Sometimes you get the wrong size when buying shoes. There are errors in calculations when purchasing online. Or a couple that fit well in the store turned out to be a bit cramped at home. Fortunately, the problem is solvable! And you will need a stretcher for it. Special sprays are sold in shoe stores and cosmetics and household chemicals boutiques.
It is easier to avoid mistakes when trying on shoes or boots by going for them in the afternoon. By this time, the legs will have time to swell, and the size will reach the “true” size.
@footfitter.com
Foam for stretching shoes: features and how to use
Foam for stretching shoes
is a consistently popular optimal product for products, tested by a large number of consumers.
Features of foam intended for stretching shoes
Only by sewing custom-made shoes from classy specialists or knowing how to approach the right choice of high-quality shoes, you can count on the fact that the product will fit perfectly on your foot. In other cases, any, including expensive, high-quality shoes made of genuine leather, will differ slightly from the size and shape of the foot. Shoes that are constantly tight will not be able to emphasize the attractiveness of women's legs. But don’t be alarmed - everything can be solved by using special products designed for caring for leather products.
The composition of such a cosmetic product includes special substances that help the product acquire the required shape, making it soft and flexible.
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The foam, which quickly penetrates the pores of the material, saturates it well, but does not over-moisten it. Tiny bubbles of the product, which have a pervasive effect, help to achieve maximum results. Foam for stretching shoes perfectly fits the product to the foot due to its ability to soften and gradually stretch the material. When using this product, tight spots in the product are eliminated, it becomes comfortable, and the skin retains its softness and elasticity.
Instructions for using foam that stretches shoes
At the end of winter, the transition from warm, worn-in products to the spring version of dress shoes can turn into a nuisance for most, even leading to the appearance of calluses. There are a huge number of ways to stretch shoes, but not all products can withstand such extreme experiments while maintaining their original attractive appearance (for example, it is quite difficult to quickly break in shoes made from leatherette). The safest and most reliable way is to use foam. A highly effective product softens and stretches products made from various types of leather.
This means for stretching products is quite simple to use, but certain operations are considered mandatory and must be carried out clearly, according to the instructions attached to it. Before use, the can of foam should be shaken and the material of the product should be checked in an inconspicuous area for color sensitivity (since the product is applied to both the internal and external surfaces of the product). Having generously filled the tight product with product, you need to wait a minute for the foam to settle. In the absence of special pads, the product is put on the feet until completely dry (about half an hour). It would be a good idea to further apply a protective coating to the outside of the shoe. If necessary, the procedure must be repeated.
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Effective ways to spread leather shoes in length and width
Boots, shoes, ballet flats or boots can be independently and effectively stretched at home by 1 size. If a couple is small in the fingers or in the instep, you can use traditional stretching methods. They are suitable if you need to make small, new, tight or narrow shoes bigger.
Rice. 1 – Stretching shoes with wet socks
Army way
Wet cotton socks with water and wring them out. Place faux leather shoes that need stretching over wet socks and walk in them until the socks are dry. Then dry the shoes by filling them with paper balls. Under the influence of water, the leather stretches, and the shoes stop pressing, no matter how much you wear them. In the army, men use a more severe method of breaking in boots - they stand in the shower with their shoes on. If you are ready for such a radical method, you can use it at home.
Freezing
To stretch your shoes wider, you can use ice. Take a couple of strong plastic bags, fill them with water and place them inside your boots. Place in the freezer or refrigerator. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours until the water becomes frozen. Then take out your shoes, let the ice melt and take out the bags. If the material does not stretch enough after the first freeze, repeat the process.
Hair dryer for leather substitute
Using this device you can wear leatherette shoes. To do this, put on socks and shoes over them, and squeeze your feet, as if stretching the material from the inside. Blow on areas where shoes feel tight. Do not use the appliance too close or direct hot air at the seams. After walking around in your shoes, so that they cool down, properly lubricate them with a proven cream that you use regularly.
Hot way
Quickly dip the shoes in boiling water, put socks on the heels and walk until the pair cools down. You can repeat the process 2-3 times, but no more - otherwise the effect may be the opposite of what was expected.
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Rice. 2 - Dip shoes in boiling water
Alcohol
Saturate the surface of new shoes with it or vodka in a 1:1 concentration. Put on socks and walk for an hour, this will help stretch the material. To eliminate the strong smell of alcohol, use a soap solution or thoroughly air dry your shoes. Then lubricate the shoes with Vaseline, especially in the elastic area, if there is one. Alcohol can be replaced with a window or mirror cleaner (make sure it contains alcohol) or cologne. If a colored winter pair with fur or felt needs stretching, carefully test the effect of alcohol on a small area so as not to damage the color and structure.
Oils
They can be used to stretch shoes made of natural or artificial leather, but cannot be applied to cloth shoes. The method is effective using any vegetable or castor oil. Remove the insoles from the shoes, lubricate the pressing areas inside and outside with oil, and wipe off the excess. Put on thick socks and shoes and walk around in them. Due to oils, the skin can stretch and take the shape of the foot.
Traditional methods
Simple home remedies can also increase your shoe size. Soak your boots in vinegar and put them on your feet along with socks, this will help the leather become more elastic. To stretch thin leather or suede material, use beer - soak your shoes in it, put on your socks and leave for a couple of hours. The smell after the product is eliminated by airing or treating with soap and water after the shoes have been expanded.
Cowboy way
This technique for stretching shoes at home came to us from the Wild West. Fill the shoes with grains, pour in water and leave overnight. After swelling, the croup will stretch shoes made of velor or other material. In the morning, pour out the filler, wipe the inside of sports shoes or any other shoes and wear them until dry. The method is not applicable to shoes with dermantine lining.
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Rice. 3 – Cowboy method of stretching shoes
Modern chemistry
In stores you can find any means for stretching the skin - from foams and sprays to aerosols. How to use them is written in the instructions. It is really better to stretch the leather on wedding stilettos and boots that are too small in the calves with sprays or foams - all other methods can damage it, and the shoes can become shrunk.
Mechanical stretch
There are special stretchers for shoes on sale - made of wood or satin plastic. The block is equipped with a mechanism that helps to expand it through the use of mechanical force. The complex includes a spray and pads that provide skin stretching. The method is good for breaking in children's football polyurethane shoes or any other shoes for a child.
Professional approach
If you can’t stretch women’s polyurethane shoes, seek professional help. For each type of shoe, experts select the best ways to make it looser. For example, they can soften too thick material in the toe of a shoe. In a shoe workshop, mechanical stretching, spray, special devices, and electric heating are used.
Newspaper method
For leatherette or tarpaulin boots, it is permissible to use stretching using newspaper. Cut sheets of paper into pieces, stuff them into shoes and pour in water. The wet newspaper will swell and tightly fill the inside of the shoes. Dry shoes with wet paper lumps away from the radiator.
Rice. 4 - Using wet newspapers for shoes
Alcohol
To stretch textile shoes, you can lubricate them with vodka. Treat the material, wipe well, put on thick socks and wear. Then wipe with soapy water and ventilate well to reduce the strong odor.
Sprays and impregnations
Use this product to mechanically stretch the width of nubuck shoes - if the shoes press only a little, but you need to put them on urgently. Apply the liquid to the shoes and leave the product on for a few minutes, repeat applying two layers. When using a spray to stretch shoes with your own hands, follow the safety precautions:
- do not inhale chemical fumes;
- there is no need to heat the product for it to work faster;
- Do not spray drugs near an open fire, even a little bit.
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On natural chrome leather or fabric lining of rubber shoes, the spray does not always provide the desired result; the shoes may become less flexible. Therefore, it is better to stretch such shoes after washing.
Moisturizing with a towel
Moisten a soft cloth with water, apply it to the tight areas and hold for a few minutes. Then put on your shoes and socks and walk on the floor in them for half an hour. In this way, you can stretch smaller shoes by 2 sizes without losing quality. The leather on the front of the ballroom dancing shoes will stretch and mold to the shape of the feet of the boy or girl who will be wearing the shoes. This way you can also soften PVC products.
Rice. 5 – Stretching shoes with a wet towel
Using a special stretcher (wooden block)
The stretching device is inserted inside the shoe, and after stretching, the pair is put on and worn. The method can also be used to break in dance shoes. A plastic (silicone rock) block is cheaper, but wood is better. It absorbs liquid, destroys unpleasant odors and will not allow them to return later. These lasts are characterized by increased volume, completely fill the shoe and help get rid of dried out areas in the crease area.
Vinegar or kerosene
Rub them on the inside of pointed-toe shoes - these products will make the skin in the nose very soft. Use 3% vinegar. After treatment, walk around in a pair of shoes so that a small shoe takes the desired shape in the foot, toe, or tight boots stretch at the ankle. Do not use the product on shoes made of python or dense, thick or pressed leather.
Laundry soap
Use it when you need to stretch artificial leather. Rub the inside of the shoes with soap, after 5-6 hours, wash off the residue with a sponge, put on socks and walk in the shoes until dry. The method is not used for felt or fur fabric, shoes that are small in fullness in the toe area.
Groats
This method is suitable for stretching the narrow top of autumn rubber or leather boots. Place a plastic bag with cereal inside and fill it with hot water. After swelling, the grain will perfectly stretch narrow spots in the lower leg, sock, or foot in a few hours.
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Socks and warm air
Rice. 6 – Stretching shoes using a hair dryer and socks
A good way to stretch non-leather textile shoes. Wear warm socks and shoes and warm with a hairdryer. Without removing, cool the pair, walk around a little more and remove. Repeat if stretching fails.
Freezing
To stretch leather shoes wider, you don’t have to wear them in for a long time and endure pain. You can use a more gentle method.
Take two strong plastic bags, place them inside the shoes and carefully pour water to fill the entire interior space from toe to heel. Tie the bags tightly to prevent water from escaping and place the shoes in the freezer. Leave to freeze for 6-8 hours.
As the water hardens, it expands and stretches the skin. After the time has passed, remove the shoes from the freezer, let the ice thaw a little and carefully remove the bags. Do not try to remove the ice immediately - you may scratch or tear your shoes.
The freezing procedure can be repeated if the skin is not stretched enough the first time
Useful tips
To avoid having to mechanically stretch men's or women's narrow or tight shoes made of leather, denim, EVA or other materials, but to immediately buy the right size, use these tips from professionals:
- buy shoes in the afternoon. During the day, the legs often swell; in the morning they can sit normally, but in the evening they feel stiff, especially where the zipper is located;
- Don't wear new shoes all day if they are too small. When going to an event in new beautiful shoes, take comfortable shoes with you as a replacement;
- If you feel that your fabric boots or sandals are starting to rub on your toe or foot tightly in the heel area, cover the problem area on your foot with a plaster in advance.
To prevent a synthetic or velor backdrop from chafing, lubricate it with paraffin or soap. Choose nubuck, leather or canvas high-heeled shoes carefully - if the shoes rub a lot in the underwires, in the little toe area already in the store, don’t torture yourself - discard a pair in favor of a more spacious one at least half a size. If stretching at home fails, the shoes will be ruined and will not be accepted back into the store. When preparing for an important event, stretch your hard heeled pumps or other shoes one size in advance - this will take time.
You need to choose the right size
Wearing tight boots or other shoe models is contraindicated for the following reasons:
- Blood circulation is constrained, which can cause the development of blood clots;
- The leg muscles become overstrained, causing the legs to become overextended, which is accompanied by both pain and increased fatigue;
- The gait may change, becoming heavy and clumsy;
- The risk of acquiring flat feet or varicose veins increases;
- Posture worsens, and the vertebral part may become curved.
If the model’s nose has a narrowed shape, then the nail surface grows into the skin, provoking pain and pustular inflammatory processes.
Shoe stretcher spray: how to use
Sometimes you get the wrong size when buying shoes. There are errors in calculations when purchasing online. Or a couple that fit well in the store turned out to be a bit cramped at home. Fortunately, the problem is solvable! And you will need a stretcher for it. Special sprays are sold in shoe stores and cosmetics and household chemicals boutiques.
It is easier to avoid mistakes when trying on shoes or boots by going for them in the afternoon. By this time, the legs will have time to swell, and the size will reach the “true” size.
What is a shoe stretcher
A stretcher means a special product produced in the form of:
- gel;
- foam;
- spray.
It is not possible to adjust the size using a chemical preparation for every pair of shoes!
What kind of shoes is the spray suitable for?
You can try to adjust the size of products made from genuine leather, suede or eco-leather . Leatherette of medium and low quality will be hopelessly damaged from such experiments.
By the way, “folk remedies” like pouring vodka or boiling water into shoes will not help either. Or stuffing it with newspapers and putting it in the refrigerator with bubbles of water.
How does the spray work?
The miraculous properties of the stretcher are due to its composition. It contains special substances: alcohols and propellants . They soften the material and, using microbubbles, penetrate deep into its structure.
Once soft and flexible, the leather molds to the foot, stretching into tight spaces while still maintaining its softness. Thanks to the fragrance, the product also has a deodorizing effect.
However, the limitations of the stretcher's capabilities are obvious: its main task is to increase the width of the space . In length, the maximum of its capabilities is limited to half the size.
There is also a danger of ruining the appearance of shoes or boots! The color may change or become blurry and mottled. Light skin is especially vulnerable.
All products need testing, and stretch foam is no exception. An inconspicuous area (the inner side of the tongue, the edge near the sole) is suitable for the experiment.
How to use a shoe stretcher correctly?
Any product is accompanied by instructions, and the success of the business depends on the compliance of the actions with its main points.
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The procedure looks like this:
- Shake the can and spray the product onto problem areas. Both external and internal surfaces are processed.
- We wait a couple of minutes until the foam settles and is slightly absorbed.
- Let's begin the stretching procedure.
There are two possible ways: wear it directly on the foot or using special pads (wooden, plastic or aluminum).
First way to stretch
The good thing is that the shoes will fit exactly to your feet. However, you will have to spend half an hour in discomfort. Having put on your shoes (preferably with as thick a sock as possible), you need to walk until you feel that the shoes become looser.
Second stretching method
If you are not ready to withstand this, another method will come to the rescue. A block is inserted into the spray-treated product . The screw sets the desired width. Sometimes the pads are equipped with holes in “problem” areas, like protruding bones. Overlays are inserted into them, and the shape is adjusted to suit the individual characteristics of the foot.
The pads are also good for high-quality seasonal shoe storage. By inserting them inside your favorite shoes or boots, you can avoid creases and dents.
Having dealt with the problem of tightness, it is finally worth treating the shoe material with a suitable care product - cream or conditioner. Stretched skin becomes more vulnerable .
Features of stretching depending on the material - table
| Material name | Which method is better to use? | What drugs can harm |
| Genuine Leather |
| Oil-based products: castor oil, Vaseline, etc. |
| Polished leather |
|
|
| Leatherette |
| Ice and boiling water. |
| Nubuck |
| Castor oil and Vaseline. |
| Suede |
| Castor oil and Vaseline. |
| Textile |
| Castor oil with caution. |
Shoe stretcher. My usage experience!
Good day to all! Today I will tell you how to turn uncomfortable shoes into comfortable ones at a relatively low cost, safely and without the risk of damaging your shoes irrevocably!
Once again I scold myself for buying shoes on the Internet! Well, you can’t buy shoes without trying them on! But the fact remains, no matter how much you feed the wolf, it still looks into the forest! It's so fast and convenient. But all the problems start later, that’s for sure!
Again, I bought beautiful, cute boots at a crazy discount, which are too tight for me, where I can and where I can’t, although the insole is my size. By the way, leatherette. Not leather, but still)
After reading smart advice on the Internet, I fearlessly pulled on three knitted socks and slipped my feet into my boots. This may have helped a little, but this “little” was not enough for me to wear comfortably.
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I could have tried a bunch of popular advice, but I found another solution!
A shoe stretcher, which is suitable not only for leather and suede, but also for leatherette, was called upon to help my grief.
How does it work?
- Quickly eliminates tight spots in tight shoes
- Stretches and fixes skin fibers in the desired position without changing the structure
- Softens all types of skin
This aerosol should be sprayed at a distance of 10 cm from the inside and outside onto shoes in tight places. Put the shoes on your feet and wait until dry. This procedure can be repeated.
So, it sprays this aerosol with foam. It's sticky, like hair foam. A relatively small “zilch” immediately turns into foam. It “melts” quickly and, apparently, begins to work in its melted form.
This foam does not have a strong odor, so the process of “improving” shoes will not bring unpleasant surprises to your sense of smell.
The foam has no color, so it is suitable for use on shoes of any color. Very comfortably.
In general, the effect is undeniable. The stretcher really works and, I think, can solve most problems with uncomfortable shoes.
I can confidently recommend this aerosol for shoes and similar shoes. Don’t expect, of course, that size 36 will become 40, but problems with chafing and width can be easily solved. For everything else there is a mechanical stretcher and a notice board)
If you are as often confused as I am with shoes, then you can safely buy them!
I give this stretcher five stars and recommend it! All the best and happy shopping!
How to use a shoe stretcher correctly: secrets and methods
A new pair of shoes rarely fits your feet perfectly. If your long-awaited new thing is pinching and rubbing, it’s not a problem, find out how to use a shoe stretcher correctly, and in a couple of days you will forget about the problem.
Shoe stretcher is a special gel or foam in a convenient bottle. Before you buy it, keep in mind that not all shoes can be adjusted using this product. High-quality leather shoes, eco-leather or suede can be expanded with proper use of the product without compromising quality.
Sometimes the stretcher can affect the color or make it washed out, leading to streaks and spots.
Therefore, if you do not want to get Dalmatian shoes, test the product on an inconspicuous area, such as the inside of the tongue, before using it. Shoe stretchers made from medium quality leather substitute are contraindicated. If the leatherette is too soft, after stretching it can literally crawl apart in your hands.
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Oils
Leather shoes made from both natural and artificial materials can be stretched using oils. Castor or other vegetable oil, as well as Vaseline (can be replaced with fatty cream), are suitable for this purpose.
Remove the insoles from the shoes, lubricate the areas where the shoes are pinching with oil or Vaseline (you can treat both the inner and outer surfaces), and leave for several hours. After this, thoroughly wipe your shoes, put on thick socks, put on your shoes and walk around the house. The oil softens the skin, it becomes more pliable and stretches to fit the shape of your leg.
The oil will help stretch not only new shoes, but also tidy up a rough pair of shoes that you haven’t worn for a long time.
Lubricate the areas where the shoes feel tight with oil. Let the boots sit for several hours. Then thoroughly wipe your shoes, put on thick socks, put on your shoes and walk around the house
