help you increase the size of your shoes. You need to soak the shoes in it for one day and then “carry” them around the house. The main thing here is to make sure that the quality of shoe stitching is done at a high level - you cannot do this method with models where the sole is “set” with glue. Otherwise, the boots will simply become unusable.

5. To stretch a narrow pair of boots wide, using castor oil is an excellent solution. It is necessary to moisten a cotton swab with a few drops and lubricate the inside and outside of the shoes with it. Next comes the breaking-in process, after which the excess oil must be washed off. This method of shoe stretching is suitable for almost any material - leather, leatherette - with the exception of suede.

6. To avoid the appearance of corns and calluses, it is recommended to use paraffin candles, which are used to rub shoes from the inside. With the help of paraffin wax, suede and patent leather shoes will take on a shape that fits the foot perfectly without harming the quality of the delicate material.

7. A similar effect can be achieved using potato scraps (chips).

8. One of the oldest and most empirically proven methods of “breaking in” narrow shoes is the use of wet newspapers, which are used to “stuff” the shoes until the “paper stretchers” are completely dry. It is important to take into account the fact that the drying process takes place under natural conditions, that is, you need to keep your pair of boots away from heat sources - a radiator, fireplace or heater. This method is great for boots made of suede - it turns out to be safe for such a delicate material.

9. Table vinegar can also be used for non-standard purposes - to stretch an uncomfortable pair of suede shoes, you need to moisten them with the solution from the inside and start breaking them in. And in order to avoid damage to the skin of the legs, you should first put nylon footprints or socks on your feet.

10. To stretch your shoes, you need to freeze them! Another effective “home” method for stretching shoes is to place the shoes in the freezer of the refrigerator or put ice bags in them. The well-known property of water molecules to expand in cold conditions will help cope with the problem of tight shoes.

11. The classic approach to stretching shoes is to use plastic or wood lasts. You can purchase such an invention in specialized shoe stores. The pads placed inside the boots are able to do everything independently to achieve the desired effect without any additional intervention - they will stretch the boots for further comfortable wear.

12. One of the simplest methods for stretching boots is to use ordinary laundry soap, which is excellent not only for shoes made of natural materials, but also those made of artificial leather. Rub the inner surface of the boots with soap and after 5 hours remove the residue with a sponge. Next, you should wear the shoes until they are completely dry.

13. A similar method for breaking in a narrow pair of shoes is also suitable for using Vaseline.

14. To stretch the instep of shoes, they use a very unusual “filler” - grain. It must be soaked until it swells, then pour it into your boots, leaving it overnight.

15. An old trempel (hanger like a hanger) can be useful for stretching shoes and giving them the required shape. First you need to soak the shoes, then place the trempel cut to the shape of the foot inside the shoes for several hours. Soaked shoe material will take the form of a plastic “structure”, increasing in size. So, new boots will no longer squeeze and will be perfectly “fitted” to the foot.

Any of these “at-home” methods for stretching narrow shoes will exceed all expectations! An important point remains to remember about precautions when handling natural leather.

Precautionary measures

The business of stretching a narrow pair of boots made from natural materials for the procedure at home requires taking certain precautions to avoid damage to the material:

If you use a hairdryer to stretch shoes made of genuine leather, you should first lubricate the surface of the shoes with a special cream, since under strong thermal influence the leather is prone to losing its natural fatty lubricant, and this, in turn, can lead to its fragility.

Shoes made of thin, delicate material require especially careful and careful handling - freezing and treatment with boiling water are contraindicated for this type of footwear. Models with varnished surfaces are also unable to withstand exposure to hot temperatures, risking cracking and losing their shine. For shoes made of leather with a fine-haired coating (nubuck), the use of fatty and alcohol-containing creams is also not suitable, since such products can leave stains on the surface of the shoes.

Ordinary water as a “stretcher” for boots requires a rational approach to its use - do not get too carried away with the copious soaking process, as this can negatively affect the texture of the product.

Methods of extreme stretching of boots should be used only in extreme cases, when all tried methods have not given the desired result. More often, you should just be patient and wear your shoes around the apartment for several hours, rather than resort to radical methods.

Every person faces the problem of narrow shoes and boots in the toe, heel and shaft. Unfortunately, such custom-made products are very expensive, and choosing one that immediately fits your leg is difficult and almost impossible.

Most people have to look for ways to stretch their shoes at home, because they don’t want to return their favorite new thing, but they also don’t want to walk around with blisters. Is it possible to stretch shoes or sneakers to size? Can. If you have such a problem, use home methods on how to break in shoes that are too tight.

Water packs

If the couple is too tight, try another interesting life hack - freezing.

As the liquid freezes, it expands in volume, allowing new shoes to break in faster.

To stretch your boots you will need clean distilled water and tightly sealed bags.

How to stretch rubber boots, shoes or sneakers:

1. Fill 2 large or medium (check by size) zip-L lock bags with water. There should be enough liquid so that they stretch well when frozen. Squeeze all the air out of the bags and seal.
2. Place them in boots and place them in the freezer for 4-8 hours. During this time, the liquid will have time to freeze.
3. When the water turns to ice (check the refrigerator occasionally, it may happen much sooner), remove from the freezer, remove the bags and put on your boots.

If necessary, repeat the process to stretch them another size.

Medical alcohol

There are many special sprays available in online stores that help with stretching if your shoes are too tight. But why shell out big bucks when you can get the same results with inexpensive rubbing alcohol?

It can also be used to clean stains.

Alcohol works best on natural fabrics. If you are wondering how to stretch leather shoes at home, then know that this method is one of the best.

Test the alcohol on an inconspicuous area to see if the paint starts to peel off or not. The method is used only once; repeated use of this method is not recommended.

To widen or lengthen narrow shoes you will need rubbing alcohol, a spray bottle or cotton pads.

How to stretch new shoes:

1. Since the product is easier to spray, transfer it to another bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle, use a cotton pad or white cotton cloth (do not use a colored one, it may fade).
2. Spray rubbing alcohol onto tight areas of your boots. Do not spare any money, pour it generously on those places where leather shoes are too tight. The fabric must become damp for the shoes to stretch well.
3. Put it on your feet and try to trample it. Walk around in it until the alcohol dries. The product works while they are wet.
4. If the shoes are small after the manipulations done, then how to break the shoes in? The issue is resolved. Soak thick socks in alcohol and put the product back on. Walk in your shoes until the alcohol completely evaporates from your socks.

After such manipulations, she no longer presses.

Remember that alcohol should not be used if there are wounds on your feet. Or first cover them with a bactericidal adhesive bandage.

Newspapers

If your shoes are too tight, how can you stretch them? This question is really relevant. And it appears after the purchase, when the first calluses have formed on the heels and toes.

Stretching shoes lengthwise using this method is unlikely to succeed, but expanding the material will work.

This method is suitable if the fabric is not natural, but is leatherette. It is also recommended to use it if you need to break in sneakers or stretch suede, or.

How to quickly break in new shoes:

1. Take a lot of newspapers, or better yet, clean sheets of paper so that the paint does not transfer to the fabric. Wrinkle them up and moisten them with water.
2. Wring out the sheets well and stuff them tightly into the shoes.
3. Leave the paper inside until completely dry. It will take the shape of the shoe and stretch it evenly.

Don't overdo it with this method. Even with regular paper, new shoes can become deformed, lose their appearance, or the soles may become detached from the base.

How to increase your shoe size is not a problem, but decreasing it will be impossible.

Hairdryer

It's time to use your chemistry lessons and learn how to stretch leather or suede shoes. The thermal method can only be used on these types of products. Another fabric may not stand up to the heat, and your favorite item will end up in the trash.

You will need to wash the products, take a hairdryer and prepare clean socks.

How to break in new shoes:

1. Wear thick socks. If you feel they are not tight enough, use a second pair. It is necessary that the products fit snugly on the leg. You should also know that the denser the material, the thicker the socks should be.
2. Wear tight shoes. If your leg is difficult to climb through, use a special spoon.
3. Turn on the hairdryer to maximum airflow and direct a stream of hot air to the places where your shoes are pinching.
4. Continue blowing hot air on the areas where your shoes are too small for a few minutes. While blowing, try to wiggle your toes. This makes the shoes stretch faster.
5. Turn off the hair dryer and continue wearing it out.
6. Take off your socks and try the product on your bare foot.

As a result, the foot should slide in freely and without bloody calluses.

If it is necessary to stretch the shoes further, the procedure can be repeated.

How to stretch sneakers? Such products are always durable and made of good breathable material. A hairdryer is ideal for stretching sneakers, you just need to warm them up inside and out.

Soap and paraffin

How else to break in tight shoes at home?

Products are quickly enlarged using paraffin or regular soap. Only this method is not suitable if you are looking for how to break in sneakers or how to stretch rubber shoes one size larger.

This method can be used on leather, patent leather or suede items.

How to stretch tight shoes:

1. Take a regular candle or baby soap.
2. Rub the product from the inside, sparing no expense.
3. Leave it overnight.
4. In the morning, remove any remaining paraffin with a damp cloth and try on the shoes.

Paraffin does not harm natural or artificial leather. This remedy is harmless.

Steam

The next method to stretch your shoes is to use steam. The procedure cannot be carried out with products made of artificial leather or.

How to break in shoes that are pinching and rubbing?

Use the method first for one shoe, if you can stretch it, you can steam the second one.

Exercise in clean shoes, free from dust and dirt. Otherwise, it will be unpleasant to walk around the house in them.

Boil water and bring the products to the steam. Let the boots sit over the steam for a few minutes.

Then put on your socks and walk around in them for a bit. The heat will cause the skin to stretch. If your shoes are tight, put on thicker socks and steam a little more.

Taking shoes in at home is not difficult. Just take some time for this process.

Do not use this method many times, otherwise the shoes will be too trampled.

Using this method, you can both quickly break in your sneakers and clean them.

Special stretcher

How to stretch narrow shoes if none of the above methods worked, and you don’t want to give up, because you really want to show off in new shoes in the evening?

Use a stretcher. With its help, you can stretch your sneakers in length; it is perfect if your shoes are tight in the toe or if you need to make your shoes a size larger.

There are different stretchers. They are available online and are made for boots, heels, or flat for sneakers, ballet shoes, etc.

How to stretch sneakers at home:

1. Spray a special product on them. Pay special attention to denser areas. If leatherette products are pinched in only one place, then spray the product only on it.
2. Insert the stretchers inside and turn the handle to increase your shoe size at home or expand.
3. Leave her alone for a while. Then remove the stretcher and put it on your legs. If the sneakers are no longer tight, then there was a point in stretching, and the manipulation was a success.

This procedure can be repeated as many times as needed. If your new boots are tight, use the stretcher at least 10 times, the main thing is to achieve the desired result.

Fat cream

Do not try to quickly break in shoes by putting them on your bare feet immediately after purchasing them. This way you won’t be able to increase their length or width, they will still press hard, and you will only injure yourself. This method is incorrect.

What should you do? Are you afraid to steam it, stuff it with paper, or use paraffin?There is always a solution, and this is a regular rich cream for hands or feet.

How to wear shoes at home? The algorithm of actions is the simplest and will take only half an hour, or maybe less. So, take thick cream or Vaseline and rub the inside surface.

Apply more product to dense areas, namely socks and heels.

Take special pads or homemade ones and insert them. Alternatively, put on thick socks and walk around the house.

After this procedure, the shoes will definitely not put pressure on you.

Warm socks

Now this is perhaps the least painful way to stretch faux leather shoes. It is also recommended if you need to enhance leather, suede or other materials.

It doesn't require ice or plastic bags, just a thick old pair of socks and a pair of squeezy shoes.

All you have to do is take your socks and roll them into a small ball. Place them at the edge of the sock. This way you can stretch your sneakers at home.

This method is ideal if the ends of your boots are pinching your toes.

Before leaving the products in this position overnight, make sure that there is no distortion. The next morning you will notice that they have become a little wider.

This method of how to stretch tight shoes can be used as many times as needed without fear of damaging the material.

In order not to look for answers to the question of how to quickly break in shoes or how to make shoes wider, do not buy them a size smaller.

Girls always prefer small products to make their feet look more elegant and beautiful, however, this is not good for health and you still have to look for how to stretch your shoes in length.

« How to stretch leather shoes?“is a very relevant question for owners of a new pair of shoes or boots. Today it is difficult to find a person who has not at least once encountered the situation of shoe discomfort.

It also happens that in the store the shoes fit perfectly on the foot, but when walking for a long time, the foot becomes very cramped in the new thing. This circumstance causes the formation of calluses and swelling of the feet. Walking in tight shoes throughout the working day becomes an unbearable torment for your feet.

Today, many people prefer to purchase shoes from an online store. Online shopping is, of course, much cheaper than in a shoe store, but it has its downsides. For obvious reasons, you won’t be able to try on shoes in advance in an online store, so you have to rely on your own intuition and choose the appropriate shoe size in accordance with international standards or based on reviews from other customers. In any case, the buyer is at great risk. When it turns out that the selected pair of shoes turns out to be one size too small, many do not want to waste time and effort returning the purchase, but try to stretch narrow leather shoes at home. To stretch a new thing in length or width, it is not necessary to seek help from a shoemaker. You can cope with this problem yourself, the main thing is to know how. Let's try to understand this in more detail.

Before you plunge headlong into work, you need to make sure that the shoes you need to wear are made of leather. The fact is that shoes made from artificial leather substitutes cannot be stretched, but leather shoes are quite possible. It is permissible to stretch leather shoes by only 1 size, and boots that are too narrow can be slightly wider.

To prevent such situations from arising, it is better to select a model that is comfortable and appropriate for your feet at the store when purchasing a new pair of shoes. Even if you really like the shoes, but the store doesn’t have the right size, it’s better to refuse such a new thing so as not to complicate your life in the future. It is better to turn your attention to another model that sits more comfortably on your leg. No one can 100% guarantee that you will be able to stretch tight leather shoes without unpleasant consequences. Since such models are not cheap, the risk of spoiling the product is quite high, and it will be a pity for wasted money.

Despite the fact that the leather stretches quite easily, it is quite difficult to increase it by at least 1 size. Very often leather shoes have to be stretched in width. This situation is familiar to anyone who has just recently purchased a new pair of shoes.

In this case, both special industrial products and folk remedies that have been proven over the years can come to the rescue.

You can find out how you can stretch winter or autumn leather shoes yourself in the next section.

We stretch narrow leather shoes

To stretch narrow leather shoes at home, do not try too hard. The fact is that over time, narrow shoes or boots will naturally stretch in any case. If you influence this process with the help of special means, you can end up with not narrow, but, on the contrary, wide shoes, which is also not very comfortable.

If the shoes are too tight, you can stretch them without the help of folk or special means. To do this, put new shoes with wet socks on your feet and walk around the room in them for some time (if this does not cause severe discomfort). Even this manipulation will allow the too rough and new skin to spread a little. You will have to walk around the house in shoes and wet socks for 1-2 days. If this method does not help, no problem, you can stretch leather shoes in other ways.

Peeling potatoes can be a fairly effective method of dealing with tight shoes. The potato peel is stuffed very tightly into the inside of the leather product and left overnight.

You can learn more about how and with what you can stretch narrow leather shoes using special or folk remedies in the following sections.

Special means

To quickly stretch leather shoes at home, you can use special products.

Let's list some of them.

1. Shoe stretcher. It is sold in every shoe shop. The product is usually produced in the form of a spray or foam. Spray it in the place where the shoes rub your feet. Then you need to walk around in the product for a while so that under the chemical influence of the components the shoes soften and can stretch. However, it is worth considering the fact that such a product will not be useful for every shoe, but rather the opposite. The chemical composition of the “stretcher” can slightly damage the skin tone, and for light-colored shoes, using this product is quite risky. Before purchasing a spray, you should carefully read its composition. Before use, you should test the product on an inconspicuous area of ​​skin. To enhance the effect, you can wear thick socks on your feet.
2. Special stretch block. If leather shoes need to be stretched in length, then this stretcher is perfect. For this purpose, the last must be inserted inside the shoe, and then it will do all the work for you. How long you need to leave the stretch in the product is up to you. It all depends on what size the leather shoes need to be enlarged to.

These products are more economical compared to the services of a shoemaker. If you don’t want to resort to this kind of action, you can use folk methods to make tight shoes bigger.

Traditional methods

Folk methods are no less effective than industrial ones. The main thing is not to overdo it and act without fanaticism, so as not to harm a leather pair of shoes.

For this we need:

Name of the product	Mode of application
Alcohol or vinegar	You need to dip a washcloth in one of the products and thoroughly treat the inside of your shoes with it. After this, you should put thick socks on your feet, and shoes on top. In this form, you should walk around the room for about 1 hour. Vinegar can leave a specific and persistent odor in shoes, which can be removed with a soap solution used to treat the inside of the product.
	A fairly simple and quick way to stretch leather shoes. To do this, boiling water is poured inside the leather product and poured out almost immediately. Then you need to put on your shoes and walk in shoes or boots until they become dry. Exposure to very hot water will stretch the skin, and the problem of tight shoes will disappear.
	Leather shoes can be held over steam. After this, you need to put on the product and walk around in it for some time. You need to act very carefully. The steam must get inside the shoes or boots, in which case it will act and will not harm the shoes.
	Thick socks are put on the feet, and leather shoes are placed on top. After this, you need to turn on the hair dryer to dry your hair in hot mode. It is worth pointing it in the direction where the shoes are tight.
Castor oil	For this method, the outside of the product is treated with castor oil using a cotton pad. Then you need to put on your shoes and walk around in your shoes for a while.
Water packs	You need to take plastic bags and fill them a quarter with water. Plastic zipper bags or gel-filled freezer bags work best for this purpose. Make sure the bag is tightly closed to prevent water from leaking out. After this, the leather shoes are placed in the freezer of the refrigerator and left for 5-6 hours so that the water in the bag freezes. After this time, the shoes must be removed from the freezer, but you should not remove the bags immediately; let the ice thaw a little. This action will prevent damage to the skin structure.
	You can rub the inside of the product with candle wax and leave it for 6-8 hours. Then the remaining paraffin must be removed.
Paper or newspapers	A fairly easy and effective method, familiar to many. To do this, you need to tightly fill the shoes inside with wet paper or newspapers and leave them to dry at room temperature. You should not stuff the product too much, so as not to deform the shoes. You should remove the newspapers when they are completely dry.
	Any cereal that can increase in size after exposure to moisture is suitable for this method. The product is poured inside the shoes, filled with water and left to swell overnight. In the morning you need to remove the swollen cereal. Under its action, leather shoes should stretch.

With the help of such tricks, you can quickly bring narrow leather shoes into proper shape and stretch them to the required size. If none of the listed methods suits you for some reason, or you simply do not want to take risks, it is better to entrust this procedure to professionals. Shoe specialists can easily cope with the problem of uncomfortable shoes.

These methods are suitable not only for summer and autumn leather shoes, they will also help to stretch winter boots or boots.

Leather shoe lovers would do well to learn some useful tips on caring for this product. They are not that difficult and quite doable. By following them, you can keep your leather shoes in perfect condition for a long time.

• You should not treat too thin leather with alcohol-containing liquids, as well as products with aggressive components, so as not to harm the fragile product;
• if you are planning to use an industrial product and cannot be 100% sure of a positive result, it is better to first try the composition from the inside, and only then use it to its fullest;
• shoes made of leather cannot be stretched by more than 1 size, therefore, if the product is very small, you should not try all the listed remedies so as not to harm the capricious material;
• as a result of prolonged wear, the shoes will stretch in any case and without additional effort, but it is unlikely that anyone will endure for so long and will wear tight shoes, waiting for this moment;
• narrow new shoes can be worn at home in your free time from work and additional activities, and when they stretch under the influence of the foot and socks, you can safely go outside in them;
• Do not rush too much and try to somehow speed up the process of breaking in a leather product, as haste can only harm the structure of the leather;
• try to buy shoes not for “tomorrow”, but a little earlier (1-2 seasons earlier), so that you can distribute the product either yourself or with the help of special means;
• if you doubt your abilities, you can always turn to a specialist, he will competently and easily cope with the problem of tight shoes;
• It is best to initially choose shoes by size in a shoe store, this will save time and money on eliminating the negative consequences that narrow shoes will cause;
• if a product is purchased in another country, then it is always necessary to take into account the discrepancy in world standards and designations of different countries; in Europe they are the same, but in Asia and America they are different;
• It is best to try on and buy shoes in the afternoon, since by the evening the foot may become swollen due to prolonged walking, and then it will not be so easy to fit into such shoes;
• do not rush to immediately throw away the receipt from a new pair of shoes, perhaps it can be useful for exchanging for a more suitable model;
• You should not save on shoes and buy too cheap shoes, as there is a risk that they will not last as long as higher quality products made from genuine leather;
• If you are tempted to buy a model you like on sale, even if it’s not the right size, it’s better not to do it.

Thus, following all the advice from experts, you can immediately make the right choice in the shoe department and thereby save yourself from the procedure of carrying leather goods in the future. Let your shoes bring you only pleasant sensations while walking!

Quite often, a pair of shoes that seemed comfortable when you first tried them on in a shoe store turns out to be stiff and tight after purchase. But is it possible to stretch leather shoes at home yourself?

Currently, there are many different methods to increase the size of your shoes or stretch them without resorting to painful torture, because not everyone is ready to break in their shoes naturally.

In what cases can you stretch?

There are such cases that when a person comes home with new clothes, he discovers that the new shoes or boots are very tight, so they become impossible to wear without any feeling of discomfort. This often happens if shoes were purchased through online stores, since the indicated size does not always correspond to the actual size. There are also cases when shoes lie idle in the closet for a long time, and when a person remembers them, they become too hard.

Sometimes, after giving birth or maternity leave, women’s favorite shoes with elegant heels just don’t fit well on their plump feet. But there is no need to despair in such situations! There are many different effective methods stretching and enlargement of shoes.

Of course, you won’t be able to stretch your favorite boots or shoes by more than one size. The success of this procedure will depend on the materials from which the shoes are made. Natural suede and leather is most pliable, which cannot be said about rubber or a substitute. The type of skin also plays a big role. As a rule, patent leather may lose its shine and crack after unsuccessful attempts to increase the size. The skin substitute also often does not behave in the best way. Not only cracks, but also stains can form on this material.

Not all stretching methods are safe d for shoes. After numerous attempts to stretch the shoes in length or width, the sole may come off, the seams may come apart, the product may become deformed, after which its appearance will be completely ruined.

Natural suede or velor are more delicate materials than smooth leather. That is why it is necessary to stretch them very carefully and carefully, using only proven methods.

Even shoes that are made can be increased by one size made of textile. And to do this, you don’t have to wear them for weeks, walking around the apartment in thick terry socks.

Even perfectly sized products often need stretching. This is because new shoes need to conform to the shape of your feet. Most often, shoes pinch in the area of ​​the big toe, heel or little toe. The material can be stretched both in length and width. It is also possible to soften too much hard ass, and also correct the rise. Of course, for this you will have to put in maximum effort, knowledge and allocate a little time.

The easiest way would be to seek help from a specialist - qualified a shoemaker who knows exactly how and what kind of shoes stretch correctly without deteriorating.

Stretching at home

Alas, you won’t be able to stretch out your favorite shoes in 2 hours. Most often, shoes are stretched using alcohol, wet newspapers, boiling water, castor oil and even small grains, such as barley, wheat or oatmeal. Sandals, shoes and other types of footwear are frozen, heated, worn wet, putting only thick socks on your feet, or walked in them in warm weather in the rain.

Under no circumstances should you use greasy cream, castor or vegetable oil, or Vaseline to stretch or break in velor and suede shoes. This is due to the fact that fat leaves permanent stains on the material.

Using a freezer

The essence of this method is that water increases in volume during freezing, while stretching the product in all directions. This method is probably the most painless and fastest, suitable for most types of shoes without causing harm. The only exception is patent leather, as it can crack and lose its shine when exposed to low temperatures. This method is also not recommended for sports shoes with white rubber soles, as they turn yellow when exposed to ice.

1. Place the plastic bag inside the boot or shoe and spread it well with your hand over the entire inner surface. The final result will depend on this stage. The bag should not be too small; its edges should protrude beyond the shoe.
2. When the bag is inserted into the shoes, water is poured into it.
3. After this, it is tied in a tight knot so that water cannot spill out.
4. After these steps, the shoes are wrapped in a bag and put in the freezer for one night.
5. The next day, the shoes are removed from the freezer. You will have to wait a little for the water to thaw.
6. In this case, you do not need to wait until the ice completely turns into water, it should only melt a little so that it can be easily removed from the shoe.
7. Finally, the bags are pulled out of the shoes, after which they can be tried on. If you are satisfied with the result, then you can safely wear the shoes. If the shoes still feel too tight, the procedure must be repeated.

The same method can be used to stretch children's shoes. Unfortunately, a child's feet grow much faster than their parents' income, so it would be wise to stretch boots that have become a little small. And this method does not require much effort; it is also painless and cannot cause discomfort to your child.

You can also use zip bags for this method. Due to the fact that these bags have a convenient clasp and high strength, they will not tear and water will not spill out. Water can be poured into such a bag immediately and then inserted into the shoes. However, this method is considered less effective, since the liquid does not completely take the shape of the shoe - such bags have a clear rectangular shape.

To stretch your shoes, you can also use a 500 ml plastic mineral water bottle. You need to proceed in the same way: water is poured into the bottle, after which it is placed in the shoe and sent to the freezer. Of course, this method cannot be called good, since the shoes can take the shape of a bottle and will only stretch in height. It is suitable for high boots.

Only natural suede and leather, as well as combined materials and textiles, are allowed to be stretched in the freezer. Care must be taken when stretching artificial materials such as leather substitutes. At low temperatures they can crack.

Medical alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is quite effective for stretching shoes. You need to do the following:

1. Moisten the inside of your shoes thoroughly with alcohol, then put a thick sock on your foot and a shoe or boot on it. Walk around the apartment like this for several hours.
2. If the shoes are too tight and cause pain, it is recommended to carry out this procedure for 10 minutes several times a day.
3. Stretching is carried out until you achieve the desired effect.
4. At the end of the procedure, the shoes should be completely dry and ventilated.

Regular newspapers

If you don’t know how to stretch suede boots at home, you can use regular newspapers for this. The method is also suitable for leather and patent leather shoes, and is also safe for leather substitutes. He was known to our grandmothers.

1. Shoes must be tightly stuffed with crumpled wet newspapers, which must be well wrung out of the water.
2. The newspapers should take the shape of the shoe, after which they evenly stretch the product during the drying process.
3. The boots should dry naturally, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

This method must be done very carefully so as not to deform the boots or shoes. When exposed to moisture, the leather material becomes softer and more flexible to stretch.

Boiling water for artificial and natural leather

This method can also be called “grandmother’s”. To do this you need:

1. Pour boiling water into the shoes and immediately pour them out after a few seconds.
2. Actions are performed over a bathtub, sink or in a large basin.
3. When the shoes have cooled slightly, put them on your feet with a thick sock, walk for half an hour, and then take them off.
4. After the procedure, the product must dry completely.

Under the influence of boiling water, the skin becomes more elastic and soft, so it easily takes the shape of your foot and also increases in size. This method is harmless for artificial leather products, which are considered more susceptible to high temperatures.

However, this method has some disadvantages. It is not advisable to get any shoes wet. To protect your products, you can put a bag in your shoe and pour boiling water directly into it. In addition, the insole may become deformed under the influence of boiling water. If it is pulled out, then it is best to do so. There is also a risk of scalding your hands, so such actions must be performed very carefully.

Cereals for suede and leather

For this method, you can use any finely ground cereal, oatmeal, barley, or wheat are suitable.

1. The cereal must be poured into the product.
2. Add some water to your boot or shoe.
3. Leave in this position overnight.

Overnight, the cereal should absorb all the moisture and swell. This increases the shoe size slightly. The next morning you can pour out the cereal, after which the product should dry naturally.

When wet, cereal can be difficult to remove from shoes. To completely get rid of the contents, the shoes will have to be washed with water, after which they will get wet again. As a rule, excessive hydration does not bring benefits, so I advise you to resort to this method as a last resort if all others are unavailable to you.

Hair dryer for leather substitute

This method is most suitable for products made from artificial materials. It consists of putting shoes or boots on a thick sock and heating them with a hairdryer. After this, you need to walk around in the shoes until they are completely stretched so that they take the shape of your feet. Like any other synthetic material, leather substitute has the property of melting, due to which, when exposed to hot air, it becomes much softer and stretches better.

To enhance the effect of the hair dryer, you can wear wet socks. It is also recommended to apply a special shoe stretcher to the inside of the boot or shoe, after which you need to walk like this for at least half an hour.

Paraffin and soap for patent leather, suede and leatherette

It is necessary to rub the inner surface of the product with paraffin or soap, after which you will need to wear it until the desired result is achieved. You can also use a simple paraffin candle. The product stretches due to the fact that the inner surface becomes more slippery, the boot fits better on the foot and wears out. This method is suitable for artificial leather, suede and patent leather.

If you do not want to conduct various experiments on products, then you can stretch your shoes in length or width in a special workshop.

Attention, TODAY only!

Sometimes there is a need to stretch new leather shoes or favorite boots made of genuine leather, which during summer storage have dried out a little, become stiff and are very tight. You can use the professional services of shoe repair shops who know how to stretch leather shoes wider or a size larger using expanding lasts specially designed for this purpose.

But this requires additional cash costs. Therefore, before you take your tight shoes to a specialist, you should find out how to stretch leather shoes at home and try to do it yourself.

How to break in leather shoes that are too tight

When buying any shoes, it is important to know that most people's feet tend to swell in the evening. That's why a pair of shoes or boots bought early in the morning may turn out to be too small in the evening and will pinch your toes and chafe your feet. It is necessary to take this physiological feature into account when making a purchase in a shoe store.

If your new leather shoes feel a little tight in your toes or rub your heel when you walk, don’t despair. Over time, the skin will stretch and the pain will go away. Here are some recommendations to help you quickly break in new leather shoes without rubbing calluses on your feet or other troubles.

• You need to break in a new pair of shoes gradually. To do this, it is best to wear it several times during the day for half an hour to an hour.
• The rubbed areas should be covered with adhesive tape.
• The back of the shoes can be lubricated with soap or alcohol - this will make the leather a little softer and will rub the heel less.
• Castor oil or Vaseline are good for softening the inner surface of shoes. After the oil is absorbed, wipe off the remaining residue with a cotton cloth or cotton pad.

If these tips don’t help, and you realize that you clearly got the wrong size when purchasing a new pair of shoes, proven methods that allow you to stretch your boots by half a size or even a whole size can help.

How to stretch leather shoes a size larger at home

Compared to suede or textile leather shoes, it is easier to break in, since high-quality genuine leather has the ability to stretch well without significant deformation of the last and withstand short-term exposure to high temperatures and moisture without compromising its appearance.

Therefore, to stretch tight genuine leather shoes a size larger, you can use one of the old effective methods (or several of them).

• Moisten the shoe generously with a cotton swab or using a spray bottle, inside and out, with vodka or other alcohol-containing liquid (cologne, diluted alcohol, moonshine). Then put a thick sock (ideally woolen) on your foot, put alcohol-treated shoes on top and walk around the house in them for two hours. Alcohol softens the skin, which helps to carry products with ease or make their hard parts softer.
• You can break in new leather shoes that are tight with wet wool socks. To do this, the owner of a pair of shoes that are rubbing calluses must put socks soaked in hot water on his feet, then put the problem shoes on top. After several hours of walking around the house, leather shoes take on the shape of your feet and no longer press on you.
• If the prospect of walking for two hours in wet socks doesn’t impress you, try soaking a tight pair with water (or vodka) and stuffing paper or old newspapers into your boots as tightly as possible. As the paper becomes saturated, it needs to be changed until the boots dry.
• There is another rather aggressive, but really effective way to stretch leather shoes: pour boiling water inside them, leave the water for a couple of minutes and pour them out. When the shoes or boots have cooled down to such a temperature that you can put them on, you need to put your feet in them and walk around until they dry completely.

Shoes made of real leather with such actions are guaranteed to increase in size. But if there are doubts about the quality of the leather or the adhesive joints seem unreliable, you should not stretch the shoes with water or other liquids. You can try to do this in other ways.

How to stretch leather shoes at home

People have come up with many more gentle ways to stretch leather shoes on their own. For example:

• Fill the squeeze boot tightly with peeled potatoes and leave it inside for 10–12 hours or overnight;
• put on feet with thick socks (dry) the uncomfortable pair of shoes and heat them with hot air from a hair dryer for a minute;
• winter leather boots or boots can be stretched using frozen water: place thick plastic bags with water inside and put the shoes in the freezer (or on the balcony in severe frost) for the water bags to harden; When freezing, liquid tends to expand, which means that by increasing in size, the bags will help stretch the boots.

For leather shoes or demi-season boots that are not intended for use in sub-zero temperatures, this method of stretching is not suitable, since the sole may crack in the cold.

How to break in tight shoes made of genuine leather at home

Shoes that fit well but are tight in width will stretch well if:

• stuff it tightly with torn wet newspapers, leaving it for a couple of days until it dries (only away from heating appliances and the sun);
• in the evening, pour the cereal inside the shoes and pour hot water to swell - increasing in size, the swollen grain will stretch the tight shoes, in the morning all that remains is to remove the gruel, wipe with a cloth and boldly go about your business;
• at night, rub the inside of the shoes with regular candle paraffin and insert any fabric (socks, towel) into them as tightly as possible; In the morning, taking out the contents, we get a stretched and soft pair.

If necessary, all of the above methods can be repeated or alternated until the desired result is obtained. Practice shows that boots or shoes made of high-quality leather stretch well both in width and length (of course, within reasonable limits).

How to quickly break in leather shoes using modern methods

If suddenly the old-fashioned methods of stretching boots or shoes made of genuine leather seemed too dangerous or ineffective, you can always find an alternative to them using more gentle modern methods.

True, you will have to spend a little money on purchasing special tools and devices in shoe stores, but you will be 100% sure of the safety of the method and the reliability of the result.

• Purchase special means for stretching shoes (foam or spray) from well-known companies: Salamander, Duke of Dubbin, Twist, Kiwi, Salton. You need to apply the product to tight shoes or boots according to the instructions for use and wear them on your feet to wear them in (you can wear woolen socks for a better effect). Such products soften the leather well, without leaving marks or odors, and help new shoes wear out faster.
• Having treated leather boots that have slightly shrunk due to improper storage with specialized products, or a new pair of shoes that are a little tight, you need to pull them on special stretchers - a plastic or wooden block in the shape of a foot. Stretchers are sold in some shoe departments of supermarkets or from shoemakers. This method is especially effective if you need to stretch narrow boot tops.

Both methods require money, but if your family often needs to stretch expensive shoes that are shrunk or incorrectly fitted, you should not save on this. Pads and spray will help you carefully and quickly break in more than one pair of shoes or boots.

In order not to wonder how to stretch shoes, you should try to buy them in the daytime or evening and take your time when trying them on. A purchase made in an online store that does not fit in the right size can always be returned if you are not sure that the pair of shoes you like, but obviously too tight, will be able to be worn in.

You should not skimp on shoe products that prevent drying during long-term storage, and use a very old, but still relevant method - tightly stuff your favorite boots or shoes with newspapers before putting them in the closet until the next season. If you follow these simple rules, you will never have to learn how to stretch leather shoes so as not to rub blisters and test their strength and your feet.