Are your fabric shoes too snug in the toes or around the heel? Congratulations, because you are about to find out everything you need to know about how to stretch fabric shoes.
From using heat or steam to stuffing them with old towels and newspapers, you can expand your fabric shoes for more comfort and even a better look.
Here are the six best ways to stretch your fabric shoes to fit just right-
1. Stretch fabric shoes with water
Your fabric shoes will stretch and fit better with the help of a bit of water and freezing. Here’s how to pull this off:
- • Fill two zip-lock bags with water and shove them all the way into your shoes.
- • Place the shoes in a freezer overnight or longer. The water will expand as it freezes and also expand your shoes.
- • Take the shoes out of the freezer and try them on to check their new fit. If dissatisfied, you can repeat the process till your shoes are a perfect size.
2. Stuff fabric shoes with newspapers
Widen the toes and sides of your shoes with newspaper stuffing. By tightly stuffing papers into your shoes, you can create more space for your feet.
Decide on which areas of your shoes need to be stretched the most. Wad up newspapers into a sizable ball and shove them into the shoes. Leave the paper in for 24 to 48 hours to stretch the shoe fabric. By the time you take the paper out, the shoe fabric would have expanded.
If afterward, you are still dissatisfied with the size, you can repeat the process with more newspapers for a longer period.
3. Use socks or towels to stretch fabric shoes
Rip up an old towel into smaller strips and stuff them in your shoes to widen them. A ball of socks can also be used in place of towel strips. When stuffing the shoes, pay particular attention to the sides that are giving you the most problems.
Using this process should create more wiggle room for your feet in the shoes overnight. If your shoes still fit too tight by the time you take out the socks or towel strips, don’t be shy to try again till you are satisfied.
4. Stretch your fabric shoes using heat
A quick way to stretch your fabric shoes is to microwave them. For the sake of food, you’ll put in the microwave later, make sure the shoes are at least clean.
The heat from the microwave will loosen the fibers in the shoe material and make them flexible enough to stretch. But before putting in the shoes, make sure to check that there are no metal pieces in or on them.
Set your microwave timer to 30 seconds and put your shoes in. Once your microwave dings, take the shoes out and wear them immediately. Walk around in them for a bit while the material is still warm.
When they start to cool, return them to the microwave for another 30 seconds. By the time you take them out and wear them again, they should be your perfect size.
5. Stretch your fabric shoes using steam
This is similar to how to stretch your fabric shoes with a microwave. Start by using steam to loosen your fabric shoes. The steam will soften the material and make it expand to create more space for your feet.
You can generate the steam by heating some water. Hang your shoes over the steam for up to five minutes. Be sure to keep your hands safe from scalding by covering them with thick material. While the shoes are still warm, wear them and take them for a walk.
If they still feel snug after the first steam treatment, give the shoes another steam bathe until they fit comfortably.
6. Use a two-way shoe stretcher to stretch fabric shoes
Sometimes, the entire shoe might feel too tight and may need to be widened all around. Stretch your shoes at once with a two-way shoe stretcher. Two-way shoe stretchers lengthen the entire shoe and make it possible to create space in extra tight areas.
To use a two-way stretcher:
- • Start by spraying your shoes with a stretch liquid
- • Once the fabric is saturated with the liquid, turn the stretching device’s knob a full turn
- • After 8 hours, turn the knob another full turn
- • You should notice improvements immediately. If not, leave the stretcher in your shoe for longer to ensure it stretches enough to fit you.
That’s all you need to know about how to stretch your fabric shoes and make them comfortable.
Do you have your own secret shoe stretching technique? Please share in the comments.
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