Leather shoes tend to soften naturally with use and take the shape of your feet, but when you first wear them they can feel tight and painful. This article explains how to make them soften faster without risking damaging them.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Pad the Shoes
Step 1. Fill the shoes with damp newsprint
Roll up the newspaper sheets and try to slip as much as possible into the two shoes.
Alternatively, you can use peeled potatoes
Step 2. Let the shoes dry slowly
Heat can damage your skin, so keep them out of sunlight and away from heat sources, such as radiators.
Step 3. Remove the newsprint (or potatoes) from the shoes when they are dry
Step 4. Put on your shoes
You should notice that they are softer than before.
Method 2 of 5: Warm Your Shoes
This method should be used with caution following the directions of the steps to the letter to prevent the heat from damaging the shoes. Choose another method for vintage shoes, as direct heat could melt the glue or cause cracks to appear on the leather.
Step 1. Put on a very thick pair of socks
Put your feet in your shoes.
Step 2. Sit down and make yourself comfortable
Heat one shoe at a time with the hair dryer while flexing your foot back and forth as much as possible. Direct the blast of hot air at the shoe at intervals of 20-30 seconds at a time.
Step 3. Let the shoes cool
Keep them on while they cool down.
Step 4. Take off your thick socks
Put on a pair of regular socks or tights, then try on your shoes again. If they are still not comfortable enough, repeat the procedure.
Step 5. Apply a leather conditioner or soap to the shoes
Heat tends to dry out the skin, so it is important to revive it and restore its natural moisture.
Method 3 of 5: Moisten the Shoes
This method is said to be used by members of the military forces to enlarge new shoes.
Step 1. Take everything off with the exception of your shoes
Undress completely and enter the shower wearing the shoes you want to stretch. You may feel ridiculous, but hot water is capable of softening the skin.
Step 2. After getting out of the shower, keep your shoes on for a few hours
The heat-softened leather will conform to the shape of your feet as it dries.
Go for a walk outdoors with wet shoes on so as not to dirty the floor of the house. You may have cold feet and your shoes may get a little dirty, but you will see that it will be worth it
Step 3. Apply a leather conditioner or soap to the shoes
Drying after wetting it, the leather of the shoes may dry out a little, so it is important to revive it and restore its natural moisture.
Method 4 of 5: Treating Shoe Leather with Steam
Be extremely cautious if you decide to use this method so as not to burn yourself with the hot steam. You should wear a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands.
Step 1. Fill the kettle and put the water to boil
You will have to let it boil and take advantage of the hot steam flow to soften the shoes.
If you don't have a kettle, you can use a common saucepan
Step 2. Place a shoe just above the spout of the kettle from which the steam comes out
Hold it in that position for 3-5 minutes.
Step 3. Line the shoe with dry newsprint or kitchen paper
Try to keep us as much as possible. Repeat the steps with the other shoe.
Step 4. Let the shoes dry in a shady place
Method 5 of 5: Freeze the Shoes
This method is generally effective with most leather shoes, but if it is an expensive pair, be careful, as other materials and the leather itself could be damaged by the cold.
Step 1. Take a food bag and fill it half (or one third) with water
Use a bag that's roughly the size of a sandwich. Do not fill it completely or it will open when you push it inside the shoe or when the water freezes. Seal it securely.
- Check the bag for holes before filling it.
- Take another bag and fill it the same way.
Step 2. Slip a bag into each shoe
Be careful not to push it into the shoe with too much force to prevent it from opening or breaking and the shoe from getting wet.
Try to push the bags into the hollows and crevices of the shoes
Step 3. Make room in the freezer
The free area must be large enough to comfortably accommodate the two shoes.
Make sure that the food in the freezer does not come into contact with your shoes. Any object could leave a stain or cause a cold burn if you are forced to remove it from your shoes
Step 4. Put the shoes in the freezer
Leave them in the freezer overnight. Upon freezing, the water in the pouch will expand and subject the skin to slight tension.
Step 5. Remove the shoes from the freezer the next morning
Let them "thaw" for half an hour, then remove the bags.
Step 6. Try on the shoes
If they have widened, you have achieved the desired result. If not, you can repeat the process one more time.
Step 7. Apply conditioner or soap to leather items
The freezing process may dry out the skin a little, so it's important to revive it and restore its natural moisture.
Advice
- It is best to buy new shoes in the afternoon when your feet tend to be swollen and tired. This way you will have less chance of getting a wrong measurement.
- If your new shoes have slippery soles, rub them briefly with sandpaper to avoid falling off.
- Shoetrees keep shoes in top shape between uses.
- Shoes will last longer if you wear them every other day to let them rest. Buy at least two pairs for each season to be able to switch between them.
- Alternatively, you can go to a shoemaker to have your shoes stretched or buy a shoe-extender spray. After spraying it on your shoes, keep them on while indoors to allow the leather to soften.
