How to Stretch Out Shoes: 8 Ways
Sometimes, a pair of shoes that fit us perfectly at the shop may turn out to be too tight after we wear them for only a couple of hours. Luckily, there’s no need to return your purchase, since 5-Minute Crafts knows effective ways to stretch out your shoes and help them adapt to the shape of your feet.
Method 1. Try a heat treatment
You’ll need:
- a blow dryer
- a pair of thick socks
What to do:
- Put on a pair of socks and squeeze into your shoes.
- Switch on a blow dryer and make sure it’s set on medium heat. Point it at the tight sections of your shoes for 20-30 seconds to warm them up. Make sure not to heat one spot for too long to prevent damaging the shoes.
- Switch off the blow dryer and let the shoes cool down. Then take them off. Repeat the process if necessary.
Note: If you’re using this method to stretch out leather shoes, apply a leather moisturizer after the procedure.
Method 2. Freeze your shoes
You’ll need:
- 2 Ziploc bags
- water
- freezer
What to do:
1. Put a Ziploc bag into each shoe and spread it inside with your hand so it covers all the nooks inside the shoe.
Note: You can use 2 bags at once to be sure the water won’t leak into the shoes.
2. Carefully fill the bags with water. The bag with water should occupy the inside of the shoe completely. Tightly seal the bags.
3. Put the shoes into the freezer overnight. The water will expand after freezing and it’ll stretch the shoes.
4. Take the shoes out of the freezer and let the ice thaw a little so you can remove the ice bags easily. Take the bags out and your shoes are ready to wear!
Method 3. Go for a peeled potato
You’ll need:
- 2 large potatoes
What to do:
- Take 2 large potatoes and peel them. Then adjust their shape so they match the front part of your shoes.
- Stuff the potatoes into the shoes and leave them there overnight. The moisture from the potatoes will soften the shoes and they’ll stretch a bit.
- Remove the potatoes and wipe the shoes.
Note: Be careful when using this trick for canvas shoes because the juice from the potato may leave stains on the fabric.
Method 4. Use socks
You’ll need:
- sock balls
What to do:
- Roll some socks together making balls.
- Tightly stuff your shoes with the sock balls.
- Leave the shoes overnight and then remove the sock balls. Repeat if necessary.
Method 5. Grab some wet newspaper
You’ll need:
- wet newspaper
What to do:
- Stuff your shoes with wet newspaper and let them dry completely.
- Remove the newspaper from your shoes and try them on. Repeat if necessary.
Method 6. Buy special tools
Buy an adjustable shoe stretcher that can increase your shoes’ width and length. These tools are made of different dense materials, including wood and steel, that help to gently stretch the shoes without damaging them.
You might want to apply a special spray for stretching the shoes before inserting a shoe stretcher, to get better results. Make sure the spray you’re using is suitable for the fabric your shoes are made of.
Method 7. Wear your shoes around the house
If your shoes are slightly tight, try wearing them at home first. You can also put on a pair of socks to make the stretching process more effective. Wear your shoes for 30 minutes or longer, if you don’t feel pain or discomfort. You’re likely to have to repeat the process several times.
Make sure your feet are well-rested and not swollen, like for example from hot weather, before trying this method.
Method 8. Seek professional help
If you don’t want to bother with home methods, go to a cobbler or to a shoe repair shop. They have special machines that can stretch out your shoes and as a bonus, do some repairs to make your shoes last longer.