Patent leather shoes, shoes, boots and ankle boots look very impressive and attractive. However, patent leather is a very capricious material that requires special care and use. So, varnish products are not recommended to be worn every day.

To care for such shoes, you can use sprays, polishes and creams that are suitable for this material. These can be products based on lanolin, petroleum jelly, glycerin and various oils. Under no circumstances should you take acetone, gasoline, or various solvents!

To clean patent leather shoes or boots use soap solution or milk and a soft cloth or napkin. Do not use brushes or rough sponges! In addition, patent leather should not be dried near radiators, heating devices or in an electric shoe dryer. Drying is carried out in a well-ventilated area at room temperature.

Cracks, scratches, and abrasions often form on varnished surfaces. However, such problems arise after wearing the products. And the main problem that you may encounter after purchasing new shoes is that they are too tight.

In this case, stretching methods can be used. Let's find out if patent leather can be stretched and learn how to do it.

What shoes can be stretched?

If your shoes or boots are tight, of course, you can wear patent leather shoes. But this takes a long time and brings great discomfort. Walking in tight shoes is a real pain! Therefore, sometimes it is better to use stretching.

Let us immediately note that not every patent leather shoe can be stretched. Delicate material can simply crack and become severely deformed, resulting in shoes or boots losing their shape and presentation appearance.

You can stretch only in width and only natural patent leather shoes. In this case, the material should be soft, elastic and stretch well. It is better to exchange artificial leather shoes and poor-quality products for shoes or boots one size larger.

Don't take risks with stretching expensive items, as they may get damaged once and for all. After unsuccessful stretching, the product cannot be restored!

Please note that stretching shoes one size in length will not work. Therefore, if you didn’t succeed in distributing the products, also change the products to a larger size or to a different model. In other cases, you can try several options. Let's look at how to stretch patent leather shoes at home.

How to stretch patent leather shoes

Let a person whose shoe size is 1 larger break in your shoes for one to two days. You can wear tight shoes or boots yourself by putting the products on a thick wet or damp sock. Evaporating moisture softens the material;
Contact the professionals. Today in a shoe workshop they stretch and adjust a foot in half an hour;
You can stretch patent leather shoes using a special stretcher, which is sold in shoe stores or departments. They present pads made of plastic and wood (the cheapest option), which can be changed in size. When using, strictly follow the instructions!;
Today in stores you can find special creams, sprays and other similar products for stretching shoes. Choose products that are intended directly for patent leather! Follow the instructions and process products only from the inside;
Stretch patent leather shoes at home you can use folk remedy. Take alcohol, vinegar or cologne and dilute with water in a ratio of water to components of 2 to 1. Lubricate the inner surface with the composition. Place the products on terry or knitted sock and walk like this until completely dry. When applying, make sure that the product does not come into contact with the outside of patent leather, as alcohol and other aggressive drugs can damage the material. In addition, due to them, matte dark spots may appear on the surface;

The leather trim inside the shoes can be lubricated with goose fat or lard. Leave the items to dry completely, but before wearing, be sure to remove any remaining fat with alcohol or a special cream. By the way, you can lubricate the zipper if it jams, and even the outer surface with fat or lard. This method makes patent leather softer and more elastic, and helps if shoes squeak;
Inside patent leather shoes You can pour boiling water or hold the products over boiling water. After this, the pair is put on a thick sock and worn until the moisture completely evaporates;
Using ice is another risky method, since cold and temperature changes also negatively affect the varnished surface. Place two plastic bags with water in each product and place the structure in the freezer. One package is placed in the toe, the other in the heel;
A more gentle way is warm terry towel. To do this, wrap lacquerware in a warm terry towel and leave it like that for 8-10 hours. Then put on shoes or boots and walk until the products are completely dry;
Using a hairdryer and greasy cream or Vaseline is a fairly common option, but you should not overuse it, as the hot air may damage the varnish coating. The essence of the method is to heat the shoes with a hairdryer, then lubricate the pair inside thick cream or Vaseline and put on a thick knitted or terry sock. Walk around a little, then lubricate inner part Vaseline or cream again, leave for 8-12 hours.

Patent leather shoes should not be beaten with a hammer to make them softer and more elastic! In this case, you can lubricate the surface with lard or goose fat. All manipulations can be carried out only with clean, dry shoes.

Shoes can be purchased different ways. Technology has made shopping accessible online, and now any product can be delivered to your doorstep. However, such comfort has a downside: the purchase does not always meet expectations. Sometimes it doesn't fit in size. Of course, not everyone faces such a problem as the need to stretch their shoes due to a mismatch in size.

But the anatomical features of a person can lead you to this topic even without online shopping - the leg tends to increase somewhat at the end have a long day on the run. Swollen feet feel uncomfortable in shoes that might have been very comfortable in the morning. You need to stretch narrow shoes correctly, because without understanding the basic patterns in the reactions of materials, you can hopelessly damage the product.

In what cases can you stretch your shoes?

Before stretching shoes at home, it is worth understanding the specific tasks in this process and deciding on a method so that it does not harm the textures. It is especially important to understand which part requires changes: often we act on the area of the boot where we feel discomfort, but this is not always correct.

Some shoe models sometimes only require replacement of the insole so that the foot feels comfortable and the fit in the shoe looks most harmonious. If the problem cannot be solved this way, then we will consider everything further possible ways and find out if it’s possible to stretch amazing but uncomfortable shoes up one size.

How to stretch shoes made of different materials

Shoes not only come in different sizes, materials, shapes and seasons. Each model has a strictly individual wearability level. This process depends not only on the ability of the material to be elastic, but also on air humidity, temperature and conditions in which the product is stored.

To stretch shoes a size larger at home, you need to act as delicately as possible. This process is usually not so fleeting - set aside a few days for the stretching procedure. Each material - artificial or natural - has its own subtleties in handling. But general rule one thing - we act carefully and competently.

Artificial and natural suede

Stretching suede shoes at home will not be as difficult as patent leather ones, for example. It is important to remember that before you personally break in suede shoes that are too tight, you need to properly prepare them. Under no circumstances should the product be wetted or sprayed - the material will lose its visual appeal and may even weaken the structure. But suede shoes can be stretched carefully at home: try to evenly apply pressure to the entire surface of the ankle boot or boot. What exactly can be used to treat it is temperature - a hairdryer is best.

It will be easier to stretch shoes made from artificial suede than from natural ones, because the material of such pairs of shoes is not so delicate. However, it is also extremely undesirable to wet the artificial texture. The temperature in this case can be any: either you thermally treat with hot air, or with low temperatures through freezing. It sounds simple, but that doesn't mean you can just throw your shoes in the freezer. Next, we will consider each method separately in more detail.

Transparent inserts on shoes are gaining popularity in trends. We hasten to warn you that such material is almost impossible to stretch. In addition, the foot does not breathe in it and it is hardly possible to call such a model comfortable. If you choose shoes or sandals with transparent rubberized inserts, it is better to ensure that these inserts do not lie directly on your foot. Problems that arise are much easier to solve when the vinyl parts are purely decorative.

The easiest to stretch are fabric shoes or those with textile elements. Fibers, depending on the type of weave, are subject to physical wear and tear. These slip-ons or sneakers can be wetted and worn until completely dry. It is very important to make sure that the parts in the product are not only glued, but also stitched. If there is only glue, the materials may delaminate when exposed to moisture.

Artificial and natural leather

Shoes from genuine leather You can stretch it in at least two ways. The material, like our skin, naturally lends itself to stretching. That is why, when buying leather boots, be prepared for a little discomfort. But when the material adapts to your foot, then the fit will be optimal and you will be as comfortable as possible.

Special bags for each sneaker or boot (also called boots) will help you in the stretching process. Direct exposure to hot air or special means is extremely detrimental to the material, so always first wrap the product in a dust bag.

Faux leather often acquires characteristic creases due to the manufacturing features. Stretching it can cost you the appearance of your shoes or boots. Previously, it was believed that you could hit the shoes with a hammer and they, like a chop, would increase their area. But this absolutely cannot be done. For artificial product heat treatment can be destructive, but special means do not always work. The main thing is to follow the instructions for using such shoe sprays.

Polished leather

Patent leather, recognized throughout the world as a classic in the shoe industry, is a very delicate material. It should not be exposed to sudden changes in temperature or moisture. You can adjust such shoes to suit you only in width. It will not be possible to wear patent leather pumps or ankle boots in length.

Faux patent leather leaves no chance - if natural stretching does not occur after a couple of days of wear, it would be optimal to exchange the pair for a larger size. You need to clean patent leather boots or shoes with a damp cloth or delicate sponge. Do not use brushes or rough textures to avoid scratching the surface.

Shoes with a square toe are generally very difficult to stretch in any way. The risk that this form will lose its clear outline is very high. In products with heels, the height of the heel is very important - often the foot does not sit as it should, due to the unsuitable height of the heels. When choosing your pair for every day and active wear, focus on a straight, stable heel no more than eight centimeters high. Such shoes will require minimal stretching; most often, it is this height that allows the foot to be positioned as comfortably as possible. If the weight is distributed correctly on the foot, manipulations with shoes or boots may not be necessary.

Rubber Shoes

A pair of rubber boots or shoes cannot be worn in. The material is synthetic, dense and holds its shape. It does not have natural stretching and shrinking features. This is why rubber boots are considered an attribute of extreme conditions: any aggressive external environment is not dangerous for them.

It is useless to beat them off, just like warming them up. Special sprays do not have the ability to be absorbed into the rubber, therefore the effect will be zero. The same can be said about warming up rubber boots with a hairdryer. Freezing will most likely ruin the entire product, disrupting the structure of the material.

When faced with a narrow toe in shoes, which is especially popular now, do not rush to postpone or return the purchase. To properly stretch a product of this shape, purchase special “stretchers” in the store. Such devices are made of plastic (the most budget options) or made of wood, which is preferable. When it's time to put the pair away for a while, you can place these inserts inside the shoes to keep them in shape.

Stretching shoes at home

Few people are interested in how to stretch shoes at home, but this skill is very useful and can easily be applied in life. The basis of all methods, folk and professional, is the impact directly on the material, the structure of what boots or shoes are made of.

Natural leather, suede or fabric respond better to various processing methods. But synthetic sneakers, shoes and boots from artificial leather or suede is almost impossible to stretch. The materials of this range of products are initially susceptible to creases, cracks and other defects even without additional manipulation.

Freezer

Exposure to low temperatures stretch new shoes can be done both at home and in the workshop. But you can't just stick a pair of tight shoes in the freezer and forget about them for a few hours. First, pour water into a sealed bag that can be sealed with a zipper. These are usually used for storing food.

Take two bags and fill them cold water. Then use the sharp end to place the shoe or boot inside, securely fasten all zippers and Velcro, if any. Now you can place the pair in the freezer until the water hardens into ice.

If your boots or ankle boots have a soft wool texture on the top, be careful not to get it wet when placing the bags inside. When frozen, wet fibers become micro-creased, lie unevenly, and the shoes end up looking extremely untidy. Make sure that the surface of the shoes or boots lies flat in the freezer, without wrinkling or bending - this will prevent the leather or suede from deforming.

Medical alcohol

Alcohol is usually used in combination with vinegar and water, mixing them in certain proportions, which are individual for each type of product. This method is questionably effective, and it also has a hidden danger for your pumps or patent leather straight boots. When alcohol gets on the upper surface of the product, it leaves gray stains that are very difficult to remove.

The alcohol itself evaporates, the vinegar somewhat corrodes the structure inside a pair of shoes, but gives the same effect as warm water. A very time-consuming method that does not give the desired result. Shoes white, one of this season's hosts, is also at risk of alcohol stains.

Hairdryer

To stretch shoes by heating their inner surface, a hair dryer is often used. The main rule, if you decide to do such a manipulation, should be to protect your shoes from excessive overheating. Patent leather boots may crack, the leather may acquire a characteristic shade and even an unpleasant odor.

Despite all this, the hairdryer will the best solution for natural textures. Pre-cover your boots with cotton cloth and warm up each of them evenly, no longer fearing direct damage.

Fabric espadrilles or similar models will not change their shape much under the influence of a hairdryer, unless it is better to wet them first. If heated too much, the structure of the fabric can shrink, and a pair of shoes for the summer can become even smaller. Keep this in mind when using a hairdryer for stretching purposes.

Wet socks

Wet socks will help if you have time to break in your shoes or boots at home. Socks made of cotton or other thin natural material are suitable, but nylon or wool are not. best idea. Nylon will not provide the increase necessary for stretching. And wool can leave lint, which in combination with suede material will be an additional problem.

Oils

Any oil, vegetable or animal origin, was previously used to break in shoes and ankle boots. The fact that oil promotes better gliding is an indisputable fact. But it does not affect the integrity of the structure. Hence, it will only help when you need to squeeze into a pair of shoes without pain. This will not change the size of the pair; it will only simplify the process of putting on shoes. Also keep in mind that the fat may remain stained or appear on the surface. Removing such defects is even more difficult than breaking in shoes this way.

Alcohol and vinegar

We will now consider alcohol and vinegar, whose solution we mentioned above, in more detail. Stretching artificial materials this solution is unlikely to help, but fabric slip-ons, shoes, and mules made of textile material may stretch a little under this influence. The solution must be accurately applied inside the pad. First, you can check how the pigments on the fabric react to contact with alcohol and vinegar. Place a cotton pad soaked in this solution somewhere in the corner of the fabric. Rub it lightly and make sure that it has not changed color and that the cotton pad has not picked up the pigment.

Paraffin

Paraffin works on the same principle as oil. But while oil can leave difficult-to-remove stains and even streaks, paraffin eats into the porous texture of boots or ankle boots. If you carelessly remove paraffin before it hardens, it can easily be absorbed into the material and harden in it. In this case, you will have to heat-treat all the shoes and remove paraffin from there. It’s risky, because not every texture behaves adequately when heated.

Boiling water

To make shoes made from natural materials stretch faster, boiling water is often poured directly into the shoes or boots. You should hold the product like this for only a few seconds, and then immediately pour out the liquid and put on shoes with socks to break in. If you are afraid for a pair of your shoes, then using the freezing principle, boiling water can be poured into bags previously placed inside the shoes.

Potato

Peeled potatoes are placed in shoes, left in the shoe overnight, and taken out in the morning. Not every type of shoe product can succumb to this effect of potatoes. It is especially important to thoroughly wipe away its traces from the surface of the shoe. Unlike alcohol and vinegar, the potato method does not leave the slightest odor.

Newspapers

Wet newspapers will help stretch tight shoes made of artificial leather or suede. They should be stuffed into boots in a crumpled state and left to dry. Do not stuff too much newspaper to prevent the shape of the boots from becoming deformed. Keep in mind that the newspaper method is suitable for products with a dark inner lining. Light or colored ones can easily be colored with newspaper ink.

Corn

The grain helps to stretch such a problem area of boots as the shaft. The method is suitable for any material, even artificial. Pour the grain into the bag and fill it hot water. The principle of operation of such a stretch is quite simple: it swells, increasing its own volume and thereby slightly stretching the boot. The grain acts gradually and relatively delicately, so do not rush to put aside your somewhat pinching boots.

Using a special wooden block

Wooden blocks are sold in specialized stores. They can also be rented at a shoe workshop, or they can be purchased immediately along with the shoes, if such an option is available. The method is based on the fact that they prevent shoes from shrinking when exposed to environmental factors, since a special mechanism is tightened. At the same time, the wood itself absorbs moisture from the air and increases slightly in volume. Being inside your shoes and ankle boots, such a last will delicately stretch them for you.

It is difficult to stretch winter boots or shoes with fur lining. In this case, impregnations and sprays should not be used. Fur will absorb them more than leather or suede. Temperature changes should only be arranged with packages. Do not pour hot water or place ice directly on the fur. A wooden block can crush it, but fluffing up the fur afterwards will not be difficult.

Special means

Special sprays and impregnations can be found in almost every supermarket. Not to mention the shoe stores. Carefully study the assortment and choose the type of product that suits your type of shoe. The downside of such impregnations is their composition. Chemical treatment, while effective, has a significant disadvantage - the possibility of allergies or rashes. Knowing this, choose quality product or use another stretching method that is safer for you.

How not to stretch your shoes

Finally, we will list those means and methods with which stretching shoes will be ineffective. Moreover, if you do not get the expected result, you risk hopelessly ruining your shoes without the possibility of restoring them. First of all, this applies to beating with a hammer or other hard object. If we are talking about army boots, perhaps this is the only thing that will be effective, but in the case of ordinary boots and boots, creases, broken seams and dents on the surface are the most common problems after such an impact.

Prohibited methods include stretching to the point of tearing - do not do this with your hands or by pushing metal objects into your shoes. You can not only stretch, but also tear the seams or glued parts.

The issue of buying shoes has always combined a set of requirements: beauty and convenience, comfort to wear and a spectacular appearance, wear resistance of the outer material and the quality of the lining. Only with proper care and correct actions in relation to your shoes can you achieve this result.

Don’t forget that you can exchange an uncomfortable pair for a suitable one, rather than torment yourself. Let any of your shoes, be it high boots or elegant pumps, serve you not only as a beautiful completion of your look, but also as a convenient accessory.

Efficiency Risk for shoes Opinion Rendez-Vous

When we buy new shoes, we can sometimes find that they are too tight or uncomfortable, even with the correct size. You can stretch your shoes or boots a little at home, but changing by 1-2 sizes will not be possible in any case. It is especially difficult to stretch fabric shoes at home, which is due to the peculiarities of the material and tailoring.

Features of stretching textile shoes

Unlike leather or suede, textiles are almost not afraid of getting wet and damp, but this does not make it easier to stretch tight shoes. The number of methods is limited, usually freezing or stretching while wet.

The first method is to use the most ordinary freezer:

you need to take two strong and intact bags made of thick polyethylene;
the bags are placed inside the shoes, carefully straightened out (the edges should protrude outward);
then plain water is poured into the bags, they are tied with a knot at the top;
the shoes are additionally wrapped in a dry bag and placed in the freezer overnight;
In the morning the shoes are taken out, the ice should melt a little before removing the bags.

This method is recommended to be used if the problem is excessively tight and narrow textile shoes. The maximum increase is no more than half the size, it depends on the type and quality of the material. This method also cannot be used if the sole is made of natural rubber, and the shoes themselves have inserts made of natural patent leather.

The second way to stretch textile shoes is to use a regular wet sock. There is an opinion that the method allows you to increase the size by 0.5, this is the maximum value. Textile shoes are moistened with ordinary water or vinegar, and you need to walk around in wet socks until the fabric is completely dry. To speed up drying, it is recommended to use a hairdryer, drying the textile directly on the leg, which allows it to take the required shape. You should not leave shoes to dry in the sun, as they will simply lose their shape and become unwearable. In this case, the textile becomes deformed, dries out and becomes too rigid. It will no longer be possible to wear such shoes or boots, and their appearance will deteriorate significantly.

For slightly tight shoes, you can use something as simple as removing the insole. This allows you to gain an extra few millimeters, but wearing such shoes will not be very comfortable and hygienic. For stitched textiles, you can first wet the fabric and then stuff the shoe or boot tightly with dry newspaper. But this method is not applicable for glued shoes, as they will simply fall apart.

Vegetable and castor oils are not used for fabric, as they leave traces that cannot be removed. The best method is to only use special means for stretching, which can be found in shoe stores, but even with them it is difficult to achieve a real increase in the size of textile shoes.

How to stretch shoes at home

You bought shoes, but they turned out to be tight, too hard or narrow. In the store, you thought your shoes fit you... or almost fit. But on the very first day, when you go out into the street wearing it, it becomes clear that your purchase was not the most successful. Your feet experience constant pain, calluses and corns appear, swelling, or your feet begin to bleed. In such a situation, the most correct way out is to return your purchase to the store. But there is another way out - stretching your shoes.

Instructions
1

You can stretch your shoes in a shoe workshop, for example, "Multi-master" -. Using special lasts, your shoes will be stretched to your size.

But you can also stretch your shoes at home; there are many simple ways to do this.
2

One of the most effective folk ways to stretch shoes is to treat them with alcohol. The easiest way is to spray or moisten the shoes with cologne (alcohol, vodka) from the inside and put them on your feet on a cotton sock. Treat the top of the shoe in the same way and walk around the apartment for an hour or two. Or you can lubricate with alcohol those areas of the shoe that need to be stretched. You can also treat your shoes with an alcohol spray that you can make yourself. To do this, pour a solution of alcohol and water in a 1:1 ratio into a spray bottle or spray bottle. You need to treat the inside of the shoes with this spray, then put the shoes on and wear them until the alcohol dries.
3

Shoes that you haven't worn for a long time can be softened with castor or vegetable oil, or with Vaseline. You process the shoes in the same way as the previous method and break them in. After a few hours, the shoes need to be cleaned. This method is suitable not only for shoes made of genuine leather, but also those made of leather substitute. And if you want to get rid of squeaking shoes, lubricate the soles with a few drops of castor or vegetable oil, and then let the shoes dry.
4

You can also stretch your shoes with boiling water. In this case, leather shoes soften, expand and take on the required form. However, this method is only suitable for leather shoes, because... Only the skin can withstand the aggressive effects of boiling water. Faux leather shoes can also be stretched using this method, but streaks may appear on them and they will lose their attractive appearance.

How it's done? Simply pour boiling water over the inside of the shoes, then drain the water from the shoes, put on the cooled shoes and wear until completely dry.

As an alternative, wrap your shoes for a few minutes in a cotton cloth soaked in boiling water and wrung out thoroughly. After this, lubricate the shoes with vegetable or castor oil and leave for a day.
5

To expand your shoes, you can treat the inside of them with a 3% vinegar solution. This will also help you soften and stretch shoes that are pinching your toes. The outside of the shoes can be treated with another shoe stretching agent.
6

Another common folk way of stretching shoes is like wet newspapers. This method is especially suitable for stretching shoes made of fabric, rubber and other non-natural materials. In addition, such shoes are not afraid of moisture. First, the shoes can be held over steam for a while. Then stuff the shoes very tightly with wet newspapers (wet paper, wet socks) and leave until completely dry. Be careful not to distort the shape of the shoe as... newspapers give it. If the shoes look distorted, take out the newspapers and try stuffing them back into the shoes. It is important that the shoes are dried in natural conditions, away from sunlight and heating devices. Drying on a radiator can deform shoes. After the newspapers are completely dry, the shoes can be put on.
7

You can also stretch your shoes using paraffin, i.e. an ordinary candle. To do this, rub the inside of the shoe with a candle and leave it overnight. In the morning, clean your shoes from paraffin. If your shoes rub your heel, you need to treat the heel with alcohol, walk around in your shoes until the alcohol dries, and then wipe the heel of the shoe with a candle or soap.
8

To make the skin soft, you can lubricate it with kerosene. To do this, the shoes must first be wet. True, the question remains with the smell of shoes... This folk method is not for everyone.
9

Shoes or boots can be stretched in the freezer. You just need to put it in your shoes plastic bags with water and put the whole thing in the freezer until the morning. It is advisable to use two bags for each shoe, with the bottom bags tightly tied and the top bags left open. The secret of this method is to ensure that the water in the bags tightly fills the shoes from the toe to the heel, because... The water should stretch the shoes. When the ice melts, carefully remove the shoes from the freezer and leave to thaw for 20 minutes at room temperature. Now remove the water bags and try putting on your shoes. The procedure for freezing shoes can be repeated if necessary. The method is effective, but it is still undesirable to use it for expensive shoes.
10

You can stretch leather shoes in the opposite way - using heat treatment. Use a hair dryer to warm up your shoes or boots for half a minute. Then immediately lubricate your shoes with shoe stretcher and put on your boots or shoes with a terry sock. After the shoes have cooled, repeat the procedure in the same sequence. And so several times until the shoes stretch. After this, restore moisture in the shoes using leather shoe conditioner.
11

If possible, use professional products for stretching shoes, which can be purchased at shoe stores or from shoe makers. For example, these are Duke Of Dubbin, Salamander, Twist, Kiwi, Salton, Silver, Oke. As a rule, these products soften shoes in tight places. Apply spray or foam to problem areas shoes outside and inside (for patent or suede shoes only inside), then put on terry socks and shoes. Walk around in your shoes until the product dries completely. If necessary, repeat the procedure for several more days.
12

In addition to shoe stretching products, you can use a shoe stretcher (usually a wooden block to fit the shape and size of your foot) that is placed over your shoes at night. This will help the shoes not to deform when drying. The stretcher can be purchased, for example, in an online shoe store -

IN Lately Purchasing goods in online stores is becoming more and more common; sometimes it happens that the shoe size was chosen correctly, but the pair that arrived turned out to be small. And in ordinary stores, when trying on, it seems that the shoes or boots are in time, but at home the shoes suddenly begin to chafe. If it is not possible to replace it with a suitable size, then it is too early to get upset, because there is great amount ways to answer the main question in such a situation - how to stretch leather shoes at home on your own.

Shoes made from non-natural materials can also be stretched, but most often the question is addressed specifically to leather shoes, which is undoubtedly due to their price.

We stretch shoes using traditional methods

In order to stretch leather shoes at home, there are special purchased or proven products. traditional methods. Before you start stretching a new pair, you need to make sure once again that the shoes are made of genuine leather; quite often there are cases when the declared materials do not correspond to reality and this can irrevocably ruin the new pair.

In length

There is an opinion that shoe stretching occurs exclusively in width, but using some tricks you can achieve stretching by 1 size at home.

The first way is to use hot water, rinse the inside of your shoes and walk around the house, preferably without a sock, until they dry completely. Since leather is a very pliable material, it will mold to the shape of your foot and make the fit more comfortable.

The second method also includes the presence of water, only in a completely different state of aggregation. To do this, you will need ordinary cellophane bags, which are placed in a break-in pair, filled with water and sent to the freezer for 24 hours. When changing from liquid to ice, water expands, thereby increasing the size of the desired pair.

The third method is very similar to the first, but instead of water it is used vegetable oil, which lubricates shoes both inside and outside, after several hours of walking around the house in such a pair, a more comfortable position of the foot is felt.

Width

There are many methods for stretching shoes wider at home, but you should use them with great caution; in many cases, leather shoes stretch too much and eventually begin to loosen.

Thick wool socks are most often used; after a few hours of such walks, the shoes actually fit much more comfortably.

You can also use any cereal for effective stretching. It is poured into each shoe and filled with water, as a result the cereal swells and begins to stretch the shoes, the whole process takes at least 12 hours.

A fairly quick and popular method of stretching is using alcohol; you need to lubricate it inside and out, put on a thick sock and walk around in a new pair for several hours.

Specialized stretching products

The main difference can be called the period of time after which the desired result will be obtained. With the help of purchased stretchers, shoes can be put on immediately when going out. Such stretch marks are sold in all shoe stores; the most common form of release is foam or spray. You only need to spray this product inside, the fact is that chemical composition may slightly change skin tone, which will not be the most pleasant addition to the purchase.

To increase the length of shoes, there are special stretching pads, they are simply inserted inside and begin to gradually stretch the skin, there is no exact time of use, depending on the desired result, it may take only an hour, and for some, the whole day.

Very often you can avoid the discomfort associated with buying new shoes; to do this, you should remember and follow simple recommendations.

NOTE: Always keep receipts for purchases; very often, after trying on a new pair at home, it turns out that the size is not the most suitable or the fit of the pair is uncomfortable, in which case you can always exchange the shoes that do not fit for right size or another model.

It is best to buy shoes for an important event, in particular one where you will have to be on your feet all day, in advance. This will give you extra time to break in and thus prevent chafing.
When buying shoes in other countries, it is worth considering their features, these are not only differences in sizes, but also narrower or wider models.
You should not buy a model you like that is not your size; although it is indeed possible to stretch it by one size, there is a high probability of spoiling the quality of workmanship.
The best time to buy is in the evening; by the second half of the working day, the legs most often swell a little, so it will be easier to guess the width of the pair you are buying.
It is not recommended to put on new shoes for the whole day at once; it is better to break them in gradually, this way you can understand how comfortable the new pair is and whether it causes discomfort for your feet.
Many people have vulnerable areas that are most often subject to rubbing. To avoid the unpleasant appearance of calluses, you should cover such areas with a band-aid in advance.
Often it is the back that rubs, this may be due to poor treatment of the leather or its initial roughness; for convenience, you can lubricate it with paraffin, then it will soften a little.

Leather shoe care

In order for shoes to last as long as possible, you should follow the basic storage rules; most often the seller includes such instructions for each specific pair.

You should wear shoes according to the weather, then they will definitely last you longer. Light sandals made of thin leather cannot be designed for low temperatures, just as not all shoes are suitable for wearing in the rain.
It is recommended to regularly treat leather shoes with special creams
It is recommended to use a shoe spoon as often as possible when putting on boots, this way the heel is less deformed, which means the shoes will retain their presentable appearance.
If the shoes are wet, it is not recommended to dry them on a radiator; paper or newspapers will do as padding; such a pair will take many times longer to dry, but will retain the original quality of the leather.
Shoes required proper care daily, this includes rinsing from street dirt and dust, using creams and protective sprays.
It is best to store boots in their original boxes, and not fold them in half, as this could cause the leather to crack over the summer.

USEFUL INFORMATION: It is better to store any shoes until the next season in separate boxes, using padding, so that the front part will not lose shape over several seasons.

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