Patent leather shoes have been at their peak in the fashion world for years. Sometimes it’s not easy to refrain from acquiring a pair of shoes you like, even if they shake a little. But soon the joy gives way to a feeling of discomfort, because walking in tight shoes is a meal. In this case, the question immediately arises: "How to stretch patent shoes and is it possible?"
Can I stretch patent shoes?
Mirror shine of patent leather is caused by special processing. The polymer compositions that cover the skin give the material a glossy sheen, but at the same time it becomes stiff and less tensile compared to ordinary untreated skin.
In any case, with tight shoes, you have to do something. There are really few options: you can give a couple a friend, sell or try to make it freer. How to stretch patent leather shoes at home and what is needed for this?
Stretching shoes with a hairdryer and cream
This method involves the use of a hairdryer and cream with high fat content. If there is no cream, you can use Vaseline. It is worth noting that this method carries certain risks - hot air can lead to the fact that the shoes will become unsuitable for further use.
- In the middle of the shoe you need to direct the flow of hot air. Spills on the varnish must be avoided.
- After the shoe is warmed up inside, this area should be greased with cream or petroleum jelly.
- Then you need to put on warm socks and put on cream-soled shoes.
- In such shoes you have to walk around the house for at least two hours.
- Next, you need to re-grease the shoes with cream and leave them overnight. In the morning, the remaining cream can be removed with a damp cloth.
Stretching shoes with alcohol
This method is universal, since it is possible to resort to it if necessary to stretch shoes from any material. If we talk about how to stretch patent shoes, you will have to use pure alcohol. It is also necessary to prepare cotton swabs.
A swab dipped in alcohol should be used to completely treat the shoes inside. It is important that the liquid does not get on the surface of the patent leather, as this can damage it.
You can use a half-diluted cologne, but it should be borne in mind that the shoes will absorb its aroma and will exude it for a long period. Replacement of alcohol can be vodka, whiskey or another strong alcoholic drink.
If there is damage to the skin of the feet, alcohol-containing fluid is not recommended. In the presence of fungal diseases, this method is also worth refraining from.
Stretching patent leather shoes under the influence of steam or boiling water
This method is quite dangerous, since boiling water can get on the varnish surface, as a result of which cracks will appear on it. That is why you need to act very carefully.
In shoes you need to pour a glass of boiling water. After 2 minutes, the water must be drained. To stretch the shoes with the help of steam, it should be held over it for several minutes. Then you can put on tight socks and walk around the house in shoes for as long as possible.
Terry shoe stretch
If you bought a new pair of shoes, and the question has ripened, how to stretch patent leather shoes, you can use the usual terry towel at home. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a plastic bag that closes tightly. The towel needs to be wetted in warm water, wrung out and wrapped in shoes. Then you should put the shoes in a bag and leave them in it for the night. In the morning they need to be taken out and allowed to dry completely.
Stretching shoes with newspapers
This method can be considered the most economical. If the issue of how to stretch patent leather shoes has become urgent for someone, try our advice. You can achieve what you want with the help of newspapers. To do this, they need to be torn to pieces and moistened with plenty of water. It is necessary to compact the paper inside the shoe as tightly as possible and wait for it to dry completely. Do not accelerate this process and put shoes near heating appliances. Natural drying will take about a day. When the newspapers are dry, they must be removed. After that, the shoes will become much freer.
Stretching shoes with special tools
On sale today you can find a spray for stretching shoes, foam or cream. Such tools will help make the shoes a little looser. They need to be applied to those areas of shoes where the foot is most squeezed, then put on shoes and walk around for a couple of hours. The skin softens a bit and the shoes become looser.
It is important to use products that are designed exclusively for patent leather. In any case, whether it be foam or spray, you need to apply the compounds on the inner surface of the shoe.
It is most effective to use shoe stretchers in combination with special devices, the so-called "stretch marks." They are wooden or plastic pads that can be found in a specialized store. First, inside the shoe you need to spray a spray to stretch the shoes and only then use stretch marks.
Professional help
With expensive patent leather shoes, do not experiment at home. It is advisable to entrust the stretching procedure to specialists. In shoe shops, special tools and pads are used for this. Modern equipment in just a few minutes will help make shoes freer.
If it is not possible to turn to specialists for help, you need to learn how to carry varnish shoes on your own in order to maintain their perfect appearance. This issue needs to be solved taking into account all the subtleties, otherwise you can lose a pair of shoes purchased.
What not to do
Patent leather is a material that must be handled very carefully. Cracks and abrasions may form on the glossy surface. The stretching procedure must be carried out carefully so that the shoes do not lose their original appearance.
Patent shoes do not tolerate:
- Too high and low temperatures. No need to dip shoes in boiling water and put them in the freezer. Perhaps the shoes will become freer, but the skin will deteriorate.
- Aggressive compositions. The glossy surface must not be treated with alcohol, gasoline, silicone-containing agents. All stretch products must be applied inside the shoe.
- Mechanical impact. In some old editions, you can find recommendations on how to stretch patent leather shoes at home. However, not all of them involve safe stretching. For example, the advice to slightly beat off the shoes with a hammer so that it moves and becomes freer has long been irrelevant, since today there are a lot of safer ways to help stretch the shoes.
Conclusion
If the shoes are too tight, the first question will be how to stretch the shoes to size and is it possible to do it yourself. It is possible, but half the size. It is also worth noting that patent leather shoes lend themselves to stretching in width rather than in length.
If the shoes are already bought and a bit tight, but you want to go out in it, you need to learn more about how to distribute varnish shoes and what methods can be practiced at home.