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How to stretch suede or leather boots
You’ve found the perfect boots for your feet, but here’s the nuisance: they are too tight or not fully buttoned. Literally a couple of centimeters separate you from a pair of shoes sunk into your soul? Everything is fixable! There are various simple methods on how to stretch the tops of boots at home by 2-3 cm. Some of them are suitable for shoes made of any natural material, some only for high-quality leather. It is worth refraining from self-stretching patent leather, as it can easily crack. So how do you stretch boots in the boot of different materials?
How to stretch boots in the bootleg
How to stretch the tops of leather boots
Genuine leather – the material is elastic and strong enough, so it is easy to stretch. There are several methods available:
- Perhaps the easiest way is to rely on the experience of shoe care manufacturers. They have already taken care of us and have given out special means for stretching shoes on store shelves. Most often they come in the form of a spray or foam. It is quite simple to use them: apply on shoes in the place where it is necessary, immediately put on shoes and walk for 30-40 minutes;
- if you have time in stock but don’t have funds from the store, you can resort to using the freezer. Place crumpled paper in the bottom of the shoe so as not to expand the entire boot. Take a sturdy freezer bag of the right size, fill it no more than halfway with water, close it and place it neatly in your boot. Leave in the freezer for 8-10 hours, remove the boot and let the water thaw. Now you can take out the bag and try on your shoes. If the required volume is not reached, repeat the procedure;
- stuff the boots tightly with paper or rags and moisten them abundantly with water. Let the shoes dry, remove the fillers and grease with a special shoe care cream.
The effectiveness of these methods will depend not only on your skill, compliance with the rules, but also on the quality of the skin, its density and elasticity. But if you know how to stretch the tops of your boots at home, your shoes will always fit you.
How to stretch suede boots in the shaft
Suede shoes, like leather shoes, can be stretched a little. There are simple methods for this:
- special store-bought stretchers should be applied to the inside of the suede boots. Then shoe them on thick knee-highs and walk until completely dry;
- apply a 3% vinegar solution to the outside of the shoe, and a store-bought product on the inside. Also walk in boots until completely dry;
- iron the bootleg with an iron through a dense fabric, be sure to spray the shoes with steam. Moistened and heated suede lends itself to stretching.
These methods, how to stretch the tops of boots at home, are not suitable for shoes with fur lining. You can stretch winter boots by heating them outside:
- hairdryer. To do this, you need to put on thick knee-highs or tights on your leg, turn on the maximum heating temperature and blow for at least a minute every section of the boot that needs to be stretched. The skin will become more elastic, so the boot will button up. So that the shoes do not return to their previous shape, you need to walk in them until they cool completely. Then be sure to treat the skin with cream or glycerin to restore the lost moisture;
- boiling water. Pour boiling water over the bootleg, put on boots on thick knee-highs and wear a little.
These methods are quite simple and affordable for home use.
If your favorite boots are a little tight, and it is scary to stretch them on your own or you can’t, you can take the shoes to the workshop. Shoemakers who have a wealth of experience and professional tools in their arsenal will do this without spoiling your ideal pair.