New leather shoes can be very painful, causing blisters and other foot ailments. If you don't soften them, they will remain hopelessly stiff. Fortunately, there are many ways to soften shoe leather, making it more comfortable for your feet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Soften Leather Shoes with Oil
Step 1. Before making any attempt, it is important to clean your shoes thoroughly
You shouldn't use oil if your footwear isn't perfectly clean. The best way to clean them is to use a damp cloth with which to gently remove any traces of dust or dirt. When finished, dry them carefully using a dry cloth. They are now ready for oil treatment.
Step 2. Choose the right oil
The oils help nourish and restore the leather of the shoes, making it even softer. There are different types of oils suitable for softening leather shoes and preventing or reducing their stiffness. Mink oil, coconut oil, those for nourishing and massaging the skin of the feet and oils for treating leather objects (for example horse saddles) are all excellent for this purpose.
- Seek advice from an experienced shoemaker to decide which oil is best for your leather shoes.
- Olive oil has many supporters, but some say it can leave stains on the skin and cause it to deteriorate.
Step 3. If you have chosen to use an oil specifically formulated for shoe leather, read the label carefully
Some products may contain resins, castor oil, mineral oils or toxic chemicals, which could damage or cause decomposition of the leather of the shoes. It is therefore best to read the product label carefully before deciding to buy it.
If possible, go back to the store where you bought the shoes to find out which oil is best for softening that particular type of leather
Step 4. Apply the oil
Pour a small amount into a clean saucer. Wrap a clean cloth around your index and middle fingers (you can also use an old shirt). Briefly dip your fingertips wrapped in the cloth into the selected oil. Before you start treating your shoes, let the excess oil drain, then gently rub your fingertips along the entire surface of the shoes in light, circular motions.
- After distributing the oil in an even layer, let it be absorbed into the skin.
- Depending on your skin type, you may need to wait several hours or a whole day before proceeding with a second application. If the surface of the shoes still feels greasy or oily to the touch, don't wear them until the oil has done its job.
- When the oil has been absorbed, test the softness of the shoes. If you want them to become even softer, apply a second layer of oil exactly as you did before. When finished, evaluate the result and repeat the treatment again if you deem it necessary.
Method 2 of 3: Soften Leather Shoes with Alcohol and Vaseline
Step 1. Buy denatured alcohol
It is nothing more than the alcohol, which is pink in color, which you normally use for cleaning; you can easily find it in any supermarket. Do not try to replace it with an alcoholic drink, the only result you will get is that the shoes will smell like they have taken a hangover.
Step 2. Pour a small dose of denatured alcohol into a saucer
The amount needed varies based on the shoes you want to soften. If it comes to high shoes or boots, obviously you will need more alcohol than a pair of flat shoes. Soak a cotton ball in alcohol, then rub it wherever the skin is visible. If it is a pair of lace-up shoes, remove the laces to be able to apply the alcohol also on the tongue and inside. When finished, let the shoes dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 3. Apply petroleum jelly
Use an old toothbrush or a small brush to brush all the spots you've treated with alcohol. Distribute it so that the leather is covered with only a very thin layer of petroleum jelly, then let the shoes rest overnight. The next day, wipe them gently with a dry cloth to remove excess residue.
If at the end of the treatment the shoes are still not soft enough, repeat the process from the beginning, as many times as necessary, until you reach the result you want. In some cases you may have to reapply the two products several times to achieve the level of softness you are looking for
Step 4. Use a curling iron
This is a variation of the method just described, which involves skipping the alcohol step and going directly to the one that explains how to apply petroleum jelly. When finished, instead of letting the leather rest overnight, you will need to take a curling iron and move it slowly inside the shoes. Start at the heel and work slowly along the sides of the shoes where you applied the petroleum jelly. The heat will favor the opening of the pores of the leather of the shoes, which in this way will more effectively absorb the thin layer of petroleum jelly applied previously.
Method 3 of 3: Soften Leather Shoes By Walking
Step 1. Put them on and walk on them for half a day
One of the best ways to soften leather shoes is to wear them. In the long run, they will become softer. Since wearing them all day could hurt you, it's best to only use them for half a day at a time. You can reduce the chances of getting your feet hurt by replacing them with another pair of shoes after 4-5 hours.
If your feet start to hurt, take off your shoes and put on a comfortable pair even if the time you expected has not yet passed
Step 2. Put them on again two days later
Again, just use them for half a day. When finished, allow another two days to pass before wearing them again. Continue using them every other day for up to 4-5 consecutive hours. Once they have started to soften, you can try using them for a full day. At that point, chances are you'll be able to wear them for as long as you want.
Feet tend to sweat. By wearing the same shoes for two days in a row while they are still new, they will not have time to dry completely, especially if they are very snug to the foot
Step 3. Be patient
The running in of a new pair of shoes can take a long time. Often, the skin takes several weeks to achieve the desired degree of softness. Thinner leathers, such as calfskin, tend to soften more easily. However, if the shoes have many seams, the break-in time is still long. You can speed up results by wearing a thick pair of socks (or two pairs of regular socks) as you walk.
Advice
- If you want to buy a new pair of shoes, try to choose a type of leather that is naturally soft and flexible.
- For the first two weeks it is best to have patches and ointments on hand, as blisters may form on the feet.
- Make sure the shoes fit you perfectly before you buy them. If they are too loose or too tight, they will continue to annoy you despite your best efforts.
- If you have noticed that shoes of a certain brand tend to bother you in the same place, for example in the heels or toes, make a different choice.
- Don't immerse your leather shoes in water, or you risk them shrinking by becoming too small - as well as being too hard.
