How to Stretch Shoes for Wide feet At Home: Paid and Free Techniques

Finding a great pair of shoes is hard. After all, there are different kinds of footwear, and each type comes in different designs and features. Plus, of course, there’s the price point to consider! But what if you find a great pair of shoes that fits your budget and style but does not seem to fit your wide feet? Or what if you bought shoes that eventually seem to be painfully tight? Fortunately, there are different ways of stretching the shoes, and knowing how to stretch shoes for wide feet will go a long way. In fact, one can do the stretching even at home! Here are some techniques.

Wear them at Home

The easiest way to stretch your shoes is to keep wearing them at home. If they seem too tight and unwearable outside, then just use them first in your house for a few hours a day for the next few days. The footwear will then adjust to your feet.

The Sock Technique

If you are in a hurry and do not have the luxury of waiting a few days, then consider the sock technique.

One can use socks to stretch the shoes. This is simple to do as it only requires a few pairs of socks. Simply roll each sock into balls and stuff them deep inside the shoe gently. Now, do the same for the other shoe. Leave the shoes with socks for around 12 to 24 hours, and you will notice the difference in width.

There is also the option to wet the socks before stuffing them in the footwear. Just make sure to squeeze out the excess water before placing them inside.

Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol sprays are not only for cleaning. It can also be useful in stretching shoes.

Grab a spray bottle and fill half of it with rubbing alcohol. Then add water and shake the solution. Now spray the insides of the shoes with the solution and wear them for around 20 minutes. Make sure to wear the boots immediately after spraying since alcohol dries up quickly.

If you don’t have a spray bottle, then you can also rub the alcohol and water mix directly on the parts you want to be stretched.

If one does not have time to put on the pair, then the socks can be used. Simply grab a cotton sock, then soak them in the rubbing alcohol. Make sure to squeeze the excess alcohol before placing them inside the shoes.

Shoe Stretchers

One can also use a shoe stretcher, especially for leather shoes. This is also known as the dry technique.

A shoe stretcher has the same shape as a foot and is often made from wood. It has adjustments and screws that help stretch footwear. Shoe stretchers can be bought in local hardware, selected groceries, and even thrift stores.

One simply needs to insert the shoe stretcher inside the shoes and leave them for hours. Oil or a shoe stretching spray can also be used with the shoe stretcher. The oil or spray will help in making the material a bit suppler and help the shoe stretch evenly. The liquid also can speed up the process of stretching.

Newspapers

Many people do not throw out old newspapers as they can be recycled or used for other purposes. This is true as the newspaper can also help in stretching shoes.

Grab some old newspapers and wet them. Then scrunch them together to form a small ball. Now, stuff them gently inside the footwear to make sure that the shoe shape is not distorted. Otherwise, remove them and crumple them again until they shape like shoes.

Let the newspaper dry inside before taking it out. You can see the difference in shape after.

Oats

Oats are not only great for breakfast since they can also be used to stretch the shoes. Simply place oats inside a plastic bag and pour some water so that the grain will swell. Now place the wet oats inside the shoes.

The next day, remove the oatmeal from the footwear and wear the shoes every day until they become dry. Alternatively, one can use other grains that swells when wet.

The Potato

Grab a big potato and peel it. Now place them deep into the shoe until you see some budge. Leave the potato overnight.

Inside the Freezer

One can also use the freezer to stretch shoes.

Grab a plastic bag or thick balloon and fill one-third of it with water. Now slip the plastic or balloon with water deep inside the shoe. Grab the footwear and place them in the freezer. The shoe will expand when the water freezes. You can leave the footwear for hours inside the freezer.

Remove the shoes from the freezer and wait around 20 minutes before taking out the plastic bag or balloon. Wear the shoes to check if it has expanded to fit your feet. If not, then repeat the process.

How to Stretch Shoes for Wide Feet: A Professional Can Help

There is no need to call a professional or shoe expert to stretch the footwear for you. However, many feel uncomfortable doing the stretching on their own for fear of ruining the footwear. If this is the case, then asking the help of a professional is the best thing to do.

There are professional cobblers in every neighborhood. Some use machines that apply pressure or heat gently to the shoe’s material so that it will stretch.

Asking the help of professionals is also a good idea particularly if the pair of shoes cost a lot. Plus, some footwear can be quite delicate, and professionals will know the best technique to use when stretching.

Shoe Stretching at Home Is Easy

At one point in our lives, we have bought shoes that at first seemed to fit comfortably only to realize that they are a bit snug. This is especially true for those with wide feet. Do not fret as there are different ways of stretching the shoes. Fortunately, stretching shoes at home is as easy as the items you will need are easily available at home. If one is uncomfortable doing the stretching themselves despite knowing how to stretch shoes for wide feet, then a professional’s help is also a good idea.