Footwear is the essential accessory for any outfit, and they are also an investment piece, so it is necessary to ensure you get them in a good size. It is a challenging purchase, and you want them to fit and be comfortable, but you also don’t want your feet to look too big or small. Sometimes you find the perfect pair, but they’re just too big. Or your favorite pair of boots are stretched out from wear and tear. Luckily, whether it’s leather or canvas, suede or rubber, there are ways to shrink them to make them more fitting. You may be wondering how to shrink shoes?
There are a few different ways to do so. In this situation, you’ve found the perfect pair. They look great, are in the perfect color and style, and are suitable in every way, except for one thing. It’s easy, cheaper than buying new shoes, and will make your feet happy too because they’ll fit better.
Shrinking Leather, Suede, and Canvas Shoes
If your footwear is made out of leather, suede, or canvas, then the best way to shrink them is with an easy way. It is made of these materials will stretch to confirm how you wear them, so taking the time to heat them will help them shrink back down.
What parts need to be smaller
footwear is an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe, but sometimes you might not be able to find the right pair. Sometimes these are too small or too big, and nothing seems to work out for your feet. The best way to make sure that you get a hat that fits well is by trying them on before you buy them. But how do you know if they’ll fit? You should try on the shoes while standing in place with your feet flat on the ground and then take a few steps around in it. It will show where any parts of the pair don’t touch your foot (such as the sides). If one area needs shrinking more than others, just shrink that area. When shrinking boots, one thing to be careful about is not making them too small. The boots that are too tight can cause damage to your feet in the long run, so don’t shrink them down until they’re uncomfortable.
Dipping Method:
If you wear too big a shoe, it can be uncomfortable and cause blisters. You may even end up with an ingrown toenail. Luckily, there is a quick way to shrink the boot without buying new footwear. All you need is water and the following steps.
-
Dab an ill-fitting shoe area with water until it is damp but not saturated.
-
Dip your fingers into cold water and put the water onto the shoe.
-
Continue this until the fabric is damp but not dripping wet.
-
Focus on shrinking one area at a time (you probably won’t need to shrink all of your shoes).
Heating Method:
Canvas shoes often end up with wet spots, and it can be challenging to dry them out. Scrub the area with a toothbrush or abrasive sponge until the water is gone, then use a blow dryer to heat the fabric and speed up drying time. Bring your blow dryer about 6 inches from your shoe and set it on medium heat. Keep moving the blow dryer around so that you don’t burn anyone’s spot of leather too much. It may take a few minutes, and you might need to do it more than once, depending on how wet your boot is. Take the boot off and check to see if they’re the correct size before wearing them again. After you’ve shrunk your footwear, take some time to stretch out any parts of the pair that could be potentially constricting.
You can do this by putting them back on and flexing your foot at different angles to see where the pair stops your foot from moving. Stretching out a pair might seem like it would only make the boot bigger. The more they are stretched out, the less likely it is that they’ll shrink back down too much after being wet. Footwear that are too tight can cause damage to your feet over time, so making sure they fit correctly is essential.
Put on the shoe to see if the fit has improved
One thing to be careful about when shrinking shoes is not making them too small. The wet fabric may have been too warm and caused it to shrink when dried out. Another reason is that you put them in the dryer by mistake, which also causes this problem. Whatever the cause of your clothing shrinking, there are some ways to fix it. Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy way to shrink your pair without having to resort to wearing multiple pairs. Fortunately, there are some tips on how to shrink shoes at home with water and heat. It may take some time, but it’s worth it in the end too. Have a boot that fits comfortably.
Using leather conditioner
Put a pea-sized amount of leather conditioners on a cloth and rub it into the pair. You may need to apply more than one coat of conditioner if the shoes are extra dry or dirty. Then, rub it all over the boots to ensure that they’re entirely covered. If you want to be extra careful, wear a pair of rubber gloves to apply the conditioner.
Getting a Tighter Fit in Shoes
Using a footwear stretcher can help you get a tighter fit in shoes. Inserting the stretcher into your footwear is usually as easy as putting the stretcher into your boot, then closing up the zipper or Velcro part of your boot. Use a lubricant to stretch out the material before inserting the stretcher.
Put on a pair of thick socks for a tighter fit
Have someone help you remove your pair stretcher after it’s been in the shoes for a while. Take off your thick socks and put on your footwear. Have someone help you put the stretcher back into your shoe to remove it, then take off both of your boots and repeat this process with the other one. If you’re wearing dress boots, you’ll need to try a little more complicated. It should be easy enough to get the stretcher in. If it’s too narrow, you might want to consider getting a different pair of dress shoes that fit better.
Placing a cushion at the back heel
Heel cushions are generally used to keep the back of your heels from rubbing against shoes. They’re also great for people who have unusually high or low arches in their feet. They can be made from leather or gel, and they’re usually inserted into the boots with a unique adhesive. Pull off the protective paper on the adhesive side of your heels before placing them inside your footwear. Press down on them to make sure they stick in place. Have someone help you put your boots back on. Once the arch cushions are in, your footwear easily stretch over them. Put on a pair of thick socks to get a tighter fit all-around your foot. After taking off the stretcher, use a lubricant to stretch out the material before inserting it into another pair.
Filling the toe area of the shoes
If your dress shoes or heels aren’t fitting correctly, you can use the ball of foot cushions to fix them. They’re made from durable gel and are inserted into boots with an adhesive. It should be much easier to slip on after you have the ball of foot cushions in place. Put a pair of thick socks over your dress boots or heels to get a tighter fit around your foot. If you want an even tighter fit, but the pair stretcher inside after taking it out. It will help keep your toe from rubbing against the front of your shoe. It’s also great for people who have high arches in their feet, making them easy to get into.
Adding an extra insole
If there is a gap between the back of your heel and the shoe, you can add an extra insole into the boots to elevate your foot. It will fix many issues that people come across when they buy too-big boots. Insert the insole into your boot by putting it under the back heel and then pressing it firmly into place. Sometimes, you’ll have to use the edge of a credit card or something similar to push down on one side of the insole until it fits into place. You can also use an adhesive to ensure that your extra insole doesn’t fall out. Have someone help you slip your boots on, then add a pair of thick socks over them to get the tightest fit possible around your foot.
Final Words
We have answered how to shrink shoes in many ways and hope you will surely get your favorite method. Shrinking boots is a great way to make your favorite pair of heels or boots more comfortable. This process can be done on leather, suede, and canvas. If you are not sure where the shoe needs to shrink, simply try it on for size before you start shrinking!
Once the boot has been dampened with water but not saturated, use heat from a blow dryer set at medium on wet fabric until it begins drying. The conditioners will help maintain the longevity of your footwear by protecting against scuffs and scrapes that might otherwise damage your shoes' materials. With these easy-to-follow instructions under our belt, we hope no one will have trouble getting their desired fit again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to shrink any pair of shoes?
You may be wondering if it’s possible to shrink any pair. That’s why it’s usually easier to add material inside than shrink the boot. For example, most leather shoes will stay at their current size even after you put them through a hot water bath. They hold up well in hot water and can be stretched out quite.
How can I make my shoes tighter?
Wear thick socks to make your boots tighter. They help to stretch the material and give you a snug fit. If your shoes are still too big, use heel cushions or arch supports inside them. These give you a better fit and make them more comfortable to wear.
How can I fill in the toe area?
There is a ball of foot cushions that can help you fill in the toe area of your shoes. These are great for people with high arches, causing them to slip out of their boots when they walk. They also help fix the gap between your back heel and shoe.