Knowing how to reduce the size of suede and leather shoes at home, you can restore them without additional costs. Use very cold water and a hair dryer, boiling water or sewing. However, if the result is minimal, take the product to a workshop, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the material.
Modern shoes protect the skin of the feet from external factors. However, due to the poor quality of the material, they stretch when wearing shoes/boots. Knowing how to downsize your shoes at home will restore them and extend their lifespan. Let's look at the basic techniques for reducing the size of leather and suede.
Universal methods
Shoes that have grown in size due to wear and tear are a common problem, so manufacturers produce special devices that reduce the size of sneakers and shoes.
Additional insoles are the most versatile way to reduce shoe size.
The most popular simple techniques:
- inserts. Most popular in winter. They have several functions: they reduce shoe sizes by 1-2 sizes and retain heat since they are made of wool, foam rubber and other similar materials. They also minimize the formation of bubbles. Insert 1-2 insoles into each shoe and see the result;
- Heel cushions (half insoles). Unlike the previous ones, they are suitable for open summer shoes. They reduce the size of the product, prevent foot slipping and the formation of bubbles;
Attention! If the heel height is more than 7 cm, be careful! Then wearing insoles increases the risk of ankle injuries.
Finger pads with shock absorption function. Useful when wearing closed high-heeled shoes. Reduce the cavity inside the shoe, reduce leg fatigue during long walking; paper, fabric, cotton wool, foam rubber. These materials are stuffed with socks. This method can be used even in emergency situations, which is why it has been popular for many decades;
What do models do? To deal well with ill-fitting shoes on the runway, models use thick double-sided tape. Then the foot is glued to the shoe and does not come off. However, experts do not recommend using this method regularly, as it is harmful to the health of your feet.
This reduces the interior space of the shoe. However, if it becomes great again while wearing it, you can try other methods.
Right 14 days
You can return new shoes that are the wrong size within 2 weeks from the date of purchase
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.
Reanimating leather shoes
The leather is deformed and stretched when worn, but it will help restore its former comfort if there is a sudden change in temperature. To shrink your shoes at home, use
- cold water and hot hairdryer;
- boiling water and powder;
- needle and thread.
When updating leather products, the same methods are used, since eco-leather and dermantin have a similar structure.
Boiling water and powder
Do not use boiling water to reduce the number of shoes.
For processing, use a soap solution at 50-55 °C:
- Immerse faux or natural leather in water for 5 minutes.
- Remove and dry thoroughly near heaters/in the sun.
If desired, they can be dried in the oven with the door open. Set the temperature to 150°C and be careful not to overheat the skin.
Attention! Do not use this method to restore painted parts.
If you have a steam generator at home, you may want to use it to humidify the inside of your shoes. It is gentle on leather and dermantine, reducing the risk of product damage.
Cold water and hot hairdryer
By quickly tightening your worn leather shoes, you can take advantage of the temperature difference created by the cold water and hair dryer. Do it:
- Fill the container with water,
- soak the shoes in the liquid for 5 minutes,
- Dry without removing your feet using a hairdryer at maximum temperature.
This method is very effective, but has a downside. If you keep your feet in water for a long time, you will get cold, so do not use them as a replacement for open shoes.
“Saving” boats with threads
You can reduce the size of leather boots by 1 size by stitching.
To prevent your foot from slipping when walking, sew on a piece of rubber
You will need: thread, needle and a small piece of wide elastic.
- Secure the elastic with a pin on one side of the heel.
- Stretch and staple the 2 edges.
- Carefully sew up the empty space with a needle and thread, gluing the liner.
This method is suitable when the heel slips off the shoe while walking. If they are very large or made of thick leather, it is worth trying other methods, since it is impossible to pierce thick fabric with a regular needle.
Is it possible to walk in shoes that don't fit?
If the model is comfortable, you shouldn’t give it up. In this case, you can use one of the following tips:
- Wear thick socks. The simplest and most common option. There can be several pairs of socks. This option is great for sneakers or closed shoes. Please note that it is not very comfortable in hot weather.
- Place thin compressed paper. The method is suitable for any closed-toe model. Do not forget that the paper will continue to be compressed when worn, so this option is not suitable for long walks.
- Additional insole. The insole is used not only to ensure wearing comfort, but also to reduce the size of the boots. Moreover, it can be used for any model, even with an open nose.
- Special pads. There are special inserts for the instep of the foot. If your shoes are too big, you should use them. The tabs are completely invisible, so they can be used with open sandals.
Important! The pads can chafe your feet, so you should test them before purchasing.
Restoration of suede shoes
You can reduce the size of suede boots by heating, but methods that involve contact with water should be avoided:
- Blow through the product with a steam generator.
- Place in the freezer for an hour.
- Dry it.
In this way, the product’s length and shape will be restored, but the appearance may suffer. The safest way to recreate the “capricious” suede material is in the workshop, but not all specialists undertake this type of work.
Take your suede boots to a suede repair shop.
Some specialists refuse to update some products due to the poor quality of the material from which they are made. Then repair is impossible or pointless, since the effect disappears after the first wear. Ask if the shoe shop can make a shoe size smaller, and if not, try sewing a heel.
How to choose the right shoes
Wearing uncomfortable shoes is fraught with ingrown nails, the appearance of calluses, the occurrence of thrombophlebitis, and the development of pathologies of joints and muscles. It is better to purchase shoes in the afternoon, then the shoes or boots will not be too tight. You shouldn’t chase fashion or save money; you need to purchase models with soft elastic soles made from natural materials.
It is not recommended to wear narrow pumps with stiletto heels or high platforms every day, or to buy shoes for children to grow into.
Boot tops
Each material is shaped like the foot, and as the cuff of the shoe also moves, wrinkles appear. There are two ways to solve the problem at home:
- Sew 2-3 elastic bands from the inside, stretched in a circle;
- tear off the back seam and stitch again, reducing the diameter of the cuff.
Before and after
Without sewing skills, there is a risk of complete destruction of the product, so it is recommended to sew suede or leather shoes in the cuff area in a workshop.
Shoe softening and stretching agent
Professional means for stretching shoes
But no matter how effective folk methods may be, it is still better to stretch new shoes using professional means. In this case, you will definitely be able to avoid unnecessary damage and wear out your shoes in a fairly short time. All you have to do is regularly treat the leather or suede with special substances and wait until it dries.
If you choose a product like Stretch Genie, you won't even have to break in your new clothes. The spray comes with special spacers that will help stretch the material in the right places.
Professional means for stretching shoes: • Foam stretching . Spray inside your shoes, put on socks and walk around the room. After half an hour, remove any remaining product with a damp sponge • Soft strips. They are glued to problem areas and protect the foot from chafing. They can be used together with a special spray to soften the skin • Heel pads. They are glued to the backdrop and help it acquire the correct shape. Additionally, these silicone pads will help protect your feet from blisters.
How to make a big leg visually smaller
Some women find it difficult because they wear shoes larger than size 38. To visually make your feet smaller, you need to choose the right shoes:
- avoid products with pointed long toes;
- wear items with heels greater than 5 cm, bows, clasps;
- give preference only to dark tones.
You can reduce the shoe size yourself, but it is better to avoid this, as impacts on the fabric will damage it. Buy only quality products, avoid improper storage, and if the width of the material continues to increase, contact a professional.
How to reduce the length or fullness of new shoes at home
If you don’t want to part with your beloved couple, but there is no way to spend money on a workshop, the most proven folk methods will come to the rescue.
If the pair is wide or falls off the heels
A universal option for any shoes is the insertion of special inserts or additional insoles. Inserts made of latex or silicone are attached to the heel or toes and are especially suitable if you are plump but too long. But they can only be used if the heel is no higher than 7 cm. An old-fashioned method such as cotton wool or tissue paper compacted into shoes or boots is also suitable for this purpose. But this, of course, is not suitable for dress shoes with an open toe.
Photo gallery: insoles and inserts to reduce the length and fullness of shoes
Silicone orthopedic insoles can be used to quickly reduce the size
These inserts into new shoes will not only reduce the size, but will also protect you from new calluses on the heel
Such orthopedic insoles can be inserted into sneakers or sneakers to reduce the size
This insert will reduce the length of the shoe by half a size.
If you want to prevent oversized shoes from falling off, apply double-sided tape to the insole. This option is only suitable for wearing on bare feet and cannot be used for a long time, since the adhesive on the tape causes discomfort. That is why it is most often used by models at fashion shows.
When gluing double-sided tape to the insole, keep in mind that it will be difficult to tear it off later
A similar, but safer option is to wear tights or stockings with a relief voluminous pattern.
Changing the size of a leather or suede pair by manipulating water and temperatures
To do without inserts and reduce both the size and fullness of shoes made of genuine leather and suede, you can try more drastic methods. But be prepared for the fact that they can ruin the products.
- Temperature changes are a risky method, although effective. Shoes are moistened with water and dried near heating devices. The size will definitely decrease, but the leather or suede may warp and crack.
- To make leather shoes smaller and narrow their toe, a pair is briefly immersed (for 2–3 minutes) in a basin of hot water at a temperature of about 60°C, where a small amount of washing powder is dissolved, which softens the leather. After this, without rinsing, the pair is dried in the sun or with a hairdryer.
- Suede shoes are best made smaller by using insoles in a matching color. If you decide to take a risk, you can steam them and then put them in the freezer. This will allow you to make your shoes a size smaller due to the tendency of suede to shrink greatly after it gets wet.
But after such manipulations, the appearance of the product can significantly deteriorate.
To prevent shoes or boots from being severely damaged or warped, the dried shoes are sprayed with a special shoe softener, which can be bought at a shoe store. The main task of the active substance of this product is to make the skin more elastic and supple. Then you need to walk around the house in pairs, and then it will finally take the shape of your feet and the desired size.
The described products using water are not suitable for patent leather shoes. Patent leather should never be wetted or dried, as it will immediately become unusable. To make shoes smaller, use the services of specialists or inserts.
The opposite method - we use a stretching spray for shoes made of patent leather
Another way to break in shoes is to use a special stretcher and stuff them with paper, but not too tightly so that the size does not increase even more. After the product dries, the vapor should narrow slightly.
The stretcher can not only stretch, but also narrow shoes by half a size.
The versatility of this method when changing the width or length of shoes is due to the softening of the leather, which prepares it for further actions. So, to increase the size of leather shoes, thick socks are put on the foot, and then the shoes are soaked in water or a special product, or they are stuffed to the limit with toilet or tissue paper to increase the size. After this, all that remains is to dry the pair.
Half insoles
Half insoles are functionally similar to inserts, but have a completely different shape. They are essentially insoles that take up half of the inside of the sole. Inserted into shoes, they occupy a small space, which is enough to prevent the foot from flying out of the shoe.
Half insoles can be leather, suede or silicone. Particularly popular are orthopedic models that not only reduce shoe size, but also maintain the correct position of the feet and prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system and flat feet.
In order not to make a mistake with the selection of half-insoles, it is better to go to the store with the pair of shoes that need to be adjusted and buy the device only after trying it on.
Tips and tricks
Before choosing shoes, you need to stand on paper and trace your feet. The cut out footprints must fit into the boots and shoes you are purchasing and not curl at the edges. Relieves the load on the legs and prevents the curvature of the joints with a deep sock, the wide part of which is located at the level of the big toe. When buying shoes, you need to check the condition of the inside, there should be no seams on it, and the insoles should be easy to remove.
Shoes or boots with hard soles last longer and reduce the load on the foot when walking. When buying shoes, it is advisable to walk around the store in them and sit. If the foot turns red, you should look for a different model or size. Tights or stockings are worn under closed shoes, but not with sandals. Patent leather shoes can only be made smaller by using insoles or overlays. Such products cannot be heated with steam or water.
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