Stretchers for shoes: features, types, recommendations for selection

Many of us faced the problem of too tight shoes, rubbing our feet. In previous years, the situation was corrected with the help of various folk remedies, today there are special devices - they allow you to stretch shoes by mechanical or chemical effects. All these methods are designed to adjust shoes from a variety of materials, each has its own characteristics of use, advantages and disadvantages.

Quite often, men and women come across stylish shoes, boots or boots that suit them according to all their characteristics, but at the same time they press a little. This is not a reason to refuse an interesting option. - there are special devices with which you can stretch the shoes and boots in width.

Our mothers and grandmothers stretched shoes with improvised means or even folk methods, so they adjusted the shape or size of the pair. Some of them are relevant today.

• Processing shoes with an alcohol-containing solution. In this case, the inner and outer surfaces of the pair are abundantly lubricated with liquid, it is best to do this with a spray gun. After processing, shoes should be put on your feet and walk in it until it is completely dry.
• Castor oil. With this composition, you should thoroughly lubricate the products from the inside and also from the outside, then put the shoes on socks and do not remove for several hours. The oil will not only adjust pressure and tightness, but will also remove creak in the sole. In the absence of castor oil, you can use petroleum jelly.
• Boiling water. If you don’t have any alcohol or oil at your disposal, simply try to treat the shoes with hot water. However, keep in mind that this method can be resorted to for models made of genuine leather, for leatherette and textiles it is unacceptable. Shoe pair should be treated with boiling water, slightly cooled and worn on a thin toe until dry.
• Vinegar. Only the inner surface is treated with this composition, and as a result, excess pressure on the legs is quickly and efficiently removed.
• Wet paper. There is another interesting way to stretch the shoes, for this they fill it with wet paper from the inside and dry it naturally.
• Ice. This method may seem strange, but it always gives a good result. In order to expand the shoes, they need to put a plastic bag filled with water in them and put them in the freezer. The liquid freezes and turns into ice, in accordance with the laws of physics at this moment it begins to increase in volume and stretch the shoes. The most important thing here is to approach work responsibly, the package must be without holes, it must be tied very well, and it is better to put it in the second package.

Now folk remedies have given way to professional stretch marks, which can conditionally be divided into two types: chemical and mechanical. They can be used both in tandem and individually.

Chemical stretch marks presented foams and aerosolsAs a rule, they are produced by companies that produce comprehensive shoe care products. The main advantages of such stretch marks include the following points:

• on sale you can find options for shoes of different types (from genuine and artificial leather, suede and textile);
• chemical compounds do not leave spots and untidy stains, do not change the shade of the product;
• stretchers not only pull, but also soften the skin, thus protecting it from tears.

Mechanical stretchers are usually sold in shoe stores, they are a screw strut, which is inserted into the shoes, and then by rotating the screw adjust the width of the pads. Typically, such stretch marks are made of wood, metal or thick plastic, holes are often formed on the surface in order to complement the spacer with convex overlays. By inserting them into the holes, you can adjust the width of the product in accordance with the individual physiology of the foot.

Such shoe accessories are often used for seasonal storage. - for this, they are simply inserted into the shoes and cleaned for several months. This helps protect shoes from creases and deformations.

There are peculiarities of stretching shoes from various materials. So, to increase shoe size from genuine leather one must be extremely careful. In particular, for patent leather it is advisable not to use a mechanical stretcher, since this material may not withstand heavy loads and will become covered with cracks.

Velor and suede modelson the contrary, it is advisable to stretch mechanically or even to wear folk methods, since any chemical compositions, even very light and weak, leave marks that subsequently will not be easy to get rid of.

Products made of synthetic materials are difficult to adjust, and the result is often unpredictable, since it is never 100% known which raw material a shoe pair is made of. The best option would be to purchase a chemical stretcher for leatherette shoes, mechanical stretchers can be used only at your own peril and risk.

The same methods are suitable for stretching boots as for stretching shoes. However, if you are dealing with boots with fur, then for easy stretching, it is best to take castor oil or shoe cream, and you can lubricate the product only from the outside. A good result gives a method such as wearing boots on several pairs of wet socks - for this, they take woolen knee-high socks, moisten them with hot water, wring them out, and then put on shoes and walk about the house for about half an hour.

Of course, distributing shoes at one time will not work, so all attempts should be repeated many times. After each manipulation, shoes are stuffed with dry paper and dried away from heating appliances.

It is impossible to stretch rubber boots, as this material cannot be increased, in any case, it will take its original form or break. However, nowadays very often shoes that are sold as rubber are made of polyvinyl chloride in practice, this material can be slightly stretched.

Today on sale you can find universal stretchers of various manufacturers that can be used for all types of shoes, with the exception of fur boots. Among them are:

• Salamander;
• Damavik;
• Silver
• Salton;
• Pregrada.

Some tools, according to consumers, are considered the most effective.

• Shoe Stretch. This spray is designed to stretch shoes. To perform the treatment, you should sprinkle with the composition the inner surface of the pair and pull on tight socks. Thus, it should be like 35-40 minutes - you will notice the result immediately.

• Salton. The spray is suitable for stretching the material and softening it. Ideal for shoes made from a wide variety of materials. To achieve the effect, a shoe pair should be sprayed every time before donning, as a rule, after 3-4 treatments, it takes a form convenient for the foot. Avoid inhalation of aerosol particles.

• Kiwi. This composition is designed to stretch all types of shoes; spray is sprayed only in the place where shoes, shoes or boots are crushed. After this, shoes should be worn for 30-40 minutes, if necessary, repeat the treatment. The spray smells caustic and rather unpleasant, so try to prevent inhalation of its vapor.

Each stretching method has its own characteristics. For example, a narrow toe is best expanded with cold or lubrication of the nose with petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin, or cream. The use of paper lumps shows a good result, but the narrow backdrop can be softened a little differently - To do this, they knock on it with an ordinary hammer.

In addition, you can stuff the sock tightly with newspapers, and put ice packs on the heel. You can smear the back of the shoe with petroleum jelly or castor oil and walk for 3-4 hours until the backs soften and increase in width. If the backs are too stiff and narrow, inside the shoes are smeared with a dry, solid deodorant, then put on the toe and wear until the shoes stop rubbing.

The bootlegs can be slightly expanded with the help of special mechanical stretchers, and to increase the lift of the shoes you can take a wet newspaper. Alternatively, pour cereal into the sock and add a little water to swell.

Chemical stretchers are quite easy to use, however, some manipulations are required and they should be carried out in strict accordance with the attached instructions. So, before use, the cylinder must be shaken, and then check the material of which the shoes are made for color sensitivity. This is important if you plan to apply the product not only inside, but also outside.

Treated shoes are generously filled with foam, and after that they wait a couple of minutes until it settles. Then the shoes are put on a wooden block and wait until they are completely dry, usually it takes about half an hour. If there are no pads, then you can carry shoes on the foot.

Improper use of shoe stretchers often leads to the most unpleasant consequences for the life and health of the user. So, when inhaling spray vapors, edema and irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes can occur. Do not apply foam and cream with bare hands, be sure to wear gloves. Properly carry out processing on the street or on the balcony.

If the operating rules of the stretcher are not observed, you can not only not get the expected result, but also hopelessly ruin your shoes without any possibility of restoring it in the future. First of all, this concerns tapping with a solid object, for example, a hammer. Of course, if we process army berets in this way, it is possible that only this method will be effective, but in the case of ordinary men's and women's boots and boots, most likely, such a stretch will result in broken seams, dents on the surface and creases.

Forbidden methods also include stretching shoes to tear, mechanical stretching does not need to be done by pushing solid objects into shoes - the result of such actions is often the deformation of glued parts.

A stretcher should be present in every home, since none of us is safe from acquiring a pair that will not be perfect. Which stretch to prefer - chemical or mechanical, choose yourself at your discretion.

In any case, when choosing a stretcher, you should adhere to certain recommendations.

• Keep in mind that shoes can only be stretched wide. Shoes and boots practically do not stretch in length, no matter what processing method you use. If your fingers rest on the front of the shoe or the back is rubbing heavily, just change the pair to a different size model.
• Expensive products made of genuine leather should not be pulled mechanically, this can cause significant damage. It is advisable to give such shoes a tensile professional shoemaker.
• Any composition used to stretch the shoes, for starters, test on an inconspicuous area, for example, on the inside. Qualitative composition should not change the shade of the product and its texture, leave traces.
• Keep in mind that after any chemical stretch, genuine leather loses its natural fats and becomes brittle, therefore, after each procedure, rub the shoes with air conditioning or cream.

Reviews about stretchers of shoes and shoes, left by users on a variety of thematic sites, in most cases indicate that this way of adjusting the width of the shoes at home really helps. Among the best products are brand products “Salton”, “Silver” and “Dividik”. The rating of the most popular stretchers also includes company sprays Girba.

At the same time, users indicate that compositions work best in the case of leather shoes, but they practically do not work on sneakers and fabric products. Many owners of uncomfortable pairs believe that one treatment of the inner surface will be sufficient to obtain the desired effect. This opinion is erroneous. To change the size of shoes, boots and boots, you must repeat the stretch marks at least three times.

See below for how to stretch shoes.