You really like your new heels, but they are too small. Luckily, there are some easy and inexpensive ways you can try to stretch your heels. You can stretch heels with ice, heat, or even potatoes. If it is difficult to stretch your shoes at home, take your heels to a professional cobbler.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Stretching Shoes with Ice
Step 1. Fill two plastic bags with 1/4 of water
Cover the plastic bag so it doesn't leak. Use a plastic bag with Ziploc to make it easier to seal. If using a regular plastic bag, tie the plastic with rubber until it is tightly closed.
Step 2. Insert a plastic bag filled with water into the shoe
Stuff the toes of the shoes with a plastic bag filled with water. If you want to stretch a certain part of your shoe, try rearranging the plastic bag to allow the water to freeze and expand to the desired point.
Remember, this method is best chosen for stretching leather/suede shoes. This method may be applicable to synthetic leather shoes. However, synthetic leather generally shrinks to its original size quickly, so you may need to repeat this process several times
Step 3. Freeze the water
Place the shoe with the plastic bag in it in the refrigerator. Leave it overnight. If you want to stretch your shoes quickly, wait until the water in the plastic bag has completely frozen.
Step 4. Let the ice melt
Once the water has frozen, remove the shoes from the refrigerator. Allow the ice to melt for 20-25 minutes, or until it turns back to water. Remove the plastic bag from inside the shoe.
Step 5. Dry the shoes
Wipe the water that sticks to the surface of the shoe with a cloth. After that, try wearing shoes. Check whether the size is right or not. If not, repeat this process or try another method.
Method 2 of 3: Stretching Shoes with Socks and Hot Temperatures
This method is perfect for leather heels. Focused heat will make the skin more stretchy. If you wear hot shoes while wearing socks, and then allow them to cool, the shoe material will stretch to a larger size.
Step 1. Put on several layers of socks
Wear two layers of thick socks. Wear more than two layers of socks if you want to make your heels much bigger. The purpose of wearing several layers of socks is to make your feet expand so that the shoes stretch. However, don't wear too many socks to keep your feet in the shoes.
Step 2. Wear heels
This stage may be quite difficult, but try to get your feet into the heels. However, don't force it if your feet hurt too much!
If you can't get your feet into your shoes, take off one layer of socks and try again
Step 3. Use a hair dryer
Heat the heels you are wearing with a hairdryer. Focus on the part of the shoe that you want to stretch. Move your fingers and arch your feet. Do this for 2-3 minutes until the leather heats up. However, do not heat the shoe until the leather burns.
- Continue to wear heels until the temperature returns to normal. By doing this, the leather of the shoe will return to normal to a larger size. The size of the heels will not shrink back.
- Be careful of hot temperatures. Do not let the leather on the shoes burn. If the heat starts to burn your skin, take off your heels and try again.
Step 4. Take off the socks
Once the leather temperature returns to normal, try wearing the shoes without wearing socks. When the size is right, your task is done. If the shoe still needs to be stretched, repeat this process until it is the size you want.
If you want to make your heels more flexible, try bending them back and forth to flex the leather. After that, heat it with a hairdryer for 2-3 minutes
Method 3 of 3: Using Professional Services
Step 1. Find a cobbler near you
If you live in a fairly congested area, there may be a cobbler near you. Search the internet for a trusted cobbler in your city. After that, visit the cobbler.
Step 2. Know the cobbler rates
Prices for stretching shoes are generally inexpensive. Usually, you need to prepare Rp. 200,000-Rp. 450,000, depending on the skill of the cobbler, the location, and the desired level of slack. However, this method may be time consuming and more expensive than stretching your shoes at home. Remember, generally, you are paying for quality and convenience.
Tips
- Ask permission before putting shoes in the refrigerator. Others may be surprised to find shoes in the refrigerator.
- Make sure you wipe off any excess water on the shoe after the ice has melted. Otherwise, the shoes may grow moldy.
- Try putting potatoes in your shoes and leaving them overnight. Stuff the shoes with large potatoes. After that, let it sit for at least 12 hours. The next day, the shoes may be stretched. However, the success rate of this method is still uncertain.
